Review:Star Wars:The Force Unleashed
Plot
Well most people know that you will play this game as Darth Vadar's secret apprentice,Code name:Star Killer. This game's story takes place between Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and Episode 4: A New Hope. It aims to fill the gap in the 20 something years in between then.
The game starts with the Empire attacking the Wookie planet (Not going to butcher the spelling because I don't know how to spell it). They are attacking still trying to hunt down the remaining Jedi. From the get go you will be playing as Darth Vader (BAD ASS!). You will get adjusted to the controls and such with him, then plow through wookies like nobodies business! Then you will encounter a Rouge Jedi who well...Vader has no problem taking down, after defeating him, Vader senses a much stronger power than the Jedi on planet and sure enough...who is it?!?! You guessed it, a child who happens to rob Vader of his saber with the power of the force. Vader then see's the childs potential and chooses to spare his life and make him his apprentice.
The game didn't dig to deep on the training and such of how Vader trained him, it just kind of shows him grown up in a second. Which was a real let down! It could have had a montage or something! After Vader pretty much knighting him a dark knight of the sith, he tells the Apprentice, that no one can know of his exsistance, especially not the emperor! He trained him all these years so that he and Vader could over throw the emperor.
Over the course of the game, Vader will send him on little assassination missions to help Vader kill off the rest of the remaining Jedi's. As you complete more of these assassination mission, Vader keeps telling you You are about ready to stand by my side to fight the emperor!, and after a turn of events...The whole game takes a U-turn (Sort of).
It is tough to say much more of the story without completely spoiling it, and that is the last thing I want to do. Because the story is one of the best parts of this game! I personally liked it better than episode 1-3 COMBINED! Not that it is saying a whole lot really. However, I can asure you that this is the ultimate JEDI story!
Gameplay
This is a aspect of the game that is going to make of break it for you. In the force unleashed you get just that! All the crazy powers of the force at your disposal! Even with some new ones added into the mix such as Lightning Shield and Force Repulse.
When you start the game with Star Killer, he only has Force Push and Force Grip at his disposal but, after every mission you will unlock a new more advance force power. This is nice cause it progressively gives you the feeling of power which is very gratifying! As you progress will have access to a whole bunch of cool force powers and it would get pretty overwhelming if it wasn't so obvious which ones to use on which enemies. Say you are fighting a AT-ST, you have one of two options here, hop around and throw all the biggest stuff you can pick up on the ground at it and widdle it's health down or...you can go up and unleash a force lighting hell on it, and while it is stunned go unleash some major lightsaber aerial combo's on it and rinse and repeat.
As you kill more foes and find secret object you will unlock points to put into 3 different fields to improves Star Killer. You can earn new Force combos such as using the force to bounce foes into the air, and then jump up with them and unleash lightning hell on them, or push them around or just do some cool lightsaber combos. Also, you can put more points into upgrading your base force powers, Say you put more points into force grip, then you can pick up progressively more people at the same time and launch them. Also there is your passive force skills, these skills will give you a bonus to your health,force power bar,how much damage you take, how much damage you deal with your lightsaber, you get the idea! It all works very well and personally...I think this is one of the best aspects of the game! I would have liked the ability to respec my skills but that is just a minor nit pick. By the end of the game though, you will be a total badass! And dare I say it....Stronger than Vader and the Emperor!
One of the best things about all the force powers is that it controls so well! Just with a simple push of the button you can pull off all these powers, making it very simple for anyone who is interested in the game to pick up and play! I really commend game developers who can make games like this so accessible to everyone because I think that is what it is all about!
Early in the game you will be plowing through baddies at a unreal rate, then you will run into the boss and it is a different story all together. You will have to watch their patterns (like and 3rd person action/adventure game) and react accordingly. It is kind of a shame how some of the boss fights are because the camera locks on them and it can be very cumbersome at times! You running into walls or just getting stuck on a object you can even see while the boss just pummels your ass! It is also a shame that with all the boss fights, there is really only one way to defeat the boss. Find out what power to use and then exploit it. I can understand why you would like to do that but, It just doesn't give much freedom. That can be taken into account later on in the game when you are fighting foes who you might as well sit still while you shock them with lighting for about 10 seconds, while you act as a gigantic meat bag! I appreciate added challenge but sometimes it gets a little ridiculous, luckily you don't have to fight everything but, I still would like to !
The game also uses the now famous God of war style button context sensitive moments, This will be used to take out ALL bosses and can also be used to take down larger foes in the game. It is actual very cool and really cool to watch. They allow Star Killers to pull off some really over the top moves not accessible to him in the actual game! It gives it much more of a cinematic feel. My only problem with it is that one, it is over used to all hell now! And, I have to watch very closely to when the action pops up and it distracts from watching the cool scene that is going on. It doesn't always work though! Because the take down the Star Destroyer moment, it gives you false commands to pull it down! It really could have been much more simple and much more fun! I suggesting looking up what you actually need to do on the net!
As you probably are ask Okay thats all good...how about the fucking lightsaber combat!?. Well I didn't forget it. It is good and easy to pull off some of the more advance moves. Unlocking new lightsaber combos is very essential actually! Sometimes on bosses it is necessary to do a short combo to them, launch them in the air at the end of it and do some more hits because you only get a couple times to attack them sometimes and you might as well make the best of it! You can also use your saber with other force powers such as lightning to imbue it with lightning and cause a big lighting spike on all foes surrounding the one you hit. It is a pretty cool, but it still not on par with other action games such as Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry when it comes to a melee stance, but I don't think it was ever aiming too.
That game has some cool little customizable aspects, such as changing the color of your saber, and putting a power crystal in it to boost whatever power or imbue it with a chance to deal different damage or steal health. It is a cool feature. As you play you will unlock different outfits and you can change the outfits from mission to mission, I just wish if I changed it to the one I want, I wouldn't have to keep changing it back after every fucking mission!
The menus are simple and nice, but there are some lengthy loading times between some that kind of distract from the overall experience. But that could just be my own impatience.
Presentation
The force unleashed is a beautiful game! All the character models look good and some of the backgrounds are breath taking to say the least. That doesn't mean the game isn't rough around some edges but the rest of the amazing graphics more than make up for it.
The game is very unique in another aspect because the game uses 3 very advanced physic engines! And that is no simple task! It is also one of the games best and WORST things. Because of the different physic engines you will see a TON of glitches in the game! There were a couple times fighting different bosses where they just got stuck in the level and I couldn't kill them! Because I have to finish them off with the context button press moments! It really takes away from the game, which causes you to start the whole damn boss battle over! I got a couple cheap deaths due to the physics as well! It is cool to use them but a month or some more of testing would have really went a long way for this game!
The sounds is amazing as expected! The great star wars score that we have all come to know and love! And some of the most solid voice acting in a video game to date! All the characters are really brought to life, unfortunately Star Killer isn't really much of a character until later in the game.
The sound is incredible in full dolbly digital surround sound with every blaster fire blasting right by your respected ear and the lightsabers clashing is pretty intense of a sound! The explosions are some what of a let down though at times because it just feels like a small fire cracker going off to huge explosion that you are seeing!
The game also suffers from another very bad glitch called default text. When you look at your mission objective it may say that and if it does...everything you collected throughout the level won't even count! LucasArts has given no explanation for it and have said nothing about fixing it. (Thanks you pricks! We will see if I will buy another one of your games!)
Difficulty & Replay Value
The game has 4 different difficulty levels, sure to keep you busy for a little while. But the game can be completed in only about 7-8 hours of play time. Which is really a let down, and the game ends right when it is starting to get good!
There are some pretty stupidly hard moments of the game such as a puzzle requiring you to set these gravitational rings in place with the force, then taking a elevator up and making it across this gap that you created by placing the rings in place, all in about 30 seconds time, if you don't get up there in time, prepare to get vaporized. It was very frustrating. And some of the boss fights may stump you at first, if you don't get glitched by them that is.
After you beat the game their really isn't anything to do but run through it again from the start with all your force powers and try to find the 115 holocron peices but, then it is about impossible if you get the default text glitch.
Overall
Game is good and is a great play through! I would only suggest a buy for serious fans of star wars, for it's great plot and cool uses of force powers. Other than that, it is one of the best rentals of 2008! It can be a little bit frustrating but it is more than made up for it by all the great moments of using the force in the game.
Score:8.00
Pros:Great uses of force powers!
Amazing story, better than previous 3 movies combined!
Great graphics and sound design!
RPG Elements
Darth Vader playable in the tutorial!
Cons:GLITCHES! It really holds the game down sometimes.
Really short....and story ends right when it is getting good!
Stupid Puzzles!
The force didn't not blow my mind like LucasArts said it would! LAIRS!
Thanks hope you enjoyed the review
-CrimsonkingX-
Well most people know that you will play this game as Darth Vadar's secret apprentice,Code name:Star Killer. This game's story takes place between Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and Episode 4: A New Hope. It aims to fill the gap in the 20 something years in between then.
The game starts with the Empire attacking the Wookie planet (Not going to butcher the spelling because I don't know how to spell it). They are attacking still trying to hunt down the remaining Jedi. From the get go you will be playing as Darth Vader (BAD ASS!). You will get adjusted to the controls and such with him, then plow through wookies like nobodies business! Then you will encounter a Rouge Jedi who well...Vader has no problem taking down, after defeating him, Vader senses a much stronger power than the Jedi on planet and sure enough...who is it?!?! You guessed it, a child who happens to rob Vader of his saber with the power of the force. Vader then see's the childs potential and chooses to spare his life and make him his apprentice.
The game didn't dig to deep on the training and such of how Vader trained him, it just kind of shows him grown up in a second. Which was a real let down! It could have had a montage or something! After Vader pretty much knighting him a dark knight of the sith, he tells the Apprentice, that no one can know of his exsistance, especially not the emperor! He trained him all these years so that he and Vader could over throw the emperor.
Over the course of the game, Vader will send him on little assassination missions to help Vader kill off the rest of the remaining Jedi's. As you complete more of these assassination mission, Vader keeps telling you You are about ready to stand by my side to fight the emperor!, and after a turn of events...The whole game takes a U-turn (Sort of).
It is tough to say much more of the story without completely spoiling it, and that is the last thing I want to do. Because the story is one of the best parts of this game! I personally liked it better than episode 1-3 COMBINED! Not that it is saying a whole lot really. However, I can asure you that this is the ultimate JEDI story!
Gameplay
This is a aspect of the game that is going to make of break it for you. In the force unleashed you get just that! All the crazy powers of the force at your disposal! Even with some new ones added into the mix such as Lightning Shield and Force Repulse.
When you start the game with Star Killer, he only has Force Push and Force Grip at his disposal but, after every mission you will unlock a new more advance force power. This is nice cause it progressively gives you the feeling of power which is very gratifying! As you progress will have access to a whole bunch of cool force powers and it would get pretty overwhelming if it wasn't so obvious which ones to use on which enemies. Say you are fighting a AT-ST, you have one of two options here, hop around and throw all the biggest stuff you can pick up on the ground at it and widdle it's health down or...you can go up and unleash a force lighting hell on it, and while it is stunned go unleash some major lightsaber aerial combo's on it and rinse and repeat.
As you kill more foes and find secret object you will unlock points to put into 3 different fields to improves Star Killer. You can earn new Force combos such as using the force to bounce foes into the air, and then jump up with them and unleash lightning hell on them, or push them around or just do some cool lightsaber combos. Also, you can put more points into upgrading your base force powers, Say you put more points into force grip, then you can pick up progressively more people at the same time and launch them. Also there is your passive force skills, these skills will give you a bonus to your health,force power bar,how much damage you take, how much damage you deal with your lightsaber, you get the idea! It all works very well and personally...I think this is one of the best aspects of the game! I would have liked the ability to respec my skills but that is just a minor nit pick. By the end of the game though, you will be a total badass! And dare I say it....Stronger than Vader and the Emperor!
One of the best things about all the force powers is that it controls so well! Just with a simple push of the button you can pull off all these powers, making it very simple for anyone who is interested in the game to pick up and play! I really commend game developers who can make games like this so accessible to everyone because I think that is what it is all about!
Early in the game you will be plowing through baddies at a unreal rate, then you will run into the boss and it is a different story all together. You will have to watch their patterns (like and 3rd person action/adventure game) and react accordingly. It is kind of a shame how some of the boss fights are because the camera locks on them and it can be very cumbersome at times! You running into walls or just getting stuck on a object you can even see while the boss just pummels your ass! It is also a shame that with all the boss fights, there is really only one way to defeat the boss. Find out what power to use and then exploit it. I can understand why you would like to do that but, It just doesn't give much freedom. That can be taken into account later on in the game when you are fighting foes who you might as well sit still while you shock them with lighting for about 10 seconds, while you act as a gigantic meat bag! I appreciate added challenge but sometimes it gets a little ridiculous, luckily you don't have to fight everything but, I still would like to !
The game also uses the now famous God of war style button context sensitive moments, This will be used to take out ALL bosses and can also be used to take down larger foes in the game. It is actual very cool and really cool to watch. They allow Star Killers to pull off some really over the top moves not accessible to him in the actual game! It gives it much more of a cinematic feel. My only problem with it is that one, it is over used to all hell now! And, I have to watch very closely to when the action pops up and it distracts from watching the cool scene that is going on. It doesn't always work though! Because the take down the Star Destroyer moment, it gives you false commands to pull it down! It really could have been much more simple and much more fun! I suggesting looking up what you actually need to do on the net!
As you probably are ask Okay thats all good...how about the fucking lightsaber combat!?. Well I didn't forget it. It is good and easy to pull off some of the more advance moves. Unlocking new lightsaber combos is very essential actually! Sometimes on bosses it is necessary to do a short combo to them, launch them in the air at the end of it and do some more hits because you only get a couple times to attack them sometimes and you might as well make the best of it! You can also use your saber with other force powers such as lightning to imbue it with lightning and cause a big lighting spike on all foes surrounding the one you hit. It is a pretty cool, but it still not on par with other action games such as Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry when it comes to a melee stance, but I don't think it was ever aiming too.
That game has some cool little customizable aspects, such as changing the color of your saber, and putting a power crystal in it to boost whatever power or imbue it with a chance to deal different damage or steal health. It is a cool feature. As you play you will unlock different outfits and you can change the outfits from mission to mission, I just wish if I changed it to the one I want, I wouldn't have to keep changing it back after every fucking mission!
The menus are simple and nice, but there are some lengthy loading times between some that kind of distract from the overall experience. But that could just be my own impatience.
Presentation
The force unleashed is a beautiful game! All the character models look good and some of the backgrounds are breath taking to say the least. That doesn't mean the game isn't rough around some edges but the rest of the amazing graphics more than make up for it.
The game is very unique in another aspect because the game uses 3 very advanced physic engines! And that is no simple task! It is also one of the games best and WORST things. Because of the different physic engines you will see a TON of glitches in the game! There were a couple times fighting different bosses where they just got stuck in the level and I couldn't kill them! Because I have to finish them off with the context button press moments! It really takes away from the game, which causes you to start the whole damn boss battle over! I got a couple cheap deaths due to the physics as well! It is cool to use them but a month or some more of testing would have really went a long way for this game!
The sounds is amazing as expected! The great star wars score that we have all come to know and love! And some of the most solid voice acting in a video game to date! All the characters are really brought to life, unfortunately Star Killer isn't really much of a character until later in the game.
The sound is incredible in full dolbly digital surround sound with every blaster fire blasting right by your respected ear and the lightsabers clashing is pretty intense of a sound! The explosions are some what of a let down though at times because it just feels like a small fire cracker going off to huge explosion that you are seeing!
The game also suffers from another very bad glitch called default text. When you look at your mission objective it may say that and if it does...everything you collected throughout the level won't even count! LucasArts has given no explanation for it and have said nothing about fixing it. (Thanks you pricks! We will see if I will buy another one of your games!)
Difficulty & Replay Value
The game has 4 different difficulty levels, sure to keep you busy for a little while. But the game can be completed in only about 7-8 hours of play time. Which is really a let down, and the game ends right when it is starting to get good!
There are some pretty stupidly hard moments of the game such as a puzzle requiring you to set these gravitational rings in place with the force, then taking a elevator up and making it across this gap that you created by placing the rings in place, all in about 30 seconds time, if you don't get up there in time, prepare to get vaporized. It was very frustrating. And some of the boss fights may stump you at first, if you don't get glitched by them that is.
After you beat the game their really isn't anything to do but run through it again from the start with all your force powers and try to find the 115 holocron peices but, then it is about impossible if you get the default text glitch.
Overall
Game is good and is a great play through! I would only suggest a buy for serious fans of star wars, for it's great plot and cool uses of force powers. Other than that, it is one of the best rentals of 2008! It can be a little bit frustrating but it is more than made up for it by all the great moments of using the force in the game.
Score:8.00
Pros:Great uses of force powers!
Amazing story, better than previous 3 movies combined!
Great graphics and sound design!
RPG Elements
Darth Vader playable in the tutorial!
Cons:GLITCHES! It really holds the game down sometimes.
Really short....and story ends right when it is getting good!
Stupid Puzzles!
The force didn't not blow my mind like LucasArts said it would! LAIRS!
Thanks hope you enjoyed the review
-CrimsonkingX-
