Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

"Force + Crack = This game, and thats a good thing!!!"

There was a time in the late 70's when a man named George Lucas had a dream: To bring his greatest story to life on the big screen. He ultimately succeded and created the companys LucasArts and Industrial Light and Magic in the process. He continued to bring in revenue and ended up making a six part story, starting with episodes 4-6. It told the story of an evil empire ruled by a cunning Emperor and his right hand man, Darth Vader. They destroyed the old republic after ending years of war, and destroyed those who threatened the peace of the republic: The Jedi. A very skilled group of warriors who follow the ways of the force, which surrounds, binds, and penetrates us all. They could use the force to do anything from lifting objects to influencing the weak-minded. They used a peculiar weapon called a lightsaber, which was essentially a laser sword. The force was said to have two sides, the light and the dark. Those on the light side of the force could be called Jedi, but those on the opposing side where the Sith. Their trademark red lightsabers and "Darth" names gave off an ominous feel. The emperor, who was in fact a Sith himself, had only one opposition in his evil reign over the galaxy: The Rebel Alliance. In the end, with the help of the few remaining Jedi, the rebels destroyed the evil empire. But there was a gap that had not been filled. How did the rebels come to be? What happened to Vader after he was transformed into a mechanical beast? This brings us to the point you've all been waiting for: The game.

Story: 10/10 !!!!!!!!

This is story-telling at its best. It throws cliffhangers, plot twists and just plain awsome into one small package (that sells for $60). While I cannot give out any true information relating to the story, I can give you an idea of how you will start your adventure through the force. After the fall of the old republic, the emperor had Vader go on a Jedi hunt. His first mission was to Kashyyyk, a forest world home to the native Wookiee's. Through the carnage of burning carpets left in his wake, he finds, and defeats the hiding Jedi. Vader sees the mans son, and something posseses him to take him on as an apprentice. With promises of revenge toward the empire, you begin your first mission to kill a Jedi named Rahm Kota. With the dark side as your ally, the adventure begins........

Graphics: 10/10

As many people will disagree with me on the score I gave, I belive that it is an amazing feat that the graphics are as good as they are, through the engrossing environments and fast-paced combat. Every little detail is in tact as you play through endlessly amazing environments. This is a feat to be admired, and give the developers a round of applause for their efforts in making this possible.

Sound: 10/10

Its as simple as this: John Williams, big booms and laser blasts, and Chad Vader. Need I say more?

Gameplay: 8/10

Now this is where the game shines as well as dims.
The Good: Combat is fast, interesting, and pure fun. The level of ownage that couses through your veins when you completely obliterate your enemies with the force on crack. The controls integrate seemlessly into the gaming experince, and make things more fun. Lightning, Push, Grab, Throw, Impale, Slice, Dice, OWNAGE!!!!!!!!

The Bad: Combat is fast and fun, but the defence system is what may cause a few gripes among players (myself included). L is to block, but often times, if you are under attack, you cannot defend untill the opponent lets up inbetween their next attack. One of the Jedi you fight will perhaps land a long combo, and if you didn't block the first strike, the rest will hit. It is a very annoying part of gameplay that causes many deaths. The targeting system also leaves something to be aquired. (P.S. I was promised force repulse would incinarate people!!!!)

Overall 9/10

The game is great, aside from a few gripes I have it is a near perfect game. Now what I'm about to say may sound weird, but I don't recommend purchasing this game. This is game that will be played through very fast, all 8-10 hours of it, then left alone. The for some reason later in life, you want to play through it again. I have rented it, will return it, then someday rent it again because I had the strange yourning to do so. I am not saying this because the game is bad, but thats how it is for me. Oh, by the way, enjoy, and may the force be with you!!!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/25/08

Game Release: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (US, 09/16/08)