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As a Star Wars fan, I've realized that quality video games are really a hit and miss proposition. On the plus side we've got the sublime KOTOR and the frantic Rogue Squadron, on the other games like Bounty Hunter and Masters of Teras-Kai. Being part of an established franchise isn't easy. The expectations of a Star Wars game generally go beyond that of good gameplay. Story and character play an integral role. A good game will nail these, but a great game? A great game will create a new scenario with fresh faces while tying into enough of the existing mythos to change the way we look at the Star Wars universe. Force Unleashed is a great game.
Light spoilers will be contained within, so if you're looking for a totally fresh experience you're going to want to stop reading now. My apologies, but so much of Force Unleashed is about the story that it would be impossible to write a review otherwise.
As most of the advertising and pre-press has suggested, Force Unleashed takes place between episodes III & IV and tells the tale of Darth Vader's secret apprentice, StarKiller. But while the game's main focus is on Starkiller, it's as much about the birth of the Rebel Alliance and the happenings within the Empire during the period, and it gives us a great look into the darker side of Vader. I'll try not to touch much more on the story for the sake of those who value some great twists and turns. I'll just say this -- it's as good as the story in KOTOR, though much briefer. The writing and voice acting are lightyears beyond what you'll find in the most recent trilogy, and the key elements are far more important to the overall mythos. If you're a Star Wars fan, you need to play this game.
But what if you're not a Star Wars fan? Is there enough here to warrant the 8-10 hour investment required? The answer to that is a little iffy. The gameplay is similar to God of War but not quite as tight. Swapping out magic for force powers is a no-brainer, and the combo-purchasing system makes for some fantastic evolution in lightsaber play -- but there is a certain repetitiveness that sets in pretty quickly. While a variety of enemies appear, many of them just feel like different skins on the same AI with a slight tweak. That's not to say every enemy is the same -- but battling Rancors shouldn't feel exactly like battling AT-ST's.
The levels themselves are fairly generic as well. While the visual design is starkly different from planet to planet, the environments never really play a part in changing up the gameplay. Despite the problems with repetition though, the combat makes things frantic and fun. Often you'll be faced with platoons of stormtroopers, or better yet two opposing factions already engaged in a fight, and you'll get lost in the heat of battle taking on dozens of enemies at once. Scenarios like that require a bit of strategy as well. Saving the easy to kill stormtroopers for health is a good plan, but you'll need to take out the sniping Scout Trooper before he becomes a real problem -- but can you do that while dodging at AT-ST's fire? It's beyond frantic and tons of fun.
Boss fights are just as tight. Each one has it's own style and strategy and provide some great challenge that makes you feel like you've really accomplished something at the end.
Still - the real appeal of Force Unleashed lies with it's fan service. The first level let's you play as Darth Vader. Expanded universe features like Dark Troopers make cameos. Series staples like Bail and Leia Organa, Mon Motha, and a few sarlaacs make an appearance. Hell -- one level takes you inside a sarlaac. Even the under-used but over stylish Darth Maul makes an explainable appearance.
As a Star Wars fan, I'd have to say Force Unleashed is a must play. You'll note I said "play" and not "buy." The short play length and lack of replayability (no multiplayer, no planned DLC, no reasons whatsoever) would definitely put this one into the rent category.
If you're a Star Wars fan, this is the game you've been waiting for. If you're not? It's still a solid action title and well worth a look.
[Editor's Note: the Xbox 360 version of the game was played for review]
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