Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

"The Star Wars game we've all wanted"

I've played nearly every game LucasArts has ever produced, and this one is by far one of the best. Basically everything you'd ever want to do as a Jedi warrior is in here, and it's done quite well in this gamer's opinion. While there are some minor flaws within, it's nothing you can't easily get over, and I feel like this is one title you won't want to miss.

On to the technical stuff:

GRAPHICS: 8/10
Nothing overly special here to merit a higher score, partially because the action tends to turn your focus away from the background, but the character models and environments are really quite striking if you ever take the time to look at them. I think the animations are also quite well done, my favorite being the Sith Strike. Unfortunately, there's nothing totally mind-blowing and the occasional framerate hiccup earns this game a solid 8.

GAMEPLAY: 9/10
In my opinion this is where Force Unleashed really shines. As a huge fan of all things Star Wars, I've always dreamed of a game where you can command the force in the same way you see in the movies. Well, here's you chance, guys and gals. Hurling stormtroopers off of platforms and blasting an AT-ST with your force lightning never gets old, and if you take full advantage of your wide array of combat options it really doesn't get repetitive, despite what you may have heard.

Also, the story is fantastic! I've felt like this kind of plot is what was missing from the prequel movies all along. Intriguing dialogue, interesting characters, and a strong emphasis on what I call the "Star Wars Theme" makes the story great.

CONTROLS: 8/10
Most of the time you can execute your different combat options with relative simplicity, with no combos being too complex for you to avoid using. However, force grip can get a little tricky at times and sometimes it's hard to keep the frenzy bonus going because the dash move doesn't quite reach those spaced out enemies.

SOUND: 8/10
Well there should be no surprises here. We all know what everything sounds like in the Star Wars universe, so the sounds and music should all be familiar. The only reason this doesn't get a full ten is I wish they had thrown in a few more new tracks. I guess we all can't get everything we want.

OVERALL: 8/10
While not perfect, this game has certainly provided me with hours of entertainment, and I hope after this review you go out and buy this game and enjoy it just like I did!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/25/08

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