Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

By Liam O'Connor

Star Wars games have practically mastered the excitement of piloting an X-wing down the trenches of the Death Star and of wielding a lightsaber, but they have never fully delivered on the visceral thrill of using the Force.

While you have been able to use the Force in previous titles, it’s always come across as weak lip service to what should be some of the most fun you can have with a video game. A Force push here, a mind trick there – you always feel more Luke Skywalker circa Empire, rather than Master Yoda or Darth Vader.

LucasArts is determined to change that with its new Star Wars title: The Force Unleashed. As its name suggests, the title is all about using the Force in ways you have never truly seen before. You’ll be able to do far more than simply push Stormtroopers off cliff edges; you’ll finally be able to destroy entire rooms with your power.

The Force Unleashed promises an experience where you will be able to use the Force to leap across rooms, crush enemies by the thousands, take down Rancor as if they were children, and even bring down Imperial Star Destroyers. Never before has a Star Wars game seemed so fresh. That alone makes it one of the most exciting prospects of 2008.

One of the more interesting things about The Force Unleashed is its setting. Little is known about the plot, but so far we know that players will act as an apprentice to Darth Vader, and will hunt down the Jedi threat to the Empire.

It remains to be seen whether or not the player is a true Sith due to the Rule of Two, and LucasArts aims to include some kind of morality system to make things interesting. It is known that one of the principle enemies in the game will be Jedi Master Shaak Ti, who apparently escaped Order 66 unscathed, but other original Jedi will also make an appearance.

The Force Unleashed also makes its mark as being a multiplatform release that takes advantage of each system’s strengths. Rather than dismiss the gap in technology between the Xbox 360/PS3 and the Wii and provide a watered-down port for Nintendo fans, LucasArts is trying something a little different.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will feature state-of-the-art graphics and physics that will allow for unprecedented use of the Force, whereas the weaker Wii will feature motion-controlled Force powers and a versus mode to make up for a lack of raw computational power. There will also be a PS2 version so thrifty games don’t feel left out.

The Force Unleashed is not only one of the more exciting games of 2008, it’s also one of the most exciting things to happen to Star Wars. With a unique plot and setting and the potential to allow players to stretch out with their feelings, unlearn what they have learned, and truly use the Force, The Force Unleashed looks like to be a winner. Keep it locked to NZGamer for a full review of this exciting upcoming title.

 del.icio.us  StumbleUpon  Facebook  Reddit

ReplyPosted by nightmarishrequiem on 17 July 2008, 10:53PM

yes!!! cant wait 4 dis 1