19.2.2010

If you're unsure about buying this game - as I was initially - stop thinking about it and just get it. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed has given me the most addictive and enjoyable game experience I've had on any platform in a long time. Heck, it has made me love my Wii more than ever. This is as close as any Star Wars fan can come to actually not just using but feeling the Force. You don't just run around clicking buttons to shoot a phaser or rely solely on swinging wildly with the Wiimote-controlled light saber - especially if you're surrounded by a gang of imperial Storm troopers or exotic alien enemies. No, you have access to a mighty array of dark side Force powers,and the whole environment is there to aid you in your fight. There's nothing like hurling a sizeable piece of machinery at one of your foes or hurling an enemy through a wall. And the storyline isn't just an excuse for all of the fighting action; it makes for a significant and far from simplistic chapter in the epic saga, filling some of the void in between Episodes III and IV. And, perhaps best of all, this game gives all of us lifelong Star Wars fans a chance to finally get our own hands on the Emperor.You play Darth Vader's secret apprentice, taken as a boy after Vader dispatched his Jedi father. Sensing the strength of the Force in the child, Vader has secretly trained and groomed you for years - and now the time has come for Vader's plans for you to reach fruition. Combining your powers together, the two of you will stand against and defeat the Emperor. First, though, you have to prove that you are indeed ready for the ultimate battle. Despite the ruthless efficiency with which the infamous Order 66 was implemented, a few Jedi knights remain alive and in hiding across the galaxy. Vader's spy network is hard at work locating these stragglers, and he assigns you the job of eliminating them. These missions will take you to such exotic worlds as the extremely floral planet of Felucia and the junk planet Raxus Prime, Kashyyyk (the Wookie homeworld), and an Imperial TIE fighter construction facility, with several jaunts to the ruined Jedi temple on Coruscant thrown in for good measure. Since your existence must remain a secret from the Emperor, you'll be killing anything that gets in your way, including imperial forces. The nature of your overall mission becomes more complex as you go along, which leaves your ultimate fate in your own hands. Additionally, you can expect to see a couple of very familiar faces enter your young life before all is said and done.As much fun as this game is, it is by no means perfect. The controls can be clunky on occasion, and the shifting camera angle can leave you fighting blind at times. It can also be something of a challenge to master some of the advanced moves in your dark side arsenal, which is not necessarily a bad thing. There are a number of destructive powers and combination moves you can learn as you progress through the game, and the challenge of mastering them all lends itself to replayability. (I should add that there is an excellent tutorial to help you learns the mechanics of each move.) My biggest beef with the game, though, has to do with the Boss fights on each level. You can bring all of your powers to bear in weakening a Boss, but the actual kill sequence is taken almost entirely out of your hands - you're compelled to move either your Wiimote or Nunchuck at specific times in order to successfully execute the killing sequence. As a result of this, the Boss fights are easily my least favorite part of the game - and that just isn't the way things ought to be. I also have to agree with those who describe the game as too easy. When you die, you basically just start right back where you left off. This won't be a problem for a casual gamer such as myself (who doesn't want to have to start over at the beginning of any given level over and over again with each death), but hardcore gamers will probably wish there was more of a disincentive for dying.Despite the game's weaknesses, though, I still have tons of fun playing it. You don't even have to master all of the coolest moves in order to progress through the game; even children should have little trouble learning the basic mechanics of combat. I also happen to think the storyline is quite good, and the voice actors are amazing (the guy who does Vader sounds exactly like the real deal - I would swear it was James Earl Jones supplying the voice if I didn't know otherwise). I can't comment on the Duel Mode component of the game because I don't really have an interest in dueling other players, but I know I'll be replaying the single-player game many a time in the weeks and years ahead. This is as close as you're likely to come to feeling the power of the dark side for yourself.

23.9.2008

Reading the reviews, its like people write this game off too quickly. Lets start by saying its a lot more than Lego Star Wars. Lets add by saying it is not called 'Light Saber' unleashed. Please also remember that the Wii remote currently is not able to map your movements exactly, which is why they are bringing out MotionPlus.Ok, so it starts of and you are getting a feel for the game, there is a LOT to learn, and it brings you in. Slowly you build up your powers and it is FUN to use them ALL.Controls and Manuoeveres:To use the Lightsaber, it is swinging your Wii remote about, try different combinations to get a flowing attack. When you do get it right, it is great and very flowing.Some people seem to concentrate on just using the light saber and there being no tactics other than swishing your remote about. This game is more about the combination of moves. Try using Force Dash to get around and strike.Let me see what moves I can remember off the top of my head:- Choke- Lightening Strike- Force Push - can follow up with a ball of lightening (I like this)- Charge up opponents with electricity, then detonate them- Lift up enemies and impale them with your light saber- Jump and slam your light saber into the ground- Pick Opponents up and slam them into the groundThese are my favourites, there are others which link onto after lightsaber combos.Camera is not that great. It follows you about, however a quick turn and it is pointing in the wrong direction. Where is that button which centres behind your character?! It can get annoying when you go into the defend position and it turns you round to an enemy behind you as opposed to facing forwards!And, yes, you can use your light saber to deflect laser fire back at your enemies.Finishing moves for bosses involve a series of shakes on either the Nunchuck or Wii Remote, as you watch your character pummel the enemy.Story:Not that great, does have a few twists to keep it interesting. One noticeable thing is your pilot just happens to be an attractive (as far as CGI can be) blonde - kinda obvious where that one might lead.Not much scope for free play, you go to the Navi computer expecting to be able to choose your route. Not so, it appears fixed - at least at this stage.Upgrades:You will be able to choose various costumes as the game progresses, different light sabers and an enhancement crystal.Overall:I like this game. I could not see how it works on other consoles, as the freedom the controls give you... could not imagine doing it with buttons.It absorbed me more into the game than Mario Galaxy did (not to say it will be the same for everyone) and the enjoyment comes from defeating masses of enemies with your ever growing powers.Concentrate on the game being a full package of what force powers to use along with your light saber, and not just light saber, and then you can start thinking about tactics to clean out rooms - there will always be a few you can use.You cannot die in this game, you will revert back to the last saved position, however enemies defeated after the save stay defeated when you revert back. It might be that if you complete it with loosing minimal lives, you might get a different ending.So great fun to play at the moment - 5*, however due to the limiting feel of the game, only 4* rating overall.My arms hurt after playing a lot of this.One useful hint:I found doing the light saber slams difficult - where you jump up and slam the light saber into the ground. As with most Wii games it can be about finding the way to move the remote to get a reliable outcome. For me, I would simply relax my hand and allow the Wii remote to go from pointing upwards to pointing downwards. Works 100%. Flicking my wrist downwards was not reliable (possibly because there is an initial "up" movement when I do this)

6.12.2009

I had great expectations for this game when I first put it in my Wii. I had previously played the PS3 version, and I was hoping for the game to be just as good.Luckily, it lived up to the expectations.Once you've got round the fact the the graphics are never going to be as good as the PS3, you've got a pretty much flawless game in front of you. The greatest thing about the Wii version of the game is the sheer interactivity of it. For instance, if you've got someone or something in your force grip, you can adjust it's height by moving the nunchuck up or down. Alternatively, if you see an enemy in the distance you can hold (A) and make a throwing motion with the Wii remote and see your actions mimicked by the figure on the screen.

9.4.2010

I first got this game when it came out but I only managed to complete the first level. I got frustrated with how long the level took me to complete and I did not like that even if you saved the level you had to start the level from the beginning if you quit the game.Recently however I have just finished reading the book. I really enjoyed it so decided to give the game another chance. I started from where I left off but I found that I enjoyed it much more. I made sure that I gave myself enough time to complete a level and to my surprise I found myself completing more.I enjoyed playing the different levels and while the game is not taxing on the brain power it is not meant to be,

5.10.2008

I'm afraid I'd have to disagree with my esteemed fellow reviewers.I love this game!I'll be the first to admit that I'll turn a blind eye to some minor foibles to anything Star Wars related. The prequel trilogy had clunky dialogue, sure, but I was able to enjoy their spectacular set pieces and visual splendour all the same.So while this game may be a little on the short side and feels somewhat rushed in places it's also a fun action adventure romp made all the more satisfying by the Wii's unique interface.In fact, I'd say that it's the Wii's controls that prevent this from being a paint by numbers hack n slash affair.Dispatching storm troopers with a dismissive slash of the Wii remote while

2.2.2009

This product is well worth it, if you are a fan of Star Wars and have seen the movies. Clearly the person who said their ten year old finished it in a day should have told the kid to get outside and play, as the warnings clearly state that you shouldn't play for longer than a couple of hours, wouldn't be surprised if she claimed he had ADHD.... the excuse for bad parenting these days....it used to be dyslexia...and Chronic fatigue before that....Absentee parent rant over, you have to remember that for a small hand held console the graphics are actually quite good, and obviously they aren't gonna be high def or anything, but it works (remember you are watching a LEGO STAR WARS GAME! not the REAL FILM!)

28.9.2008

This game is set between Episodes III and IV. the first level sees you playing as Darth Vader who has been sent to track down and kill one of the few jedi who survived Order 66. Vader defeats the Jedi and then kidnaps his son whom Vader senses a strong power in. 15 years later the son now the Apprentice of Vader a.k.a Starkiller is about to start his first Mission.The basic gameplay involves swinging the WiiRemote like a Lightsaber,collecting Lightsaber crystals, heath and force meter powerups, Concept Art ect. You will face many enemies including Stormtroopers, AT-ST's Fugitive Jedi and even some Sith Lords.The Story mode is great with a deep Plot and numerous characters.Some are from the

9.11.2008

This game was much better than I expected. And I did expect to like it.I was wary of so many ways to use the force. But the controls are really rather intuitive and accessible.The story isn't shoddy either. The characterisation and dialogue could be a little better, but the overall story arc fits Star Wars.You can feel like a behemoth of power when getting stuck in to the mooks. Throwing them around, blasting them with lightning, chopping them up with the lightsabre, choking the life out of them, or tossing objects at them.Much of the scenery is useable, or at least open to being destroyed.The fights with the bosses could be a little better, although there are elements to those fights that make them special.

30.12.2008

I love this game, and I'm frustrated by this game. Finally, a game has come out that looks like the Star Wars movies. Since I love the movies so much, the story for the game seems a little ridiculous to me at times, but it's good enough to take us along on a fun-to-play adventure. The strategy guide, however, is not as in-depth as I would have liked. Sometimes things aren't explained very well, and it doesn't tell you much about everything available to earn, as in costumes, lightsaber crystals, etc.My biggest complaint is about the Star Destroyer sequence. I've read many reviews of the game that describe it as the toughest sequence in the game, which it is...at first. The first time I did it took about half an hour.

23.8.2009

I am a Star Wars fan always looking for a good PS2 game. I have been waiting for the price of the Force Unleashed to come down and time for any guides/walkthroughs to be written - I have no qualms about using help when I am stuck.You start as Darth Vader on a single mission mindlessly hacking through numerous enemies. You then become his apprentice. Various Star Wars planets are visited (and later revisited) seeking out your prey - who usually become the boss battle for that part of the game. You gain points for killing the literally thousands of enemies which can then be used to upgrade your powers. These include saber, force and electricity powers.The game is essentially a third person shooter.

24.1.2009

by will cherryi got this game for christmas having seen the advert on tv, and i wasn't dissapointed. it has a very good way of using the force and force points. as you go throught the game the enemies get harder to defeat - especially the jedi!, but this only makes the game more enjoyable.there are only a few minor bad points about this otherwise brilliant game. one of them is that you have to complete the whole level before you can save the game properly, which can be a bit annoying as some of the levels are quite long. also, whene you are facing the at-st they always send missiles at you, which makes it harder to beat it.but overall, this is possibly the best star wars game ever made.

20.9.2008

Having bought this game, I can say that I was very impressed overall, despite that gameplay can get repetitive. I initially wanted to get the PS3 version but yet again I was put off getting the PS3 console due to more horror stories about overheating etc.But I was pleasantly surprised to see that the PS2 version is a great quality game (I feared that due to the fact that the PS2 is practically dead now, this was going to be half a game, so to speak).The story itself was fantastic and really felt that I was part of a star wars movie. I was also happy to see some of my favourite star wars characters either in the main game or as unlockable characters later on,

6.10.2008

Before people say anything else, I will say, this is a damn good game. For the Wii, the graphics is good. The Force Powers work well, and i mean well, who would have thought throwing stormtroopers could be so much fun?The Lightsaber fighting works well, and duel mode is good fun. Imagine Tekken, but full 3D arenas you can run around, amazing force powers, good selection of characters and plenty of things to throw. There's also the ability to be become "Unleashed" which really hypes up your force powers and allows you to pick up massive things with the force (like a full TIE fighter on the TIE Construction Yard arena) or smash down the walls (On the Jedi Temple Arena).HOWEVER,

17.9.2014

First of all, if you're not into your star wars very much, then don't bother. The story wasn't great, the levels were repetetive, And it wasn't particularly inventive. And it wasn't recieved too well with critics.But, if you are a star wars fan, then it might be worth a go! The force powers were awesome, and the idea was great!But unfortunately, this game was a bit of a wasted oppurtunity.You play as galen merek, who is Darth Vaders apprentice, and you basically go through the levels plowing through stormtroopers. So there isn't a lot in this game to make you think. The length was short too, I think it only took me 8 to 9 hours. And there isn't a lot of replay value.One good thing is that even though this is on the ps2,

25.9.2008

I've played a lot of the star wars games and this one rates highly. Its not addictive like some but it is definately one of the most enjoyable. The added element of game play that the Wii gives you makes it like no other game, and whilst its a different way to play it comes quite naturally.The CG characters have a well developed personality and inner story which makes them engaging to watch and interact with. My only regret is that there isn't more interaction and freedom like a RPG would afford.The sort of person that would enjoy this game is someone who loves Star Wars and always wanted to fight a lightsaber dual for real. The action element is incredible,

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