Summary
- Star Wars: Battlefront spawned the definitive multiplayer franchise set in a galaxy far, far away.
- Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005) defined a generation with improved gameplay, modes, and characters.
- The 2017 sequel transitioned from disastrous to fantastic after many patches and free content updates.
There is a long history of Star Wars video games out there, and many of them have spawned their own franchises, such as the Star Wars: Battlefront series. Since starting in 2004, Star Wars: Battlefront has been the definitive title for gamers to experience multiplayer shooter action set in a galaxy far, far away.
Best Star Wars Games Ever, Ranked
On top of many successful movies, the Star Wars franchise has also seen a whole host of incredible games that have brought its universe to life.
There have been six Star Wars: Battlefront games over the years, and they remain popular, with fans still hoping for a Star Wars: Battlefront 3 in the future. Each game delivers epic battles in its own way, featuring different gameplay and visual presentations. Some have proven better than others, with a few maintaining strong player bases years after their release.
6 Star Wars: Battlefront (2015)
Fans Were Disappointed With EA's Series Reboot
Star Wars Battlefront (2015)
- Released
- November 17, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Third-Person Shooter
There is no denying that EA and DICE crafted a beautiful-looking game that looks and feels straight out of a Star Wars movie, thanks to the Frostbite engine providing photorealistic visuals. The blasters the characters wield, the lightsabers, starships, and even the environment all had accurate sounds to keep players immersed, but Star Wars: Battlefront was not a strong reboot of the series.
Despite its stunning visuals, Star Wars: Battlefront felt more like a demo than a full game. Many of the signature modes that the Battlefront series was known for were absent, and there was no single-player content beyond a disappointing wave-based survival mode. Additionally, the card-based upgrade system for loadouts was criticized by nearly all players, including those unfamiliar with the series.
5 Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
Bring The Handheld War On The Road
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
- Released
- July 7, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen // Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Vehicular Combat, Action
As far as an exclusive Battlefront title for the PlayStation Portable, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron could be worse. It delivers action-packed skirmishes similar to those found in other games in the series at the time, and even features an original campaign. It follows a Force-sensitive clone who fights for and against the Empire, partaking in famous battles from the movies.
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However, as a sequel, Elite Squadron lacks diversity in its battles compared to Renegade Squadron, with every match playing out the same way: starting with a ground battle that leads to a capital ship battle. It becomes monotonous quickly, especially when the enemy AI is completely broken, so a player can experience all that the game has to offer in one or two matches.
4 Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
Character Customization Was A Standout Aspect
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
- Released
- October 9, 2007
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron is essentially a condensed version of Star Wars: Battlefront 2. It features similar gameplay and visuals, although it is not as polished as its counterparts. Despite this, it successfully provides a Battlefront experience that nearly rivals the mainline games. However, a significant drawback is that the multiplayer mode can only be accessed by multiple players using their own PSP consoles on the same Wi-Fi network.
It was the first game in the Battlefront franchise to feature cosmetic customization, allowing players to create their ideal trooper, including the weapons and equipment they wield. That gimmick, combined with more appealing gameplay, makes Renegade Squadron a perfect game for road trips if a gamer still has their PSP.
3 Star Wars: Battlefront (2004)
Pandemic Studios Spawned A New Star Wars Franchise
Star Wars Battlefront
- Released
- September 24, 2004
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, FPS
Even after twenty years, the original Star Wars: Battlefront is still considered a classic due to its large-scale battles , which were ahead of their time in 2004, and its sprawling gameplay that immerses the player in iconic Star Wars locations. From the Republic to the Empire, players experience new battles and those featured in the films, with mechanics that influenced other multiplayer shooters that followed.
Fans would come to love Star Wars: Battlefront so much that it and its sequel would get remastered in 2024, showing their legacy in the long line of Star Wars games. The now-defunct Pandemic Studios got their start with another Star Wars game, but Battlefront would be so successful that they would also work on the sequel.
2 Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)
The Game That Defined A Generation Of Star Wars Games
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)
- Released
- November 1, 2005
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Pandemic Studios
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
A sequel should always improve on what came before, and Star Wars: Battlefront 2 accomplished that with more soldier classes, gameplay mechanics, and game modes. It’s still an objective-based multiplayer shooter in which troops engage in intense skirmishes across planets, but with additions like starship combat, lightsaber wielders, and an even better story mode.
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Star Wars has offered gamers unforgettable multiplayer experiences through titles like the Battlefront series and Star Wars Squadrons.
The Galactic Conquest mode, which combined skirmishes with tactical planning, was beloved because it allowed one or two players to engage in warfare for hours at a time. This was also the first time that hero characters like Jedi, Sith, and bounty hunters were playable, a feature that would remain in every mainline Battlefront game that followed.
1 Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017)
From A Disastrous Launch To A Strong Sequel
Star Wars Battlefront 2
- Released
- November 17, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Violence
- Genre(s)
- FPS
When the reboot of Star Wars: Battlefront 2 launched in 2017, it was controversial due to its imbalanced gameplay, pay-to-win mechanics, and a severe lack of content. However, after the backlash from gamers, EA, DICE, and Motive worked hard to rectify their errors, making almost every requested change to meet the expectations of fans, as the potential for a classic was evident.
The changes resulted in Star Wars: Battlefront 2 becoming a middle ground between the original Battlefront titles and Electronic Arts’ Battlefield franchise. While not perfect, it still won over the hearts of many gamers, as it felt like a new game that delivered on gameplay, visuals, online multiplayer, and more, and still boasts a strong player count eight years after launch.
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