The Force Unleashed
PS3, PSP, Xbox360, Wii, DS (Wii version reviewed)
4 out of 5
T for Teen
I know I was going to write about the Perfect World Internation MMO this week, but something come up.
A little something called Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
I've been waiting for this game forever, and what I've played so far clearly shows that it was worth it.
While the Wii version's graphics are inferior to it's PS3 and Xbox360 counterparts, The Force Unleashed has a bit more to offer.
For starters, TFU on the Wii has extra levels, a duel mode and, most importantly, motion controls. Swing your controller left, Starkiller (the main character) will swing his saber left. Swing it right, it goes right. There are five basic movements: up, down, left, right and forward. Forward does a very handy thrusting motion. By chaining these moves together, you can get some pretty nice combos.
One of the major differences between the Wii version and the other console versions is the focus on the lightsaber. Since the game is The Force Unleashed, the force plays a major role. Starkiller is one of the most powerful force-users ever. Or, at least, that's how they are making him out. He's got some very powerful moves, and that makes this game really great. You can toss around boxes at enemies. You can toss enemies at enemies. You can grip enemies and then throw your saber into them or shock them with lightning. There's a lot you can do.
Other than the lightsaber controls (which are completely controlled with the Wiimote), movement and using the force are very simple and intuitive. If you push your Nunchuck forward, Starkiller will do a Force Push. If you hold down the Z button, you'll use the force to move things around, which can then be thrown. Holding the Z button and B button, then moving both the Nunchuck and the Wiimote down does a move called Force Repulse, which is really neat.
I've only scratched the surface of this game, and as I progress more, I'll write it about it on my blog athttp://blogs.themonitor.com.
My first impression, though? This game is a must-have.
Check out the blog to find out more.
Adam Wratten is Online Editor and Resident Gamer for The Monitor and themonitor.com. He can be reached at (956) 683-4421.
