It Didn't Go In: Star Wars Battlefront: Rogue One: Scarif Review

If you a holder of Star Wars Battlefront’s Season Pass, then you likely spent some time with Rogue One: Scarif, the newest member of the Battlefront family. Released as a cross promotion for the upcoming Star Wars spinoff movie, Rogue One, this DLC includes new content and game modes for current Battlefront players. We spent several hours with the new multiplayer modes, and are here to report on its quality. Let’s begin.

Rogue One: Scarif has a way about it that seems familiar. Following the popular, but limited Death Star expansion, players were excited for the new depths Battlefront would make. Scarif does not live up to its potential, but it does provide some new content. The expansion takes us to the planet Scarif, a tropical paradise, new to the Star Wars universe, and prominently featured in the new film. A trace amount of new weapons, characters and vehicles are also introduced. We’re not overly pleased with the amount of content we have, but let’s get into what content we did receive

Scarif, on the ground and in space is a great map. A lush environment of beaches and waterways amid a massive atoll. Imperial complexes can be seen all around, but the multiplayer maps focus on series of landing platforms and bunkers across a small stretch of tight islands. Game modes that take place on the surface of the watery planet include Walker Assault, Blast, Turning Point and a new game mode called Infiltration.

Infiltration, following the light of the popular Battlestation mode of Death Star, is multileveled. The first of three sequences begins in space as the Rebel Alliance commences an assault on an orbital platform that allows ships to pass through a “shield gate” to access the surface of Scarif. X-Wings must escort the new U-Wing gunship to the entrance of the shield gate. While it’s another installment to the much sought-after space combat, it is woefully simple. The mode can be won easily, as opposed to the Trench Run in Battlestation. The sights are pretty, but the mode doesn’t provide any new space features, or reinvents any number of wheels.

The final two modes of Infiltration take place on the surface as rebels attempt to abscond with the Empire’s ghastly plans. The second sequence tasks the Empire to defend a two cargo ships as the Alliance tries to bomb them. The stormtroopers must defend both, but the destruction of just one of them results in the initiation of the next sequence. We tried our best to defend the ship during our first play-through, but had some trouble. The pretty tributaries of the atolls are gorgeous, unsurprisingly, but damn do the lush flora get in the way. In direct contrast with the environmental mechanics of the forest moon of Endor, Scarif’s vegetation is rigid and impossible to pass through. We’d never seen a shrub strong enough to withstand a full-grown person and a friggin’ laser. It’s not a huge issue, but it appears to be a departure from previously set standards.

Infiltration finally ends in a way similar to the second sequence of Battlestation - Rebels must escape with stolen Imperial data. It’s a race against time, but it’s also a race against Imperial players blasting the living hell out of the landing zone. The new game mode is good to see, being a clear example of DICE and Electronic Arts listening to feedback. Only problem: they thought they could get away with the same amount of new game modes.

The other new content includes two new playable heroes, both featured in the Rogue One movie. Orson Krennic, director of a famous Imperial installation, can drop healing bantha canisters and bubble shields, while the Rebellion’s Jyn Erso can beat the crap out of stormtroopers and pull of incredible shots. In regards to new weapons, we only see some new unlockable blaster pistols, and barely any new gadgets. It’s a disappointing amount, to say the least.

Overall, the newest installment in Star Wars Battlefront is an analogy for the entire game: very pretty, fun in the right mode and not enough stuff. We’ve already been hearing rumors of more Star Wars games on the way, and event a Battlefront sequel. Let’s hope that EA can learn from their mistakes and significantly improve upon them. They’re capable of it, they just need to put in the effort. At any rate, we’ll certainly see you at the movies for Rogue One.

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