Star Wars: Bounty Hunter Review

 Interesting is better than boring

Perhaps a prime example of why remasters don't need to be limited to critical darlings or cult classics. Star Wars Bounty Hunter is a PS2 era action platformer in such a stereotypical mold that I'm going to cover much of the nuts and bolts of the gameplay by repeating the phrase "PS2 era action platformer" while nodding knowingly. If you don't get it, go play Ratchet & Clank.

The core selling point of the game is, of course, playing as the titular bounty hunter Jango Fett. Crossing the galaxy seeking your next payday via the seedy underbelly and scum of the land. While the story is no epic nor any kind of true crime drama. I will say it does a good job with it's use of the star wars IP and setting to create a very convincing aesthetic. It says something that I encountered a few genuine mandalorian fans in my streams of the game. I would very easily recommend it to anyone with a fondness for the grander star wars setting.

All that said, the game isn't some hitman style careful consideration contract killer type thing. Most levels are filled to the brim wit hstandard enemies you'll mow down on the way to the target, and you'll spend most of your time in that standard combat. Your actual non boss fight bounty hunting is limited to tagging enemies with a first person view, chasing a high score capturing them dead or alive. It's fun, and adds variety and extra incentive to replay the levels. But at the end of the day this is about action and level design.

Thankfully, for the most part that action is solid. The lock-on system works well enough with your dual pistols that you spend much of the combat jumpy around, dodging laser fire like a proper mandalorian while unloading munitions into your foes relatively casually. Occasionally stopping to toss a thermal detonator or snipe some foes from afar. It may be that nothing is fleshed out super in-depth, but the variety and good game feel carries most of the combat through the 6 chapters without getting stale.

Though, game feel is often defined by movement. And that's one aspect that Bounty Hunter absolutely excels at. The majority of the game is spent with the jumping power of Mario, aided by one of the most satisfying jetpacks in any video game ever. I genuinely struggle to think of a comparison that isn't something like a speedrunning focused time trial game ala Cluster Truck. It has momentum, weight, high speed, quick recharges, occasional extended fuel tank powerups and all of your weapons are usable in flight. It's not an exaggeration to say that the movement allowed by this jetpack alone carried a significant portion of my good feelings toward the game. I don't think that's unfair to the rest of the game either, it's just true. If you ever wanted a top tier action game jetpack, play Bounty Hunter. Otherwise, maybe pick it up if you're interested in a janky but endearing retro action game.

This is the way, never take off your helmet etc etc.

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