STAR WARS: Bounty Hunter
- July 31, 2024
- Aspyr
- 12h median play time
"STAR WARS™: Bounty Hunter™" is a third-person action-adventure game where you play as bounty hunter Jango Fett, tasked with capturing a rogue Dark Jedi. With an array of weapons like dual blasters, flamethrower, and whipcord, navigate acrobatic battles and explore the seedy underbelly of the galaxy in this classic Star Wars adventure. This optimized version offers improved graphics and performance for modern consoles.
Reviews
- The remaster enhances the graphics and controls, making it a great way to experience the classic game.
- The game captures the essence of the Star Wars universe, providing an immersive experience with a solid storyline.
- Quality of life improvements, such as time slowing down when using the scanner, make gameplay more enjoyable.
- The camera can be janky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
- There is no option to remap controls, which can hinder the experience for players who prefer customized settings.
- Some players have reported crashes and performance issues, particularly on certain hardware configurations.
- story113 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Star Wars: Bounty Hunter" is praised for its engaging exploration of Jango Fett's backstory, effectively bridging the narrative gap between "Episode I" and "Episode II." Reviewers appreciate the original storyline that enriches Star Wars lore, with well-paced action and character development, particularly highlighting the depth brought to Jango by Temuera Morrison's performance. While some critiques mention the game's age and occasional clunkiness, the overall consensus is that the narrative is a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise.
“So it is really satisfying to see that the developers pushed for an original story, and not only that, they tied the story to the lore of the movie.”
“The story is very good as it acts as the backstory of the awesome bounty hunter and clone trooper template - Jango Fett, shortly before the events of Episode II.”
“The story was really cool and does a good job exploring some lore gaps between Episodes I and II while also giving us much more depth on Jango.”
“The story isn't anything to write home about.”
“In this era, a lot of movie tie-ins were junkware, where the story of the game was just a retelling of the story of the movie, and you wouldn't miss out on much if you skipped the game.”
“If you are only interested in the story and find the combat boring, then this is not for you.”
- gameplay88 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this remastered title is a mix of nostalgia and frustration, showcasing dated mechanics such as a cumbersome bounty hunting system and imprecise combat, which can detract from the experience. While modernized controls and quality-of-life improvements enhance playability, many players find the overall gameplay repetitive and clunky, reflecting its early 2000s origins. Despite these issues, the game remains engaging for fans of the franchise, offering a unique perspective and enjoyable moments, particularly with its diverse arsenal and jetpack mechanics.
“Despite these issues, the gameplay remains fun and challenging in a nostalgic way.”
“From the fluid jet-pack mechanics to the gritty accurate environments that evoke the feel of the Star Wars universe, it’s clear that the game developers took care to stay true to the source material.”
“The storyline, gameplay mechanics, and overall atmosphere make it a timeless classic that continues to captivate new and returning players.”
“The game mechanics are unsurprisingly dated (wonky camera, questionable targeting system, etc.), but 100% worth a play-through.”
“But it really didn't help that the bounty hunting mechanic was so cumbersome, basically forcing you to try and stop before every encounter and search out a character that looks the same as every other character just to mark them and then try not to kill them with a very imprecise combat system.”
“The gameplay itself, however, is a clear product of its time.”
- graphics73 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The remastered version of the game features significantly enhanced graphics, with improved textures, lighting, and overall visual fidelity compared to the original PlayStation 2 release. While some players note that the graphics still feel somewhat dated and retain the charm of early 2000s aesthetics, many appreciate the upgrades that make the game visually appealing on modern hardware. Overall, the remaster successfully balances nostalgia with modern enhancements, although some technical issues have been reported.
“Just want to start by saying that Aspyr did a fantastic job with this port, and I really appreciate getting to play a PlayStation 2 game with 4K graphics on a modern PC.”
“The visuals are top-notch, with detailed character models and environments that bring the Star Wars universe to life in a way that few other games have managed to do.”
“The graphics are upscaled from the original version, look good, and I have found no performance issues!”
“It just feels a little dated, and even the graphic overhaul doesn't help a ton.”
“The graphics are a little sharper but pretty much the same PS2 graphics.”
“First-time buyers should not expect today's graphics or multiple game modes.”
- optimization26 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth performance and no issues on high-end hardware, while others report significant frame drops, stuttering, and difficulties loading into the game. Despite its age, many expected better optimization for modern systems, leading to frustration among those encountering performance hiccups. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, the inconsistency in performance across different setups suggests that further optimization may be needed.
“Graphics do look better and performance, at least for me, hasn't been an issue.”
“I've had 0 performance issues so far on both my PC (4080 Super/5900X/64GB DDR4 - extreme settings) and Steam Deck OLED (high settings).”
“The game looks amazing with no performance issues yet.”
“Despite being a game that originally launched decades ago, the optimization on PC is surprisingly poor.”
“Frame drops, stuttering, and other performance hiccups are inexplicably common, which is a bit frustrating given the game’s age and relatively modest visual enhancements.”
“Myself and several others are having difficulty loading into the main menu (requires a workaround where you need to disable your graphics adapter for your CPU) and understandably when loaded in the performance is choppy and the game can't be saved.”
- stability16 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 56 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and improved gameplay compared to the original, there are frequent glitches and bugs reminiscent of its early 2000s roots. Some users experienced minor issues like slow-motion boss fights and AI getting stuck, but these were generally not game-breaking. Despite the occasional hiccup, the remaster runs well on various platforms, including Steam Deck, and retains a nostalgic charm for those familiar with the original.
“The game was designed for GameCube and PS2 initially, but the remaster here runs great, plays well with mouse and keyboard, and has a few quality of life improvements over the original game.”
“The game runs great, looks great (for an updated 22-year-old PS2 game), and plays better than the original.”
“Graphically enhanced, now the signature 2000s contrast in quality between CGI cutscenes and gameplay is thinner than ever, and it plays smoothly with a keyboard and mouse setup despite the original release never intending to use them as controls. It runs great without any performance issues (so far) as it should be after 23 years.”
“It's a Star Wars game; it was a bit rough around the edges on console, with occasional glitches. Sometimes I'd start a boss fight in slow motion because I was using the scanner, and other times bosses would get stuck on level geometry.”
“Everyone is praising this game, but as much as I want it to be good, it's a buggy mess. I get 120 fps, but it stutters when I walk around, shoot, jump, or move at all. This game is unplayable.”
“I can't say the game isn't kind of buggy, but I do believe most of the bugs I encountered are the same as when I played the game on PS2 as a kid.”
- music9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its magical and immersive quality, effectively blending original compositions by Jeremy Soule with iconic pieces from John Williams' Star Wars scores. However, some users report audio issues, such as music not playing during combat or stopping unexpectedly. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the gameplay experience, making players feel deeply connected to the Star Wars universe.
“The magical soundtrack is instantly recognisable.”
“The soundtrack does justice to the Star Wars universe, blending Jeremy Soule’s original compositions with snippets of John Williams’ classic scores.”
“The sound design is equally impressive, with iconic Star Wars music and sound effects that immerse you in the world and make you feel like you're really there.”
“Here to ruin the menu music for you:”
“Some audio issues still lurk from the old version as well, the music will sometimes not play at all in combat or stop completely after losing one of your 5 lives and never return.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky weaponry and unexpected scenarios, such as the hilariously effective flamethrower and the unintentional chaos of NPCs getting caught in the crossfire. Players appreciate the comedic elements of gameplay, including funny achievements and the amusing interactions that arise during intense firefights. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the action-packed experience.
“For new customers, you get a nice variety of weapons including his classic dual blasters, which have the nice feature of auto-targeting other nearby enemies to help reduce their health while you target another, poison darts, a flamethrower that is hilariously effective, as well as the occasional weapon pickup. Of course, you can always just punch your way to glory.”
“I'm so glad I can play it on Steam now with crispier graphics and funny achievements.”
“It's funny that you unintentionally end up killing lots of NPCs in the middle of a firefight with thugs that show up from all directions!”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, particularly in the bounty hunting mechanics that require frequent weapon switching and scanning. While some appreciate the challenge and replay value, others feel that the combat and bounty hunting tasks can become frustratingly monotonous, leading to disengagement from the game.
“I didn't make it far enough to try the jetpack; I got bored with the tedious combat and quit so I could get a refund.”
“Just wish the bounty hunting aspect was easier and less tedious.”
“Bounty hunting is also tedious, as you need to constantly switch between helmet view and weapons to find bounty hunting targets and tag them before you can capture them.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed positively, with many players appreciating the depth and variety in gameplay that encourages experimentation and strategic thinking. While some find the experience repetitive or overly challenging, others enjoy the challenge and the potential for achieving different outcomes, rating the replay value around 7/10.
“I just love the sheer amount of depth and replayability in 'Bounty Hunter.' There are so many different ways to approach each level and take down your targets, and the game rewards experimentation and clever thinking.”
“Some may find the gameplay repetitive, tedious, and overly difficult, but I find there is enough content in the game to challenge the player and provide replay value.”
“Replay value - designed to stimulate muscle memory the more you play and die, which can be quite frequent on some levels.”
“Replayability and endgame”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and significantly enhances the overall experience, though some comparisons are made to Nightdive's remasters, which are noted for their superior dynamic lighting and ambient occlusion. Despite this, the game's storyline and gameplay contribute to a timeless quality that continues to engage both new and returning players.
“It’s immersive and enhances the game’s atmosphere.”
“The storyline, gameplay mechanics, and overall atmosphere make it a timeless classic that continues to captivate new and returning players.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, reminiscing about their childhood experiences and the nostalgia it evokes. The familiar gameplay mechanics and hidden secrets rekindle feelings of joy and accomplishment, reminiscent of their time playing on the PlayStation 2.
“It ran beautifully and made me feel like I was a kid playing it on my PlayStation 2 again.”
“The same slightly awkward lock-on system, the same at-times painful camera, and in the first level all the same little things that made me feel smart when I found them as a kid, e.g. small areas where if you jump at the right part you can stick your head through the ceiling.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of the remastered Star Wars game is viewed positively, as it is seen as a genuine effort rather than a soulless cash grab, indicating that players appreciate the value and quality of the remaster.
“This game feels like a soulless cash grab, lacking the depth and quality of the original.”
“The monetization strategies are overwhelming and detract from the overall experience.”
“It's disappointing to see a beloved franchise reduced to a series of microtransactions.”