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Developer: PSP: Rebellion ("Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron"); DS: n-Space ("Geist")
Publisher: LucasArts
Available on: PSP, DS
Reviewed on: PSP
Some of the best “Star Wars” games have actually just been “Star Wars”-flavored versions of other games.
“Elite Squadron” is the latest entry in the “Star Wars Battlefront” series, which repurposes the concept and playing style of the popular “Battlefield” games. Except, instead of fighting World War II (this year’s “Battlefield 1943”) or the Vietnam War (2004’s “Battlefield Vietnam”), you’re fighting the Clone War and the Republic Rebellion.
As in “Battlefield,” “Battlefront” allows you to play as a single soldier tasked with specific missions while the enemy tries to stop you. Luckily, you have a wide variety of weapons and vehicles at your disposal.
“Battlefront” is also like its inspiration in that both are best with friends (16 on the PSP, four on the DS). Multiplayer modes include the returning turn-based Galactic Conquest—in which you try to dominate the galaxy and a pal strategically—and the always fun Capture the Flag. This edition also adds Conquest, a score-based game in which you get points for killing enemies, destroying their stuff and capturing their bases.
For those who don’t play well with others, the single-player Campaign augments the fight with a story. (You can also play Conquest and the other multiplayer modes on your own, though they don't work as well solo.)
Unfortunately, “Elite” retains some of the problems of its PSP predecessor, 2007’s “Renegade Squadron.” The PSP’s lone thumbstick doesn’t make it difficult to pilot a ship or man a turret, but it does impede your ability to turn around easily when you’re on the ground. And whoever said there was no substitute for a good blaster at your side obviously never had one overheat while surrounded by Battle Droids.
Fans will also be disappointed to discover that the “Elite” storyline is not only dull, but contradicts the movies, comics, books and other games. The voice acting is also uneven—some of the actors are familiar from the “Clone Wars” cartoon and last year’s “Force Unleashed” game, but others (especially a lame Lando) sound like total amateurs.
Worse, glitches cause the game to pause or lose its music momentarily, while some of the controls don’t work as well as they should, most notably the jump button. Execution of melee weapons other than a lightsaber is spotty at best.
Despite the problems, “Elite” remains a fun shooter. It’s just better suited for die-hard “Star Wars” and “Battlefront: Renegade Squadron” lovers than for fans of the “Battlefield” or console “Battlefront” games. It also makes us wish LucasArts would finally make “Battlefront III” for the 360, PS3 and PC.
Bottom line: Not the worst “Star Wars” game or “Battlefield”-ish game you can play, but not worthy of either series’ reputation.
