The Mixed Legacy of Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection: Nostalgia Meets Outdated Mechanics

I spent many an afternoon engrossed in the early Battlefront games from 2004 and 2005. Far from being just another way to pass the time, these games evolved into my gateway to the Star Wars universe. With friends, I devoted countless hours commanding factions to dominate the galaxy, reenacting iconic battles from the movies and pondering why General Grievous was so formidable in the game compared to his cinematic portrayal. My dream for a Clone Wars series focusing on clone individuality sprouted from Battlefront 2’s compelling 501st Journal. Yet, despite the nostalgic value these games hold, their mechanics feel starkly outdated. Sadly, Aspyr Media's attempt to bring these classics into modern times via the Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection leaves much to be desired. Rather than revitalizing the beloved series, it highlights their dated gameplay, making them relics less enjoyable today.

Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War: A Mechanical Overview

The original Battlefront and its sequel are shooters set during the Clone Wars and Galactic Civil War. Stepping into the boots of general soldiers, players participate in multifaceted conflicts marked by large-scale battles. Although Battlefront 2 builds on its predecessor with space battles, playable heroes like Yoda and Darth Vader, and a story-driven campaign tied to Revenge of the Sith, both games share fundamental mechanics.

Each faction hosts four primary soldier archetypes:

• Standard Trooper: Equipped with an assault rifle
• Sniper: Expert in long-range combat
• Demolitionist: Wields a heavy rocket launcher
• Support Soldier: Specializes in close-range combat and vehicle repairs

Special units add unique flair—like the Republic's Jet Trooper with a jetpack or the CIS's versatile Droideka. These units maintain core game mechanics while providing varied gameplay experiences, preventing monotony.

Additions and Modifications

The Classic Collection includes six maps—post-launch additions from the original games—and introduces two heroes from exclusive Xbox DLCs, Kit Fisto and Asajj Ventress. Aimed at enhancing gameplay, the collection modifies Hero Assault mode allowing it across all maps and introduces cross-gen multiplayer with matches enlarged to 32v32 players. Despite these efforts, some changes inadvertently emphasize remaining inconsistencies, creating neither an optimal remaster nor preserving the original legacy accurately.

Gameplay Evolution and Imbalance Challenges

While once innovative for console shooters, the Battlefront series' gameplay no longer shines. Though the second installment did improve original mechanics, it can't wholly revive 20-year-old gameplay. Sprinting soldiers, sharper characters, and sprawling maps in Battlefront 2 enhance visual clarity and prolong firefights, but sluggish movement and imprecise aiming persist.

Victory often hinges on rapid elimination via automatic weapons, marginalizing other classes like snipers. Imbalances plague campaigns and multiplayer matches; once one side gains an edge, recovery becomes unlikely. Command posts act as spawn points, so fewer captured posts mean perilously limited respawn options. This culminates in predictably one-sided skirmishes instead of balanced tug-of-war matches. Heroes sporadically disrupt this by changing battle dynamics, yet unlocking them is challenging, especially for losing players, making it hard to utilize their game-altering potential effectively.

Skill and Luck in Combat

Moment-to-moment gameplay lacks excitement. Generous auto-aim mechanics reward rough direction rather than precise targeting. As a child, I celebrated victories shared with friends, but now such wins feel unearned, derived more from luck than skill, reducing replay value.

Space battles in Battlefront 2 do not fare much better. The campaigns permit bypassing these battles, acknowledging their tedium. Although flying starships and attacking enemy vessels provides initial thrills, repetitive strategies across indistinguishable space maps rapidly dull the experience. Inconsistent starship controls compound frustrations, hampering maneuverability during dogfights.

Contemporary Comparisons

The starkest critique against the Battlefront Classic Collection is its failure compared to newer Star Wars titles. EA DICE's recent Battlefront installments have refined shooting mechanics using spacious battlefields to prevent overwhelming dominance by a single side. 2020's Squadrons notably improved aerial combat with responsive controls and diverse maps. While the Classic Collection assembles these elements, it falls short of surpassing more recent, polished counterparts.

Final Verdict

The Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection is ultimately disappointing, struggling to define itself as either a remaster or a preservation effort. It fails to offer an accurate portrayal of revered classics or modernize them adequately. As a result, the collection fails to deliver engaging gameplay, making it unappealing and suggesting it is best avoided.