The new action-packed Star Wars game promises to "unleash" a new take on events in that galaxy far, far away. In many ways it does. The story, equal parts epic and cheeseball, nicely bridges the gap between the Episode III and Episode IV films and gives us control over the Force that we thought was reserved only for Yoda and that decrepit Emperor.
In other ways it doesn't. The Force Unleashed works hard to supply a more cinematic experience. Up-and-coming actor Sam Witwer, who lends his voice and likeness to the Apprentice, delivers a command performance, but hackneyed game mechanics and buggy hiccups – characters getting stuck on walls, weird camera angles and in-game cinematics that cut out abruptly – keep the fantasy from being realized.
This new chapter in the Star Wars canon answers the question, "what if Darth Vader had a secret apprentice?" Vader scoops up a small child and teaches him the ways of the Dark Side to help him carry out his ultimate plans to rule the galaxy. Later, we meet the Apprentice as a young man, a subservient subject who has an Anakin-like struggle between good and evil. He still carries out Vader's orders like an obedient puppy, in the meantime forming a bond with his traveling crew -- a quirky robot sidekick and a comely female space pilot. It's almost like they're the Dark Side version of Han Solo, Chewbacca and Princess Leia, and they provide both comic relief and extra layers of texture to this story that -- like all the Star Wars films before it -- usually sticks to black and white morality.
The Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) and Euphoria technology driving the game is an impressive feat of engineering. As promised, the Apprentice can bend giant pieces of metal, split wood into a million little splinters and watch as enemies desperately cling to a railing, just before they're Force Pushed off a platform and fall into deep space.
However, without the game's developers standing over your shoulder at home, pointing out exactly where the DMM magic kicks in, there's still a feeling that The Force Unleashed relies on gameplay mechanics that don't always live up to the cool tech at work in the background. A few hours into the game, it's obvious that the game is following a distinctive "fight, fight, miniboss, fight, fight, boss" formula. Bosses of all levels also trigger an eye rolling mash-the-button-when-prompted minigame that has been overused by game makers both before and after it was popularized in God of War in 2005 (and introduced in 1999's Dreamcast classic Shenmue).
Mixing and matching lightsaber swipes and Force powers will keep you happily preoccupied through the first few levels, as you gain new powers and learn how to use them together. We felt like powerful Jedi while holding enemies in mid air and then hitting them with lightening before sending them sailing. It was equally liberating to push and fling enemies aside using Force Push and grabs while storming an enemy base.
The apprentice builds up his powers over time using a role-playing system that seems promising but in reality is too "lite" to really customize your character. After spending your Force points, you might be able to have more lightsaber skills or Force power skills, but you can pretty much Force grab and throw like Vader at the end of the game. The Force points, which help you level up come from defeating enemies or jumping through Force cubes floating around the environments. However, this is a very 'gamey' element that feels more like Mario than the movie-like experience that The Force Unleashed wants to deliver.
Despite these shortcomings, the game's filled with cameos that will please anyone with a basic knowledge of the Star Wars universe. Princess Leia makes an appearance in the game, as does Darth Maul and Senator Bail Organa (reprised by actor Jimmy Smits) and it's even good to see the crusty old Emperor up to his usual self-serving antics.
'After the credits roll, Force Unleashed isn't the end-all, be-all interactive Star Wars experience but it manages to showcase some interesting new game technology and is a mostly fun virtual slugfest that's worth killing a few hours to experience. It will at least inspire you to dust off those Star Wars DVDs and relive the magic all over again.
Our Final Score: 7/10
Screenshots: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Review (360, PS3)
