Star Wars: Force Unleashed Review

Plot

The game is set between the two Star Wars of episode three(Revenge of the Sith) and episode four (New Hope). You play as a young adult that was saved by Darth Vader, as a child, during an campaign in which Darth Vader was exterminating the last of the Jedi's. The apprentice, who only is giving the code name of "Star Killer", is quite loyal to his master, Darth Vader. Darth Vader sends his "Star Killer", to draw out the last of the Jedi's and to finish them off, while getting his "Star Killer" ready to take on the Emperor.

Presentation

With one of the best cut scenes I have seen this year, this is could be the best Star Wars game that have came out in the past 5 years. This is every Star Wars fanboy/girl dream. You get a story that is tied into the series without ruining what you have learn. No character that you have never heard of or something that you haven't scene. The voice all sync up. If your not a Star War fan or not, you will love the story from beginning to the end.

Graphics

Very nice graphics, but the cut scenes is what keep you into play. They do a lovely job on characters but the background and larger scale models is where it at. The Star Killer have numerous outfits that is well designed, but the boss look a little skimpy. Not as detail I would like it to be.

Sound

Lucas studio done well with this. They make the sound effects sound just like a movie. Everything you remember from all the movies, the rifles, the AT and ST mechanical noise. Also, Darth Vader voice is just like you remember without James Earl Jones providing the voice. So that is the good point. Now here the cliff notes that make you wish they would of spend time on the little things. Every robot have the same beep boop bop noise. They could of given them different rhythm noise but didn't. The characters you fight have the same battle cries and death cries. Very annoying but it save them from sounding dumb like some games. Also, when your fighting a boss they say somethings that have you question like, did a child come up with that line. When the boss battle is over with, you then hear the Hollywood dialog that you should expected.

Gameplay

With alot of button mashing similar to Dynasty Wars or Devil May Cry. This can get repetitive. Frame Rate drop in the middle of heated battles. It's a game that could of been promising but seem like a water down version of Assassin's Creed. Frame Rate drops when exploring new maps. The target system is really shitty. Especially, when they are numerous characters on the screen. Loading at moments when you least expected, but the moves are crazy. You can air juggle almost anything in this game that is equal to your size. Some of the larger scales characters will give you a little trouble. There is also mini-games, before you kill a couple of the larger scales characters and at the end of boss fights. A straight forward level based game that help it to get the story continuing instead of a Sandbox world that would of derailed you from your objective.


Replay Value
It not the longest game. It took me 8 hours to beat it, and I was goofing off and I left the game on. I think if it wasn't for the art work, and outfits of "Star Killer", I wouldn't of played it for that long. The concept art is well designed. You get to see sketches and clip art of what they was working on in the "DRAWING" room.

Verdict

With the frame rate dropping. The constant loading of the screen, the repetitiveness and camera control really kills this. But, the story saves this game, with glories cuts scenes, a character that seem to have no heart, no emotions, and no soul, is more than meets the eye. This game is one of the best Star Wars games and story in years. If you wanting a good story, pick it up from any place that sell video games. If you want it for gameplay, I suggest you rent this.


76% out of 100%