Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is many things but let me first tell you what it is not: unleashed. The first one is what I like to call a beautiful failure. It was awesome in its own way, letting you be a complete awesome bad ass with crazy force powers and a really good story (for a Star Wars game). But it failed at being a good game: the level design was broken, the combat bland and filled with bugs that ruined the overall experience. The sequel kind of fixes these problems but doesn't suceed in becoming the ultimate Star Wars game.

Without spoiling the end of the first game, the canon ending rapped up the story pretty well and a sequel isn't exactly what jumped to mind the second the credits started rolling. Judging from the first game's sales, it was obvious that we'd be seeing Starkiller in some shape or form in a sequel. The game's story picks up six months after the first game and you get to play as Starkiller's clone who rebels against Darth Vader and goes to figure out who he really is. The story focuses on some major themes such as love and identity, weaving some interesting plot threads. Despite all this, the story manages to be less interesting than in the last game. It feels like an epilogue to the first game and is alot less interesting. Don't even think about going to iconic places like the Death Star in this one since the only meaningful place you will see is Dagobah during a brief cutscene. The story is actually centered around the planet of Kamino and if this does not appeal to you, you may not like this trek through the universe.

He may be a clone of him, but this Starkiller is still as angsty as ever, constantly pissed at Vader. He's got one goal in mind, which makes him at times sound like Kratos except if Kratos had a heart. Because what you must really know about the story is that it's a love story. And that might put off some people. Each character is fully fleshed out but in the end, the story boils down to

hero must save girlfriend. I preferred the revenge plot of the first game but some people might find this interesting. I am not one of these people. The good news is that if you don't like the story, it'll be like a flu shot: over before you know it. The game is about 5 hours long which is very disappointing.

Now for the gameplay. The Force Unleashed II keeps the same combat system as the first game. One button for each force power, combining them to create a combo. Sticking with the previous game's formula, the force powers are extremely powerful and violent. You'll be pushing troopers off ledges and zapping everything in your sights. The gameplay is still extremely satisphying because everyone knows that there is nothing better than force pushing ten troopers off a ledge. So yes, on a gameplay perspective, The Force Unleashed II is "unleashed". The enemies are also a lot less tough, which is a good thing. The first game would often get frustrating because of enemies who were impervious to force powers. Now you basically slaughter everything in your path which is a hell of a lot of fun. The gameplay is an overall improvement over the first game.

Now for the part where I prove to you that this game is far from being "unleashed". Do you remember all the cool set pieces in the first game? Playing as Vader, crashing the Star Destroyer, fighting Palpatine and Vader, going to the Death Star, the list goes on and on. None of this happens in the sequel, there are no moments where you will go "oh snap" and become a total geek

over what's going on onscreen. Yes, you can take down Tie fighters and dismember stormtroopers but you've come to expect these things from the series. Never once was I amazed by what was going on and in a world where Bayonetta uses her lipstick to score a headshot and Kratos mutilates his brothers, neither will you.

On a presentation stand point, The Force Unleashed II suceeds in many unexpected ways. Most of the bugs have disappeared (except during the final boss) and the voice work is spot on. The CG cutscenes are gorgeous with beautiful facial animation. Also, I've never seen the inside of a video game character's mouth as detailed as in this game. I'll let you guys discover that for yourselves. The music uses scores from both originals and old classics from the saga. All in all, The Force Unleashed 2 will please your eyes and ears.

I can't help but end this review on a negative note. Trust me, I really wanted to love this game, I really did but it really feels like The Force Unleashed v. 0.5. In a year populated by better brawlers, I recommend skipping this one if you hated the first and maybe rent it if you're a fan. Other than that, move along, there's very little to see here.

One Word Review: Leashed

Yann