Hands-on preview: Star Wars Battlefront 2 multiplayer beta

EA is currently hosting an online multiplayer beta for Star Wars Battlefront 2. This sequel promises to offer a lot more content than the first game.

When EA released its first Battlefront video game in 2015, people were disappointed that it focused only on the original Star Wars trilogy. This sequel is better since it adds content from the prequels as well as current new movies.

A multiplayer beta has been released this week for everyone giving us a small taste of what will be featured in the full game. I have to say, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is shaping up to be a big improvement over the original game.

One of my favourite modes available in the free beta is the new offline Arcade mode. This mode is great to allow players to hone their skills before they jump online and fight with/against real life players.

In the beta, you are able to play as the Droid army in the prequels as they kill lots of the Clone Troopers. The beta showed off a very pretty looking level that takes place inside the exquisite looking Theed Palace.  Aside from controlling the Droids, the beta also allows you to play as the popular Darth Maul. Controlling Darth Maul feels very satisfying as he is very fast and can kill lots of Clone Troopers with ease.

In terms of online modes in the beta, there were several levels for you to explore. One level took place on the planet from Takodana which is a new location seen in the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Graphically, Star Wars Battlefront 2 looks excellent. EA continues to push the Frostbit engine to its limit as the game looks absolutely gorgeous on PS4. The game is sure to look even better on PS4 Pro, Xbox One X and PC.

The other thing I admire about the sequel is that it includes a class based system. Choosing classes is nothing new, but it was weird not to see them featured in the Star Wars Battlefront game that came out two years ago.  Choosing your own class is pretty cool because it allows players to gravitate towards a particular playing style without needing to grind to attain better weapons. You can be a Heavy Trooper with a minigun or someone more sneaky that uses a sniper rifle.

The last multiplayer mode in the beta is 'Starfighter Assault'. This is where you can partake in epic space battles. The controls have changed in the sequel making it less simplistic than flying in the game two years ago.

The control scheme is better because you have more options to evade incoming fire and do aerial maneuvers. The beta featured ships from the original trilogy only, but the full game will have loads more vehicles for you to fly.

Anyway, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is shaping up to be a big improvement over the first game. Not to mention the full game will also include a single player campaign. The beta is fun, but it's just a small taste for what is to come this November 17th.