Star Wars Battlefront: The SimCity of Shooters?

Star Wars: Battlefront is probably the most anticipated title of this year. Although there is still a bit more than a month until the release, players can already dive into the multiplayer shooter by DICE during the Open Beta. We ask: Does it meet your expectations?

The expectations are huge, as almost every one of us associates an amazing spectacle with the world’s most famous franchise. Even beforehand, there were doubts, whether due to the comparatively lower number of features than its predecessor or the fear that, given the developer’s history, it would end up just being a Battlefield skin. Since the beta is heavily limited, it is hard to assess how good the overall package is. Still: The first impression is important, and it can already be captured now.

This is what you say about the Open Beta of Battlefront

Regarding the atmosphere, most people agree: Here, the developer seems to have done a great job. The Star Wars feeling has been captured very well by DICE. And not just because the famous “pew-pew sound” created by the blasters has been captured well. DICE emphasized several times that they are keen for players to feel as if they are right in the middle of the Star Wars universe, instead of just being there – and they have indeed managed to implement that well.

Most noticeable are the differing opinions on the direction of Star Wars Battlefront. Some had wished for a tactically demanding title with long-term motivation. Many now fear that it won’t be able to provide that after the first few hours of gameplay: It is said to be too simplistic in its shooter mechanics, with barely any noticeable progression. On the other hand, there are those who are completely satisfied: they get an action spectacle they can dive into immediately; a great alternative to Destiny and Co. for a few rounds in the evening. What matters to them the most is to experience Star Wars – ideally in sync with the film hype.

“…the SimCity of shooters” – Tactical depth missing

Here are a few selected opinions that have come in on Mein-MMO.de:

After 30 minutes, my conclusion is: Atmosphere is very good, the game itself is too boring for me. It really doesn’t get any simpler than this, realizing a shooter. (…) Only for players who want to play a quick round, but don’t want any progression or tactical depth. The gameplay is very quick… it doesn’t matter at all if you die, because you’re back in the game faster than in Battlefield. It’s just as indifferent when you take someone down, as it’s nothing special. Spawn, shoot, die, spawn, shoot, die, spawn,… Even some F2P shooters like Dirty Bomb have more tactical depth than Battlefront. Too bad. (…) I expected a Battlefield with SW skins, as I didn’t know the old SWBF games, but played BF3 to death. For about 30 minutes, I really enjoyed it,(…) after that, the fun is gone because everything is so trivial. But the game looks very good even with my old graphics card and runs smoothly. – Michael

I just played it. After 15 minutes, I got bored and uninstalled the game. Maybe it’s my age. Almost 30 :/ The graphics are really beautiful. But you can’t make gameplay any simpler. In my opinion, it’s the SimCity of shooters. – am

Graphics are awesome like Jabba’s belly, gameplay depth is flat like Leia’s boobs! – Schuhmann

“Can you still have fun? Sure, plenty!”

My conclusion after hours of searching (Yes, maybe the Star Wars nerd speaks out of me too): Graphics, sound, atmosphere wonderful. Gameplay, well, just a shooter. The fact that the blaster shots fly slowly and you have to lead over long distances, I think is good, when I remember CoD Ghosts… (…) Flight control also works smoothly, I’m really looking forward to Fighter Squadron. (…) So for me, this game is basically exactly what I have been waiting for – based on my current impressions. I also understand that the game is not for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be, but I prefer it over all that worn-out Battlefield and CoD “stuff”. – Flying_Horseman aka Hegerto

I, as an original SWBF2 player, must say at this point that SWBF2/SWBF DICE has never occupied the place of a complex shooter for us, but has always been fun for a quick play. The fact that this “quick play” has turned into “day and night” is probably solely due to the fact that SWBF2 was able to entertain so well with so “little”. However, if someone is looking for a complex shooter, they might not be happy with SWBF 2/DICE. Can you still have fun? Sure, plenty! – An SWBF2 veteran

I have played for a while now and in my opinion, it works great as a game for between. I definitely had fun and a big plus is that the Star Wars atmosphere is captured well. One must keep in mind: The Drop Zone, for example, is designed for fast gameplay and that is fulfilled by the map. There are more modes, which will certainly play a bit differently. Of course, it doesn’t have the long-term motivation of a Destiny, but I also didn’t approach this with that expectation. – Dawid

What do you actually want?

Played BF1 & 2? They were not high-tactical shooters, but more so about “quick play”. I don’t know why one expects that here. It has been criticized beforehand by many: “It will just be a Battlefield with a Star Wars skin”. Now that it’s not so, people are still not satisfied. What do “you” actually want? Furthermore, I agree with the others, the atmosphere is brilliant, more Star Wars feeling is hardly possible. – RC-9797

The Open Beta has been running for 2 days now. Has your opinion changed with more playtime or has it remained the same? And many of you will surely have played a few rounds just this weekend. What are your thoughts?