3.5/5 ★ – Isaac_Ashley's review of Star Wars Battlefront II.

When Battlefront 2 first launched, I wanted to love it. A massive Star Wars shooter with huge battles, space combat, and playable heroes? That sounded like a dream come true. But that dream quickly turned into a nightmare when the game dropped with a brutal progression system, pay-to-win mechanics, and an overall feeling that it was designed more as a cash grab than a love letter to Star Wars fans. Once EA and DICE finally listened to the backlash and overhauled the game, it became so much better. The improved progression system, the removal of pay-to-win mechanics, and the addition of free content updates turned it into what it should have been from the start—a genuinely fun and immersive Star Wars experience. One thing that really stood out to me was the campaign. I know a lot of people were disappointed, but honestly? I loved it. Playing as Iden Versio and seeing the fall of the Empire through her eyes was such a cool perspective, and it was refreshing to follow a story that wasn’t just about the Rebellion from the start. The missions were fun and varied, taking you across iconic Star Wars locations while mixing in both ground and space combat. And the story itself—while not perfect—had some really strong moments. Iden’s journey, her shift in perspective, and the emotional weight of seeing the Empire crumble all made it an engaging experience. Plus, getting to play as classic heroes like Luke, Leia, and Lando during certain missions was a great touch. Once I jumped into multiplayer, I was blown away by how much it felt like Star Wars. The gunplay is smooth, and every blaster, explosion, and lightsaber duel feels incredibly satisfying. The maps are gorgeous and perfectly capture the feel of the different planets—from the icy battlefield of Hoth to the neon-lit streets of Naboo. There’s something amazing about sprinting through a massive battlefield, dodging blaster fire, and suddenly hearing a lightsaber ignite behind you. Then there are the heroes and villains, which are easily one of the best parts of the game. Getting to play as Vader, Maul, or even characters like Bossk and Dooku just never gets old. The game does a great job of making them feel powerful but still balanced enough that they don’t completely take over the match. And I have to mention Galactic Assault and Capital Supremacy—these two modes truly capture the grand scale of Star Wars battles. The mix of infantry combat, vehicles, and heroes makes every match feel cinematic and exciting. But even after all the improvements, Battlefront 2 still has some issues. The biggest one for me is missed potential. Just when the game had finally hit its stride, EA stopped updating it. There was so much more they could have added—more Clone Wars content, more heroes, more planets. It felt like the game was just getting started, and then support was suddenly cut off. While the multiplayer is fun, some modes feel unbalanced. Heroes vs. Villains, for example, can be frustrating when you end up in bad matchups, and some maps heavily favor one side. And while the game has a ton of content now, I can’t forget how rough the launch was—it definitely took a while to get to where it is today. Despite its rocky start, Battlefront 2 became so much more than its launch controversy. The campaign was engaging, the multiplayer was an absolute blast, and the love for Star Wars is all over this game. It’s not perfect, and it could have been even bigger and better, but when you’re in the middle of a massive battle, blasters firing all around you, and the Imperial March starts playing as Vader steps onto the field—yeah, it’s still pretty awesome.