Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

This needs 2 separate reviews: As a Star Wars story, and as a video game.

As a Star Wars story it was pretty great. The relationship between Darth Vader and his Apprentice was nuanced and definitely developed over the course of the game. The apprentice's backstory was intriguing, as was his internal conflict growing with every kill.

As a game, while solid, was fairly hollow. The gameplay is a lot of fun until you get through the first level. You notice quickly it's a fairly shallow experience with a far too easy of a difficulty. Graphics and animation was amazing though, especially for a 2008 Xbox 360 game. Now the camera can become a nuicense and figuring out how to play nice with it can frustrate. It's also far too short and can be beaten in 1 playthrough.

If TFU was released as a film, I would give this story a 8.5 ranked just under RotS, ANH, and ESB. In retrospect elements of this story are ripped off in Rogue One.

As a game I'd give it a 6...maybe even a 5 for being too short.

Shame it isn't canon anymore but to be fair it doesn't fit in with the timeline all that well. Still a fun game though.

This game is quite enjoyable because of its gameplay, campaign and how the story links so well to the rest of the saga, especially the last three episodes. There are many highlights to this game, and a few flaws...but mostly it's one that Star Wars fans should buy because of its freedom in the way you create your character and the way they introduce already-created planets which have not received much attention from those who've only watched the movies.

Gameplay - The gameplay is top-notch, the way you are able to move around like a Jedi, jump and fight like a Jedi, and use a variety of memorable Force powers like a Sith. You really do get the sense that you're this extremely gifted and powerful apprentice who goes around killing Jedi (it's nice to play an antagonist for once), and taking orders from this famous villain who is shown to be cruel and evil. The Force powers are nicely thought-of, as well as the ability to unlock new moves and upgrade yourself using the Levling system. There are some originals, like Force Push, Force Lightning and Saber-throw, but there are also a few new ones, like Force Repulse and Lightning Shield which both also have their roles to play.

Story - The plot is quite simple, and very much like Assassin's Creed. It somehow expalains many things that have happened in the later films, like the creation of the Rebel Alliance in the first place and how its symbolic crest came about. Very subtle things but they just project such realism into The Force Unleashed.

Total Mark: 8/10

BY HowlingRabbit334

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...I wish for a remastered of both the force unleashed games for next gen consoles. That would sell a lot and people would love it, giving everyone what they want.

Oh, and what kind of game it could have been. And many things they got really good, even dare to say excellent. Story is great (with influence and approval by George Lucas himself), fitting saga very good, voice acting is excellent and animations well synchronized with story, sound and music almost at the film quality.

Did they got the feeling of being a Jedi right? Yes, to the certain point. It's cool using light-saber, force (abilities develop by collecting points and experiences in battles) and especially light-saber fight with other Jedi.

Unfortunately, there are two big flaws: camera and character controls and in this types of game they are crucial for comfortable game-play.

Camera sometimes gets weird and makes you feel confused, which doesn't go too well with dozen of enemies in screen. E.g. you're fighting boss and have to avoid certain object while running. Camera focuses on boss so you don't see objects which you need to avoid. It's little frustration that you'll notice.

Controls are also not good and precise, especially force power that you use to move objects or enemies. You can see that game developers invested great amount of time in it, but unfortunately it just doesn't work so well. Just imagine, you're fighting enemy and trying to throw object on him, but it grabs other object or doesn't grab anything. It looks cool but with time you'll find it more practical to use light-saber and other force abilities and this leaves one segment of the game unused.

How do camera and control flaws influence game-play directly? Remember those epic x300 combos in God Of War when you exactly knew were you blew it? Well, in Force Unleashed it's not only you but certain amount of luck regarding on controls and camera.

However, those problems are not huge obstacle to beat the game so you won't have big problems with that, especially if you're Star Wars fan and story holds you even tighter to the game. However, although I like Star Wars I didn't have enough enthusiasm to beat it second time.

When I look at the game I have feeling it should have been developed a bit longer to correct those flaws that make so much difference in this genre. It's shame because we could have had the best Star Wars game since The Knights of The Old Republic.

Considering game flaws I'd recommend it to Star Wars fan. Others - try it before you buy it and if you like this genre and have PS2 I'd rather recommend God of War instead, it beats Force Unleashed in every segment (if you still didn't play it, of course).

Oh, and what kind of game it could have been.