The game featured a storyline that bridged the gap between Return Of The Jedi and The Force Awakens, but is Star Wars Battlefront 2 canon? The first Expanded Universe Star Wars novel came in the form of Alan Dean Foster's Splinter Of The Mind's Eye. The story involved Luke and Leia crashlanding on a swampy planet whilst being hunted by Darth Vader. This story was originally conceived by George Lucas as a potential low-budget sequel to the original movie in case it underperformed, which would allow him to reuse props and shoot on a soundstage. Thankfully, the movie proved to be a landmark success, resulting in Splinter becoming a book instead.
The Star Wars Expanded Universe would grow exponentially in size and scope in the years that followed, resulting in countless comics, novel, video games, and animated shows. These stories kept the franchise alive in between Return Of The Jedi and The Phantom Menace and added beloved new heroes and villains. The EU had grown so vast and convoluted by the time Disney announced a new slate of films that it was later dubbed Star Wars Legends, rendering most of the EU non-canon.
Some previous EU projects like the 3D animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series remained canonical, however. Video game Star Wars Battlefront 2 was released in 2017 and became controversial for many reasons and received backlash due to its use of micro-transactions. Unlike the original game, it features a story that covers the decades between Return Of The Jedi and Disney's new films. Fans will be happy to know Battlefront 2 is canon, but how much of it is actually important?
The biggest reveal from Star Wars Battlefront 2's story is Operation: Cinder, which was a contingency enacted by Emperor Palpatine after his apparent demise. He delivers his posthumous orders in the form of a droid, with Empire forces instructed to devastate planets in revenge for his defeat. Battlefront 2's protagonist Iden Versio becomes ideologically opposed to the sheer brutality of this plan, especially when her homeworld is targeted, leading her to defect to the rebels. The game also ties into the end of Return Of The Jedi, with Iden witnessing the destruction of the second Death Star.
Iden also took part in the Battle Of Jakku, which saw the final defeat of the Empire. The introduction to Rey (Daisy Ridley, Chaos Walking) during The Force Awakens finds her scavaging parts from old battlecruisers from this battle. What was left of the Empire following this defeat would scurry away and rebuild in the form of the First Order. Certain chapters of the single-player story also allow players to control iconic characters, including a section with Luke Skywalker on Pillo. He becomes friendly with Iden's squadmate Del and Luke finds a special compass during this mission. This is the same one he holds in Star Wars: The Last Jedi and presumably led him to the First Jedi Temple.
Another mission involves a bearded Han Solo and Chewie in Maz Kanata's castle, which is seen again decades later in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The game also reveals Iden and Del had a daughter but while many theorized their child was Rey, the Battlefront 2: Resurrection DLC eventually revealed their daughter is Zay Versio. While Star War Battlefront 2 is canon, much of the story ultimately has little impact on the movies. Outside of Operation: Cinder and how Paltapine appeared to be orchestrating his comeback in the upcoming Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the plot is relatively inessential.
