I am pathetic. Completely pathetic. I have still yet to complete Resident Evil: 4 for my Wii, and still I decided that it was time to embark on a new quest. So I headed on over to the local GameStop and checked out their selection of games that would keep me entertained. What caught my eyes surprised even me...although I did fail to find the GameCube copy of the Sonic Mega Collection that had the Sonic CD game on it (damn it! If anyone ever finds it...buy it for me, ok?)…Star Wars’ latest embarkment in the video game world, The Force Unleashed.
I’ve heard and read the reviews for the game and they were mixed to negative reactions. Which surprised me because we love beat ‘em up games…throw in the fact that it’s Star Wars AND a wide array of incomprehensible force powers, how the hell could this NOT be a good game? Well, to the IGN, Gamespot, and other reviews, Nintendo Head would like to give you guys…2 middle fingers.
The game is about a young boy who is taken under the wing of Darth Vader as his secret apprentice. Vader plans on training him to become all powerful and have him aid in the overtaking of the Empire. It’s actually a really cool concept story, because it tells the small, beginning workings of the downfall of the Imperial Empire that eventually takes place in Return of the Jedi. Although the concept looks great on the storyboard, I am actually displeased with the way it unveils itself…but I’ll get into that later. First up, the most important thing about a game: how it plays, of course.
I bought this game for the soul purpose of having a game that is easy to pick up, play, and just have fun with. Certainly it delivers on those accounts. It is one of the faster paced action games I’ve ever played, and notably, one of the more fun. It starts you off with a basic tutorial mode that has the player controlling Vader; it’s just used to familiarize yourself with the control scheme, which is important, because it does take a level or two to completely get use to. Simply enough, swinging the Wiimote controls the light saber, A is a block and dash button, B is jump, Control Pad is used for the camera. The Nun Chuck is used for all the force attacks; C for lightning, and Z for force grab, swing the Wii’s waggle to do a force push. I mention the controls in detail so you can get an understanding that they are reasonably comfortable to use. The only complaint I have with the controls is when you attempt a Force Choke, because it does get uncomfortable at times (Hold Z and turn the Nun Chuck upside down…a little cramp-tastic, but thankfully not a move you’ll use a great deal). Overall, excellent control scheme.
Oh…and I should note that Gamespot called this “the most waggle-heavy" game on the Wii. And in a sense, he’s right. Everything you do is based off of moving the two controllers, however, don’t let that confuse you. The syntax used tends to lean towards the fact that it’s painful to use, which is a complete farce. The game requires little effort to pull off the attacks, and you can sit down and play for hours. Also, a website called Zero Punctuation said, "trying to follow an aerobics routine with both your arms tied to different windmills.” I guess they played this game using their feet, or maybe didn’t understand how to use it. But these guys are idiots…don’t believe their lies. And for those that feel this is too much like a “Hack and slash” game…you’re right. But what’s your point? So is God of War and we love that, right? Shut up and enjoy it, losers. With that out of the way…
The moves. Like in so many action games (Think, SpiderMan in this example), there is a combination of moves that can be used to bring upon a great deal of pain to your foes. Usually it tends to be something along the lines of, “LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT A B Y” and you always have to go back to the menu to remind yourself this impossible combination – only to be left disappointed when you can’t pull it off. Force Unleashed solves that. The simple few motions of the Wiimote, Nun Chuck, followed by a press of a button are two even had ME blasting Storm Troopers to kingdom come. If I can pull off these combos with ease, and little time spent on the move selection screen, so can you. ‘Cuz I r noob.
I feel like this is dragging, so let me get into the negatives about this game: the story and (of course) the graphics.
I’m no graphics whore, but I did expect more than this. I feel like I’m playing it on the PS2…it’s not a big deal in-game, but during the cut scenes it makes you wish for an HD system. Something to think about if you feel every game needs to look like a BluRay movie.
As for the story, although I can give credit to the good ideas they had…it comes off just laughably stupid. I haven’t played the other versions, but I’m willing to assume they are the same on the Wii. I won’t dive deep into the story line, but I will list off a few disappointing, or just rock stupid, elements. For example, I kind of got a Sonic Adventure 2-like letdown. The game tries to convince you that you have a choice to always control the destiny of your character, yet that never actually comes to fruition. In fact, it’s quite linear…character development is pre-determined, with the exclusion of the final chapter of the game that allows the player to make one of two choices; one being the canon ending, the other being an ending that would alter the Star Wars’ timeline. I just wish there was a bit more ingenuity to the decision making and path of the character.
The plot lines are…ugh…terrible. I feel as if the Jedi forces you will face completely break all the paradigms that have been set in place by the movies. Jedis are sometimes cocky, malevolent, self-destructive, and just plain non-sensical. List time…uhh…slight spoilers, I guess:
-Starkiller (your character) witnesses Darth Vader kill his father…yet has no problem becoming his virtual slave.
-Starkiller is easily persuaded, for he begins to drift from Vader for no real reason mid-game.
-Rahm Kota (a Jedi who is first a foe, then turned ally) is defeated by Starkiller in a space ship by getting tossed out the window. Aside from the fact that Starkiller wasn’t sucked into outer space due to the releasing pressure, Kota’s head would have exploded…yet he survives, only to have had bandages put over his eyes for no real reason. Continuity…thank you.
-Starkiller is also thrown out of a space ship window, by Vader, in an attempt to deceive the Emporer. He, too, magically survives.
-This isn’t a movie rant…so I’ll leave it at that, but amongst a few other things, the character rationalization and plot development is just…silly at times.
Didn’t buy it for the story, though, so frankly I don’t care too much about it. I strongly suggest you pick up this game for the Wii. It is not only a great time to be had, but a great bargain: you can pick this up NEW for under 20 bucks. Go out now and have fun with it…I promise you will.
Side note: There is a multiplayer game mode for the Wii I didn’t mention because, simply, I didn’t play it. I’m such a loser…I couldn’t find one person to play it with me, but apparently it is a duel mode that you fight against another opponent. Sounds basic…but if it works like that Light Saber Battles game the Wii has, it’ll be fun, too.
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