Battlefront is the first Star Wars game of its kind. Similar to Battlefield 1942, you take the part of, not a hero of war, but rather some worthless trooper sent off to die. Every time you die, you choose a spawn point on the map and the type of trooper you want to be. You could be a demolitions expert, a pilot, a jet pack trooper, a regular ol' soldier, and more.

Battlefront features four armies: the Galactic Republic and the Separatists for the Clone Wars era, and the Empire and the Rebel Alliance for the Galactic Civil War era. Each army has slightly different units and capabilities. Each army also has a Jedi or Sith helper who, in some missions, will assist them. It's great having a squad of four stormtroopers run around behind the mighty Darth Vader, wiping out everything in their path.

You have one objective for every mission: wipe out the enemy's reinforcements. At the top of the screen is a counter. Every time someone dies and respawns, that counter goes down by one. There is one counter for each team. Whoever runs out of troops first loses.

Occasionally, there are other objectives. On Hoth, the Imperials' goal is to blow up the shield generator. On Endor, the Rebel's goal is to blow up that shield generator. On Geonosis, the Republic is trying to kill the Separatist Techno Union Starships -- you know, the ones with the fuel cells.

Battlefront features a plethora of drivable vehicles, from lumbering AT-ATs to swift speeder bikes to Y-Wing bombers and Republic Gunships. On some levels, there are even creatures like tauntauns and kaadus that you can get a lift from.

When you're playing alone, AI bots will fill up the map, doing everything a real person would do -- tripping AT-ATs, guarding shield generators, dispensing health packs and ammo for those in need, and so on. In multiplayer, bots are also used to fill up any available spots. While split screen's great and all, it pales in comparison to the online play that Battlefront offers. Experiencing a raging battle on Kashyyyk with you, a dozen other peoples, and dozens more bots is just incredible.

Naboo, Kashyyyk, Tatooine, Geonosis, and Endor feature non-playable third teams. On Naboo, the Gungans help the Republic forces. On Kashyyk, the Wookiees help the Republic. On Geonosis, Geonosians assist the Separatists. On Endor, the cute cuddly Ewoks do their best to stab spears through the cold hearts of the cruel troopers of the Empire. On Tatooine... well, on Tatooine, the Tusken Raiders (aka Sand People) just kill everyone they see. (There are also some Jawas running around Mos Eisley. They're helpless and run when they see you... but killing them rewards you with valuable heath or ammo!)

Of course, as with any game, there are some areas in which Battlefront could improve. AI bots will occasionally get stuck running their AT-STs into trees for several minutes before someone finally puts them out of their misery, and often computer-controlled bots are just too easy to slaughter. The auto-aim, too, is a little too powerful -- it's as if there's a faint magnetic attraction between your gun and the nearest enemy. That makes it easier for you to shoot them, of course -- but it can also mess you up when you're specifically aiming for something else.

Despite those few shortcomings, Battlefront is a spectacular game -- one of the best I've ever played. I definitely recommend, and give it a full five stars out of five.