Why Star Wars Video Games Aren’t Complete Without a Battlefront Revival

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 28, 2024 11 Views 7 Min Read
Why Star Wars Video Games Aren't Complete Without a Battlefront Revival



Star Wars Battlefront debuted in 2004, breaking new ground for the franchise with its large-scale battles and online functionality. Star Wars Battlefront 2 improved upon its precursor’s formula in just about every way, and became a legendary title that’s still being played almost a decade later. Soon after, Battlefront received two PSP pseudo-sequels; Renegade Squadron and Elite Squadron. While these handheld entries weren’t as technically impressive as their console predecessors, they introduced some surprisingly innovative mechanics, such as a custom loadout feature and ground-to-space transitions. Then along came EA’s Star Wars Battlefront reboot.




EA and DICE’s Star Wars Battlefront duology has a mixed legacy. Both titles were objectively flawed at launch, with a lack of content in the first game and some severe microtransaction issues in the second. But history has been kind to Battlefront 2 in particular, with its updates over the years convincing fans to hop back on board, where many have stayed. Star Wars Battlefront‘s continued popularity in spite of quality issues is just one example of why Battlefront should never be left in the dust, but there are some other big ones.

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Star Wars Battlefront Should Remain a Staple of the Franchise

No Star Wars Series Explores War Like Battlefront

One half of the franchise’s title, war is the backdrop of practically everything that happens in the Star Wars universe. The Star Wars original trilogy has the Galactic Civil War fueling its story, the prequels had the Clone Wars, and the sequels have the First Order’s rise to power. Even in the High Republic era, a time mostly filled with peace, stories often revolve around authorities trying to avoid a galactic conflict.


There have been plenty of great Star Wars video games over the years that have explored war-adjacent themes, such as what it means to be a survivor of the Clone Wars and Order 66, or what it means to be a Rebel trying to fight for freedom against all odds. But none have explored the actual war aspect of the franchise quite like Star Wars Battlefront.

Every Star Wars Battlefront entry has put war at the forefront of the experience. Large-scale battles are rarely shown for too long in the movies or shows, but in Star Wars Battlefront they’re the main event. Big explosions, terrifying vehicles, and the devastating power of a Jedi or Sith joining the battlefield are all seen first-hand in Battlefront through its gameplay, and this unique perspective deserves to be a staple of the world of Star Wars video games.

The Next Star Wars Battlefront Should Double Down on its Unique Perspective

But if Star Wars Battlefront remains a staple of the Star Wars video game space, it needs to keep evolving and exploring its unique perspective further. 2005’s Star Wars Battlefront 2 had no shortage of qualities, but its “Rise of the Empire” campaign was one of its biggest highlights.


Beginning the game as a 501st Clone Trooper, Battlefront 2‘s story spans the Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War eras. As a Clone, players face off against the CIS, and then turn their attention towards the Jedi when Order 66 is enacted. Players then see the 501st turn into loyal Imperial Stormtroopers, and they continue to play as the Empire. Along with the somber voiceover that accompanies each mission briefing, Battlefront 2‘s campaign is a surprisingly deep and harrowing story of war’s cyclical nature and soldiers following orders regardless of the ethics of a situation.

While EA’s Star Wars Battlefront 2 tried to deliver the opposite narrative, where players begin as an Imperial and become a member of the Resistance, it didn’t pack quite as much of an emotional punch due to its forced cameo missions that obscured the campaign’s original story. If another Battlefront happens, it should follow in the original Battlefront 2‘s footsteps, and focus on that theme of being just another cog in the never-ending machine of war.


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