Star Wars: The Clone Wars

"Mediocre single player, but best LIVE game to date!"

Ok, the Clone Wars...another port from other systems with beefed up supplies ala State of Emergency style. These beefed up ports have been quite an awesome gift to xbox gaming as of late. The following review really focuses on the xbox exclusive aspects of this game. Thus this review will be split into 2, one for single player, and one for multiplayer.

(Single Player)

Gameplay - 7, Quite a bit of fun as in previous Star Wars games, but can become very tedious are tiresome. Don't plan on looking forward too much to the ''Jedi Sequences'' advertised, becuase they are hokey at best, with lackluster controls and shallow/short gameplay. The vehicle combat sequences are really smooth though, the vehicles handle very well, and you are thrusted full-board into the Star Wars feel. In the end how ever the single player seems to becom a monotonous point-click-shoot that deserves an avergae score of fun.

Graphics - 8.5 Tight and slick. The graphics received a boost from the pior versions of this game, and it is pulled off well. Solid framerate most of the time and beautiful lazer fire-fights. The vehicles are well modeled and pretty. The only thing lacking would be in the explosions, they lack somewhat, which seems to be typical of Lucasarts games for some reason - X-wing anyone?

Sound - 8 Really Decent, great lazer fire and sound, really pulls you into the feel even more, but nothing to get overly excited about.

Replay Value - 10 HUGE With large ammounts of unlockables and the Multiplayer aspect which is detailed below.

(LIVE/Multiplayer)

This is onew of those games that is worth buying just for the LIVE and spilt screen. I owned the gamecube version of this before, but bought this just for LIVE and split screen, and I am VERY pleased. In my opinion this is the best and most addicting LIVE title out yet.

LIVE - 10 Is there anything higher than 10? Best LIVE title out yet, with deep, enriching gameplay that keeps you coming back for more. There are numerous different gameplay modes online to fit every style. The one with most flair, and the one I will describe breifly is Conquest. Like and RTS crossed with mechassault your goal is to destory the other teams HQ. Along the way you can conquer and control outpost, and when docked you can build turrets to protect your outpost, and once 4 are built each outpost will build two computer controlled units to fight for your side which you can command! Imagine the geonosis battle in the Clone Wars and that is what you will see. Charging in with your mates with a full handful of AI units backing you up. One match my team were chargin in with 12! Also once you have 4 turrets built you can dock up with that outpost and fire missles (which are guided by you) and heavy turrets and enemy structures and players - simply awesome.

NOTE:In split screen Conquest is there, and there is system link for up to 8 players, but not all of the options are included for it offline, but it is STILL a blast and well worth your time!

IN CONCLUSION: If you are just looking for a solid single player game then it is 50/50. Might wanna rent it first. If you are looking for a sweet split screen/link/LIVE titles then buy it as soon as you can get your grubby hands on it. In my opnion this blows Mechassault and everything else out there completely out of the water. Mechassault LIVE seeming shallow and reduntdant, but Clone Wars as rich and deep. This should become one of the hottest LIVE titles this year! Good luck See you LIVE!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/25/03, Updated 04/25/03