Why gamers are still playing 2005's Star Wars Battlefront II for PC

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By Rich Edmonds
last updated

The new Star Wars: Battlefront II by EA shares a similar name as the 2005 classic, developed by Pandemic, but both games are totally different.

Loot crates, similar gameplay to the 2015 Star Wars: Battlefront and other issues still plague the 2017 release, and fans of the original Battlefront series are still seeking the same experience. If you're not a fan of the new game, the older Battlefront 2 is still being played today. This is why.

Check out our Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017) review

The original Battlefront II is a classic

Star Wars Battlefront 2

After the backlash to the 2017 release of Battlefront II, online game distributor GOG worked on releasing a patch for the 2005 classic, which patched multiplayer and made it easier to play with others online. Not only did GOG roll out the update for its own copy of the game, but the company also partnered with Disney to release it to Steam.

It's difficult to reproduce the magic that is Battlefront 2.

This allows for not only local but also online play. And as someone who has spent thousands of hours playing the game, it makes me happy to know I can lose myself in the nostalgia of teaming up with 32 allies to take on the Republic as a Droideka — seriously, the destroyer droids are so much fun to play as. Being able to roll around and deploy shields to hold out choke points is awesome.

Just in case you've yet to play the original Battlefront 2, here are some features sported by the 2005 game:

  • Enhanced single-player experience as you join the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers to take on enemies of the empire.
  • Take the fight to classic locations such as the Death Star, Dagobah, Tantive IV, and Tatooine.
  • Choose from six distinct soldier classes, as well as hero characters for rebels, Imperials, CIS and the Republic.
  • Play against others in massive battles with multiplayer matches sporting a capacity of up to 64 players.
  • Space battles with cruisers that can be boarded.
  • No loot boxes!
  • Plenty of disintegrations.

Online game modes include conquest, assault, one-and two-flag capture the flag, and hunt. With support for up to 64 players in a single game, it makes it possible to enjoy a hectic and immersive experience. Even after 13 years, the game has aged well and offers countless hours of entertainment. And if you've never played the original — which inspired EA's latest Battlefront games — it's worth picking up to see where it all began.

You can grab the 2005 Star Wars: Battlefront 2 from GOG and Steam for $9.99.

Rich Edmonds
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.