Released to international controversy back in 2017, DICE’s second attempt at a Battlefront game was fighting to find its footing for most of its lifespan. After a widespread lootbox controversy that attracted the attention of several governmental bodies, the game developed a reputation in gaming circles as a pay-to-win mess, with franchise icons like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker being locked behind paywalls or massive grinds. And for many players, that was enough to write Star Wars Battlefront 2 off and never pay it any mind again.
But 2017 was a long time ago, and a lot changed over the course of the game’s three-and-a-half-year live service lifespan. Despite what was by all accounts a disastrous launch, DICE took the community’s critiques to heart and gradually improved the game update by update. From reworking the lambasted progression system to adding fan-favorite characters, new planets, and more ways to play, the Star Wars Battlefront 2 of 2025 is a far cry from the game most people saw as a lost cause after a legendarily bad launch.
Playable Build of Canceled Star Wars Battlefront 3 Discovered
Modders unearth an unfinished, playable build of the canceled Star Wars Battlefront 3, giving fans a glimpse into what could have been.
Why Battlefront 2 is Still Worth the Time in 2025
What Has Changed About Battlefront 2 Since Launch?
Because of the infamously negative launch of the game, a fair few gamers didn't stick around to see DICE turn Battlefront 2 into the game it was always destined to be. Within one year of the game’s release, DICE had unlocked all the core heroes and villains for play and entirely removed the game’s controversial loot box-based progression system. Instead, the developers massively reduced the grind and restructured the progression to a more traditional leveling system that reflected the hours put into classes, vehicles, and heroes, while still being respectful of the player’s time.
But perhaps just as important as the progression revamp was the addition of more Clone Wars era content. Fans were largely in agreement that the era was underrepresented at launch. The prequels, while divisive for some time, have grown to become fan favorites, especially in regard to how well they integrate into gaming. And a year after launch, beloved Clone Wars characters and series mainstays like Anakin, General Grievous, Obi-Wan, and Count Dooku. They came alongside Capital Supremacy, a nonlinear, conquest-inspired game mode that combined a time-honored series staple of capturing command posts with capital ship boarding and chaotic CQB.
The developers weren’t content to stop there, adding additional skins (including just about every major battalion of clone trooper), maps, planets, and reinforcements like droidekas, clone commandos, ewoks, and ARC troopers. New PVE modes like Instant Action and Co-Op gave players a chance to play a more relaxed version of the game solo or with friends. The content flow was steady and high quality until EA suspended further updates to the game on August 26, 2020.
Is Battlefront 2 Still Worth Playing?
It’s incredibly easy to write off Battlefront 2; the game has not received updates in five whole years. Other games receive much more frequent content updates and will continue to be maintained into the foreseeable future. But here’s the thing about Battlefront 2; it still might just be the best Star Wars multiplayer game out there right now.
After all the content updates and progression reworks, Battlefront 2 still offers an experience like nothing else on the market. It’s a large-scale shooter capable of putting players directly in the thick of their favorite Star Wars moments, all complete with the same level of graphical fidelity and slick sheen that DICE brings to every game it makes. While games like Respawn’s Jedi series offer the ultimate in exploration and in-depth saber combat, DICE created an unparalleled Star Wars power fantasy. Everyone remembers that incredible hallway scene in Rogue One. That’s a common occurrence in Battlefront 2, giving the Vader player an insane thrill rush and inspiring genuine panic in the unfortunate rebels in his way.
While its age may be seen as a con, Battlefront 2 is extraordinarily cheap. First-time players can jump into any Star Wars conflict they ever dreamed of for as low as ten dollars for a celebration edition complete with all additional content and cosmetics. For the money, there’s really not a better value when it comes to Star Wars games.
That being said, the game is approaching its eight-year anniversary and a lot of folks have moved on. Player counts, while still nothing to balk at, are nowhere near as high as they were at the game’s peak. And it is still by definition dead game. It will no longer be receiving updates, save for whatever fan-made mods the Battlefront 2 community cooks up. In the age of live service games with constant content updates to keep the game fresh and exciting, that’s a deal-breaker for some people, and that’s perfectly okay. There are plenty of games out there to scratch that itch; just don't expect that to be true of Battlefront 2.
Ultimately, the state of Battlefront 2 in 2025 is a good one considering its age, which is the end result of a years-long redemption arc. After an infamously horrible launch, DICE buckled down and made something worthy of the legacy created by Pandemic back in the 2000s; an action-packed arcade shooter that delivers on the Star Wars fantasies everyone had as kids. It deserved way more time to continue proving itself, but the game as it currently exists is still extremely worthy of any true Star Wars fan's time. Battlefront 2 didn’t just stand the test of time, it passed that test with flying colors.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 67 /100 Critics Rec: 28%
WHERE TO PLAY
Rush through waves of enemies on Starkiller Base with the power of your lightsaber in your hands. Storm through the jungle canopy of a hidden Rebel base on Yavin 4 with your fellow troopers, dispensing firepower from AT-STs. Line up your X-wing squadron from an attack on a mammoth First Order Star Destroyer in space. Or rise as a new STAR WARS hero - Iden, an elite Imperial special forces soldier - and discover an emotional and gripping single-player story spanning thirty years.
Experience rich and living STAR WARS multiplayer battlegrounds across all three eras: prequel, classic, and new trilogy. Customize and upgrade your heroes, starfighters, or troopers, each with unique abilities to exploit in battle. Ride tauntauns or take control of tanks and speeders. Down Star Destroyers the size of cities, use the Force to prove your worth against iconic characters such as Kylo Ren, Darth Maul, or Han Solo, as you play a part in a gaming experience inspired by 40 years of timeless STAR WARS films.
