TheForce.Net - Your Daily Dose of Star Wars
[TF.N Main] [Contact Us]
[Latest News - Main]
[More...]
[Star Wars Fan Days III - This October, in Plano, Texas!]

[The Force-Cast]

[Star Wars Fan Club]

[Popular Stories]
STARLOG Star Wars Toon Of The Day 7/3

PSWCS Charity Medallion

Vote For The Best Star Wars Villain

Live Action Series Australian Rumors

Indy 5 Filming Timeframe Update

New OPX Metallix 10x20 Prints At SDCC

STARLOG Star Wars Toon Of The Day 7/2

SW Fan Club Breakfast Raffle At SDCC

[Jedi Council Forums]
Who Doesn't Hate Jar Jar anymore?

Fans who grew up with the OT-Do any of you actually prefer the PT?

Should darth maul have died?

What plotline, character or scene in the entire Saga irritates you the most?

The misconceptions you had about Star Wars, when you were a kid
[Poll]
There are no polls
currently operating
in this sector.
Please check
back soon.

View Poll Archives


The Force Unleashed - XBox 360 & PS3

Posted By Anthony on July 15, 2008

By Randy Chiles - TheForce.net Game Reviewer

Recently I was able to visit Lucas Arts to play a current build of The Force Unleashed for the Xbox 360. To be honest, I have been looking forward to playing this game since the original concept video was released 2 years ago. From what I was able to play, the game completely delivers on this. I was able to play the first 45 minutes of the game. At least I think it was 45 minutes, I had lost all track of time before the guys at Lucas Arts told us that our time was up.

As I landed on the planet of Kashyyyk, I step off of my transport ship into a small war zone of Clone Troopers vs. Wookies. I am Darth Vader, and I'm a bad ass. Order 66 has been issued, and I have a job to do. The first thing I noticed once I had control of Vader was how gorgeous the game looked, the greens and brown of Kashyyyk really blended well together and provided a nice backdrop for this level. The character models are really well done which helps to deliver that authentic Star Wars feeling.



The developers have cleverly thrown you into the game as Darth Vader to provide you, the player, with a glimpse of what you can do when you're at full power. This helps to give an instant action feel to the game, as well as, deliver some fan service to all those you really ever wondered, "What if...?". The pacing of the first level is really set by speed at which Vader walks. Vader walks because Vader doesn't need to run. This created some really cool moments with blaster fire zipping past Vader's helmet, as I casually raise my arm to choke an unsuspecting Wookie.

As I approached a wooden platform with about 5 or 6 Wookies running at me, I started holding down the Force Push button, charging it up to unleash a burst that sent all of the Wookies over the edge and to their doom. Quickly pressing the Force Push button would release a moderate burst, which I could fire multiple times to clear enemies away from me if things got crazy. I was also able to pick up most objects in the environment, as well as Wookies, and yes even Clone Troopers. There is no penalty for killing any of your own troopers, so I was able to go insane and use Clone troopers as projectile weapons. Once you are dangling an opponent in mid air, you have a few options, you can either throw your light saber at them and impale them in mid-air, or you can force push them away from you, or just drop them over the edge of whatever platform your on. The Force Grab is a catch and release system, so you pull the Right Trigger to grab whatever you have targeted, and you release the Trigger to let go.



The first level came to a close with a battle against a Rouge Jedi, this changed the game from a 3rd person action game to an Arena style battle Sith Vs Jedi. We already know how this is going to end. During the battle, the Jedi would pull passing TIE Fighters out of the sky and try to use them against me. Also during our battle, we would occasionally lock sabers - this would trigger a quick-time event similar to the quick button presses in God of War. I have never been particularly great at quick time events, so I relied on brute force to finish off this boss.

After completion of the training mission as Darth Vader, I move on to playing his Secret Apprentice. Immediately I noticed a difference in speed. This guy can move, as well as perform a double jump. It’s also noticeable that this character currently lacks the raw power of Vader. This is where the RPG elements of game begin. There is an experience bar that builds up as you play the game, filling the bar will let you upgrade your character in 3 different areas. These upgrades are Force Powers, Passive abilities, and Combos. Every time you Level up, you get a token or point in each of the 3 areas. Some upgrades will require multiple points, so you will need to save these points if you want the cooler upgrades.

The first outing as the Secret Apprentice starts off in what appears to be a Hanger Bay, with TIE Fighters hanging above. Using my Force Grab, I was able to pull the ships down off the ceiling and use them as explosive projectiles; this was a very cool feeling when I successfully launched one into a large group of Troopers. There are lots of enemies in this area, and this maneuver helped me take out quite a few opponents from a distance.

After clearing the Hanger, I moved onto some very large corridors with TIE Fighters randomly flying through. This was the set up for one of the coolest things I was able to do in the game. I was able to Force grab a guard and dangle him in mid-air. I moved him out into the line of one the oncoming TIE Fighters, instantly destroying both of them in a single explosion. This gave the game a playground feeling that will add re-playability down the line or something that someone will try to post on you-tube.



The game does have some Force-related puzzles, even though what I saw was pretty simple, I could see potential for some great puzzles later on in the game. Some doors will require you to force grab them and move a giant switch from the bottom of the door to the top. Another had me pulling platforms out of the walls to reach places that I couldn't jump to otherwise.

I was able to witness the Digital Molecular Matter technology, and it really impressed me. It was really visible in the metal doors that I had to force push open; the large metal doors would bend as if I had just crashed a tank through them. Each door would bend differently and sometimes I would have to push them twice because I hadn't aimed properly at the door.

I thought I had been doing fine and I was feeling pretty confident that I could face whatever was around the next corner. I was wrong. After opening a series of doors I entered a room, which had an AT-ST (or something similar) in it, along with Elite guards stationed at mounted turrets. This is where the game kicked my ass, and appropriately this is where Lucas Arts told me my demo was over.

The Game has 4 difficulty modes. 3 of them are available from the beginning. The 4th level of difficulty will be unlocked after completing the game once. The options available to me were Sith Apprentice, Sith Warrior, and Sith Lord. I chose to play on Sith Warrior. When I asked about the length of the game, I was told that a first play-through would take about 15 hours. The game is currently scheduled to release on September 16th of this year.



Related Stories

August 6, 2008   The Force Unleashed On Your iPhone?
July 16, 2008   The Force Unleashed Wii & DS Screenshots
July 15, 2008   The Force Unleashed - Overview
July 15, 2008   The Force Unleashed - Wii Platform
July 15, 2008   The Force Unleashed - PS2 Platform


[Send Transmission...] email this story [Talk Back...] discuss in forums

[Latest News - News Archives]
STARLOG Star Wars Toon Of The Day 7/3
Posted By Justin on July 4, 2009:
The Sith go shopping for style

PSWCS Charity Medallion
Posted By Dustin on July 3, 2009:
Updated! Less that 450 remaining!

Vote For The Best Star Wars Villain
Posted By Justin on July 3, 2009:
Is there a clear-cut #1 choice?

Live Action Series Australian Rumors
Posted By Dustin on July 3, 2009:
Updated! First writer onboard??

Indy 5 Filming Timeframe Update
Posted By Justin on July 3, 2009:
When does Ford don the fedora again?

New OPX Metallix 10x20 Prints At SDCC
Posted By Justin on July 2, 2009:
Show special sure to go fast!

STARLOG Star Wars Toon Of The Day 7/2
Posted By Justin on July 2, 2009:
Duck season! Wabbit season! Sith season!

SW Fan Club Breakfast Raffle At SDCC
Posted By Justin on July 2, 2009:
With some awesome items available to fans

No Force-Cast This Week
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
Fear not as the fellas will return next week!

STARLOG Star Wars Toon Of The Day 7/1
Posted By Justin on July 1, 2009:
Do you hear what I'm sayin'?

The Robot Chicken Roller Skating Tour
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
To celebrate the DVD release of RC: SW 2!

2009 SW Fan Movie Challenge Finalists
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
The nominees are in from Atom Films

Dark Horse On Sale This Week
Posted By Jay on July 1, 2009:
This can only mean one thing, Invasion!

Celebrity Death Rumors Include SW Stars
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
Rumors spread following M.J.'s death

More Australian TCW DVD Details
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
Updated! Volumes I & II now available!

Kemp Offers Up A Brief Crosscurrent Update
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
"Light sabers, baby. Light. Sabers."

Star Wars Reference In Get Fuzzy Comic
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
"Move along"

Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff Discusses Hardware
Posted By Mike on July 1, 2009:
And Dash Rendar's ship, the Outrider

Fanboys Reaches #3 Rental On iTunes
Posted By Justin on July 1, 2009:
It's only a matter of time now...

FanArt Museum Updates for July
Posted By Steve on June 30, 2009:
15 new submissions!

TCW Complete S1 Blu-ray Boxed Set
Posted By Justin on June 30, 2009:
Info on the boxed set revealed!

Star Wars USB Flash Drives
Posted By Justin on June 30, 2009:
Storage devices never looked so cool

Get To Know A Husband & Wife 501st Duo
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
Updated! Trooping it up as a family

SFGate Features ILM's Scott Farrar
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
Following his work on Transformers

MTV's Splash Page Is Excited For Invasion
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
As are we all! Right?

How To Draw Bettybot From ROTS
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
Learn from Jessica Hickman at SW.com

Obi-Wan At Wimbledon
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
I think he may prefer to be called Ewan

Randy Stradley Interview At Galactic Binder
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
"Three words...Lone. Female. Jedi."

Making Of SW: Episode V Release Moved Up
Posted By Mike on June 30, 2009:
Indiana Jones TPB moved up as well

Jedi Academy Miniatures in Stores
Posted By JF on June 30, 2009:
Check here for exclusive preview

Star Wars TIE Fighter Playhouse
Posted By Mike on June 29, 2009:
For when a regular playhouse just seems silly

SW Science Exhibit Heads To Alabama In '10
Posted By Mike on June 29, 2009:
Updated! Advance tickets available

Ghostbusters Better Than Star Wars?
Posted By Justin on June 29, 2009:
Columnist from TimesOnline sure thinks so

FCTV Presents "Hosting Dinner"
Posted By Mike on June 29, 2009:
From the 6-26-09 episode of the Force-Cast

OPX Limited Mark Hamill Pic At SDCC
Posted By Justin on June 29, 2009:
One photo - three Luke poses

[StarWarsShop.com]
[TF.N Newsletter]
Enter Email Address:
Find Out More...
[All Posters]
Star Wars - Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - Jedi Battle
AllPosters.com
Search For Posters, Cardboard Stand-Ups & T-Shirts!
[Rebelscum.com - Star Wars Collecting]
[TheForce.Net - FanFilms]
[TheForce.Net - FanForce] [TheForce.Net - Fan Art]
[More News...]
TheForce.Net - Your Daily Dose of Star Wars
THEFORCE.NET IS NOT ENDORSED BY LUCASFILM, LTD. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLAIMER. © 2009 COPYRIGHT TF.N, LLC
The Galaxy is Listening
[TF.N Main] [TF.N FAQ] [Contact Us]