Star Wars Battlefront Preview

Star Wars Battlefront is a lot like Battlefield 1942 in that it’s open, its team-on-team battles, and there are plenty of vehicles to utilize.

Star Wars Battlefront allows you to choose from 20 different classes across the two teams: Rebels or the Empire. Each class has a different weapon set and skin to set them apart.

Vehicles will also play a huge role in the battles, and there will plenty at your disposal. I witnessed a battle on Endor and saw the Empire soldiers piloting AT-ST’s against the Rebels and Ewoks. There were even log traps from the movie to defend against the giant machines. AT-ST’s aren’t the only vehicle you can expect to see; there will be plenty more from the Star Wars universe scattered about each of the maps.

NPC’s will also be featured in the game, either helping or hindering your team. On the Endor map Ewoks will aid the Rebels, and I was told that this is the first Star Wars game to allow you to shoot the Ewoks. The NPC helpers won’t be available to choose as a class, but it’s cool to have them there adding variety to the player models involved in battle.

Star Wars Battlefront is looking great right now. Endor was covered in beautiful foliage; it actually felt as if you were actually in the jungles of Endor. The player can also switch between first- or third-person viewpoints at any time.

Multiplayer will be a huge feature, and will allow up to 16 players (with voice chat) simultaneously on the console versions or 32 on the PC. Available modes include the standard Deathmatch and the various Capture the Flag modes made popular by Battlefield.

This game is looking like a lot of fun for fans of both Star Wars and Battlefield. LucasArts plans on releasing Star Wars Battlefront at the same time as the classic movie trilogy’s DVD release on September 21st.

For All E3 2004 Previews