Summary
The two most recentStar Wars Battlefrontgames have lost nearly all of their playerbase with queues being a ghost town lately. This isn’t as much of a surprise for the 2015Battlefrontas it is for 2017’sBattlefront 2, but even the latter is essentially a dead game now seven years later and with active development long since ceased. That’s why, seemingly against all odds, it’s a rare treat to see the originalStar Wars Battlefrontgames receive aClassic Collection.
TheClassic Collectionis available now and, tragically, it is underbaked in its launch state. ThisClassic Collectionis perhaps even more likely to earn success, though, with the discourse envelopingBattlefrontbeing largely positive nowadays and thepopularity ofHelldivers 2reminding players whyBattlefronthas been sorely missed. It’s either a huge fluke or a purposeful calculation, but theStar Wars Battlefront Classic Collectiondropping when it has could be the ember that stokes a massive flame, so long as it can get a quick turnaround on the multiplayer issues it possesses.
Battlefront’s Classic Collection Arrives at the Height of Helldivers’ Popularity
IfHelldivers 2hadn’t emerged with renewed vigor in the PvE sphere, it’s anyone’s guess how a newBattlefrontgame would be received. Ever sinceHelldivers 2was compared to the chaotic blaster bolt-hell ofClone Wars, it’s been clear how impactfulBattlefrontwas as a large-scale PvP title.
Helldivers 2gets a lot of its mileage on the hilarious militarism and civic duty memes that it perpetuates as a parody of such sci-fi propaganda, yet its gameplay lives up to every second of its epic bombast.Battlefront’s own epic moments come from reliving iconic moments of warfare depicted inStar Wars’ movies, allowing players to have a role in the ensuing battle as a slate of diverse characters or races.
It’s been a while since a newBattlefrontgame was released and, although theClassic Collectionisn’t technically a new entry, this packaged ‘remaster’ could be enough to inspire a new mainline installment that can pick up where 2017’sBattlefront 2left off. If such a game included anything likeHelldivers 2, which it absolutely should, it could be incredibly successful and hop ona brand-new PvE bandwagonthat looks like it’ll have some decent legs amid a horde of lackluster live-service offerings lately.
Battlefront Classic Collection is Already Plagued by Terrible Server Problems
Devastatingly, Aspyr’sClassic Collectionhas proven to exhibit disastrously inadequate multiplayer at launch with rampant server issues, audio bugs, and immense lag, while single-player content lacks ending cutscenes—far, far away from the definitive experience thatBattlefrontdeserved. How theClassic Collectionis received now could mar the series irreparably.
It would be a huge letdown if theClassic Collectionturned out to be a dud that blemishesBattlefrontas a whole because the franchise truly is in need of another grace period, but it’s hard to defend such a troubled product at launch.
Servers aren’t nearly as bad as when the game was immediately released, but these problems persist and it seems like players need to be lucky to experience a match without any glaring technical concerns. Notwithstanding, what is properly playable in theClassic Collection’s single-player content does hold true to whatBattlefront’s core gameplay always delivered well and hopefully its multiplayer content will meet that standard soon. If it’s going to make any positive impressions at all before players are inevitably disinterested, it needs to stick the landing hastily.
Battlefront’s History is Conflicted But Still Shows Promise and Longing
Battlefront’s latest installment was likely its most controversial and for good reason, even if the state it ended development in completely turned that perception around and concluded with a lot of thrilling content. None of that matters much now with hardly anyone appearing in queues, but nonetheless it seems like the reception toa possibleBattlefront 3is positive, which wouldn’t have been the case back whenBattlefront 2launched.
Helldivers 2may have inadvertently beenBattlefront’s biggest boon and coming out just beforeStar Wars Battlefront’sClassic Collectionwill hopefully prove to be favorable. IfBattlefrontcan piggyback on the hypeHelldivers 2has enjoyed even a little bit, there may be hope in the galaxy that could translate into another shot at a full-fledged main installment, whether that’s a sequel toBattlefront 2or another reboot.
Fight in iconic battles from across the STAR WARS™ galaxy
Play the classic STAR WARS Battlefront games on modern consoles, online and offline in this complete classic collection.
The Classic Collection includes STAR WARS Battlefront (Classic), which features a bonus map of Jabba’s Palace. It also includes STAR WARS Battlefront II, includes bonus maps Bespin: Cloud City, Rhen Var: Harbor, Rhen Var: Citadel, and Yavin 4: Arena, along with bonus heroes Asajj Ventress and Kit Fisto.
Traverse the Galaxy in Campaign Mode & Galactic Conquest
Galactic Conquest: Devise your strategy, recruit your troops, and execute your tactical vision for conquering the galaxy.
STAR WARS™ Battlefront Campaign: Experience iconic battles from STAR WARS Episodes I-VI
STAR WARS™ Battlefront II Campaign: Join the rise of Darth Vader’s elite 501st Legion of Stormtroopers
Massive Locations with up to 64-player Online Support
-Fight on the ground: Wookiee Warriors, Jet Troopers, Droidekas and more in massive multiplayer action
-Drive iconic vehicles: Speeder Bikes, AT-STs, AT-RTs, and more in offensive and defensive battles
-Pilot legendary starships: TIE fighters, X-wings, and more in space and air dogfights
Expanded Hero Assault
Hero Assault is playable on all ground maps including: Death Star, Kashyyyk, Kamino, and Naboo for the first time ever
-Fight with heroes: Mace Windu, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and many others!
-Battle with villains: Darth Maul, General Grievous, Darth Vader, and many others
