SW: Battlefront (X-Box) Impressions...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 11:54 pm

Well I got the game tonight and have played a few online rounds. It's interesting. What I did not realize it that there are a TON of 'bots' that are also playing. It is complete mayhem and it sems very fun. I am still a bit new and confused but once that wears off, I think I'll enjoy the game for some time.

The Star Wars theme is just too cool. Running around Kamino (sp?) is awesome and flying around as a Stormtrooper with a jet pack is exhilarating.

The game plays like your typical 3rd or 1st person shooter and controls decently. The objective is to control all of the 'spawn points'. It is quite hectic but REALLY puts you into the middle of a classic Star Wars type battle. One thing I can safely say at this point is that it is a no-brainer purchase for any die-hard Star Wars fan!

The graphics are actually quite well done. It is pretty slick looking. The environments are nicely sized and are SO true to the movies. What is also cool is that there are 'bots' from the movies that are also assisting one teams cause, like all of the sudden you'll run into Mace Windu being totally bad ass and destroying everything in his path.

If you don't like hectic, trigger happy, semi-mindless shooters then this one might be a rental, however, if you like the occasional mindless shooter with some team work / strategy involved, so far, this seems like one of the better choices for the X-Box LIVE community.

The online interface is interesting. There really are not any lobbies. You just kind of fall right into battle. Basically, you choose a side (if that option is on) without seeing any other players, choose a spawn point, choose your charecter and then fight. Once the round is over, you jump right into the next one when you choose 'Ready'. No lobbies and no switching sides during a match.

At this point I cannot really sway anyone one way or another. Basically, I think that if you were planning on getting it and mostly know what to expect (i.e. you know the general '1942' formula and are expecting a fast paced, hectic, fun, online shooter and are fine with that) you will not be dissapointed. If however you are on the fence and don't like these types of games, it should maybe stay as a rental on your list. One thing that will be a lot of fun is a full room of DSP guys battling it out on planet Hoth!!!

Feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer as best I can with my limited playing time.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:03 am

I loved Wolfenstein for its multiplayer on XBL so I'm assuming I'll probably love this one too, right? And yes, I do enjoy the whole SW galaxy thing going on as well.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:09 am

So, how to create/join a room with your friends?

Looking at the videos, it seemed a bit chaotic, with the vehicles being hugely powerful. But of course, in the videos, it was impossible to tell what was happening in the larger sense. Do you feel a real part of the battle or just in the middle of it?? (Of course, early on one might expect to feel confused, and as you get used to a map it'll be easier to feel more in control.)

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:12 am

Hey, Spook:
One thing I gotta know. Well, more than one, actually, but...it sounds good to say it, I guess.

1. Butt stupid AI. True or not?
2. Difficulty-walking in a minefield or dancing in the daisies?
3. Online modes. How many are there and what are they?
4.NO LOBBIES?!? How the ?!@# are we supposed to know who you're on a team with? I don't want to play the game with a bunch of 12 year old snotheads who don't know who Boba Fett is; neither do I want to play with a bunch of 42 year old geeks who not only know who Boba Fett is, but know what food he eats and what underwear he prefers.

I think that's it. I like the Star Wars franchise quite a bit, but I'm not a rabid, go-to-the-conference-dressed-like-a-wookie freak. I'll be buying the Trilogy this week. Convince me to get the game. I want to, but I'm counting on the answers to some of the above inquiries to make a final decision...

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:02 am

Zeppo wrote:So, how to create/join a room with your friends?

Looking at the videos, it seemed a bit chaotic, with the vehicles being hugely powerful. But of course, in the videos, it was impossible to tell what was happening in the larger sense. Do you feel a real part of the battle or just in the middle of it?? (Of course, early on one might expect to feel confused, and as you get used to a map it'll be easier to feel more in control.)

Part of the battle or in the middle...?

Hmmmm...Both at this point. I have had my share of spawn point catures as well as kills, but also felt pretty helpless in other battles.

What is actually pretty weel done so far as I can tell, is the balance of player types/vehicles, ect... Of course the vehicles are stronger, but they are also slower and less accurate.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:07 am

1. Butt stupid AI. True or not?

Not sure yet. It is hard to tell when there are, what seems like, hundreds of players running around like crazy people. I think we're all dumb.

2. Difficulty-walking in a minefield or dancing in the daisies?

Somewhere in between it seems.

3. Online modes. How many are there and what are they?

This game is pretty much a one trick pony. It is capture the enemy points and win!

4.NO LOBBIES?!? How the ?!@# are we supposed to know who you're on a team with? I don't want to play the game with a bunch of 12 year old snotheads who don't know who Boba Fett is; neither do I want to play with a bunch of 42 year old geeks who not only know who Boba Fett is, but know what food he eats and what underwear he prefers.

Well, it is actually not as bad as it sounds. You can coordinate with players after/before each round starts what side you want to be on. Also, you can see what team everyone is on in the pause menu. It is actually nice to some extent, not waiting for everyone to 'ready up' and the host to dick around. It is more of a PC type online interface in that sense. Just jump in and go to town.

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 7:27 am

If I want to play with SPECIFIC people on my friends list, how do I do it?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:43 am

So if I have zero interest in Star Wars, am I better off holding off for Ghost Recon 2, Halo 2 and more upcoming military-style shooters?

Take care,
PK

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:56 am

James_E wrote:If I want to play with SPECIFIC people on my friends list, how do I do it?

Good question. Not sure yet. I know you can make a session 'Private' and then I guess you just invite your friends in. There is an option to not let the game start until there are a specified # of people joined.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:57 am

pk500 wrote:So if I have zero interest in Star Wars, am I better off holding off for Ghost Recon 2, Halo 2 and more upcoming military-style shooters?

Take care,
PK

Yes.

DChaps · Post by **DChaps** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:57 am

James_E wrote:If I want to play with SPECIFIC people on my friends list, how do I do it?

Heh, my question exactly! Do tell spooky, and thanks for the impressions!

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:00 am

DChaps wrote:
James_E wrote:If I want to play with SPECIFIC people on my friends list, how do I do it?
Heh, my question exactly! Do tell spooky, and thanks for the impressions!

See above.

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:02 am

Airdog wrote:I loved Wolfenstein for its multiplayer on XBL so I'm assuming I'll probably love this one too, right? And yes, I do enjoy the whole SW galaxy thing going on as well.

Repeated in hope that you can answer.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 10:07 am

Airdog wrote:
Airdog wrote:I loved Wolfenstein for its multiplayer on XBL so I'm assuming I'll probably love this one too, right? And yes, I do enjoy the whole SW galaxy thing going on as well.
Repeated in hope that you can answer.

Whoops, sorry Air!

Ummm...yeah, I think you will like this game a lot if you liked the fast pace action of Wolfenstein. The game is totally well done for what it is. If you are looking for more than what I explained in my impressions, I don't think the title will have 'legs' for you, BUT, if you are fully aware of the type of game this is and are just wondering if it does it good and is well made, then I think you can't go wrong with it. It is really quality production.

laurenskye · Post by **laurenskye** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:12 pm

[quote="tealboy03"]I don't want to play the game with a bunch of 12 year old snotheads who don't know who Boba Fett is; neither do I want to play with a bunch of 42 year old geeks who not only know who Boba Fett is, but know what food he eats and what underwear he prefers.
quote]

Classic.

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:20 pm

I really dislike Wolfenstein, but I do know which brand of underwear Boba Fett prefers (he doesn't wear any). What a quandary.

I know... rent!

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:35 pm

Slumberland wrote: (he doesn't wear any)

Stop stop! You're getting me all hot.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:38 pm

In thinking more about it, here is what the game feels like to me after a couple hours playing it last night:

Right now, I am left with the feeling that the game is REALLY cool and am very into the whole Star Wars theme. I am, however, still trying to decide if that 'shell' is going to wear thin after a while and thus I am left with a very average game. I am undecided at this point. What I do know, is that the '1942' formula is VERY popular and there is a reason. It's simple, strategic, hectic and fun. This is where I can see the game having more 'legs' even after the Star Wars factor wears off a bit.

The 'SW Factor' is wonderful though. I mean, the sensation I got last night blowing away Sand People, seeing Mace Windu f*cking up folks left and right, jumping in a speeder across Endor and f*cking up some Ewoks as a bad ass Stormtrooper, narrowly escaping an ariel attack from an AT-AT then jumping on a Ton-Ton and riding away in Hoth to snipering droids from a top a alnding on Kamino, it is all surreal in a way. The presenation is really top notch and the grahpics are actually quite breathtaking. The water effects and the overall look and feel is just outstanding.

Is it a twitch shooter? For the most part, yes. Is it fun? Right now, yes. Will it last? Probably no shorter lifespan than my affairs with other games. Will others enjoy it for what it is if they are Star Wars fans? Yes!

Airdog · Post by **Airdog** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 3:34 pm

Sounds like a cool game to settle into for an hour or two after getting home from work or school.

I think I may actually put forth the effort required to even rent a game - which is even almost as rare as me even purchasing anything.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 4:23 pm

Spooky wrote:In thinking more about it, here is what the game feels like to me after a couple hours playing it last night:

Right now, I am left with the feeling that the game is REALLY cool and am very into the whole Star Wars theme. I am, however, still trying to decide if that 'shell' is going to wear thin after a while and thus I am left with a very average game. I am undecided at this point. What I do know, is that the '1942' formula is VERY popular and there is a reason. It's simple, strategic, hectic and fun. This is where I can see the game having more 'legs' even after the Star Wars factor wears off a bit.

The 'SW Factor' is wonderful though. I mean, the sensation I got last night blowing away Sand People, seeing Mace Windu f*cking up folks left and right, jumping in a speeder across Endor and f*cking up some Ewoks as a bad ass Stormtrooper, narrowly escaping an ariel attack from an AT-AT then jumping on a Ton-Ton and riding away in Hoth to snipering droids from a top a alnding on Kamino, it is all surreal in a way. The presenation is really top notch and the grahpics are actually quite breathtaking. The water effects and the overall look and feel is just outstanding.

Is it a twitch shooter? For the most part, yes. Is it fun? Right now, yes. Will it last? Probably no shorter lifespan than my affairs with other games. Will others enjoy it for what it is if they are Star Wars fans? Yes!

Thanks for the impressions, Spooky. I know it's hard to tell after only 1 or 2 days worth of play, but I have gotten a pretty good feel for what to expect from reading your posts. Still not sure if I'll pull the trigger and buy it or not, but your posts do help.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 7:24 pm

I'm having a good time with it so far. It actually feels more like Brute Force set in a Star Wars universe than anything else. The single player game is definitely easy but still worthwhile, both because it's just fun to have a huge battle going on and because you learn the maps, a big must before diving into multiplayer. I haven't gotten a good feel for the multiplayer game yet, mostly because there has been a lot of lag so far (not good, but to be expected on the first day of a game's release). It seems like it's going to be a ton of fun, though. My one complaint is that the matchmaking feature is pretty rudimentary and might make it tough to create games with just your friends, but I haven't really experimented with it yet.

So far a good time.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 1:01 am

I just got done playing this for 2 or 3 hours. I didn't even join an online game, I just played solo on Instant Action and started the Clone Wars campaign so I could get used to the game.

First of all you can go 1st or 3rd person perspective, in case that wasn't mentioned.

Also there is obviously a solo aspect to this game, since I just mentioned it above. My understanding is even in an Xbox 24 player game, there are loads of bots running around.

Anyway I find this to be a highly fun, BF1942 type game, but with the SW atmospehere. There is nothing new I can see in anyway from BF1942. But again, I found it addicitve enough to put in 3 hours solo.

The Endor battles are awesome, riding a speeder bike is an experience. In my first battle on Endor, playing with the Rebels. I came around this huge tree to see an AT-ST looking at me. It started rotating it's head torward me, and before I could duck behind the tree, those little Ewok bastards let the 2 giant logs go and crushed the mofo. It was a nice way to start the game.

I would suggest if you even have a passing interest in the BF1942 gameplay style to at least give this one a rental. If your a SW nut like me, it is a no brainer...it is a must buy.

Off to try TW PC

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:21 am

Well it's official...This game rules!

It is so damn addicting. I have not had that much fun online in a while. I played for about 3 hours tonight and had to tear myself away to go to bed.

While I can still possilby see the fun factor wearing off just as fast as some other games I really enjoyed for the first few weeks, the game definitely is top notch for what it is. At this point, I am FULLY satisfied and feel it has earned my $50. I am sure I will get quite a bit more playing time with it before it starts looking good as a possible trade in.

Good games tonight fella's! Sorry I had to break it up.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:45 am

So are people playing from a 1st or 3rd person view? I kind of like playing from the 1st, but it makes driving the vehicles, especially the planes, a lot more difficult. Still, it's very satisfying to find some cover, go prone and snipe away at bottleneck spots.

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 5:26 am

By the way, the single player experience is seriously underrated. A Galactic Conquest with the difficulty set to hard is downright challenging, and a ton of fun. I've lost more battles than I won- my first go round, I lost four battles in a row, which resulted in my losing the war ignominiously.