Star Wars: Battlefront II
- July 8, 2009
- Pandemic Studios
- 36h median play time
Get on SteamStar Wars: Battlefront II is the sequel to Star Wars: Battlefront. It is a high-selling Star Wars video game following the many adventures of several characters. The two games are very similar, as both revolve around troopers from various factions fighting in different locales. Battlefront II, however, includes elements and missions from Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, as well as enhan…
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation 2
PSP
Xbox
Reviews
- graphics2,240 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Star Wars: Battlefront II" (2005) are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its age as a game released nearly two decades ago. While many players acknowledge that the visuals do not meet modern standards, they often emphasize that the gameplay experience compensates for this shortcoming. Additionally, a robust modding community offers various enhancements, allowing players to improve graphics and overall gameplay, making it a nostalgic favorite despite its graphical limitations.
“I'm always amazed how fun it still is and how good it still looks when you crank the graphics all the way up; rubbish by today's standards, but for a game which is really getting on now, it puts you in the world.”
“Despite its age, the graphics still hold up well and remain easy on the eyes, making it a timeless classic for any Star Wars fan.”
“The graphics in the old ones are predictably bland, and unlike some old games, the graphics don't have any character to make up for the limitation in technology.”
“The graphics may feel dated now, but the nostalgia and charm still shine through.”
“The graphics are extremely outdated; there is less content than the modern Battlefront 2, and there are a lot of bugs still in the game.”
- gameplay1,857 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005) is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, diverse modes, and nostalgic appeal, despite its dated graphics. Players appreciate the chaotic yet fun nature of battles, the variety of classes and vehicles, and the inclusion of both ground and space combat, which contribute to a rich gameplay experience. While some mechanics show their age and the AI can be lacking, the overall enjoyment and replayability, especially with the support of mods, make it a beloved classic among fans.
“Put hundreds of hours into this game back in the original days and loved the smooth gameplay and unique planetary battle system.”
“The gameplay is where Battlefront II truly shines.”
“The gameplay is addictive, the graphics hold up well, and the nostalgia factor is off the charts.”
“Terrible aim mechanic, gunplay, movement, map design, story mode.”
“From the creators of the game that lets you relive iconic Star Wars battles, comes Star Wars: Battlefront II—the game where hero spam, random explosions, and broken mechanics rule the galaxy.”
“The gameplay didn't age well.”
- story1,760 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Star Wars Battlefront II" (2005) is centered around the 501st Legion of clone troopers, providing a unique perspective on the events of the Clone Wars and the rise of the Empire, culminating in the infamous Order 66. Players experience a series of missions that blend iconic battles from the Star Wars saga with the personal narrative of a clone soldier, narrated by Temuera Morrison, which adds depth to the gameplay. While some missions can be frustratingly difficult, the overall campaign is praised for its engaging storytelling and nostalgic value, making it a beloved classic among fans.
“The main story, told through the journal of the 501st clone brigade, takes you on a compelling and increasingly somber journey toward the inevitable fall of the republic.”
“The story mode really made me love the clones and the 501st; the cutscene before you storm the Jedi temple has stuck with me and gives me chills every time.”
“The campaign follows the story of the 501st clones throughout the clone wars and empire eras, giving you a new perspective on the series.”
“The story is just okay; the later missions are literally a series of long halls, and the more missions you get into, the more annoying the spawn points become, to the point where you're running 60+ seconds to get to the objective just to probably die because your AI is terrible, even for 2005.”
“The story mode is a short experience that really hits you in the feels, especially with the sudden tone change to the end with Order 66.”
“The story, while a bit straightforward, is very engaging for anyone willing to give it a chance.”
- monetization400 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly praise the classic "Star Wars: Battlefront II" (2005) for its lack of microtransactions, contrasting it sharply with modern titles that are criticized for their monetization strategies. Players appreciate the complete gaming experience without the burden of in-game purchases, loot boxes, or pay-to-win mechanics, often labeling newer versions as cash grabs. Overall, the absence of microtransactions is highlighted as a significant advantage, making the classic game a recommended choice for those seeking a fair and enjoyable gaming experience.
“Star Wars Battlefront II (2005) is probably one of the best shooter games ever made, lacking in-app purchases, competitive modes, and featuring a massive variety of maps and features, both official and fan-made.”
“And the best part: no microtransactions, no pay to win, no unlockables (beyond the upgrades you get for each class you play with). You get a full campaign right from the get-go, and you can play as any faction you want in instant or conquest mode, which are both great parts on their own.”
“A complete game without microtransactions, that's not possible.”
“It's a shameless cash grab selling this game to you a second time.”
“Don't waste your money on the 'battlefront collection', just get bf1 and bf2 and you can go get snacks with all the money you saved not buying the lazy cash grab.”
“I bought this game because my PC wasn't upgraded yet and you can trust me on this one just buy the game blindly because it has online servers now on PC so you can enjoy multiplayer and I'm pretty happy with the game and it of course doesn't have microtransactions like the new one and it's really cheap.”
- stability291 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly on modern systems. While some users find it runs well and is enjoyable despite its age, others experience frequent crashes, black screens, and graphical issues, especially when using overlays like Discord. Overall, while the nostalgia and fun factor remain strong, the game's stability issues can detract from the experience, making it less reliable for new players.
“This game still runs great with no tweaks at 4k 60fps; it looks old but in a good way. I think the graphics have aged well.”
“I greatly enjoyed the fact that even on an old Windows XP desktop, it still runs great without any lag (at least for me).”
“The best Star Wars game to play with friends, and its mod support is great. The issues with crashes seem to have been solved, and the game runs great, much better than all of Disney Star Wars.”
“The battlefront classic collection is 70 gigs of unpolished, buggy, and AI upscaled bloatware.”
“Game is broken and buggy and I'm sure no one's gonna fix it.”
“I loved this game as a kid without a doubt and was so excited to relive the experience as an adult after the EA installment flops, but I'm sad to say this game has not aged well because the mechanics and overall performance are very poor, choppy, and well the game freezes, crashes, or refuses to load levels sometimes causing just a black screen with only the sounds of the battle ahead.”
- replayability259 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many users highlighting the impact of mods and custom maps that significantly enhance the experience. Modes like Galactic Conquest and Instant Action provide endless gameplay variety, making it a favorite among players who enjoy both single-player and multiplayer options. Overall, the combination of diverse gameplay modes and a robust modding community contributes to its reputation as one of the most replayable games available.
“It is the perfect simulator, sandbox, and entertainment package with an endless replay value.”
“The variety of maps and gameplay options offers a lot of value, replayability, and most importantly, fun.”
“Galactic conquest is a very replayable mode that allows you to use strategy to find the most efficient way to conquer the galaxy.”
“Singleplayer is good for some messing around but don't expect long-term replayability in the vanilla version if you've played this game before.”
“Not much is to be said about the campaign but it is enjoyable to play; however, I didn't see much replay value in it, all the replay value is in galactic conquest.”
“While some may not enjoy playing the same storyline over and over again, I find the objective-based missions to have a high amount of replayability, particularly after leveling some awards up to legendary.”
- music247 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its authenticity, featuring iconic tracks composed by John Williams from the Star Wars films, which enhances the immersive experience and nostalgia for players. Many reviews highlight the exceptional sound design that complements the gameplay, making battles feel epic and true to the Star Wars universe. However, some users noted occasional audio glitches and a lack of original compositions, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm.
“The sound design, featuring classic music and iconic voice lines, immerses you in the universe, making every match feel like a scene from the films.”
“The attention to detail and the immersive sound design, including the iconic Star Wars soundtrack, further enhanced the experience.”
“The music is the classic Star Wars score you know and love.”
“I was so hyped to play this and when I got into a match it was just a black screen; music was playing but no video, so disappointed.”
“Really disappointed that I spent 10 bucks on a game that'll run for about five minutes then just get a black screen with the soundtrack behind it.”
“Then in-game, the music would just be dead for the most part, and the announcer's voice lines would sometimes go on like a broken record in the funniest way.”
- humor123 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding joy in its quirky glitches, absurd AI behavior, and nostalgic references. Many reviews highlight the hilarious chaos of multiplayer modes and the comedic moments that arise from outdated graphics and clunky mechanics, making for a fun and entertaining experience. Overall, the game's charm lies in its ability to evoke laughter through its imperfections and lighthearted gameplay.
“This game can sometimes be clunky and glitchy, but for me, this only improves the game, offering plenty of funny experiences which keep me entertained.”
“The extra large army modes add a hilarious sense of chaos to classic battles.”
“Playing as an Ewok is even more hilarious.”
“No pointless and unfunny levels that include Lando for no reason at all.”
“Oh my god, this is so horrendously bad it's not funny. I was hoping it would be like the Xbox version, but it's not even close. Never get this, even if it's free.”
- grinding89 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively tedious, with many players feeling that it requires an unrealistic time investment. However, some appreciate that the game avoids the pitfalls of modern microtransactions and loot boxes, allowing access to characters and content without extensive grinding. While the campaign missions can feel repetitive and frustrating at times, the core gameplay remains enjoyable for many players.
“No grinding, no gimmicks, you just grab your gun and get out there.”
“There is no shenanigans with this game, the objective is clear and cut out for you, no skipping through hoops to get an item which allows you to damage the AT-AT, no grinding to unlock content, and no goddamn loot boxes to control your progression.”
“No grinding to obtain 'star cards' or heroes.”
“The only downside is that the campaign missions can be a bit tedious and painful at times.”
“The campaign is solid enough, albeit a bit easy, and galactic conquest can be cool to play, even if it does get a bit grindy.”
“Singleplayer missions feel a bit grindy though since the enemy has infinite reinforcement tickets and you don't, while friendly AI don't like to assault the command posts and you have to get out of vehicles to capture them.”
- optimization87 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players noting that it runs smoothly on lower-end PCs and older systems, while others experience significant performance issues, crashes, and bugs on modern hardware. Some users recommend turning off overlays and using mods to improve performance, but overall, the game is considered poorly optimized for contemporary setups, particularly regarding multiplayer functionality and controller support. Despite its dated graphics, the game can still deliver enjoyable gameplay for those willing to navigate its technical challenges.
“The cheaper graphics here take less of a toll on your battery, disk space, and performance, and allowed the developers to make more environments even with limited development time.”
“Game is very well optimized and runs like a dream on my potato of a PC, and looks great.”
“The graphics are rather complex (for their time), but still hold up nicely today and are well optimized for play on modern PCs.”
“This game has not aged well because the mechanics and overall performance are very poor, choppy, and the game freezes, crashes, or refuses to load levels sometimes, causing just a black screen with only the sounds of the battle ahead.”
“Current multiplayer is horridly optimized; I cannot even get past the busy 0% screen due to either a crash or a freeze.”
“Unfortunately, the game has optimization issues that may cause crashes or permanent framerate drops on newer computers, especially on Windows 7.”
- emotional45 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of Star Wars Battlefront 2 is highlighted by its impactful storytelling and nostalgic connections, evoking strong feelings of joy and heartbreak among players. Many reviews praise the campaign for its unique narrative that explores the experiences of soldiers, delivering moments that resonate deeply, often leading to tears of joy or sadness. Overall, the game is described as a wholesome experience that successfully captures the emotional weight of its characters and story, making it a memorable part of players' childhoods.
“Battlefront 2’s campaign, whilst fairly short, follows an emotional and unique storyline of a group of clones fighting in the Clone Wars.”
“The story mode is impactful and gripping, the performance of the actors is emotional but not distracting, and are consistent with the tone of the piece.”
“This gives the game a surprising amount of emotional weight, and a fresh voice when you sort of play the bad guy through and through.”
- atmosphere34 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe through iconic music, sound effects, and detailed environments. Players appreciate the sense of large-scale battles and the nostalgic feel of familiar maps, although some critiques mention a lack of atmospheric depth in certain locations. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a key element that enhances the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable for both new and returning players.
“In the heat of battle, the sound, the music, the atmosphere becomes one.”
“Fantastic atmosphere and worlds taken right from the movies, perfect jump straight into action and modes, iconic campaign taking the clone's view from Order 66 onward, Hoth, just to name a couple of reasons.”
“The atmosphere and sound effects are top-notch and make the whole experience hugely enjoyable.”
“No atmosphere.”
“- lack of atmosphere, Dagobah doesn't feel spooky and mysterious, Hoth doesn't feel cold.”
“Gameplay feels floaty and constant hiccups in gameplay and graphics really ruin the atmosphere.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is appreciated by players who enjoy deep lore and intricate details, though not all players prioritize these aspects, indicating a varied level of engagement with the game's narrative and visual elements.
