Why a Battlefront Revival is Essential for Star Wars Video Games

Back in 2004, Star Wars Battlefront made its grand entrance, giving fans a fresh way to experience the epic battles of the franchise with its massive combat scenarios and online play capabilities. A year later, Star Wars Battlefront 2 hit the scene, elevating the series to legendary status with new and improved features, and it remains a beloved game, still seeing action nearly ten years on. The series expanded onto the PSP with Renegade Squadron and Elite Squadron, bringing some novel mechanics like customizable loadouts and seamless ground-to-space transitions, despite not being as graphically advanced. These entries prepared the ground for EA’s reboot of the franchise.

The reboot, helmed by EA and DICE, received mixed reviews. The two new installments faced criticism: the first for its lack of content and the second for its egregious microtransactions. However, time has been kinder to Battlefront 2. With numerous updates, it has managed to reclaim the loyalty of many fans. Its enduring popularity, despite early stumbles, underscores the deep-rooted appeal of the Battlefront series and why it’s vital not to let it fade away.

Let’s take a deeper look into why Star Wars Battlefront deserves to be a permanent fixture in the Star Wars legacy.

When it comes to depicting war—a central element embedded in the heart of the Star Wars saga—no gaming series does it quite like Battlefront. From the Galactic Civil War in the original trilogy to the Clone Wars in the prequels and the First Order’s rise in the latest sequels, Star Wars stories are always entwined with themes of conflict. Even in the supposedly peaceful High Republic era, stories continue to grapple with the looming threat of galaxy-wide warfare.

While several Star Wars games have tackled themes related to war, focusing on the experiences of those surviving the Clone Wars or resisting the Empire, none have captured the scale of war like Battlefront. Each installment in the Battlefront series brings the massive conflicts of Star Wars to the forefront. Where movies give only a glimpse of these battles, Battlefront thrusts players into expansive battlefields, allowing them to witness massive explosions, pilot menacing vehicles, and feel the power of a Jedi or Sith amidst the chaos. This experience is unparalleled and emphasizes the significance of war in Star Wars narratives.

Looking ahead, any forthcoming entries in the Battlefront series must delve even deeper into this unique perspective. Back in 2005, Star Wars Battlefront 2 shined with its “Rise of the Empire” campaign. Players started as a 501st Clone Trooper and followed the story through the Clone Wars into the Galactic Civil War, experiencing Order 66 and the transformation into Imperial Stormtroopers. The game masterfully depicted the grim reality of war’s repetition and the ethics behind following orders, accompanied by poignant voiceovers.

EA’s Battlefront 2 attempted to mirror this but from the Empire’s viewpoint, eventually switching sides to join the Resistance. Unfortunately, its narrative impact was dampened by unnecessary cameo missions. Future Battlefront games should focus on the themes explored in the original Battlefront 2, highlighting war’s relentless cycle and the role of soldiers within it.

In summary, Battlefront needs to keep its unique viewpoint as a central theme while evolving with each new installment. Its ability to convey the experience of war gives it a distinguished place in Star Wars lore—a place it should always hold.