Thursday, September 18, 2008

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed



I had reserved this game a really long time ago and I loved the demo so I went ahead and bought it Monday. The game plays just like the demo. The graphics are excellent and the use of 3 (yes THREE) physics engines really allows for some cool effects. The story is top-notch, endorsed as Star Wars cannon by George Lucas himself. The force powers make you feel like a total badass. It doesn't get much more awesome than having a 9-foot wookie about to rip your head off, then force blasting him off of a bridge into a void as the supports shatter into hundreds of splinters and the bridge bobbs up and down from the impact. Or fighting a Rancor only to stab him repeatedly in the face and shock him to death. Or bisecting an AT-ST bottom to top. Or crushing one like a can with the force. Also one of the boss fights has a sweet suprise for Star Wars fanboys (like me).
Now for the bad. The levels are extremely linear, the boss fights are punishingly difficult at times, and fighting large enemies like Rancors or AT-ST's basically consists of force lightning, run away to recharge, repeat until enough damage has been dealt, then a series of scripted quick-time events. The enemies' attacks that knock you down or stun you seem to come at the exact interval of time such that you are stunned, and right as you stand back up, you are attacked and knocked back down. This can be extremely frustrating. Also, the part where you actually get to bring down a Star Destroyer with the force is one of the most annoying and frustrating parts of the game and may as well not have been there.

Overall I enjoyed the game and I would recommend it. I give it a 7.5/10

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