Yes, the latest trailer of Battlefront II for the single-player campaign looks phenomenal: It features an engaging story with diverse characters, impressive graphics and, last but not least, a few gameplay snippets that make you crave for more. Crave for what exactly? Let’s dive deeper into the dark matter together!
You play as Iden Versio, the commander of a special unit with the striking name “Inferno Squad“, who must face her failure during the Battle of Endor. We are in the year 4ABY – the year the return of the Jedi occurs. The year the Empire is defeated.
Blood, sweat, and tears from the Emperor! This is the stuff that first-person shooters in my humble world are made of! Without mercy, the tables are turned and you are thrown headfirst into the fray.
Aspects that I wish for
- The threat should be palpable: You hide fearfully behind a barrel when Luke stands tall before you. Short: I want to see Luke from a completely different perspective!
- Despair: Not only is the Death Star destroyed, but with it also all hope. The Empire seems crushed and fallen comrades are piling up around you. Short: I want to empathize with the Empire.
- Discrepancy: It seems like a battle of David against Goliath, yet it is the torn Rebels who gain the upper hand! Short: I want to see the slap in the face of the Empire!
- Characters instead of caricatures: Even the seemingly antagonistic Empire would benefit from a deeper profile with concerns, wishes, and fears. Short: I wish for profound characters with individual motivations.
The fictional backstory
The backstory to the campaign (“Battlefront II: Inferno Squad” by Christie Golden) is still fresh in my memory: It also highlights the antagonistic side of the Star Wars saga, depicting its diversity and creating richness in facets. This novel can serve as a damn good template for achieving depth even in this short campaign (Let’s remember: It’s supposed to last only 5-7 hours).
Star Wars has always been more than just swinging lightsabers and flying X-Wings. It is a fairy tale of good and evil. How nice that now the evil is also given a voice and this trailer hints at making it a real theme.
Guddy’s conclusion
Admittedly: EA has it easy with me at the moment. I am simply in a Star Wars fever and would likely get goosebumps even from a video of a nose hair trimmer as long as the familiar sounds of John Williams delight my ears. But Battlefront 2 actually has the potential to be solidly liked by me due to its theme upon a sober glance.
