Reviews// Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Posted 16 Sep 2008 17:45 by
If power corrupts, playing Star Wars The Force Unleashed corrupts absolutely. In my mind Star Wars invented the term 'franchise'. Before the original movie's 1977 release, movies were just movies, and games were just two lines moving up and down the side of the screen. Now, 30 years later, both the movie and the game series continue to prosper, with a steady stream of new versions and cash-ins. The latest of these is Star Wars The Force Unleashed, a third-person arcade action game in the vein of walk-and-slash style swordplay games such as Ninja Gaiden. Indeed Force Unleashed is a franchise all itself, comprising as it does a video game, a tie-in novel, action figures, a comic book, a reference book and a role-playing game supplement.

In the game you play Darth Vader's secret apprentice, Galen Marek, who carries the catchy nickname of Starkiller. Since quality narrative is central to all things Star Wars related, the opening level of this game establishes the story. In it you control Darth Vader as he makes his way through a level full of rampaging Wookies. This level serves as training for the game, and as you progress useful tips are displayed on screen, telling you how to use your weapons: the famous red lightsabre, and your shiny black gauntlets from which you unleash the power of (the dark side of) The Force.

The movies always hinted that the power of The Force is almost infinite, tapping in as it does to the very life energy of every creature in the known universe, and perhaps that of those in the unknown one(s) too.

From this game it is clear that in the original trilogy, Darth Vader was only paddling near the very shallowest reaches of this vast ocean of untapped energy. In Force Unleashed, he's not so coy with his mystical magical powers. Instead of the odd bit of parlour game telekinesis, in The Force Unleashed Darth wantonly tosses friend and foe aside, using only the power of his mind. He uses his Force Blast to throw rocks at trees, to cast trees at Wookies, and to smash Wookies into Storm Troopers (Oh, they're on our side now... oops!).

Eventually Darth comes across a renegade Jedi, and they have a fierce duel to the death. This duel is the first level boss, and gives you an opportunity to combine all of the moves and techniques you have learned during the level. You better hope it's to the renegade Jedi's death, or you'll be going back to a convenient save point and trying again. If you do emerge victorious, you'll find that finishing the battle requires some Dragon's Lair-style, interactive cut-scene timed button pressing.

Failing to pay attention, or to know your red button from your blue one won't lead to your untimely death though, it'll just let
the renegade Jedi escape your grip and give him another chance to best you in free combat. Once the Jedi is dead-eyed, you enter a building where Darth discovers a child with powerful 'The Force' skills, and in an uncharacteristically nurturing move, takes him under his giant black be-caped wing.
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Comments

schnide 17 Sep 2008 10:55
1/4
"Graphics nothing special, but AI is amazing.." that's the opposite of the Eurogamer review, iirc. Interesting. 89%?
DoctorDee 17 Sep 2008 15:57
2/4
schnide wrote:
"Graphics nothing special, but AI is amazing.." that's the opposite of the Eurogamer review, iirc. Interesting. 89%?

I don't read other reviews before I write mine. But the graphics are nothing special. Don't misunderstand me. They are nice enough - but the modelling and lighting are not breathtaking. There are some nice effects when you use your your Force powers - that's for sure. But I wasn't sitting there drooling over the graphics at all while I was playing it. There wasn't a single scene where I went, "Wow!"

But I WAS enjoying myself though. And even though the review is done the game is still at my house and it's likely to stay there for a while. It's one of the few games that have made me consider getting an Xbox (and with that nice price drop, that's looking increasingly likely). Though at present, I'm more likely just to keep one of SPOnG's 360s at home or get a PS3 copy of Force Unleashed.

The AI impressed me because it took different approaches to attacking each time I entered a scenario - and it could be tough. It could be dumb at times too, but it IS AI. Computers struggle to beat people at chess - and this game has a far more expansive playfield and more move options than chess will ever have. Play the demo and make up your own mind.

As games like this go, it manages to feel novel despite it not being particularly innovative. It uses a well established genre, and a familiar set of characters to create a very fun and playable end result. I like it, a lot! Hence the 89%.

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schnide 18 Sep 2008 09:29
3/4
Well, that's all important. The Euroga.. the other review I imagined I read, because obviously I don't read anything other than SPOnG, sounded like it was trying to pick the game apart. For instance, to defeat the Rancor all you had to do was run back down the path you took to reach it and attack it from there as it wouldn't come past a certain boundary. I guess it depends what kind of experience you're looking for. I'll try and play the demo.
PreciousRoi 9 Oct 2008 12:35
4/4
Nice review, sorry I missed it until just now.

Just out of curiosity, what difficulty level were you playing at?

***SPOILER ALERT***
I will express some dissapointment with the "Dark Side" ending, it left me feeling nonplussed, and slightly confused.
***SPOILER ALERT OVER***

It could do with another game mode, like a survival mode or something like that, to extend its playability and give people a reason and opportunity to get some of the technique-based Achievements. (500 Lightsabre Throw Kills, 500 Lightning Shield Kills, etc...)

Other than simply doing the first level over and over again that is...

Also,
The Emperor wrote:


I think that pretty much says it all, don't you?
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