'Star Wars Battlefront'
By: LucasArts Entertainment
(Windows 98 - Me - XP / ASIN: B0001XMA6I / Rated: T / $49.99)
Features: Open-ended multiplayer action game set in the Star Wars universe. Re-enact the most memorable battles from the films. More than 15 environments across 10 diverse planets including Hoth, Geonosis, Yavin, Tatooine and Naboo. 20 different soldier types from four factions: Rebel Alliance, Imperial Army, Clone Army and Droid Army. Single player and multiplayer modes (up to 32 players over the Internet or 64 via a LAN).
Description: An action/shooter game that gives fans and gamers the opportunity to re-live and participate in all of the classic Star Wars battles like never before. Players can select one of a number of different soldier types, jump into any vehicle, man any turret on the battlefront and conquer the galaxy planet-by-planet online with their friends or offline in a variety of single player modes.
Verdict: 'Battlefront' could have been released about a year ago, and it would have been great. As it is today, when compared with the likes of 'Joint Operations', it's fair. The graphics are decent, but by today's standard, they look dated. The sound is fine, if not a little buggy. The gameplay ... well ... let's just say I wish they could have combined 'Galaxies' and 'Battlefront' to make a complete game. I'm a big 'Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising' fan. I like everything about it. Is it perfect? No. But damned near close. And here's a shocker ... I've never played 'Battlefield: Whatever-you-want-to-call-it'! Some of my friend have played the entire 'Battlefield' series and said 'Battlefront' is almost as good as the 'StarWars' mod someone came up with for 'BF:1942'. Pretty sad, huh? So why the let-down? It's all about the marketing. The hype around the release of the screwed-up DVD's was just enough to help sell a bunch of toys, lego's, and yes, computer games that were probably ready to go out the door a year ago. I'll probably see the "last" movie next year, if I'm still in the U.S., but it'll probably be the last of my money that George will see! Until LucasArt's decides to release a WindowsXP/Longhorn version of 'X-Wing Fighter' or 'TIE Fighter', I think I'm done with 'Star Wars' games. And to think, LucasArt's cancelled sequels to "Sam & Max' and 'Full Throttle' to push THIS?!?!
Gerry Manners