The communication disruption can mean only one thing…. INVASION Battlefront 2 is out! Yes, the wife has issued the divorce papers and my kids don’t know who I am anymore. It’s like November 2015 all over again when the original Battlefront was released on PS4 and two years later not much has changed. The Dark King is hooked!
The Sideburns/Beard Paradox
Now the release of this game hasn’t been without controversy with complaints from eager gamers around the microtransactions/loot crates which were due to be part of the game in order to upgrade heroes/ gain additional weapons or powers (“pay to win”), but these payments have been temporarily axed. This has seen the physical sales of the game drop considerably compared to the original back in 2015, but nothing can stop the King opening a can of whoop ass on the Rebellion/Resistance!
I’ve been playing the Elite Trooper Deluxe Edition for just over a week now and my sideburns have now become a beard. The installation of the game takes a while, but you can slice and dice some Resistance fighters as Kylo Ren whilst you wait – there is something oddly satisfying about this. After about 30 minutes the game has installed and it’s go time!
Campaign Mode
My priority when starting the game was to try out the Campaign mode, which was something lacking in the original and an element everyone cried out for including FN2187/Finn himself John Boyega. I’m not going to go into great detail about the story element here as I don’t want to run into spoiler territory. The action takes place from the destruction of the second Death Star above the forest moon of Endor, up until the events of The Force Awakens. The gameplay is incredible as you take control of Iden Versio, commander of Inferno Squad (Motion Captured and voiced by Janina Gavanaker) and travel from Endor to some other familiar planets from across the Saga, meeting familiar faces along the way.
What really impresses in the campaign is the story and performances from the main players Janina Gavanaker, Anthony Skordi, Paul Blackthorne and T.J. Ramini. You are invested in their story right from the start and by the end we are eagerly awaiting more. Thankfully this is coming in December with the build up to The Last Jedi release. Personally, I’m hoping we get a lot more of Shriv, voiced by Dan Donohue in the coming campaign as he had some proper laugh out loud moments. The love and attention to detail that the team has put into this game can clearly be seen and it’s a joy to play. The campaign takes a few hours to get through but is well worth exploring again and again.
Inferno Squad Recruitment
Now if the campaign has left you wanting more information about Inferno Squad, be sure to check out the novel by Christie Golden which was reviewed by our very own Carl Roberts. There has also been a stunning Black Series Inferno Squad Tie Pilot figure released by Hasbro and Anovos have just launched an Inferno Squad Tie Pilot Helmet – ask Santa for this one for Christmas!
You Beta Believe It
Moving on to the Multiplayer modes we have more character choices and planets to explore than ever before covering all three trilogies. Naboo, which I first got the chance to play during the Beta release is beautiful, just like in the Phantom Menace. Playing as Clones or Battle Droids you get the choice of different classes of soldier from Assault, Heavy, Officer or Specialist and if you have enough credits you can play as Darth Maul (still in one piece at this point). Exploring Maz’s castle on Takodana is exceptional and be sure to keep your ears peeled for some interesting easter eggs (karabast!). Starfighter Assault gives you control of more vehicles than ever before, including Darth Maul’s Scimitar and Poe Dameron’s Black One.
The Arcade levels are another welcome addition to the game, helping to build much needed credits for multiplayer levels. It’s also a nice training ground to get used to the new controls and characters ready to be unleashed on some unsuspecting rebels. You can use the extra credits or crafting parts to unlock new abilities for your characters/vehicles – less chance of being struck down by your kids.
Being able to play as Rey and Kylo in their Last Jedi outfits is pretty hot dang special and with Finn and Phasma coming as new playable characters on December 5th, it’s time to choose a side for The Last Jedi season. Until next time folks, hang loose. And EA, if you are listening, please release Shriv and old man Luke as playable characters…. THANKYOUVERYMUCH!
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