Gamezilla

Well I finally completed Star Wars: The Force Unleashed last night after purchasing it at launch. During the first few weeks of owning it I had only played it a few times. But the recent Saturday showings of the full star wars films on ITV gave me the star wars bug, and I decided to start off a new game on the Force Unleashed.

I normally play games on the easiest possible level the first time I play them through, and this was no different. Although it was very easy, there were some parts that still caused me a little frustration like the pulling down of the big destroyer, and the death star beam alignment level. But the rest just felt like I only needed to hit one or two buttons to get through. Some of the bosses did need some strategy but for the most part, it was very easy. Which is good since it matches the level the skill setting described.

The story is probably one of the best I have seen for a while, and a nice addition to the star wars franchise. The cut scenes feel well voiced and acted (can we say acted for digital cut scenes?) and emotion is well convey throughout. When I finally finished the last boss fight (which of course was easy) the final cut scene ended things nicely, and did make me want to rush out and buy the sequel, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.

The easiest mode took me around 6 ½ hours to complete, which is not bad since it was pretty easy throughout. I immediately tried the unlocked Sith Master mode upon completion and can really see the effect this has on life drain and recovery in the first Darth Vader level. While I am eager to move on to complete Force Unleashed II, I do feel the game deserves me completing it on one of the more challenging levels. If I have learnt something while completed Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, it was to not go for the easiest level, since it removes most of the challenge and shortens the amount of total playing time, and indeed the thinking and strategy you’d need to complete the game on higher levels.

I do want to complete the game on the Sith Master level if only to see how it increases the total time played. I am sure the boss fights for example would take longer to beat but I can’t see any dramatic increases on 6 hours. Overall, the games quality is evident from the beginning, the load times when viewing objectives, force upgrades etc. was my only real gripe. I never really was that into Star Wars, and only during ITV’s 2011 screening of the films did I sit down and watch them all.

I give Star Wars: The Force Unleashed a Gamezilla Roar Rating of 7.9.