Star Wars: Bounty Hunter review: Always a pleasure

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter review: Always a pleasure

As a gamer who grew up in the 2000s, I can’t help but feel nostalgic when I hear the name Jango Fett. He was the coolest bounty hunter this side of Boba Fett for us kids who were still waiting for his return to glory. So, when I heard that Star Wars: Bounty Hunter was getting a spit-shine from Aspyr, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of excitement.


In a rich tapestry of tales within the Star Wars saga, minor characters are occasionally brought to center stage, and arguably no story does this better than the game Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, released in 2002 following Episode 2: Attack of the Clones. This game not only offered more insight into Jango Fett but also helped clarify significant plot points from the Prequel Trilogy. Recently, due to a remarkable remaster by Aspyr, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter has returned after twenty years.

A simple man trying to make his way in the universe

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter review: Always a pleasure

In the 2000s, I had a soft spot for Jango Fett, the rogue space bounty hunter. He made his debut in the Prequel Trilogy, serving as our generation’s take on Boba Fett, who is undeniably one of Star Wars’ most iconic figures. Despite their flaws, the prequel movies strived to portray Jango Fett as a formidable character, and LucasArts emphasized this with the game, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter.

In the same timeframe as Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter focuses on Jango Fett, who is given a perilous assignment to track down and neutralize a Dark Jedi. Throughout this adventure, he ventures through various locations familiar from the Star Wars saga, encounters cherished characters, and dispatches numerous alien creatures.

Bounty Hunter. Having delved into numerous spin-offs and side stories throughout my years as a devoted fan, I can attest to the value of supplementary materials that deepen our understanding of beloved characters such as Jango Fett. The way the narrative sheds light on his past, introduces us to key allies, and explains his unique cloning process is nothing short of captivating.

The galaxy’s finest

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter review: Always a pleasure

In a stunning overhaul for Bounty Hunter, Aspyr has significantly enhanced its visual appearance in this remaster. While the assets remain largely the same, there have been remarkable advancements in textures, lighting, and color. The armor of Jango Fett, one of Star Wars’ most iconic designs, truly shines here, appearing stunningly beautiful.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter has been upgraded with a handy new feature – a switchable flashlight for lighting up dimly lit passages. Although some remnants of older gaming tech remain, the flashlight significantly improves navigation through overly dark areas.

In addition, Aspyr has incorporated haptic feedback for controllers. While gaming on a PC with an Xbox controller, I experienced vibrations in the triggers and grips as I fired weapons or sustained damage. On the other hand, when using the DualSense controller for PS5, there are lighting effects around the touchpad to signify Jango Fett’s health status.

A little rusty

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter review: Always a pleasure

Revisiting Star Wars: Bounty Hunter after 22 years reveals some challenges despite its visually appealing design. For instance, during combat, the camera suddenly spins around, causing confusion and hindering focus on the battle. This problem becomes more pronounced when targeting an enemy, as locking onto a foe often results in unpredictable movements that make it difficult to maintain control. I found myself having better success by staying grounded and strafing sideways while firing.

Regarding the action and gunplay, upon re-experiencing it, some combat scenes felt rather uninteresting. The boss battles were enjoyable, but most encounters with typical enemy groups turned out to be me repeatedly firing my weapon while occasionally shifting left or right – which was essentially what the first game offered, and young me didn’t notice or mind.

The legend of Jango Fett

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter review: Always a pleasure

Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, the updated version of the original GameCube and PS2 game, is an outstanding reboot that keeps the captivating essence that initially won fans over in 2002. Enhancements to gameplay mechanics have been made to cater to contemporary players, while some remnants of outdated design still show. Despite these minor flaws, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter continues to be a compelling tale set in the distant galaxy we all know and love.

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2024-07-31 17:27