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Seems like Star Wars Battlefront 2 is still pay-to-win

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Star Wars Battlefront 2

It’d be fair to say the Star Wars Battlefront 2 beta in October was controversial. The main problem? Loot crates.

Near enough the entirety of progression in Star Wars Battlefront 2 comes from loot crates – from cosmetics to straight up game-changing stat upgrades. It didn’t take long for news to spread and fans haven’t been happy. Players could have a significant advantage just from having better luck when opening a crate, or more importantly, buying a ton of crates to increase their chances.

Since the Beta, DICE and EA announced that the way loot crates work would change. This involved removing the highest tier of unlockable Star Cards from crates alongside weapons and class-specific abilities. If you want a legendary version of your card, you’re going to have to craft it which is also level restricted.

Obviously, this was a step in the right direction but it still raised questions with fans.

As it turns out, the change hasn’t actually done much. According to Youtube gaming channel Xfactorgaming, Battlefront 2 is still pay-to-win.

He bought $90 worth of lootboxes and yep, he’s pretty overpowered. Sure, his cards are locked to level tiers but the highest you need to be is level 20, which isn’t very high. Sure, it’s all available using in-game currency but the grind is obviously much higher. Sure, you can craft the cards you want but unfortunately, crafting materials are also in loot crates. This is the definition of pay-to-win.

It’s a fluid system and it might be that EA will change it down the line but for now, it sure seems like not much has changed. You still need cards to improve your character and the easiest way to do that is to drop a ton of money on crates. With Xfactor already level 14 on some classes in little under a day, level gating doesn’t seem to be that effective of a deterrent.

On the other hand, this should come as no surprise to anyone. EA have literally said they want to use the Ultimate Team formula elsewhere.

“Ultimate Team started out as a mode in FIFA, and EA has now implemented it in several of its sports franchises. According to Jorgensen, the “real opportunity” is finding ways to bring a similar concept other EA games.

“Like Battlefield or Battlefront, our Star Wars game, which are very similar in the depth of play – we can possibly add a similar mechanic to that. We spend a lot of time thinking about it,” he said. “Not for tomorrow, but over the next couple of years you’re going to see a lot more of that in our portfolio.”

The problem is, raw stat increases that can be paid for have no place in multiplayer, casual or competitive. I’d even go as far as to argue that you shouldn’t level gate content but I understand that some developers want to keep players aiming for something.

In it’s current state, two new players who start playing Battlefront 2 right now can be at wildly different ‘power levels’. And that’s before incorporating any natural skill.

We’ll see how this pans out but as it stands, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is still highly in favour of those who don’t mind splashing the cash.

UK based gaming writer, raised on a diet of Street Fighter and Isometric RPG's. I enjoy playing every game I can get my grubby little hands on.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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Gaming

TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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