Amidst the hype surrounding the upcoming release of Star Wars Outlaws, a blast from the past has quietly returned to the galaxy far, far away. Star Wars Bounty Hunter, a game that first graced our screens when Attack of the Clones was still fresh in theaters, has been remastered for modern consoles. And you know what? It might be the Star Wars fix you didn't know you needed.
Now I know what you're thinking. A 20 year old game? Really? But hear me out. In an age where every new game promises to revolutionize the industry with sprawling open worlds and complex systems, there's something refreshingly simple about Bounty Hunter's approach to Star Wars games.
As a long-time Star Wars fan, I've seen a fair few games set in this beloved universe. There's something special about Bounty Hunter, a game that dares to show us the harsher, more ambiguous side of the Star Wars universe. It's not about saving the galaxy or becoming a Jedi Master, but about surviving in a harsh world where credits are king and your next job could be your last.
And in today's gaming landscape, that kind of focused, unapologetic approach feels refreshing and bold.
The appeal of simplicity
Star Wars Bounty Hunter doesn't set out to be the most ambitious or comprehensive Star Wars game. Instead, it offers something increasingly rare: a linear, focused experience that knows exactly what it wants to be. You play as Jango Fett, the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, and your mission is simple: hunt down targets, dead or alive.
This simplicity extends to the gameplay. There’s no skill tree to master, no crafting system to master, no sprawling map filled with repetitive side quests. It’s just you, your jetpack, and an arsenal of weapons against the scum of the galaxy. And you know what? Sometimes, that’s all you need.
Now, let's talk about the Sarlacc in the room: The original Bounty Hunter, for all its charms, had some issues. The camera, in particular, looked like it was designed by a vengeful Sith Lord. But Aspyr's remaster has done more than just give an old game a fresh coat of paint.
The addition of a modern camera option transforms the experience from a frustrating struggle with the controls to an enjoyable, fluid ride through the underworld of Star Wars. It's a seemingly insignificant change that makes all the difference, allowing the game's strengths to shine without the dated design holding it back.
A unique perspective on the galaxy
What sets Star Wars Bounty Hunter apart, even two decades later, is its perspective on the Star Wars universe. This isn’t a story about noble Jedi or daring rebels. This is a ground-level view of the galaxy’s criminal underworld, an aspect of Star Wars we rarely get to explore in games.
As Jango Fett, you're not saving the galaxy, you're just trying to make a living in it. This shift in perspective allows the game to show us corners of the Star Wars universe that even modern titles often overlook. It's brave, it's morally ambiguous, and it's distinctly different from a typical Star Wars adventure.
So why play it now? Ahead of Star Wars Outlaws, revisiting Bounty Hunter offers an interesting perspective. Both games promise to explore the criminal side of the Star Wars galaxy, but they do so in very different ways. While Outlaws aims to give us a broad, open-ended approach to the concept, Bounty Hunter offers a more focused, almost arcade-like experience.
Playing Bounty Hunter today isn’t just an exercise in nostalgia (though that’s largely true for those of us who played it back then). It’s a chance to experience a different era of Star Wars and game design. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less can be more.
The remastered version features just enough updates to make the game feel comfortable on modern hardware without losing the charm of the original. New lighting effects and a built-in flashlight for Jango add ambiance to the grimy underworld locations. PS5 players even get some nifty DualSense features that add an extra layer of immersion.
A refreshing change of pace
At a time when Star Wars games are becoming increasingly complex and cinematic, Bounty Hunter's simple approach feels like a breath of fresh air. Modern titles like Jedi: Fallen Order and the upcoming Outlaws offer sprawling adventures with complex combat systems and vast worlds to explore. While these games are undoubtedly impressive, they can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Bounty Hunter, on the other hand, offers a more focused experience. Its levels are linear, its objectives clear, and its combat system intuitive. That’s not to say it’s simplistic—far from it. The game challenges you to use Jango’s full arsenal in creative ways, from his dual blasters to his jetpack to his various gadgets. It’s a reminder that sometimes, less is more.
This approach also allows Bounty Hunter to maintain a frenetic pace that many modern games struggle to match. You're constantly moving from one shootout to the next, from one bounty to the next. There's no downtime traversing vast empty spaces or managing your inventory. This is pure Star Wars action.
Revisiting Bounty Hunter reminds us that while technology and game design have come a long way, the focused, arcade-style experiences of yesteryear still have their value. Sometimes you don’t need a 100-hour epic. Sometimes you just want to be Jango Fett for a few hours, jetpacking through the Star Wars underworld with blasters blazing. And in those moments, Star Wars Bounty Hunter delivers.
An imperfect jewel, but a jewel nonetheless
Is Bounty Hunter perfect? Far from it. Even with the remaster, some elements feel dated. The level design can be repetitive, the story won't win any awards, and some mechanics feel clunky by modern standards.
But in a way, these imperfections are part of its charm. They hark back to another era of game design, one that prioritized immediate enjoyment over complex systems or cinematic storytelling.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Remastered is first and foremost a comfort game for Star Wars fans. It’s a simple, action-packed adventure through the darker side of the galaxy. And thanks to Aspyr’s thoughtful updates, it’s more enjoyable to play than ever.
As we eagerly await the release of Star Wars Outlaws and its promise of a new, broader take on the criminal underworld, why not take a trip back in time? For a few hours, you’ll be able to play as Jango Fett, the most feared bounty hunter in the galaxy. And who knows? You might just discover that this trip back in time is exactly the Star Wars adventure you’ve been looking for.