Released in November 2015, Star Wars Battlefront marked the triumphant return of the Battlefront franchise after nearly a decade. Developed by DICE, best known for their work on the Battlefield series, and published by Electronic Arts (EA), this reboot was one of the most anticipated games of its time. Armed with the Frostbite engine, DICE aimed to bring the Star Wars galaxy to life with unmatched graphical fidelity and authentic sound design.
Battlefront (2015) was envisioned as a fresh reimagining rather than a direct continuation of the original Battlefront games developed by Pandemic Studios in the mid-2000s. While the final product was visually stunning and captured the essence of Star Wars with great care, it also drew criticism for lacking depth, content, and gameplay variety—especially at launch.
Despite the controversy, the game laid the groundwork for future Star Wars shooters and remains an important entry in the franchise’s gaming timeline.
A Return to the Galactic Civil War
Unlike its sequel (Battlefront II in 2017), which spanned all three Star Wars trilogies, Battlefront (2015) focused exclusively on the original trilogy era. This meant players fought as Rebel or Imperial forces across iconic locations like Hoth, Endor, Tatooine, and Sullust.
By narrowing its scope, DICE was able to pour meticulous detail into each environment. From the snowy trenches of Hoth to the dense forests of Endor, every map reflected the look and feel of the films. The commitment to authenticity was evident not only in the visuals but also in the soundscape: every blaster shot, TIE fighter scream, and John Williams musical cue made players feel like they were part of a cinematic Star Wars experience.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Star Wars Battlefront offered both first-person and third-person perspectives, allowing players to choose how they experienced the battlefield. The game was accessible and fast-paced, with a control scheme and progression system clearly tailored to casual and mainstream audiences. DICE simplified many of the systems that had made their Battlefield series deep and tactical, opting instead for a plug-and-play arcade shooter feel.
The game’s classes were replaced by customizable loadouts, and players could select Star Cards that provided weapons, gadgets, or temporary abilities such as jump packs, personal shields, and explosive grenades. This system allowed for some variation in playstyles but lacked the depth found in traditional class-based shooters.
Health did not regenerate naturally; instead, players relied on health pick-ups or careful play. Weapons, particularly blasters, were designed to avoid traditional ammo mechanics, instead relying on cooldowns and heat buildup—a smart decision to mirror the films.
Game Modes
At launch, Battlefront featured a variety of multiplayer modes. However, criticism quickly arose due to the lack of a campaign and limited content scope.
Key Multiplayer Modes:
- Walker Assault: The flagship mode. It featured large-scale 40-player battles where Rebels attempted to destroy AT-ATs while the Empire defended. Inspired by the Battle of Hoth, this mode became iconic for its cinematic feel but was initially criticized for balance issues, favoring the Empire.
- Supremacy: Another large-scale mode where players fought for control of sequential zones in a tug-of-war format.
- Blast: A standard team deathmatch mode, focused on smaller maps and faster gameplay.
- Drop Zone: Objective-based 8v8 mode where teams fought to control and secure pods falling from the sky.
- Fighter Squadron: A dedicated air combat mode, pitting Rebel and Imperial ships in intense dogfights.
- Heroes vs. Villains: 6v6 mode where players could play as iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Leia, and Han Solo. Each round featured three heroes on each side, with supporting troopers.
- Hero Hunt: One player spawned as a hero and fought against seven regular troopers. Whoever killed the hero would take their place in the next round.
Although these modes provided variety, the game lacked traditional single-player or offline story content—something that disappointed many fans looking for a more narrative-driven Star Wars experience.
Heroes and Villains
One of the highlights of Battlefront was the ability to play as powerful heroes and villains from the films. These characters had unique abilities, powerful attacks, and the capacity to turn the tide of battle. At launch, the hero roster included:
- Rebels: Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia
- Empire: Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Boba Fett
Heroes were obtainable through pickups scattered on the battlefield, adding a chaotic and unpredictable element to the flow of combat. Their presence could be exhilarating—especially for fans eager to relive their favorite moments from the saga.
Visual and Audio Fidelity
Where Battlefront (2015) excelled beyond dispute was in presentation. It is one of the most visually breathtaking Star Wars games ever created. Utilizing the Frostbite engine, DICE painstakingly recreated environments using photogrammetry—a process involving real-world photography and scanning—to ensure hyper-realistic terrain and structures.
In tandem with Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, DICE crafted an audiovisual experience that immersed players completely. From the echo of blaster bolts in canyons to the flutter of Ewoks in the distance, every sound effect felt authentic and lovingly crafted.
Character models, especially heroes and ships, were detailed to an astonishing degree, helping the game deliver a cinematic quality unmatched by most shooters of its time.
The Battlefront Controversy: Content and DLC
One of the biggest criticisms directed at Battlefront was its lack of content at launch. With just four planets and a limited number of modes and heroes, many players felt the game was too barebones to justify its full price—especially when compared to the older Battlefront II (2005), which offered more maps, space battles, classes, and a campaign.
EA’s decision to release a $50 Season Pass added fuel to the fire. Essential content such as new maps, modes, and heroes were gated behind paid DLCs, dividing the player base and further frustrating fans.
DLC Packs Included:
- Outer Rim – Featured maps like Jabba’s Palace and introduced Greedo and Nien Nunb.
- Bespin – Added Cloud City maps and heroes like Lando Calrissian and Dengar.
- Death Star – Included interior Death Star maps, space battles, and heroes Chewbacca and Bossk.
- Rogue One: Scarif – Released alongside Rogue One, this pack added tropical Scarif maps and heroes Jyn Erso and Orson Krennic.
These expansions did improve the game significantly, adding new environments and mechanics, but the split between DLC owners and non-owners hurt the multiplayer community.
Offline Content and Co-Op Play
Responding to the demand for offline play, EA eventually added “Missions” and “Skirmish” modes, allowing for split-screen or solo play with bots. While not a full replacement for a campaign, these modes allowed players to enjoy the game without needing to go online.
“Battle Station,” introduced later, was a unique multi-phase mode where players battled in space, then infiltrated the Death Star interior. Though not exactly traditional space combat, it added depth and variety late in the game’s life.
Legacy and Impact
Star Wars Battlefront (2015) will be remembered as a beautiful but flawed return to a beloved franchise. It served as a love letter to the original trilogy, presenting environments and battles in ways never before seen in a game. Yet, its minimal content and over-reliance on paid DLC soured the experience for many at launch.
Still, it achieved commercial success, selling over 14 million copies within its first year. It reignited interest in Star Wars shooters and helped pave the way for Battlefront II (2017), which learned from many of its predecessor’s mistakes—even as it made new ones.
In retrospect, Battlefront is both a technical marvel and a cautionary tale. It reminds us that presentation alone isn’t enough—substance and depth matter, especially in a franchise as revered as Star Wars. And yet, despite its shortcomings, for many players, it was a thrilling return to the galaxy far, far away.
