Platforms: Xbox 360 PS3 Wii DS PC
Developers: Lucas Arts
Players: Single Player
It has been over two years since we last got our grubby little gamer paws on some serious Jedi powers. In September of 2008, Lucas Arts released, ‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’, giving us the opportunity to take on the role of Darth Vader’s young apprentice, ‘Starkiller’. We force pushed, jumped and light sabered our way across a galaxy of Jedi allies, traversed countless worlds slaying enemies of the Empire and hunting down the defeated Jedi Masters.
However at the end of all that our loyalties were questioned and we turned our back on Vader only to get stabbed in the back (seriously that’s not a metaphor he actually stabbed us in the back!).
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II takes place only seven months after the prequel and is based one year before the events of Episode IV: A New Hope. So once more we throw ourselves into George Lucas’ world and bravely take on the mantle of wanted rebel.
Plot
Now as we said above The Force Unleashed II takes place just seven months after Darth Vader killed us in the prequel but now using the cloning method that granted the Empire an unstoppable army, Vader uses the method to bring you back to life or rather bring a new ‘Starkiller’ to life. However the new cloning procedure which allows for rapid cloning is not perfect and as Vader puts it, there have been others who were not so…fruitful and went mad days after being born.
When Vader realises that you are just as flawed as the others, you realise he means to have you terminated and so having no other option you flee his confinement and seek out those who may help you.
Along the way however old memories from a former life stalk the corridors of your fractured mind and a voice of a young woman haunts your every move. Where can you turn to? Who can you trust?
Around every corner the Empire lurks and to find the woman from your memories you must acquire the help of one of the most powerful Masters to ever exist…somewhere on Dagobah…
Gameplay
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II plays very much like the first game, similar Force powers are at your disposal as is the use of the light sabre. An action game jam packed with enough enemies to conquer the Empire twice over, Unleashed II feels a lot better than the first and the minor improvements that were needed in the first have been seen to and as the player it is very easy to get to grips with the system of play almost instantly.
As a clone of Starkiller you are now able to wield dual light sabres (that’s twice as much sword action than the first game and how could we say no to that?!) and as well as bringing old Force powers back to play with we are also granted some new tricks to play with including the ‘Jedi Mind Trick’ and ‘Force Fury’
Mind Trick is a rather random power which will confuse your enemies into attacking their allies, force them to take no action against you or even have them kill themselves by whatever means is close at hand all while screaming that they can’t take the pressure of life anymore!
Force Fury is quick adrenalin burst of power that sends Starkiller into a supped up power mode allowing him to devastate enemies and the environment around him.
The game will have you once more crossing the galaxy, fighting on various planets, tackling the Empire, solving puzzles and even giving you the chance to pilot a TIE fighter.
Unleashed II handles a lot better, feeling more fluid than the first with faster responses, smarter AI and sleeker graphics and motion. Cut scenes are breathtaking and even in game play has it’s moments of visual impact.
Overall
Is it a good game? Simply put… yes! If you are a fan of the first then you need to go out and grab yourself a copy right now (but please finish reading this first, that’s only common courtesy!) and if you haven’t played the first but like the look of the game then we suggest you grab both games. While it’s not detrimental to the plot of the game, it’s one of the few drawbacks to the sequel, it is nice to know the back story before you start playing the sequel.
Visually the game is a pure feast and we can’t help but get a little giddy when you Force shove a clone trooper over the edge or you cause his fragile little mind to snap. However taking down big bosses is still a pain in the Death Star and that annoying ‘Tap A then Tap X then Mash B’ system has returned and while we are lazy in all other aspects of our life don’t take the challenge out of defeating goliath bosses from us!
May the Force be with you as you make your way through this enjoyable and worthy game!
Good Points
Visually Amazing
YOU GET FORCE POWERS AGAIN!?
Improvements made to drawbacks in the prequel
Bad Points
Weak storyline
Lazy boss combat system
Rating
8/10
