Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Introduction
The galaxy far, far away has always been filled with shadowy figures, but few are as iconic as the Mandalorian mercenaries. Released in late 2002, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter offered fans a chance to step into the boots of the galaxy's most formidable hunter, Jango Fett. Developed and published by LucasArts, this title bridged the gap between the lore of the Expanded Universe and the cinematic events of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Whether you were a fan of the films or just looking for a robust third-person action game, this title delivered a gritty, jetpack-fueled adventure that remains a cult favorite to this day. It serves as an essential piece of media for anyone wishing to understand the man behind the mask who served as the template for the Grand Army of the Republic.
Story & Setting
Set shortly before the events of Attack of the Clones, the narrative follows Jango Fett as he is recruited by the mysterious Darth Tyranus, also known as Count Dooku. The mission is high-stakes: hunt down Komari Vosa, a former Jedi who has descended into madness as the leader of the Bando Gora cult. This journey serves as a definitive origin story for the prequel era. Players discover exactly why Jango was chosen as the genetic template for the clones and witness the circumstances surrounding the birth of his cloned "son," Boba Fett. Furthermore, the game chronicles how Jango acquired his legendary starship, Slave I, after a fierce rivalry with the ruthless bounty hunter Montross. The settings range from the underworld of Coruscant to the asteroid prisons of Oovo IV, providing a diverse look at the galaxy’s seedier side.
Gameplay
The core experience of Star Wars: Bounty Hunter is built around Jango’s diverse arsenal. Armed with his signature dual Westar-34 blaster pistols, players engage in fast-paced combat across sprawling levels. The inclusion of a functional jetpack allows for verticality that was revolutionary for its time, letting players rain down fire from above or navigate treacherous environments. Jango can also utilize various gadgets, such as a flamethrower, wrist rockets, and a toxic dart launcher. A key mechanic is the bounty scanner; players can pause the action to identify NPCs with active bounties, then choose to capture them dead or alive for extra rewards. These side objectives unlock special bonus items and comedic blooper reels. Challenges include formidable boss encounters, including the relentless Montross and the eccentric Longo "Two-Guns".
This game was released on several platforms, including the Sony PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo GameCube, later seeing digital re-releases on more modern hardware.
Legacy
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter holds a special place in the hearts of fans for its commitment to the lore. By bringing back Temuera Morrison and Leeanna Walsman to reprise their roles from the film as Jango Fett and Zam Wesell, LucasArts ensured a level of cinematic authenticity that was rare for licensed games at the time. While critics initially had mixed reactions to the camera system and difficulty spikes, the game's reputation has only grown over the decades. It is often cited as a crucial piece of media for understanding Jango Fett’s character, transforming him from a cool-looking secondary antagonist into a complex protagonist with his own code of ethics and history. Its influence remains visible in modern Star Wars media that explores Mandalorian culture.
Fun Facts
In Japan, the game was released under the alternative title Star Wars: Jango Fett to capitalize on the character's name recognition from the prequel trilogy. The "blooper reels" found in the game are considered some of the funniest Easter eggs in LucasArts history, featuring characters in absurd, non-canon machinima productions. Additionally, the game features a deep tie-in to the Star Wars: Open Seasons comic book series, providing context for Jango's history with the Mandalorian Civil War. Interestingly, Jango's combat animations were specifically designed to reflect his lethal proficiency seen in the films, ensuring that players feel like the most dangerous man in the galaxy. The game also reveals the origin of Jango's partnership with Zam Wesell, further fleshing out the story before they appear together on screen.
