Yup.... Using the implosion grenade on an AT-ST is still the single most satisfying thing you will ever do in a video game. Yes, mainly for the sound effect (and ex/implosion) alone, but it is f-ing
glorious....
I did it again on an AT-ST... Absolutely beautiful...
Seriously, that
one thing almost sells me on this game alone....
ugh....
Now if only the AT-ST actually imploded with the grenade instead of just its normal explosion, then that would be great...
I'm still divided on how long this game would (or... is going to...
) hold my attention. Are the only unlocks the unlocks that we can see in the beta? Honestly, I'd be fine with that... Because cutting it down to the simplicity of the BC2 loadout is something I've wanted again, (not that I was looking for it specifically in a SW game though...). But what progression is there really? Are we back to just a pointless rank count? I shouldn't mind (or feel that I shouldn't mind), but then again, meaningful progression is something that holds your attention.
Now, here's the thing with this game... If you get really into it (and feel "it"), then you can have a lot of simple fun. But if you're not really caring or focused while you're playing, then it just... feels kinda boring. There's actually a big divide there imo.
I actually enjoyed the new mode. Simple, but fun. In a muddy/rocky location on the volcanic planet, Sullust (though... no lava nearby...
), pods drop and get marked for a team to capture and hold. The map isn't big, but it's extremely rugged (and I think need a little more smoothing in some spots). Basically, the team that holds the map the best wins, though you can have comebacks if teams aren't particularly stable. But the team to flanks the strongest wins. Flanking (keeping towards the edge of the map) is HUGE in this game mode... You got to remember that the map isn't that big. Keep one side (preferably your right side imo) against the edge of the map as much as reasonably possible.
I was worried that jet pack was gone, but turns out I (and everyone else) was just below unlocking it.
There's also a new sniper rifle card that you can use. 2 of the cards in your loadout (1 & 3) recharge. In early ranks its the normal grenade and then the sniper rifle. Ion Shots and cards in "top card" category (2) also have a cooldown, but they cost "Charges" which are found on the map. Strangely, there seemed to be an extreme lack of charges on the Hoth Walker Assault map, but I gotta learn it more. Then there's the "random" pickups which are (4) and go on the bottom. Anyways, my original point actually was that it was interesting to have a 1-shot rechargeable sniper rifle. Then again... maybe that's not as strange as having a rechargeable grenade.
Oh and a tip I noticed especially useful for the sniper rifle. Your crosshair changes to red when it's on an enemy, even when you haven't shot. The thing I actually like about the way the sniper rifle mechanic was designed here is that it feels like you get 1 shot. Not exactly true, but you have a very blatant cooldown period before you can take out the sniper rifle again. It really makes you feel like you need to make your shot count. Take it on an idiot who is standing perfectly still and make sure your crosshair is red. You'll be glad you did.
Honestly, I wish the random pickups included everything instead of having vehicle pickups in specific spots on the map. (Oh and I got to check out the 2(?) new turrets. Place them down in a proper spot and they can be really awesome. The turret that you have to shoot yourself (there is an automated one as well) seems to be a 1 shot kill. Awesome.)
And that brings me to the fact that I saw Anakin Skywalker and Vader several times on the Hoth map... aand quickly got wiped out.
But I do not know how they're given out. Are they in specific spots on the map as well? Are they given out randomly, like... you know... in Battlefront 2? If they're only given out to the top players, than that's bs...
One other thing I wanted to mention is that it's pretty clear that this game is designed for the masses. The mass of Star Wars fans. For anyone to pick up and play. That's not too bad with infantry combat. Unfortunately, what their design has hurt the most is the vehicle gameplay. The walkers being simple as hell and on rails and the AT-STs not being that much of a threat is one thing, but it's the flying that's a different story.... It's just not fun..... It's sad really.
Maybe they'll let us set up a different control scheme (which I haven't actually tried yet), but even then it might only reach BF jet levels of usefulness...
Oh yeah, and that reminds me. I don't know if there's a way to drop (or let go of) random pickups you get. Especially if it's for flying. Because really... Unless you have a magnifying glass pinpointing players on the ground, the only time flight is ever useful as far as I can tell is if you hold onto it until the Walkers are vulnerable when you're on the defensive team. Which... I'm not even sure if you're allowed to do with vehicles. I know other pickups stay with you after death, but I'm not sure if you can hog vehicle pickups or something. I haven't checked closely. (Oh yeah, and the UI for the random pickups is still bugged.... and goes blank often. They also need to have the objective update marker not fly to the top of the screen when it updates so you don't loose the position of where you're actually supposed to go...
)
In summary, It's no Battlefront. Yes, it's very Star Wars, but it's not Battlefront. That stinks, yeah, but there's still value here, in a way. It can be quite fun for a while, if you're focused on playing it. What's unknown is how long that will hold up.
Feels so crazy that it's so close.
) But it might not feel quite like something people would want to play for a long time every day. Maybe just a few rounds. Of course that could just be Hoth speaking... 
It's makes and awesome fucking sound and a beautiful HUGE ass explosion. I had it take out a fucking full health AT-ST with it.... I so wish I could have been recording that... I bet that guy was just like "what the fuuuck...." 
) hold my attention. Are the only unlocks the unlocks that we can see in the beta? Honestly, I'd be fine with that... Because cutting it down to the simplicity of the BC2 loadout is something I've wanted again, (not that I was looking for it specifically in a SW game though...). But what progression is there really? Are we back to just a pointless rank count? I shouldn't mind (or feel that I shouldn't mind), but then again, meaningful progression is something that holds your attention.
Maybe they'll let us set up a different control scheme (which I haven't actually tried yet), but even then it might only reach BF jet levels of usefulness...