PSP World

More Star Wars Battlefront Headed to PSP

Lucasarts today confirmed that it is working on yet another handheld entry in the Battlefront series. Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron will be making its way to both the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP systems later this fall. So far, no console version has been planned, making this somewhat of a first for the tactical third-person shooter franchise.

The game will receive a number of improvements and expansions over the last Battlefront game, which was already quite a competent title on the PSP. As with previous games, players will be able to go into battle as some of the most iconic Star Wars characters, including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Kit Fisto, Darth Maul and other familiar faces from the Star Wars fictional universe. The battle for the fate of the galaxy will take place on some of the most memorable Star Wars planets from the films, including the forest-covered landscape of Endor, the frozen wastes of Hoth and even the mysterious Yavin 4.

This time, players will be able to fight on multi-level battlefronts, both on the ground and in space. Players can start the fight on foot, commandeer a vehicle to battle on the ground or dogfight in space, and land their craft to continue the fight on capital starships. According to the publisher, the battles waged on each front are all directly impacted by the player's actions, creating a combat experience where every shot fired and every enemy defeated can affect the outcome of a battle on another front. While this all sounds like it should be part of a console game, Lucasarts reminds us that no, this is all going to happen on the PSP handheld.

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron also features a single-player campaign that spans the entire Star Wars film canon. Gamers assume the identity of X2, a clone trooper created from the DNA of a Jedi Master. Originally tasked with eliminating Jedi during Order 66, X2 decides to leave his blood-stained past behind and joins the Rebellion. X2 isn't the only Force-sensitive clone, however. X1, his clone brother, chooses a much more sinister path, leading to a confrontation that could determine the fate of both the Empire and the Rebellion.

The PSP provides character customization options, allowing players to personalize and build their character, including the weapons they carry into battle, the armor they wear on their backs, their species, gender, appearance and physical strengths. Players can also unlock hundreds of other items and bonuses to help even the odds.

Elite Squadron on the PSP will also support 16-player multiplayer, complete with stat tracking, as well as a wide number of modes, including the all-new "Heroes and Villains."

Early screenshots from the PSP version of Elite Squadron are already looking promising. We hope to get our hands on this title and bring you a full report soon.