subject: Review: Star Wars: Force Unleashed - My Inner Sith [print this page] Written by Podunker:Bytemap Written by Podunker:Bytemap
This is one of the games that many Star Wars Fans and just fans of gaming have been waiting for because of the inclusion of an environment that is nearly indestructible or that it responds accordingly to your force powers. Lucas Arts has embedded 3 different Engines into this game play to give us an experience like none other, at least this is their intention. I would have to agree on this part..it felt like I was GOD. LOL. But enough expose, let's get to the meat.
Available Platforms: PS2, PSP, PS3, XBOX 360, Wii, DS, iPod Touch, iPhone, N-Gage
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fighting
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Release Date: September, 16, 2008
Publishers: THQ Wireless, LucasArts
Developers: LucasArts, Krome Studios, n-Space, Universomo
Story: 10/10
You are "Star Killer" an apprentice Sith under spy under the helm of Darth Vader to infiltrate the inner workings of the Empire. Interesting plot note, you are a bad guy, spying on the bad guy. Either way, your role is simple, to unleash havoc to anyone in your way in your quest of gaining new information for Darth Vader and unraveling a story that actually gives you a closer look into the Universe of the Star Wars Franchise.
The story to say the least is the main reason I found it a little hard to put down, it kept me wondering what was next. Why did he do that? Does he like that girl? Is there a something else going on here that I don't know of? Why send him to kill off those people? What is really going on? Heh, with that last question, it literally blew my mind on how much the story had tied into the movies, books and in a whole the Star Wars Universe, more so than any other game I've experience within the Star Wars Franchise.
I would say because of that one WOW Factor for me, I'd give the story 10/10. It leaves itself for more to be explained, but not dragged out. It sort of makes sense, since I've been told this draws from a book already made, but then again, sometimes books to games doesn't get a good translation.
Gameplay: 9.5/10
Now even though I mentioned the meat is the story, to me it is. It gives me a reason to play, even in if in a simplistic manner, but the heart is the game play mechanics. If there is no fun in playing a game, no matter how others may think it is repetitive, if it retains that fun factor to the individual, it SHINES. Let's be honest here, most if not all games contain a level of repetitive game play: Shoot here, talk there, go here to advance story, etc.
However, this is always subjective, but for me the game play of having a somewhat super powerful, force wielding, gun-ho crazy Sith where I get to throw, swing, push, electrocute, choke, stab, bomb my enemies OVER and OVER again, never lost its luster for me.
It is the one thing I was expecting from older Star War games that ability to do all those moves in the movies. Granted I couldn't do them all, but it is one heck of an improvement from before and one I gladly appreciated.
I will say it isn't without its downfall. The way the lock on feature handles is a bit loose at times, I would've like the option to pin-point my selection of Storm Trooper or object at that instant, but sometimes the closer object was selected. It wasn't that big of a deal, but something I believe they would fix in future Star Wars Games.
Onto the Audio ecstasy that is Sound. I'll keep this one brief ^_^, because honestly the musical scores went with their respective environments and backgrounds giving me that feeling of being in that Star Wars Universe I've grown to love. All those laser sounds, people grunting, crying for help as I toss them mercilessly outside into the spacial abyss with the whoosh of the windows locking down not to suck all the air out of the space station was just very well done and immersive for me.
Graphics: 10/10
Graphics are just an understatement to this game. It does extremely well in making me believe I'm in those weird environments that are known or even unknown to the Star Wars Universe. I especially loved the planet Felucia which was all of plants, very confusing, but fun and a little eerie on how the reaction from the plants response was to tossing their own people against it. It did so well that it looked beautiful on the PS3 and 360. A testament to the great graphics these systems supply to the gamer.
I will note that I didn't experience any slowdowns or glitches of texture clippings as I have seen others make mention of. Don't know what the difference between my game play and theirs, but if it did happen I would change the score accordingly, i.e. take a half a point away.)
Challenge
There is a challenge aspect as they have you wanting to increase the difficulty which in turn makes our fights a bit harder. It makes the Storm Troopers a bit longer to kill which to me, is its only downside because I believe since I'm more powerful they should be easily disposable.
However it also does turn up the Jedi's powers, making your fights with them a bit longer, but more strategic. That to me, makes sense, because since I'm an apprentice taking on full fledge Jedi, I would definitely expect a challenge from them, more so than on Normal difficulty, even though the Normal wasn't a walk in the park.
Replay Value: 7/10
Its replay value stems from those extra difficulties you want to play to gain achievements within the 360 environment and trophies I do believe in the PS3 environment. You can go back and get light crystals to boost up your players attributes to make him a more FULL FLEDGE powerful Force user and from what I gather 2 different choices in the end you could make that alters the story a bit. (I only chose one and haven't gone back to the other mainly because of time constraints, but I definitely want to revisit)
Note about score: It could've given me a bit more, but I guess that's what those New DLC added, I haven't played them, so I couldn't tell you, maybe at some other time.
Overall
All in all, this game met my expectations and then some: an awesome thrill ride of Star Wars Force Pushing, Gripping, and Light saber throwing proportions. I know others may think it isn't worth the $60, but to be honest, I believe no game is worth $60 (unless it's doing my taxes or guarantees me some money back over time
I would say if you still feel doubtful, buy this game on sale or maybe rent in case you're not sure. Possibly visit a buddy's house to try it out, but if you enjoy the force powers no matter how many times you toss a storm trooper into other storm troopers, then you will enjoy. It is definitely FUN, at least to me.
Final Score: 9/10
Review: Star Wars: Force Unleashed - My Inner Sith
By: gamepodunk
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
