Star Wars: Hunters is a new game for the Nintendo Switch and mobile devices where teams can battle each other across the galaxy. Set after the events of the Galactic Civil War the citizens of an outer rim planet called Vespaara have partnered with the Hutt to put on a no-holds-barred competition and have invited contestants, aka Hunters, from around the galaxy to participate. The 4v4 third-person arena combat can take place in several recognizable locales including Hoth, Tatooine, and Endor and even includes a Podrace. This free-to-play PVP game allows players to customize their characters and animations, and modify their weapons.
Game Overview (per official site):
“Join the greatest Hunters from across the Star Wars™ galaxy on the planet of Vespaara where high-stakes competitions are awaiting them in the Arena. Engage in thrilling third person combat to dominate your opponents in a range of adventurous battlegrounds that evoke iconic Star Wars worlds. Mix and match teams, use skill, tactics and customize your Hunters to find a winning strategy and reap the spoils of victory in the all-new free-to-play game.”
Game description (via Nintendo):
“Following the end of the Galactic Civil War, the bright lights of The Arena burst into life and offer new heroes a platform to shine across the galaxy. Located deep in the Outer Rim on the planet of Vespaara and broadcast far and wide on the HoloNet, the stories and legends of battles that have defined galactic history are brought to life to entertain audiences and create champions seeking fame and fortune in this new gladiatorial spectacle.
The Arena brings together all-new, unique Hunters from across the Star Wars galaxy each with larger-than-life personas, rich undiscovered pasts and ability sets that make them formidable combatants.
Gear up for battle choosing from a roster of new characters, including nefarious bounty hunters, heroes of the Rebellion, Imperial stormtroopers, and everything in between. Outclass opponents by mastering advanced abilities, skills and strategies while fighting it out in intense 4v4 third-person combat and dominating opponents on the road to fame in The Arena.
Customize each Hunter by collecting and equipping them with fun and unique costumes, animations, and weapon appearances, making for an impressive competitor that stands out on the battlefield and is ready to challenge for glory.
Dazzle The Arena’s crowd, competing across multiple PVP game modes; within Escort, defense and attack skills are crucial as the team need to work together to safely escort the payload before their enemies defeat them. In Control, two teams battle it out to defeat one another and take control of the central objective area until the time runs out. Each battlefield set in The Grand Arena on Vespaara evokes iconic Star Wars locales such as Tatooine, Hoth and Endor.”
Welcome to the arena and let’s have some fun
Star Wars: Hunters is obviously a game aimed at younger generations but fans of any age could find enjoyment in its simple and direct approach. The game is somewhat reminiscent of a number of early Star Wars games that launched back in the early 2000s such as Star Wars: Demolition, Star Wars Episode I Racer, and the original Battlefront Games. Zynga art director Dominic Estephane spoke with Dan Brooks (StarWars.com) and shared additional details regarding some of the character designs. From an Ugnaught-piloted droideka to Jawa’s using a trenchcoat to sneak past the Arena’s height requirements, a wrestling-inspired former athlete/bounty hunter Wookie, and more, there’s definitely a focus on just getting into the game and having fun.
“One of our pillars for the team was playful reverence. So we broke that down. That meant respect for the Star Wars universe and lore, while adding a layer of light-heartedness to our character designs.”
Per Dominic Estephane (via StarWars.com):
“So we have J-3DI, he’s a droid who’s been programmed to believe he’s a real Jedi. And we have two Jawas in a trench coat — maybe there’s a height requirement to be in the arena, so they stand on top of each other in a trench coat. And we have an Ugnaught-piloted droideka, Slingshot, which you don’t see in the Star Wars universe. We worked closely with our partners at Lucasfilm Games, and they allowed us to have fun, show our creativity while making these amazing new Hunters, and we can’t wait for players to get their hands on the game.”
Game Modes Descriptions (via official site):
- Squad Brawl: “The first team to reach 20 eliminations wins in this all out assault mode”
- Dynamic Control: “In this mode, teams compete to capture rotating Control Points.”
- Power Control: “In this mode, Squads must control the majority of Control Points on the battlefield and hold them firmly.”
- Trophy Chase: “Two teams aim to hold the Trophy Droid, named TR0-F33! The first Squad to reach 100% wins the game.”
Star Wars: Hunters launches for the Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS on June 4th.