STAR WARS Battlefront

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,881 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
STAR WARS Battlefront Game Cover
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Star Wars: Battlefront is a first/third-person shooter game that lets players engage in large-scale battles in the Star Wars universe. It features iconic characters, vehicles, and settings from the original and prequel trilogies. Players can choose to fight on the side of the Rebellion or the Empire across various multiplayer modes and maps. This version of the game includes all the original game's content and the two expansion packs, making it a comprehensive Star Wars combat experience.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 2
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,881 reviews
gameplay81 positive mentions
stability28 negative mentions
  • gameplay187 mentions

    The gameplay of the original Star Wars Battlefront (2004) is praised for its engaging and addictive mechanics, offering a mix of strategic and action-oriented experiences across various modes and maps. Players appreciate the unique classes and vehicles, which enhance tactical options and provide a nostalgic Star Wars feel, despite some dated mechanics and the absence of features found in later titles. Overall, the gameplay remains enjoyable and replayable, making it a classic in the franchise.

    • “The ability to engage in epic ground battles with AT-ATs and speeders, alongside the option to fly ships, created a unique blend of gameplay that kept me hooked.”
    • “Each faction wasn't just a reskin of the other; they offered unique classes and units that provided varied tactical options and gameplay styles, which was a real treat for those who loved strategy as much as action.”
    • “Whether you choose to fight on the ground as a trooper, pilot an X-wing in thrilling space battles, or even take control of iconic heroes and villains, Battlefront offers a diverse range of gameplay options that cater to different play styles.”
    • “This timeworn product subjects the player to technical problems, inferior firefight feedback, and colorless dialogue; projectiles often phase through enemies' heads, combat rolling forces the player to roll in place, and the 'sprinting' mechanic is nonexistent (so prepare to feel defenseless in close-combat).”
    • “Let's be honest, the gameplay is a bit outdated; it doesn't have a lot of content and modding isn't that good compared to the second game from 2004.”
    • “Battlefront's graphics have aged rather well, but certain aspects of its gameplay have not; for instance, the inability to sprint makes any match feel much longer than they should, especially with the rather large map design of almost every map in the game.”
  • graphics154 mentions

    The graphics of the original Star Wars Battlefront (2004) are widely regarded as dated by modern standards, with many players noting that they show their age through muddy textures and low-resolution models. However, despite these shortcomings, the game's art style and vibrant color palette still manage to evoke nostalgia and capture the essence of the Star Wars universe, making it enjoyable for many. Players often recommend using mods to enhance the graphics and overall experience, which can significantly improve visual quality and gameplay.

    • “Though the game's graphics and AI might not compete with modern standards, at the time, they brought the Star Wars universe to life in a way that hadn't been seen before in video games.”
    • “Graphically, it may not match up to the standards of modern games, but its art style and attention to detail still hold up remarkably well.”
    • “For a game made in 2004, the graphics are pretty good, the game runs smoothly on nearly any type of device and the gameplay is fun but challenging, definitely recommend it.”
    • “But the graphics are lacking in some places.”
    • “The game's presentation is obviously dated with muddy textures and low-resolution models; however, it still manages to capture the Star Wars aesthetic.”
    • “Finding out this was available on Steam was a huge moment of joy - yes, it is dated, yes, the graphics are kind of trash, yes, the AI is clunky at best, and BF2 takes almost everything this does and makes it better.”
  • story92 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as a loose retelling of the Star Wars films, primarily serving as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a deeply engaging narrative. While some players appreciate the nostalgic connection to the movies and the variety of missions across different factions, many criticize the campaign for its repetitive structure, lack of a cohesive plot, and frustrating difficulty spikes. Overall, the story is seen as a secondary feature, with players often feeling that it does not significantly enhance the gaming experience.

    • “The campaign is a relatively loose retelling of the films that plays out between the two separate campaigns (Clone Wars - 7 missions & GCW - 9 missions) that will see you completing missions for all four factions.”
    • “The story is good while the gameplay against bots is mostly repetitive.”
    • “You will better understand each and every battle if you have seen the movies, but they did put in various clips from said movies and mission briefings before each battle so the player better understands what's at stake, even if they haven't seen any of the movies.”
    • “The campaign is repetitive, with many missions being the same (control points).”
    • “The missions themselves are nothing more than the game's standard maps, but with an added briefing beforehand, as well as clips from the films that play between missions.”
    • “The campaign is hardly even a campaign to begin with, just a set of missions (which are just battles) you have to complete in order to win.”
  • music33 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, featuring iconic tracks from the Star Wars saga composed by John Williams. Players appreciate how the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, particularly during intense battles, although some have noted minor issues with audio playback in menus. Overall, the combination of classic sound effects and the memorable score contributes significantly to the game's enduring appeal.

    • “While the graphics may show their age, the nostalgic sound effects and music immerse players in the Star Wars universe, making you feel like you’re part of the saga.”
    • “The environmental effects, the blaster sounds, and the iconic Star Wars music all combined to create a deeply immersive experience.”
    • “Complimented with John Williams' brilliant soundtrack, it is a real experience that has aged like fine wine.”
    • “I love this game, but there's only one problem: every time I load in, the music stops 5 seconds later and I have to go to audio again just to hear the music. It still does the same thing. Please fix this issue; I really want to hear the experience.”
    • “The soundtrack, while it can be a little repetitive, seems to know exactly when to play.”
    • “The battles really capture the feel of Star Wars, with music that just feels right (timing-wise). The music is ripped from the movies, so it sounds right.”
  • stability32 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting frequent freezes and glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes, while others note that it runs well on various platforms with only minor issues. Many users appreciate the game's performance despite its age, highlighting that it remains enjoyable despite occasional bugs. Overall, while some players experience significant stability problems, others find the game functional and entertaining.

    • “No glitches, no crashes, great performance, super fun gameplay that can last for hours, and I got it for less than $3 and less than 3 GB!”
    • “This game still holds up nowadays and has a good fanbase that plays online. Most importantly, it runs great on PC with no problems whatsoever, and for a game from 2004, that is surprising.”
    • “This classic runs great on Steam Deck and is playable online too.”
    • “Don't buy the Battlefront classic collection; it's a scummy cash grab that's unplayable, buggy, and takes up 70 gigs of space for no reason.”
    • “And that's without the fact it somehow runs terribly, with frequent freezes even on single-player campaigns.”
    • “Also, the game freezes in between games and you have to force close it all the time.”
  • humor19 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players highlighting the absurdity of various scenarios, such as clumsy AI interactions and unexpected moments during gameplay, like accidentally knocking a Jedi off a ledge. Many reviewers fondly recall hilarious memories shared with friends, emphasizing the game's quirky charm and the comedic potential of its mechanics, despite its age. Overall, the blend of entertaining combat and amusing glitches contributes to a fun and lighthearted gaming experience.

    • “Imagine all of the hilarious moments that are to be had with a friend in person. 10/10 would purchase this game.”
    • “Oh, and if blowing a Jedi from a ledge or platform isn't funny to you, then I don't know what to tell you. When I accidentally did it with a battle droid, I almost spit coffee on the keyboard from laughing so hard.”
    • “The glitches and AI goofiness are hilarious and do not hurt the game.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance at high resolutions and minimal issues during gameplay, particularly for a title from 2004. However, some users noted occasional stuttering in menus and performance discrepancies between different versions, especially the Steam version, which has been criticized for its optimization. Despite these minor issues, the game runs well on various devices and offers an enjoyable experience.

    • “The menu resolution issue found in 'Battlefront 2' isn't in this title -- and out-of-the-box you get butter-smooth 1080p performance, at fps of up to 240 or more.”
    • “For its age, I do have to say that optimization is great, no hassle to get it working or no vsync issues.”
    • “The Steam version of this game is better optimized (load screens/times) than the CD or DVD version from 2004.”
    • “Apart from outlining the basics of the game, its main point is that the Steam version specifically was, and still is, awfully bad in terms of optimization and performance.”
    • “The last of my major issues stems from the problem of optimization, which pales in comparison to the second game's.”
    • “Could use some better optimization, but it's still just as good as I remember.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by engaging gameplay, diverse modes like Galactic Conquest, and the ability to approach maps in multiple ways. While the main campaigns may lack incentive for repeated playthroughs, the presence of mods and creative gameplay options significantly enhance the replay value. Nostalgia and challenging gameplay further contribute to its enduring appeal among players.

    • “This mode added significant replay value and depth that kept players engaged.”
    • “This combined with the gorgeous Star Wars music, visuals that hold up really well to this day, and some amazing voice lines of your fellow troops makes for a super immersive experience that is fun and challenging while being endlessly replayable.”
    • “Replaying these maps with essentially six different ways to approach each map causes for countless replayability, not accounting for your creativity. I like to pilot a starfighter as a clone jetpack trooper, abandon ship mid-flight, jetpack behind the enemies, and flank from behind. Also, add in galactic conquest modifiers and now even more replay value.”
    • “The two main campaigns are the Clone Wars and the Galactic Civil War, which stick to the films as much as possible, but it's basically instant action with scenes from the film, so there's no real reason to go back and play through them.”
    • “Replayability not found.”
    • “Because of the lack of single-player and modding freedom, along with EA's greediness and incompetence, I can't recommend their Star Wars titles.”
  • monetization17 mentions

    The reviews highlight a strong disdain for the monetization practices associated with recent Star Wars Battlefront titles, particularly criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions and DLC that feel exploitative. In contrast, players express a preference for the original games, which are celebrated for their lack of in-game purchases and focus on straightforward gameplay. Overall, there is a clear desire for a return to simpler, more honest gaming experiences without the burden of monetization schemes.

    • “No microtransactions.”
    • “☑️ No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “It's nice to escape the new game blues of today with all the microtransactions and flashy BS, and return to a simpler time when games were just awesome.”
    • “Don't buy the Battlefront classic collection; it's a scummy cash grab that's unplayable, buggy, and takes up 70 gigs of space for no reason.”
    • “Sure, gameplay has some enhancements on the 2015 and 2017 EA's Battlefront games, but other than that, those are horrible, filled with microtransactions and endless grind. As of 2020, they want you to pay for a DLC that contains everything, something that should have been in the base game considering how overpriced that piece of trash was, but it's from EA, so what did you expect?”
    • “The original Battlefront, the one from well before microtransactions and other crap ruined the title's legacy.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with players, evoking nostalgia and a sense of childhood joy, particularly for fans of the Star Wars franchise. While some critiques mention a lackluster story, the overall experience is described as heartwarming and wholesome, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and the quality of the gameplay.

    • “Playing through it made me feel like a kid playing my absolute favorite game growing up, and it has definitely stood the test of time, managing to still play extremely well, marking it as one of the best Star Wars games ever made.”
    • “Super Troopers is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale for the ages.”
    • “Best maps out of all Battlefronts; no paid DLC, no microtransactions, no loot boxes, so perfect and wholesome.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively time-consuming, often requiring significant effort akin to having a "second life" to manage it effectively. Additionally, vehicle battles can become tedious without the support of a repair droid.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “All other vehicle fights are tedious unless you have a repair droid nearby.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its immersive and detailed environments, effectively capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe. Each map is described as a vibrant world, from the dusty plains of Geonosis to the icy wastelands of Hoth, contributing to a visually stunning and authentic experience. Overall, the game excels in creating a true Star Wars aesthetic that enhances gameplay.

    • “Each map was more than just a battleground; it was a fully realized world teeming with detail and atmosphere.”
    • “Locations are undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of any Star Wars game; in this regard, Battlefront nails the atmosphere and aesthetic of the Star Wars universe, whether the player is fighting on the dusty plains of Geonosis or the barren icy wastelands of Hoth.”
    • “Beautiful scenes, smooth game design, true Star Wars atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
4-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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