Star Wars Battlefront 2: The Game Awakens
Star Wars Battlefront 2 has made an extraordinary comeback. Since its controversial launch in 2017, DICE has completely transformed the game to what it should have been. With new game modes, characters, and the removal of micro-transactions, players have since been flocking back to the game in the past few months.
Original Release Controversy
In 2017, everyone was excited to see the release of a new Battlefront game. This was because of the inclusiveness of multiple eras in the game, such as The Clone Wars. Everyone was sadly disappointed when the game came out to say the least.
The game was plagued with micro-transactions, and this hindered the playability. Usually when a game has micro-transactions, it deals with cosmetics only, but this wasn’t the case. You had to spend in-game currency (credits) to purchase the hero and villain characters such as Boba Fett, Luke Skywalker, and even Darth Vader. You would think that paying the 60 dollars for the Triple A game would have been enough to play as these fan favorite characters, but this simply wasn’t the case at all. Sure, you could earn the credits in game, but it would take hours upon hours to earn enough just to unlock one of the many fan favorite characters. On top of this there was even a chance that you wouldn’t be able to play as the character once you unlocked them. This was because only one can be in the game at a time until they are eliminated.
The game wasn’t a complete flop at launch; the game-play was still fun to a certain aspect. The game would still gather lots of controversy because of the problem of micro-transactions. With these problems came less and less players to the game in the following months.
Students from Moeller High school such as Alex von Gillern ‘21, and Ryan Stacey ‘20, are both avid Star War’s Fans and players of Battlefront 2. They both agreed that the main hindrance of their game-play was because of micro-transactions. Because of this, they were both disappointed in the game. Alex stated on the issue, “I spent $60 on the game at release, and it felt like I wasted a lot of money”. Ryan Stacey also stated on the issue saying, “The game was filled with loot crates and micro transactions, and because of this I gradually stopped playing.”
What has changed
Though Battlefront 2 had a lot of struggle’s, it was still able to maintain a player base that continually enjoyed the game. And of course, EA and DICE still released content updates to keep these player’s happy. These updates have ranged from The Clone Wars update back in 2018, to the new Rise of Skywalker update in December.
These updates have brought lots of new content to the game. It is to the point where the game has transformed completely. The game has added a multitude of new classes and characters. These new classes consist of Commando Droids, ARC Troopers, Droideka’s, and so on. They have also released lots of new characters such as Count Dooku, Obi Wan Kenobi, and even General Grievous.
Along with these new characters, DICE even decided to add some new game modes that are fun and interesting. One of these is called capital supremacy. This game mode has 40 players in a lobby that compete for control on the ground, to then invade and destroy the enemy ship in the sky. Capital supremacy games can last from 20 minutes to over an hour. This is because if you can capture the ground and go up to the enemy ship, and the enemy team defeats you, you go back on the ground and start the process over again. Same goes if you defend your ship from invaders. It’s an awesome game of cat and mouse that is insanely entertaining.
Above all else, with these new characters, and game modes, there is one change that really transformed the game. This was the complete removal of micro transactions. You can play as any character right off the bat, no credits required. Being this was the main problem with Battlefront 2 back in 2017, people have flocked back into the game, especially after the new Rise of Skywalker update in December. With all the new features from the past few years of updates, combined with the removal of micro transactions, Battlefront 2 has become the game it should have been from the very beginning.
Why you should come back to playing, or get started
Post interview with Alex von Gillern ‘21
So why should you come back to or start Battlefront 2? Overall, the game is practically different. With new heroes, maps, game modes, and constant updates to the game, DICE will keep fueling it until they make a new Battlefront game.
Ryan and Alex had some more to say about Battlefront 2 following its amazing comeback in the past few months.
Alex specifically started playing the game again when the new update came out back in December, which is when a lot of other players came back as well. Alex had to say this about one of his favorite things they have added, “I really enjoy playing as Clone Wars characters such as Anakin. I also like the new game mode Capital supremacy; this game mode feels like DICE actually thought about the game and fleshed it out to make it feel like something is at stake.”
Ryan Stacey has tried to consistently play the game through the years. He stated about some things he liked, “I really like everything they added regarding the Clone Wars especially General Grievous and the Clone legions from Clone Wars.”
Both Ryan and Alex had to say this about if you should come back or not,
“Now is the time to come back. It costs way less and it’s a better game than ever before,” Ryan claimed. He’s definitely right about the price, the game is on sale for $12.49 (50% off) on both PS4 and XBox1 until March 1st.
“I play it consistently now after the new update came out, I definitely recommend giving it a shot,” Alex reassured players.
Battlefront 2 has had some rough history, but that shouldn’t stop you from playing this galaxy defying game. With all the Star Wars content such as The Mandalorian and the Rise of Skywalker, there is sure to be more buzz about this amazing Star Wars game. Give Star Wars Battlefront 2 a revisit or even start it and see what you think, I'm sure you will be surprised to say the least.