Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

"The Mediocre Jedi Experience"

So now that Episode III has been released in theatres, I have been able to play the game and give my own review. Of course the game focuses on Obi Wan and Anakin but you'll find this game to be short and often times frustruating. The lightsaber duels still can be exciting and the force powers and fun to use (I keep thinking of the Episode I game where all you could do was Force Push). Other than the story mode, there is also a mode where you can duel either the computer or your friends using a variety of characters.
The Force isn't strong with this one, but it certainly isn't weak.

Gameplay: 8/10

For the most part, the gameplay is pretty good but it is very linear with little to do other than the game wants you to do. You'll be given a lightsaber of course and then you'll have fast, average, and then slow attacks. You'll find yourself using the fast attacks but every once and a while you'll use a slow critical attack and maybe an average power attack. Either way, killing droids and force users is pretty fun but sometimes you'll find some parts way too hard while other parts being way too easy, there really isn't a perfect set difficulty through the game.

The Force powers in this game are very fun to use where the consist of Force Grasp (easily the most useful), Force Lightning, Force Push, Saber Throw, Jedi Mind Trick, Force Heal and a few others I can't really think of off the top of my head. You will be using these force powers a lot because they are especially useful against other lightsaber users. Also, during the missions you will have to use force powers to move obstacles out of the way. Speaking of obstacles, you will also use lightsabers to cut through doors.

There are 16 missions in this game, most that take a mere twenty minutes to beat or even shorter than that. Some of these consist of basically lightsaber duels. A lightsaber duel will normally have 3 to 4 stages to fight through meaning there will be 4 transitions to other areas of the dueling ring. There are also 5 bonus missions where you play as other characters such as General Grievous, Grievous's Bodyguard, Yoda, and even Darth Vader.

Also at the end of every mission you have a chance to upgrade your moves and your force powers. It's not that hard to level them all up and if you're really good at this game, you can level up every thing by the end of the game. Other than that, you'll find a few things to level up after beating the game.

Graphics: 6/10

The graphics in this game are downright terrible. The character models look very blocky and they're just...so plain. The backgrounds however are much better but still aren't anything impressive compared to games like God of War (which is just about in the same genre). The only character model that looks just about like themself is Greivous and if it really counts...Mace but that's because he's bald and has a really plain face. There isn't much to say about the graphics but they are some cool cutscenes and some from the movies (which at least are enjoyable).

Sound: 8/10

While the music of course is great because it is taken from John William's original score. They are taken from all the movies except Episode III it seems but that's perfectly alright. The acting however is less than good because Anakin gives the most dull performance for a video game I've ever heard (Not really but close). Obi Wan however sounds much better but it still isn't anything great. The voices were taken from the Clone Wars series and I guess they will do the job but it would still be so much more awesome if they got the cast from the movie.

The sound effects such as the lightsaber effects and explosions are pretty much right on and they sound great. While the music and the sound effects does the job, the acting certainly doesn't cut it however, I don't care about sound that much.

Replay Value: 6/10

This game takes 4-6 hours to beat on normal. There I said it. The 16 missions don't take long however there are bonus mission to add a couple hours if even that. Also there is a versus mode that might last you a couple hours. However you might be compelled to play the whole game through at least once to find all the secrets and to upgrade your characters. Still though, unless you're a diehard Star Wars fan, I would wait until it's 20 dollars or just rent it.

Fun: 8/10

This game is fun while it lasts but it's too short. During the lightsaber duels you will find it frustruating a few times so it kind of ruins the experience. While they can be fun, that's only if you are kicking ass. I found that the lightsaber attacks are too weak against Jedi and Sith members so that's what made it frustruating.

Overall: 7.2

It is a fun game and it has its moments but it can be too frustruating, too linear, and too short to actually enjoy and buy this game. It's definitely worth a rental but if you are thinking about buying it, I'd wait until it's at least 30 dollars. Hope you found this review useful.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/07/05