It was confirmed earlier in the day by the official PlayStation account that the story campaign mode in Star Wars: Battlefront II would be canon to the Star Wars cinematic universe. That doesn’t really mean much in the grand scheme of things unless the story is actually compelling, but EA later followed up that news – and the release of the full debut trailer – with a post on their official website further detailing the game’s campaign mode.
Ironically they seem intent on putting a big focus on the single-player story mode this time around, explaining that players will take on the role of Commander Iden Versio, the leader of the Empire’s most feared elite special forces unit known as Inferno Squad. The story will span the 30 years between the end of Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi and the beginning of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. The campaign will also delve into how the First Order came about.
The trailer had already confirmed that the lead protagonist was the female commander, but the blog post further explains how Versio and her Inferno Squad will lead a campaign of revenge against the rebels over a 30 year period between the fall of the Death Star and the rise of the Empire’s First Order, led by Kylo Ren.
The blog post gives away that eventually the Inferno Squad is betrayed by the Empire, and seek redemption for their actions. This seems to tie into the one shot where Versio meets Luke Skywalker. It seems likely that Inferno Squad defects to the Rebel’s side or at least Versio ends up abandoning the Empire.
They also mention in the post that very similar to the campaign mode that Pandemic implemented in to Star Wars: Battlefront II from 12 years ago, you will also play some of the Hero characters throughout the five chapter campaign mode….
“Along the way, [Iden Versio] and her companions encounter a cast of Star Wars’ greatest characters. You’ll take control of many of these beloved heroes in an adventure ranging across a series of fantastic planets, including awe-inspiring settings you’ve never seen before. “
Outside of the campaign mode, the game’s multiplayer will feature Heroes and units from all three cinematic eras, including the Clone Wars, the Galactic War, and the First Order era. You’ll be able to mix and match some heroes from the prequel trilogy, the original trilogy and the new trilogy.
Up to 40 players will be able to dive into multiplayer matches, and they will allow for offline and online play. Space battles will also still be separate from ground battles, but they have add a new rewards-based progression system, a new hero customization feature, and weapon modification options. New star fighters will also be present, along with new maps, including locations that will span Theed, Takodana, Starkiller Base, Yavin, Mos Eisley, Endor and Hoth.
Star Wars: Battlefront II is due for release on November 17th for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Those who are subscribed to EA Access will gain early access to a trial starting November 9th, and those who pre-order (but please don’t pre-order) will gain access on November 14th.
