This game restored my faith in the Wii
I put in my Star Wars: The Force Unleashed disc thinking it was going to be the last Wii game I will ever bother to play. Disappointed time and time again by blockbuster games I was willing to try one last one. I sit here now half writing half looking for the next Wii game to play. What I’m saying is, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has not only brought back the Star Wars universe for me, it has also made me love the Wii again. Here’s why:
Info:
Platform: Wii (I am reviewing the Wii one which is different)
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: Krome Studios
ESRB Rating: T
North American Release Date: September 16, 2008
Genre: Action
Multi-player: Yes
With a flick of my right wrist a lightsaber cuts down an enemy. With a button pressed and a forward motion I threw my lightsaber and cut down many enemies. With both hands being thrust downward I destroyed all the enemies surrounding me.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed gameplay resembles somewhat of a “hack and slash” type of game. You constantly face enemies and constantly have to cut them down. Usually I detest games like this—as well as most critics. However, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed isn’t your average game. For instance, in Viking: The Battle for Asgard all you really had to do was press ‘x’ and charge ‘b’. Really, this is the most ‘hack and slash’ games require. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed isn’t like that though. It has you swing your Wii-mote that way, thrust the numchuck this way, and ultimately fight as if you were creating a beautiful work of art, dancing across the screen with a lightsaber—and a big pile of dead enemies—including jedis
The character you play as, Starkiller, is perfect for this role of the ultimate opponent. In order for a game with so much violence, explosions, and piles of dead enemies you need to control a character that can be believed to behold such tremendous, awesome power. After all, it isn’t easy to bring down a Star Destroyer.
Starkiller, and I suppose us as well, have a great master to thank for his power, Darth Vader. Taken as a child in the first level of the game Starkiller is trained and raised by Darth Vader in secret. He is to grow in strength, endurance, and hatred with the intent of killing Vader’s enemies and ultimately the Emperor. Upon reaching adulthood Starkiller’s mission begins. He join’s his beautiful new pilot, Juno, and his robot, his only long-term companion, and completes Vader’s biddings.
Though, know this, the plot won’t stay like this for long and is quite fantastic with a wonderful ending. Frequently there a plot twists which brings major character development, philosophical questions, and a filled gap between the 3rd and 4th Star Wars movies—which was very much needed.
As I alluded to earlier, this game has much more than just simple pressing of buttons in a 'hack and slash' game. I know it’s weird to read but with the control scheme that this game has, I feel like a lightsaber wielding badass! There are many combos and force powers to be performed which are always fun to do. If you listen to the excellent score and ignore the somewhat choppy graphics you will be lost in the game, the characters, and the story. Even though the game has many levels I beat it in 2 long days because nothing else was more important to me.
When I did finally see the end credits roll down the screen I was nowhere near done though. Throughout the seemingly linear levels are hidden objects which you have to find in order to unlock official art, lightsaber colors, outfits, and lightsaber hilts. What seems like silly gimmicks to get you play-through it again is actually not. What you get as a result of searching for these hidden objects is a chance to see the beauty of the places you rushed through before. But if you are tired playing alone you will find great fun in the lightsaber duels in which you can pick your favorite character and fight your friend. My point is, don’t just think you’re done when the credits roll.
There are some gripes with the game though. While the sheer entertaining aspect of the levels has you ignore this, you don’t do any talking to characters or detective work. You have a target and you go kill him. I seldom talk to my pilot Juno and because of it some relationships seem, dare I say, forced.
Lucas can fix that for the next game though. Looking at the game for what it is, and how I experienced it, I can’t sit here and tell you it is a ****ty, okay, or good game. It is a great game! It is a FANTASTIC game! It is a game which gave me memories of characters and fun which I will have for a long time! It is a game which allows you to escape! Most importantly it has renewed my faith in the Wii. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed could be better but those gripes take nothing much from the game. Star Ward: The Force Unleashed gets a 9/10.
