Summary
TheStar Warsfranchise has featured a laundry list of stellar titles over the years. FromKOTORtoJedi: Fallen Order, game developers have consistently found exciting ways to bring gamers into a galaxy far, far away. Very few of those games, however, establish a legacy beyond their years that allows them to remain a fixture in theStar Warscommunity long after release. The originalStar Wars Battlefrontgames thoroughly fit that description, and fans who remember capturing command posts back in the day will soon be able to do so once again in the upcomingStar Wars Battlefront Classic Collection.
Announced at the most recent Nintendo Direct,Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collectionpackages the original two games together and enhances the experience with 4K textures and full online multiplayer support. ForStar Warsfans new and old who have longed for a rerelease of these classic titles,Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collectionfeels like a dream come true. At the same time, however, this compilation also serves as a reminder of everything theBattlefrontfranchise could have been but was never able to achieve. For as historic as it is,Battlefronthas seemingly been destined to never reach a third installment.
Two Generations Have Seen A Battlefront 3 Fail To Materialize
TheBattlefrontseries has lived two separate, but very similar lives since the first game released in 2004. Both LucasArts and EA’s firstBattlefrontgame served as a bit of a proof of concept, offering an experience that did well on a lot of fronts, but had a lot of room to grow. Then, when it came time for a second installment, bothBattlefront 2titles thoroughly expanded on their predecessor in meaningful ways. In the aftermath of those sequels, however, both generations ofBattlefrontfailed to complete a trilogy. Though almost a decade separates them,the cards have been stacked againstBattlefront 3,no matter the iteration.
The Original Battlefront 3 Still Feels Like A Tragedy
2005’sStar Wars Battlefront2was a landmark achievement for the franchise, as its grand battles, deep well of playable heroes, and varied maps made for one of the most immersiveStar Warsexperiences at the time. ABattlefront 3was put into development not long after its release, but over the course of its production it came across a litany of issues.Developer Free Radical Designwas unable to reach deadlines, LucasArts' restructuring at the time was disruptive, and the project was ultimately canceled in 2008.
The tragedy of this story comes from leaked gameplay ofBattlefront 3, which includes footage of its ambitious ground-to-space mechanics. It certainly doesn’t speak to the quality of the finished product, but for many fans, the unrealized potential ofBattlefront 3is as haunting as that ofStar Wars 1313. The gameplay shows what could have been for theBattlefrontfranchise, and what will never be.
A Modern Battlefront 3 Seems Less Likely Day After Day
WhileEA’sBattlefront 2didn’t have the smoothest launch, the finished product as it stands today is a stellar multiplayer experience that evokes a similar ambition to the originalBattlefront 2. Unfortunately for those hoping for a modernBattlefront 3, EA has given no indication that it plans to support such an endeavor. Developer DICE reportedly pitched a threequel to EA, but the publisher ultimately turned it down. Now, it seems fans are once again back at square one regardingBattlefront’s future.
Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collectionmay not be theBattlefront 3many players have been hoping for, but with no new games in sight, it’s a commendable way to keep the franchise name alive. For some gamers, though, this collection will make the originalBattlefrontgames feel new, asDLC characters like Kit Fisto and Asajj Ventress will be included. It’s a far cry from a threequel, but some updated nostalgia may just be enough for someBattlefrontfans.
Star Wars Battlefront
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Star Wars Battlefront, produced by Pandemic Studios, is a 2004 first-and-third person shooting game that borrowed many of the same mechanics as the Battlefield franchise. The game focuses on large-scale battles and recreates various encounters from the movies.
