Star Wars Bounty Hunter review

Introduction

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter revisits the often overlooked story of Jango Fett, providing a glimpse into the Mandalorian’s chaotic past. Originally released during the PS2/GameCube era, Aspyr’s remaster aims to preserve this classic for modern audiences. But does this nostalgic trip deliver, or is it better left in the past?

Gaming Heaven

The remaster gives Star Wars: Bounty Hunter a much-needed visual facelift. Textures have been upgraded, making the environments more distinct and visually appealing. The new lighting system adds depth to the game’s atmosphere, and the addition of a flashlight, albeit basic, helps navigate the game’s darker levels. The game’s narrative, following Jango Fett’s journey to assassinate a Dark Jedi and dismantle the Bando Gora cult, adds rich lore for Star Wars enthusiasts. The story is straightforward but engaging, shedding light on why Jango is a feared bounty hunter.

Gaming Hell

Despite the visual improvements, the game’s core mechanics feel like they’ve been stuck in carbonite since 2002. The archaic “Lives” system is a relic that adds unnecessary frustration, punishing players by making them replay lengthy sections. The enemy AI is laughably inconsistent—ranging from brain-dead to dead-eye marksmen—making combat more annoying than challenging. The bounty hunting mechanic, while intriguing, is poorly executed. Scanning for bounties in the heat of battle leaves Jango exposed, disrupting the game’s flow and quickly becoming a chore rather than a fun side activity.

Final Judgement

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is a double-edged lightsaber. While it succeeds in preserving a piece of Star Wars gaming history and offers a visually enhanced trip down memory lane, it also serves as a reminder of how far game design has come. The dated mechanics, clunky controls, and inconsistent AI make it a tough sell for anyone but the most diehard fans. Aspyr’s effort to rejuvenate this classic is commendable, but ultimately, the game’s flaws are too significant to overlook. Jango Fett’s tale might be better remembered fondly from the past than experienced anew in this remaster. For those craving a Star Wars fix, there are plenty of other games in the galaxy far, far away that offer a more polished experience.