Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

Mike Bantick
Monday, 01 November 2010 08:22

Entertainment

Like the original Star Wars movies, did the original game really need a follow-up?  It's pretty clear the answer is no.

You know what you are going to get with Star Wars products.  The opening chords, the scrolling text, the panning camera and then the illogical scream of a space craft zooming through the void.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II
	Developer	LucasArts
	Publisher	LucasArts
	Rating	M
PC, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, NDS, Reviewed on PS3

In video-game land, it usually means a sub-par, rushed to market experience, of which the original Force Unleashed was a refreshing break from the mould, providing a satisfying Star Warsian ride over many iconic and new planets all in glorious HD.

The Force Unleashed II is here and continues the story of Starkiller, Darth Vader's (is he a clone or not) apprentice as he attempts to break free of his master and pursue the love (?, it's not real clear) of his life, Rebel captain Juno.

Taking place between Episode III and Episode IV as far as the Star Wars film canon is concerned, there is plenty of story to be explored as the Rebel Alliance continues to thwart the Empire.

The game is played as the first, a third person action style with the combination of lightsaber and Force power combat.  Unleashed II has gone to great lengths to almost solve the major issue of the first game.  That was targeting, especially for Force powers such as Force Grip.  This game certainly has improved the process, now providing a 'lock on' button, that is awkward to use, given usually there are two other buttons plus an analogue stick in use at the same time, but still welcome.

Other than the lock on process, the controls are pretty good, there are some complex combinations to learn here, and the nature of the enemies Starkiller will face, will mean switching techniques on the fly is essential, as such, the input needs to be intuitive and natural.  For the most part it is, with only the awkwardness, again of Force Grip, where Starkiller must remain stationary, yet use the analogue stick to direct the Force, can sometimes result in accidental plummeting deaths.

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