Released in 2005, Star Wars: Battle Front II places the player directly in the midst of the battles of the Star Wars universe. With more units, vehicles, and space battles, the game provides much wanted features as a highly successful sequel.

The game is centered around two major conflicts of the Star Wars series: the Clone Wars and the Rebellion. In the former, you choose whether to be the CIS, who are droids, or the Clones, who are human. In the latter, you choose whether to be the empire or the rebels.

My goal will be critically analyze the game in comparison with other PS2 games.

So without further ado, let’s jump in!

Graphics: 3 / 10
From the start, graphics seem mediocre. Many low definition 2D pictures are pasted onto flat-surfaced 3D models. With little 3D representation for surface designs, space battles are disappointing and aircraft don’t look realistic.

Considering the size of the battlefields, the level of graphic quality remains impressive. While a rare occurrence, quantity trumps quality in this game as larger battlefields allow for better gameplay through complex, longer battles.

Since the problem had existed in the original game, the designers should have put more time into the graphics while keeping the large sizes. While more time spent on graphics leads to delays, the game-play would definitely improve.

With only a year between SW:BF and SW:BF II, the goal of the designers was to make a few fixes that would lead to a popular sell. This mentality made the game less original and hurts the score on nearly all areas, especially when it comes to graphics.

Since the world models could do with more detailed 3D models and higher detailed images, the graphics only rate 3 / 10.

Sound / Music: 7 / 10
Softly playing, the music does not enjoy a large part of the playing experience. Often drowned out by the sound effects, you may not notice it unless in the menus or at the start / end of a battle.

A strength to the game, the sound effects immerses the player into the experience of the battle. Throughout the game: background fire, explosions, and teammates on radio are audible.

Perhaps surprisingly, the combination of the noises aren’t annoying. At intense times, they can be overwhelming, but they only positively contribute to the experience of the game.

At the same time, they aren’t impressive. Other war games use the same combinations and so, there’s no innovation. Moreover, possible innovation in the music could not be heard.

While the sound effects work, they aren’t innovative. Therefore, Sound / Music rates 7 / 10.

Addictiveness: 7 / 10
The thrilling, exciting battles keep players engaged. Single-player games can be played for hours without tiring. However, they soon lose their charm as the objectives become tedious and battles become repetitive.

On the other hand, Multiplayer allows for incredible competitiveness and cooperation between sides. The lack of difficulty when facing AIs is removed when two players face each other. Now both sides have equal opportunity to face each other, battles last longer, and success / defeats have greater emotional value. Over time, the lack of multiplayer options bores players, but it can stay addictive for several months.

Having owned the game for several years, I only play once in a while and always on multiplayer. I only manage to play for 2-3 hours at a time before finding myself bored. In significant contrast, when I first bought the game I could play the entire day without tiring.

Alternate modes, such as capture the flag, bring new fighting objectives to battlefields and can prove addicting. I prefer normal battles, since capture the flag is too easy against AI and too hard against camping human players.

At the start, you’ll find yourself incredibly addicted to this game. However, the decline in addiction in both single and multiplayer modes over time decreases the score to a 7 / 10.

Story: 2 / 10
While of small consequence, the story of single-player does exist. The player seeks to achieve objectives that lead to his side in the Clone or Rebel Wars to victory. The majority of the game is based on the game-play of battles and fighting.

2 / 10.

Depth: 7 / 10
Although the battles eventually turn repetitive, there are several awards you can try to earn. Some of the accumulated ones involve using engineer units to fix vehicles, using sniper units to kill with one shot, and surviving after taking damage.

Temporary stats display the best and worst fighters of the battle. Some of the worst ones include team-killer, camper, and public enemy. The best stats include most valuable fighter and survivalist.

When two space-ships fight, there are two ways to win. All the enemy units can be eradicated or the enemy ship blown up. To blow up the enemy ship requires the sabotage of numerous external and internal components.

While little breadth in the battles exist, the depth is an essential component to game-play.

7 / 10.

Difficulty: 5 / 10
The underwhelming difficulty against AI characters makes single-player too easy within a few days. While the lack of difficulty makes the game easier for newer players, it’s annoying for veterans.

However, you can try to survive the battles without a death or seek the fastest win. You can also actively searching for opportunities to increase your stats.

In multiplayer, the difficulty rises significantly. However, luck does play a larger role as the computer simulates fights between characters on your side and your opponent’s. On the other hand, the greatest damage can be quickly caused by human players who quickly enter enemy bases to capture them or stow away on the enemy ship to sabotage.

With virtually no natural difficulty in single-player mode, the difficulty rating lowers to 5 / 10.

Overall: 5.3 / 10
My holistic comparison of important categories leads to a mediocre overall score of 5.3 / 10.

Both the weaknesses and strengths of the game appeared in the same aspects. Instead of doing a few things well and others extremely poorly, almost every aspect of the game was mediocre in some way.

Even if you’re a Star Wars fanatic, I would not recommend buying this game new if your intent is to play it. However, I would recommend playing this game at some point, whether at a friend’s or for another console. While it was rated low, I enjoyed the hours I spent playing it and I found it worth the money I spent.

If I were you, I’d only buy it:
1. if someone is giving it away or I’m getting it for a really cheap price (below market value).

2. if I want to collect it as a Star Wars collector.

3. if I’m okay with the fact that it gets boring after a few months and I want some instant gratification and fun.

For those three cases specifically, the game would suit your needs.

While re-examining SW:BF II took much more time than I expected, I found it great to explore a game in-depth that I’ve had for years.

Thank you for reading!

STAR WARS: Battlefront 2 is one of my favorites. I own it on PS2 and there are still people playing this on PS2 Online. The PS2 has small different elements PC didn't got. I say PS2 too much but I think it is superior to PC. And playing 2 player split screen has low FPS when in First-person. Great review, you didn't overrate it.