Star Wars: Battlefront II PC
Metascore
78 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Cincinnati Enquirer
    92
    The improved single-player games are worthwhile enough on their own, but if you can find well connected online matches, multiplayer games will keep you addicted for months.
  2. IncGamers
    91
    A huge improvement over the first game. There is enough content to keep even the most die-hard fan playing for a long time. Take it online, and the replay value is seemingly endless.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    90
    Space battle is the newest addition to the Battlefront series. I stand and applaud LucasArts and Pandemic for pulling off the single greatest space flight simulation game ever.
  4. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    90
    Perhaps only a third party can produce a title that so glorifies a series that revolutionised cinema, because it’s Pandemic and not LucasArts that has created a game that lives up to the vast shadow created by the films.
  5. Game Informer
    85
    The movies may be done, but with games like Battlefront II, I have a feeling that the best in Star Wars is yet to come. [Dec 2005, p.152]
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  6. GameBiz
    85
    In terms of gameplay and balance, Battlefront II is a massive improvement over its predecessor.
  7. Stuff
    85
    The sequel to last year's third-person/real-time strategy game set in Star Wars land once again manages to be the 'Nam of Wars games. In other words, the disc does a heck of job of trying to make you feel like you're really "in the sh.t" on Coruscant.
  8. PC Gamer
    83
    Outstanding game - indeed, it's what last year's Battlefront should have been. [Jan 2005, p.54]
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  9. Gaming Age
    83
    Battlefront II is a good sequel, but it's got too much in common with the first game to make the upgrade a no-brainer.
  10. games(TM)
    80
    Take away the costumes and the lasers and you've still got an excellent example of how to produce multiplayer bedlam. [Dec 2005, p.110]
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  11. GamesRadar
    80
    A fun romp that stays interesting no matter how you play it. It has its share of flaws, but for fans, this is the first Star Wars game to have it all.
  12. GameZone
    80
    The online play is fantastic and makes up for the mediocre enemy AI found in the single-player missions.
  13. Computer Gaming World
    80
    Surprisingly strong Star Wars combat. [Jan 2005, p.92]
  14. Computer Games Online RO
    79
    Better than its predecessor, but unfortunately, it doesn’t pack enough novelties to really make you to want more, unless you’re a Star Wars fan.
  15. Pelit (Finland)
    79
    A hardcore Star Wars fan's dream come true. Decent solo game with playable jedi characters, furious space fights and awesome net play. What else can you ask for? As a PC game Battlefront 2 is a technically lacking hyperactive bunnyhopper. Again. [Dec 2005]
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  16. GameSpot
    78
    New space combat maps and playable Jedi represent some incremental improvements, but for the most part, Battlefront II treads familiar ground, which is great for Star Wars fanatics and fans of team-based online shooters.
  17. Game Chronicles
    78
    If you want barely controlled chaos in a bright and awesome sounding package Star Wars Battlefront 2 is for you.
  18. Play Magazine
    75
    It's a shame that Battlefront 2's core action does not live up to its ambition, and yet it's certainly a game worth playing. [Dec 2005, p.80]
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  19. Game Revolution
    75
    Armed with a healthy Internet connection, this game will hold at bay the forces of boredom for months. Switch off that connection, though, and witness the biggest turn to the lame side since the new Star Wars movies.
  20. ActionTrip
    72
    If you are really-truly hardcore about the Star Wars universe and you scoff at the "silly nuts and bolts weapons" and thing halogen lights are strangely appealing, with a patch here and there, Battlefront 2 just *might* be the experience you are looking for.
  21. IGN
    70
    And so more than its predecessor, the faults and quirks of Battlefront II stand out and become glaring because the new adds feel unpolished while the old gripes manage to rear their heads for a second time.
  22. GameSpy
    70
    Far better than it should be, partly for its spirited use of the license, partly for its variety, and partly for the simple fact that it's a rarity to have a game like this with serviceable bots.
  23. Computer Games Magazine
    60
    Though only the second installment, this feels more like the "Return of the Jedi" of the Battlefront franchise than "The Empire Strikes Back." [Feb 2006, p.52]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 173 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 60
  3. Negative: 4 out of 60
  1. WilsonT
    10
    This game is great! If you're a fan of 3rd-person shooters, then you'll really enjoy this game! It's way better than it's predecessor in many ways than one. The only downfall is that it doesn't have air crafts in this one like it did in the first, but I'm sure they had their reasons. The space battles were a good implement as well though!… Full Review »
  2. David
    10
    I dont understand why people give this game a bad score. Its really fun and better than the first one. With online play, the replay value is seemingly endless. Great game for any Star Wars fan!!… Full Review »
  3. p360assassin
    8
    Battlefront 2 isn't a good looking game, but its pretty damn fun. The combat is epic although guns lack weight and the animations look like ass in first person. The game is very similar to the first but honestly, why would you want it to be a completely different game as a sequel? It is not like it didn't add things. It has also many of the maps from battlefront 1, but whats wrong with that? Its like L4D 2 is now adays, it eventually got all L4D1 maps. Sure it makes the original feel more worthless, but it makes the sequel so much better. Star ship battles have been introduced, which are sort of a simplified combat space sim where you must beat the enemy by killing them or destroying systems on the enemy main battle ship. This is very fun to do and looks pretty epic, although I wish you could actually blow up the enemy ship (although this would have to take a very large amount of hits). Heros have been introduced, which are overpowered units awarded after a certain amount of time to the best player on each team (different in campaign and galactic conquest mode). There is galactic conquest mode where you have a simple map with planets, where you and the opponent take turns moving ships around, buying new unit types and buying special bonuses which give an powerful passive (or hero unit) to use once before a battle. If you move onto an enemy planet, you start a conquest gametype battle type which you win by depleting enemy reinforcements or capturing all spawn points. These battles give you more credits to buy bonuses, units and ships. If you move to an enemy ship, to begin a star ship battle, ending with the losers ship destroyed. This is a fun gamemode if your playing against a friend, but the AI seems pretty incompetent at stopping you (although I have not tried it on elite difficulty, and Felucia in the empire conquest is almost impossible to win). Some maps have a unique idea that gives variety. Kasheek for example has a constant spawn of free wookies who don't count to the reinforcements (but cannot be controlled by a player) on the good side. Hoth has two insta respawning giant AT ATs on the empire side that take huge damage or a successful snowspeeder ship wire hook kill (yes, just like in the movie) and those AT ATs act as slow mobile spawn points for the empire. Sadly many of the maps simply don't have these things which is disapointing, as it gives a great deal of variety. Some maps have heros which are completely useless, mainly the Fett's and Princess Leia. Space combat is also hurt due to bad PC controls which while bareable, are completely useless against anyone even using a gamepad. Still it is essentially a simple space sim, so that is to be expected. Hit detection on thrown lightsabers, and blocking in general seems to also be a bit inconsistant. AI also is hit and miss, most of the time they work 'ok' but there is times where for example when they control a jedi, they will stun you take you to near death, then run past you and stand still while you gun them down from behind. The hero assault mode is fun where you play heroes vs villians, but it is sadly only on one map. Hunt mode however is on a small number of maps where you can play as the aliens or animals from the planet in a death match mode. (Things like Wumpas vs Rebels and Ewoks vs Empire). A big problem is they did not bring the maps from Battlefront 1 that had aircraft for support on ground battles, aside from Hoth, which only have dog fighting (for some reason) weapons on the snow speeders and the hooks they use to take out AT ATs. Sound and music quality is good, but it just uses sounds directly from the movies, even the music is all from the movies, which is good in some ways, bad in others.

    Overall its a good game with some problems, but still very enjoyable game. Also since its old, its pretty cheap on steam, however I have heard there is problems with sound on some computers which causes incompatability and crashs when entering battle. However I have not had any of these problems on my Windows 7 laptop (which albiet is pretty awful) and headphones apparently prevent the crashs as headphone drivers seem to not cause problems. This is likely just a problem with a few sound cards but due to the amount of people annoyed at it, it could be a more common one. Recommend pirating first so you can quickly test if the sound card problem affects you. Unless there is a demo (I have not bothered to check if there is one).    … Full Review »
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