I promise I will start talking about something else other
than New Battlefront (NBF) soon. But I couldn’t ignore the Gamescom trailer for
the new game mode; Fighter Squadron. Fighter Squadron pits two teams of pilots against
each other in a race to shoot down or defend a fleeing transport shuttle. A
criticism of NBF when it was first announced was that it would not feature
space battles as per previous iterations. This may placate some of those people
looking to get their X-Wing vs TIE Fighter fix.
This was not a particularly damning issue for me though as I
always felt the space battles weren’t as exciting as they were made out to be.
This was mostly because of the basic flight controls that made dog-fighting
tedious as everyone had the same turn radius and “pull up and roll” manoeuvre.
The strategies for downing the enemy carrier also became quite repetitive.
However, given the popularity of this style of gameplay I would not be
surprised if a space combat only game was on the cards. Why sell one game when
you could sell two, right?
Reports from those that have played NBF say the controls of
the air vehicles are “arcadey” suggesting that the control problem would likely
be replicated. It also brings in to question how engaging this game mode can be
given the problems of the past. Well DICE has had a thought about that. They’ve
added something I have wanted not just from a Star Wars a game but from space
ship simulators in general; directing power flow. Your craft can either have
its power directed to engines or weapons along a sliding scale. More power to
the engines and you’ll outpace your pursuers but your weapons won’t be as
effective though. The reverse is true if you power up your lasers; you’ll be an
easy target. This simple concept adds that feeling of really piloting a space
craft as portrayed in the films (“Full power to guns!”). My only gripe is I
wish that they’d have gone as far as the holy trinity; engines, weapons and
shields. I appreciate though that this may have been too much.
NBF Fighter Squadron has also brought back another
Battlefront staple; AI opponents. To complement the 10 players on your team
you’ll have another 10 robots on your wing to provide cannon fodder. For those
counting that means we’re up to 42 fighters in the air meaning it should feel
pretty hectic. The addition (or rather, continuation) of AI characters can only
be a positive. Take Titanfall for example; although limited in its lifespan by
a lack of customisation and reward schemes it had a broad appeal to all skill
levels as hordes of AI were crushed under your mech’s boots. Lessons have also
been learnt from Battlefield’s Air Superiority mode where only the best Top Gun
pilots dominated the poorer fliers. AI pilots level the playing field and allow
the critical Star Wars experience of swatting down swarms of TIE Fighter
(points are points at the end of the match afterall). What may be taking it a
step too far though is the “locking on” effect that seems to happen when lining
up an enemy. This may be just an ability but if not aerial combat may be a bit
too over-simplified especially if you’re missiles already track targets.. You
need to at least TRY and get kills.
A few more short points as this is getting lengthy:
1) Contextual destruction; engines seem to be destroyed
individually depending where you are hit and, like Luke being shot down by the
AT-AT, electricity seems to envelope the cock-pit before destruction. A nice
nod to the source material that I don’t think has been done before.
2) Turrets. Looks like to keep you off the floor and out of
enemy territory there are stationary guns. Might make for some flair manoeuvres
dodging through the trenches.
3) Special craft. The Millennium Falcon and Slave 1 ships
are shown (although they should have cut all the Han quips from the trailer).
They seem to be special unlocks and for one player only which is a shame as if
the Falcon was a co-op vehicle I probably would have broken my “no pre-orders”
rule.
4) I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again; dem TIE
Fighter screeches!!!
-Norris
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