Bounty Hunter: A Blast from the Past, or a Remaster That Will Miss the Mark?
The year is 2002. The Clone Wars are raging, and Jango Fett, the galaxy’s most feared bounty hunter, is taking on a new assignment. To quell a rising threat, he must track down his former Padawan, Komari Vosa, now a formidable Dark Jedi and leader of a dangerous criminal syndicate. This is the premise of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, a third-person action game that allowed players to step into Jango’s jetpack-equipped boots and experience the thrilling world of bounty hunting in a pre-Empire galaxy.
Now, in 2023, Aspyr, the studio known for its Star Wars game remasters, is bringing Bounty Hunter back. This time, however, Jango isn’t just going after escaped criminals and droids—he’s going after the hearts and wallets of modern gamers. The remaster is set to launch on August 1, reaching platforms like Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam. But will this blast from the past be a welcome return to a beloved classic, or a rehash that misses the mark?
For fans of the original game, the remaster presents a unique opportunity. It offers a chance to revisit a title that many consider a standout in the Star Wars gaming landscape. Bounty Hunter’s story directly ties into the prequel trilogy, offering players a glimpse into the life of Jango Fett before his infamous clone army and his fateful encounter with a young Jedi named Anakin Skywalker.
The original game also innovated in its design, introducing a bounty system that allowed players to scan NPCs and choose their targets. The game boasted an arsenal of Jango Fett’s signature weaponry, including his trusty Firespray jetpack, blaster rifles, and flamethrowers, allowing players to engage in thrilling combat across a variety of environments.
However, while Bounty Hunter offered intriguing gameplay elements, it was far from a flawless title. Its camera controls were infamous for their clunkiness, often hindering gameplay, especially during close-quarters combat. The game’s visual style, while evocative of the prequels’ aesthetic, hasn’t aged gracefully. This raises a critical question: can the Bounty Hunter remaster address these shortcomings and truly become a modernized experience for a new generation of players?
Aspyr has remained remarkably tight-lipped about the specific improvements and enhancements the remaster will bring. While the developer has stated that the game will be "re-released on modern platforms," the lack of concrete details has led to speculation and uncertainty. Are we looking at a simple port, akin to the underwhelming Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remaster that launched earlier this year? Or will Aspyr take a more substantial approach, revamping the graphics, gameplay, and user interface to meet modern standards?
Some have pointed to the recent release of Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005) as a potential indicator of Aspyr’s direction. The Battlefront II remaster showcased a significant visual overhaul, incorporating modern graphics and refined gameplay mechanics. However, it also faced criticism for its bugs and technical issues, hinting at a potential stumbling block for Bounty Hunter’s remaster.
For Aspyr to truly capture the hearts of both old and new fans, the Bounty Hunter remaster needs to go beyond mere nostalgia and offer a genuinely improved gaming experience. It needs to address the game’s weaknesses while preserving the core elements that made it a success.
Here are some crucial areas where the remaster could make a significant difference:
- Modernized Graphics and Visuals: The game’s visuals are perhaps its most dated aspect. Revamping the graphics engine, incorporating modern lighting techniques, and adding high-resolution textures could bring Bounty Hunter’s environments and character models to life in a whole new way.
- Enhanced Gameplay Mechanics: The infamous camera controls were a constant source of frustration for players. Aspyr needs to address this issue with a complete overhaul, ensuring a smoother and more responsive experience for modern players.
- Improved User Interface: The original game’s user interface can be clunky and outdated. The remaster should incorporate a cleaner and more intuitive interface, making navigation and menu interactions more seamless.
- New Features and Options: While staying true to the core gameplay, Aspyr could add new features and options that enhance the overall experience. This could include additional difficulty settings, more customization options for Jango’s gear and weaponry, or even a dedicated photo mode for capturing those iconic Star Wars screenshots.
- A Polished and Bug-Free Launch: This is paramount. Aspyr’s recent track record with remasters is marred by bugs and technical issues. The Bounty Hunter remaster must be thoroughly tested and launch in a stable and polished state to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Ultimately, the success of the Bounty Hunter remaster hinges on Aspyr’s ability to strike a delicate balance between honoring the original game’s legacy while offering modern players a fresh and engaging experience.
"We’ve taken a lot of care to make sure that the game feels like a classic Star Wars game, but we’ve also added some new features and improvements that we think fans will appreciate," said an unnamed Aspyr representative, speaking to StarWars.com.
While these words suggest a commitment to preserving the game’s core identity, the lack of concrete details leaves room for skepticism. It remains to be seen whether the Bounty Hunter remaster will be a glorious re-ignition of a forgotten gem or a disappointing rehash of a past glory.
However, this isn’t just about the fate of Bounty Hunter. It’s about Aspyr’s ability to deliver on the promise of remastering classic Star Wars games. The company holds a significant responsibility to its fanbase, ensuring that these beloved titles receive the respect and attention they deserve.
The success of the Bounty Hunter remaster could set the stage for future Star Wars remasters, potentially bringing back beloved titles like Rogue Squadron, Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, and Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy. The pressure is on Aspyr to deliver a truly unforgettable experience. With the echoes of the prequels still ringing in our ears, will the Bounty Hunter remaster bring back the thrill of Jango Fett’s space-faring adventures, or will it fall short of the galaxy’s lofty expectations? We’ll have to wait until August 1 to find out.
