Hands-on: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Aug 19th 2008 at 4:00PM }
Click for high-resolution image.
However, it becomes immediately apparent that The Force Unleashed isn't going to be the definitive Star Wars game that some are hoping it would be. The visuals are rather lackluster, with none of the environments, character models, or special effects looking beyond "par." Of course, it may be because of the demo: restricted to a rather clean, barren Imperial spaceship, there isn't much to see. Perhaps the game's later planetary levels will offer a bit more eye candy. Even the framerate didn't feel smooth -- and the camera seemed annoying, requiring manual adjustment throughout.
Gallery: Star Wars: The Force Unleased
Just like the visuals, the combat feels simply "adequate." Chopping droids in half with the lightsaber looks cool, but the overall experience of controlling the Apprentice doesn't feel sleek. Compare the controls of this game to that of Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden or even God of War, and The Force Unleashed feels clunky -- and far less visceral than any of these other action games. For example, grabbing an enemy in the air and throwing him around looks very cool. However, the execution of the grab manuver, which requires both analog sticks to control (one for X-axis and one for Y-axis control) is much too cumbersome. The Gravity Gun from Half-Life 2 functions exactly the same as the Force grab, and does so in a much more natural way.
If combat does one thing well, it's the finishing moves. Taking down an AT-ST by cutting it in half with a lightsaber looks ridiculously cool. If the developers can continue offering "wow" moments like those, we're sure The Force Unleashed will be, at the very least, a fun, flawed adventure.
There are a number of improvements we'd like to suggest to the LucasArts team about the combat -- but with its release only a month away, it's far too late to change anything significant. We wish the combat were a bit more visceral, a bit more intense, and a bit more intuitive. However, Star Wars geeks may find the presentation, and the intriguing story to be more than enough to satiate even the most casual of fans. You'll be able to judge the demo for yourself when it launches on PSN this Thursday.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Soapy911 @ Aug 19th 2008 4:04PM
well that sukz.
chinese_takeout @ Aug 19th 2008 4:35PM
If your a star wars fan the game will be more than satisfying, im sure. I cant wait . May the Force be with you.
Goity @ Aug 19th 2008 4:07PM
Oh dear.
Pistolaero @ Aug 19th 2008 4:12PM
Lately, it seems like too many developers are dropping the ball. =\
crowbarcommando @ Aug 19th 2008 9:31PM
Bioware Didn't. I wish they'd make KOTOR 3 (as a PS3 Exclusive, of course.)
Emericanized @ Sep 7th 2008 2:18PM
its because gamers are getting more and more spoiled.
flynn110 @ Aug 19th 2008 4:12PM
after watching the latest video posted on the psn i thought that this might be the case. another hyped game may seem lackluster reviews.
Daniel @ Aug 19th 2008 4:35PM
That was the same experience I had. That gameplay video was horrible. Whoever was playing really made the game seem like it was a tech demo. "Force-grab a guy, drag him to another guy so he can grab him, then throw a lightsaber at them....rinse, repeat...."
On a side note, does it seem to anyone else that running animations in games are actually getting worse? TFU looks odd, the running in inFamous looks odd. I dunno.
ImBakinBacon @ Aug 19th 2008 4:12PM
I still believe in the Force!
DeforMAKulizer @ Aug 19th 2008 4:12PM
Gosh... I wanted the game to rule... Well i will still get it i mean the story should suffice either way...
Rob @ Aug 19th 2008 6:02PM
haha i gotta say thats a heartbraker...hahah i thought this game was gunna have them excited as hell, but oh well ill have to try it out on thursday and see if i like it because theres a crapload of games comin out for ps3 i gotta save my money
Nate the Prophet @ Aug 19th 2008 4:14PM
I hope these are demo problems and not gold problems, because I'm buying this game either way and would prefer it to be awesome :)
maxpontiac @ Aug 19th 2008 4:18PM
I am not going to write it off yet..
Bigsven @ Aug 19th 2008 4:19PM
What I'm wondering is how the combat stacks up against Jedi Knight II and Jedi Academy since this seems to be its spiritual successor.
Nathanical @ Aug 19th 2008 4:53PM
yeh those games were awesome!
ComicShaman @ Aug 19th 2008 4:27PM
Hmm. That's disappointing. I will, of course, test drive the demo and see what I think. I haven't always seen eye to eye with the reviewers here.
What I'm wondering about is how this game can be considered part of the Star Wars canon when we have an "apprentice" who can knock Star Destroyers out of the sky with his mind. What other Jedi or Sith ever displayed that kind of power in the movies?
acefondu @ Aug 19th 2008 4:47PM
Old George makes a lot of things cannon for Star Wars. I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up cannon as well.
lorddshadow @ Aug 19th 2008 5:25PM
*SLIGHT SPOILER!!!*
*SLIGHT SPOILER!!!*
*SLIGHT SPOILER!!!*
the apprentice is the son of a jedi master and that combined with years of training from vader means he has to have some significantly powerful abilities. and lucas has already said it's canon.
Narles @ Aug 19th 2008 4:28PM
I really would like to know how this game compares to Jedi Knight II. If it feels the same/similar to those then I am happy.
acefondu @ Aug 19th 2008 4:45PM
I half expected this...
strike @ Aug 19th 2008 4:47PM
I had high hopes for this game, but it seems it may not reach my expectations.... *sigh*
On a lighter note, I've sold my psp and a few games for 75 Pounds ($150), so I'm one step closer to getting a ps3. I'm unemployed, with no income, otherwise I would not have parted with my psp. Oh, my sweet psp, I miss you so much!
Even though I never had one, Iv always read ps3 fanboy, strangely.....Well, thats my life story =)
dartmerc @ Aug 19th 2008 6:43PM
Remote play is a cool feature though, and I don't think I could go without my PSP. Need it for when the missus *needs* to watch So You Think You Can Dance. Sigh.
anthonyjh @ Aug 19th 2008 4:51PM
Thank God. I hope this game is terrible. I just can't afford it all, lol.
aliss77777 @ Aug 19th 2008 4:52PM
all star wars franchises are dead to me after the horror of the phantom menace. as time goes by the pain only gets worse of seeing my childhood favorite dreams fleshed out and then die a horrible wailing death like the transporter accident in Star Trek: The Motion Picture
mixel @ Aug 19th 2008 6:11PM
Hahah excellent analogy. :D
farfisa @ Aug 19th 2008 4:54PM
To quote Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader:
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!"
strike @ Aug 19th 2008 4:58PM
Why is he so strong, yet just an apprentice? I'm no star wars fan, but I've never seen any other star wars character do things like this.....
frankym @ Aug 19th 2008 5:07PM
Not really that interested in the game anyway. However, with thi preview, I wont even bother with the demo.
ComicShaman @ Aug 19th 2008 8:06PM
Hmm. Seems like it costs you nothing to at least judge for yourself, if you have any interest at all. After all, PS3Fanboy has been known to be wrong... from time to time.
SSG @ Aug 19th 2008 6:09PM
The sith apprentice is that army dude from Stephen King's "The Mist" movie. I believe he was impaled by some alien-like tentacle. From movies to video games, I never thought I would see an actor make that kind of regression, or should I say progression.
drdre74 @ Aug 20th 2008 9:19AM
I mean come on its a star wars game. I've never really jumped for joy on any star wars game really. I hope it turns out great because this is the first star wars game i'd by. Buy yeah game play and controls are everything. If they suck then game over for me.
Juan Pablo @ Aug 19th 2008 8:37PM
Too Bad they fucked this up, I was really eager for this game, but since September will be filled with a ton of games maybe this is for the better
John C @ Aug 19th 2008 10:15PM
The last time I've had fun with a Lucas Arts game was Battlefront 2 and before that it was Dark Forces I, II, Mysteries of the Sith and Rogue Squadron.
Oh yeah, I forgot about Grim Fandango!
Here's hoping that this game would live up to the hype, guys!
EDW @ Aug 19th 2008 10:24PM
seriously? from the previews i've read so far, this game has been sounding great. if it turns out to suck, i will be very sad :(
EDW @ Aug 19th 2008 10:25PM
seriously? from the previews i've read so far, this game has been sounding great. if it turns out to suck, i will be very sad :(
Dan @ Aug 20th 2008 12:23AM
Maybe it will be awesome on the PSP? Not so graphics-intensive...
burandon @ Aug 20th 2008 1:35AM
I have to agree. I played it at Comic Con and wasn't impressed. I really wanted it to be good, to be intense, but it just... wasn't. The camera definitely had problems and the battle was lacking--it felt a little awkward and wasn't very satisfying, even after getting the hang of it. Sad as it is, I'm guessing this really won't be the defining Star Wars experience we've been hoping for.
Erorrless @ Aug 20th 2008 2:03AM
Another flop?
oldmike @ Aug 20th 2008 7:10AM
i realy wonder if this is do to the fact its on like 6 systems
that and was it not pushed back like 6 times?
El_Horno @ Aug 20th 2008 4:11AM
I thought the game looked poor when it came to graphics.
The trailer did not look pretty. I would even go so far as to say it looked like a very well made XBOX game (not the 360, but the original machine).
And now that PS3 Fanboy have mentioned that the gameplay is also lacking, it seems this game has fallen victim to the "hype machine", which is a damned shame...
Drew @ Aug 20th 2008 11:54PM
I think it just because of the demo. I really hope it will be good.
David @ Aug 21st 2008 5:09PM
I just played through the demo. I thought it was awesome and will be picking the full game for sure.
Bluetom @ Aug 23rd 2008 8:46PM
I haven't gotten my hands on it yet, but most of these complaints seem very vague. Using words like "visceral" "intense" "intuitive" don't really address problems. How about some specific examples? I just can't take such a cut and dry statement seriously.