Science Friction

In space, no one can hear you scream … with pleasure, that is, over torching Star Destroyers and droid tri-fighters with your newly playable X-Wing or LAAT Gunship's laser cannons, homing rockets, and pulse lasers. That's right; Star Wars Battlefront™ II offers more of the massive melee encounters you've come to know and love, only housed at all-new locations, experienced from original perspectives, and benefiting from enhanced solo/multiplayer features. Pitting four factions—Rebels, Separatists, Imperials, and Clone Troopers—against each other in epic, drag-down, knockout brawls, here are a few ways in which this superb sequel improves upon the original best-seller:

Two words: space combat.
And, of course, "kick ass."

Flying High

Two words: space combat. And, of course, "kick ass." No longer are you limited to manning turrets, mowing down droidekas with a clone commanders' chain-gun, or hurling thermal detonators at approaching AT-TE walkers. You're now free to rocket high into the atmosphere in V-Wings, Y-Wings, TIE Fighters, and ARC-170 Starfighters as well.

An Imperial TIEs one on.

Vehicles range from light, zippy crafts to ponderous frigates and burly bombers, all of which handle differently and feature unique movement capabilities and weapon readouts. Execute barrel rolls and corkscrew turns as you engage in challenging dogfights against low-level fliers and capital class cruisers, some so big you can actually land in their hangar.

Fighting above exotic worlds like Coruscant and Yavin 4, set your sights on opponents before blowing them away with shock cannons or proton torpedoes. The only time you leave the cockpit is when the situation calls for a different ship, or it's time to plant explosives or retrieve battle plans from an enemy vessel.

Although incorporated into Galactic Conquest mode and the Rise of the Empire campaign, these sequences are completely self-contained and polished to the point that they could literally serve as a standalone game. After all, assignments aren't as simple as just downing enemy transports or obliterating artillery installations. You also find yourself—from multiple positions such as command posts or gun modules in certain larger ships, no less—blowing up ships' bridges, knocking out sensors, and downing communications grids.

It isn't polite (or healthy) to point.

Hero Worship

Playable Jedi, whom you can control for a limited time, are one of the title's coolest additions. Available during certain solo battles or purchased as a bonus in Galactic Conquest mode, notables like Yoda and Count Dooku are at your beck and call. These heroes, who can deflect shots or cut down tanks, droids, or stormtroopers by the dozen with their lightsabers, have the power to single-handedly turn the tide in any battle.

Even lesser known characters such as Ki-Adi-Mundi and Aayla Secura pack some amazing abilities, from long-distance jumping skills to blade-throwing assaults. Force powers are plentiful too; as the Emperor, toss around lightning like it was nothing, or become Darth Vader and choke your opponents until they're blue in the face. For laughs, try pushing and pulling adversaries from a distance as well … you need every edge you can get once the action gets underway.

Empire Building

Another awesome addition is Rise of the Empire, an all-new single-player campaign starring a clone regiment known as the 501st division. By pursuing objective-based missions that intertwine with the plot of feature film Episode III, these individuals—favorites of Chancellor Palpatine—further the cause of the Empire. Although you'll see these troopers fighting Separatist forces and defending Republic strongholds, as the narrator candidly reminds you between battles, murder and betrayal are in the cards. Consider it a refreshing, if ominous, perspective on the events portrayed in the movie. If the Wookies only knew what they were planning, the fur would really hit the fan…

This land is my land …

Worlds Apart

You want new maps? You got 'em. Dagobah's the stinking swampland we all remember from The Empire Strikes Back, filled with lush undergrowth and veiled in choking fog. Remote medical outpost Polis Massa's a high-tech compound mostly made up of confined corridors and deadly chokepoints. The skies above Coruscant glisten with shining stars, fluorescent nebula, and waves of hostile aircraft.

Fungal world Felucia teems with exotic jungle life, including ferocious beasts known as Acklay. Even old favorites like Geonosis—a rocky planet, crawling with grottos, canyons and outcroppings from which a clone sharpshooter or Rebel marksman can make a valiant stand—get a welcome makeover.

Fresh character classes, enhanced artificial intelligence, settings pulled straight from the original trilogy (the Death Star, Princess Leia's spaceship, Tantive IV), and over 30 playable vehicles are also available. So what are you waiting for? Start saving, or subjugating, the universe today…

Article by Chris Zimmerman