Game: Star Wars Bounty Hunter
Genre: Action, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows), PS4 and Xbox)
Developer | Publisher: Lucasfilm Games | Aspyr
Age Rating: EU 12+ | US Teen
Price: US $19.99 | UK £17.99 | EU €19,99
Release Date: August 1st 2024
Review code provided with many thanks to Sandbox Strategies.
Star Wars Bounty Hunter: The Hunt Begins Anew
Originally released in 2002, Star Wars Bounty Hunter returns with a refreshed version for modern consoles starring probably the second most popular bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe. Developed by LucasArts and re-released by Aspyr, this updated edition offers both nostalgia and contemporary polish, making it a notable title for fans of the Star Wars universe and action-adventure games alike. I never got the chance to play the original game back in the day but I remember it being very popular. After trying the game out for myself it certainly feels like a product of the sixth generation of consoles (PS2/Game Cube era) but sometimes it’s good to return to the past.
A Journey Through the Galaxy
The game kicks off with Jango Fett taking on a high-stakes mission to track down a deadly Dark Jedi. The story is a prequel to Attack of the Clones, providing a deeper look into Jango’s backstory. Voice acting is strong, with Temuera Morrison reprising his role, adding authenticity to the character. You’ll come across other familiar faces like Jabba the Hutt and Count Dooku who unfortunately isn’t voiced by Christopher Lee (RIP). Your mission will take you across many known Star Wars locales. From the seedy underbelly of Coruscant to the treacherous terrains of Geonosis, the game captures the essence of the Star Wars universe no doubt pleasing fans. The story, while not groundbreaking, is engaging enough to keep players invested.
Shooting
The core gameplay of Star Wars Bounty Hunter involves third-person shooting and exploration. You control Jango as he navigates through a series of missions, utilizing an array of weapons and gadgets. The combat system is intuitive, with a range of weapons including the famous dual blasters which will likely be your common go-to weapons as it has unlimited ammo. Additionally, you’ll use flamethrowers, rockets and special rifles, each are fun to try but I found the pistols tended to be just as effective. Shooting for the most part is easy to do. You can freely aim and Jango will do his best to shoot at what’s in front of him. For more precision, you can aim and move but camera control is restricted. You can use an auto-aim feature by clicking the right thumb stick to aim at a target. This proved troublesome at times as you can’t control the target Jango aims at. Sometimes he would aim at some random enemy off-camera causing all sorts of difficulties rather than just aiming at what’s directly in front of him. For the most part, combat is fun.
Take to the Skies
A standout feature is the jetpack, which enables vertical mobility and adds a dynamic element to both combat and exploration. It does take a bit of getting used to. Holding down the thrust button will cause you to move up vertically but once you move about you are locked to horizontal movement. With a limited amount of fuel which will replenish quickly on a rested surface you need to make your flights count. In some of the game’s more tricky platforming sections I often got too confident with it and met a nasty drop down a bottomless pit. It’s a lot of fun to use and easily my favourite feature in the game.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter isn’t just about shooting and flying. The game includes platforming which can be quite tricky. These segments break up the shooting segments, though the difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially later in the game. Save points are scattered throughout the levels, but you have limited retries and if you run out you start the level again from the beginning which seems a bit harsh.
Take on Bounties
Each mission has a main objective to follow but you can seek out additional bounties per level. To do this you need to equip a scanner. Scan targets which include what appear to be harmless NPCs or even enemies firing at you. Once you identify the target you can choose to take them dead or alive and claim a bounty that can be used to unlock new concept art. While a cool feature on paper I found it very tedious and lacked the drive to invest in it. The developers did add a feature where time slows down when using the scanner so you don’t have to fret about enemy attacks too much. For me, it still wasn’t worth the extra effort.
That Star Wars Look and Sound
Graphically, the re-release of Star Wars Bounty Hunter is a nice polish compared to the original. This version of the game is based on the GameCube game which most fans consider the superior version. The environments are richly detailed, with enhanced textures and vibrant colours that bring the Star Wars universe to life. The updated graphics capture the essence of iconic locations, from bustling cityscapes to desolate alien worlds. The audio design is equally impressive. The remastered soundtrack features the iconic score by John Williams, enhancing the game’s atmosphere. The sound effects, from blaster fire to the hum of the jetpack, contribute to the nostalgia of the game. The game’s performance is good across the board in both TV and handheld.
Challenges and Niggles
While Star Wars Bounty Hunter offers a nostalgic trip through the Star Wars universe, it is not without its flaws. Levels can be very hard to navigate at times with the way ahead not entirely clear. It’s made all the more frustrating with constantly spawning enemies. The boss fights, while challenging, can become monotonous due to their repetitive nature. Camera angles can be awkward, especially during combat and platforming sections. The AI of enemies is also fairly basic, often relying on sheer numbers rather than strategy. Additionally, the controls, while generally good, can feel a bit unresponsive during more complex manoeuvres.
While the updated graphics and audio are commendable, the game does not introduce significant new features or mechanics beyond those of the original release. However, retro fans will no doubt like that the game has been kept on track as much as possible, warts and all.
Conclusion: A Galactic Revival
Star Wars Bounty Hunter successfully revives a beloved classic, delivering an experience that combines nostalgia with a few modern enhancements. The game’s engaging combat, updated visuals, and authentic Star Wars atmosphere make it a must-play for fans of the franchise and action-adventure enthusiasts.
Despite some repetitive elements and a lack of significant new features, Star Wars Bounty Hunter remains a solid addition to the Star Wars gaming universe. The re-release manages to capture the essence of the original while offering a fresh and polished experience for those trying for the first time. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Jango Fett or new to the galaxy far, far away, Star Wars Bounty Hunter is still an old but good time.
Final Verdict: I Like It
