Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron Review for Nintendo DS

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron box art

System: DS, PSP	Review Rating Legend
Dev: N-Space	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: LucasArts	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Nov.3, 2009	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-4	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Graphically, things are adequate if not spectacular. Cutscenes between the action are delivered through nice drawings, with text dialogue taking place on the bottom screen. During the game, similar text will pop up on the lower screen giving further narrative - something I found myself missing half the time, as I was focused on the top screen where all the shooting was going on.

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron screenshot

The music is exactly as you'd expect, being the extremely well-known Star Wars themes and sound effects. This isn't really a bad thing, as it captures the mood. But when coupled with a subpar game, it feels uninspired. Take the same sound effects and music and add it to a dynamic game like Knights of the Old Republic and it feels epic. Moral of the story is the sound isn't the one at fault, it merely plays down to its surroundings.

You'll notice the lack of any mention of the multiplayer mode until now, an oddity as this is a game within the Battlefront series. Multiplayer is limited to four people and is more of a tacked-on. I have a sneaking suspicion not many people will be able to convince three of their friends to buy this game.

It's a shame a series that offers as much as Battlefront does has sullied its name with a subpar release like this on a system that can't handle what the Battlefront games are all about. It seems unnecessary to tack the Battlefront tag on when this could have been developed as its own stand alone game where the developers were free to build it without restrictions to make it a Battlefront doppelganger. As it is, Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron is a big disappointment that only the biggest of Star Wars fans should consider trying. While that's the normal caveat for a licensed title, it's a stretch here. In reality, don't waste your time.

By Caleb Newby
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

3.0

Graphics
Nothing spectacular, but likewise nothing overly offensive. More variety and detail certainly wouldn't hurt, however.

2.5

Control
Extremely simplistic controls and gameplay make this a game that offers little enjoyment beyond the first 10 minutes. The lack of a Y axis movement for space combat is unforgiveable.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Music and sound effects are solid. Unfortunately, they are tied to a game that lacks other redeeming qualities.

2.0

Play Value
Multiplayer isn't worth making this a purchase, and single-player is tedious and dull. Stay away.

2.5

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Fight on an expanded battlefront that spans multiple layers of action - start the fight on foot, commandeer a vehicle and dogfight in space, and land your craft on and fight in capital starships - your actions in each area directly affect the outcome on others.

Take the lead role in an engrossing, never-before-told storyline that puts you in the middle of the action of the most memorable battles spanning the entire Star Wars saga and beyond.

Unique class-based gameplay on the Nintendo DS let you take advantage of numerous character classes, each with their own specialized weapons and tools and even the ability to carry a lightsaber into battle.