Summary
Almost 20 years since the games first launched, the originalStar Wars: Battlefrontduology is making its grand return. On March 14, Aspyr will be launching those two games in one bundle dubbedStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection. Not only will it feature the iconic gameplay players fell in love with, but the studio is also tossing in a few extra features including new heroes, an expanded Hero Assault mode, and 64-player battles. While that may sound extremely exciting, this collection could also be facing some challenges as its release date nears.
Instead of being a full-on remake or remaster, theStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collectionis simply re-releasing those original games with some new content. Additionally, the entire package seems to be more expensive than those original games are,theBattlefrontbrand is in a bit of a tough spot, and there are other shooters that are currently dominating the industry. Even though it may be initially successful, these things could hurt this title in the long run if Aspyr is not careful.
Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection May Not Be An Easy Win
The Price Point of the Classic Collection Could Hold it Back
One of the biggest things that will likely impact the success of this collection is the price point. Players who do not own anyStar Wars: Battlefrontgame on Steam can pick up this collection for $35.01. While it remains to be seen if the new content justifies that price, the two games by themselves are so much cheaper. Right now,bothStar Wars: Battlefrontgames can be picked up for $10 each, which means players could save $15 if they just buy the original versions. So, it may be hard for some to spend that extra money if the content does not blow them away.
Players who already own the twoStar Wars: Battlefrontgames can benefit from a loyalty discount until March 13. That discount will give them 20% off the price, so they only have to pay $28.01. Those savings are nice, but again, the trailers have shown a game that looks exactly like those original titles outside of a few new additions. It might not make sense for players to just purchase the same games they already own unless Aspyr reallymakesStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collectionfeel worth it.
Aspyr Could Have Done More With the Battlefront Series
The other thing holding backStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collectionis that it is not a remake or remaster, but instead, it seems to be a re-release with some added content. Based on the trailers, the game looks pretty much like it did back in 2005. That should be a nice nostalgia trip for many, yet it could have been so much more. Even if the studio only slightly tweaked the textures or UI to give it a more modern feel, it would have gone a long way in making this experience feel more worthwhile.
That being said, thenew content thatStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collectionwill includemay just be enough to get fans interested. The addition of new heroes like Asajj Ventress sounds exciting, the game adds a variety of new maps, and the expansion of the Hero Assault mode is a welcome thought. At the same time, if players do not buy into this game, then its 64-player battles may fail to deliver. Hopefully, this experience has enough going for it to fill those servers.
It does seem likeStar Wars: Battlefront Classic Collectionis in a bit of a tough spot. While it will likely be initially successful, asStar Warsfans have been clamoring for aBattlefrontgame for years, it remains to be seen if that success will last. At a time whengames likeHelldivers 2have taken the industry by storm, there may not be a lot of room for a returning classic right now.
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.
