Saturday, November 6, 2010

Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2

Starkiller returns, or does he?
Synopsis:
     Picking up where the first one left off, The Force Unleashed 2 throws gamers straight into the twisted psyche and action packed reality of fan-favorite and force wielder extraordinaire Starkiller. Locked in a top secret cloning facility on the ocean world of Kamino, Vader's secret apprentice seems to have somehow made his way back from the grave. After a brief conversation Vader reveals that his wide-eyed and confused little puppet is nothing more than a clone of the original Starkiller, made to do Vader's bidding. While sparring with holigram training droids, our hero has a brief crisis of character after being commanded to strike down a droid resembling his former love Juno Eclipse. Upon seeing this, Darth Vader explains that the memories and feelings our protagonist feels towards Juno are nothing more than memory flashes of the original Starkiller implemented in the cloning process designed to train him better. Vader continues by saying that due to the accelerated cloning procedures many of the clones have gone mad, and that he is nothing more than a failed experiment and must be terminated. Confused and weary of the dark lord, the pseudo-Starkiller gives Vader a taste of force lightning before jumping out of the window and out on the run. Fighting through masses of imperials, our leading man escapes Kamino aboard Vader's own tie-fighter. Jetting through the galaxy amidst a civil war and unsure of his true origins, if he is the real Starkiller or not, our hero sets his sights on finding Juno and being with the woman he knows he loves.
Armored vehicles are nothing to an
angry and confused Jedi
     Despite coming dangerously close to interrupting Star Wars continuity, TFU2 tells a story unlike most games around and to some might be viewed as less of a game and more of an interactive theatrical treat. With the ongoing eternal struggle of Starkiller, mixed with the calamities of a feuding empire and rebellion players will find themselves getting lost in the fictional world and unable to put the controller down for anything less than reaching for the remote to turn up the volume.

And we thought Star Wars couldn't
look any better than it already does.
Appearance: 
     One of the most stunning things about TFU2 is the way it looks. From in-game graphics to rendered cut scenes and CGI cinematics, the Star Wars universe has never looked so polished. Just when we thought Starkiller and the gang were perfectly animated, LucasArts has somehow improved upon their realism with even more impressive facial gestures, movements, and interactions.
As players make their way through
groups of stormtroopers, the camera
will angle itself to follow suit.
     A previously-overlooked factor that now might be the new level of standard in games everywhere is the camera angles shown in TFU2. Every camera angle is set perfectly to portray the amount of danger Starkiller is currently experiencing. As players run across a narrow bridge the camera pans out to show just how high they really are, then switches to an arial view as masses of storm troopers close in from all sides. The views are so beautifully executed that players might now find themselves looking for similar features in games from here on out.
Even droids are taken down by a
blue lightsaber wielding Starkiller
     Like in the first FU, Starkiller unlocks new costumes as levels are completed. The costumes can then be warn throughout the levels. While wearing different costumes doesn't effect gameplay, there's something subtly awesome about seeing a dual-lightsaber-weilding Boba Fett force throw a rocket back at the AT-ST it came from.

Game Play:
     From the get go players will realize that although it shares the same title and 95% of the same developers as the first one, saying that TFU2 and its predecessor have the same gameplay is like saying Final Fantasy 1 and Final Fantasy 13 do as well. Sure they have the same general concept, but its obvious the latter has evolved far beyond the former.
Double the lightsabers for double
the devastation
     One impressive and subtle way of improving gameplay was the introduction of a second lightsaber. With two lightsabers Starkillers combat now allows for some moves and combos that ultimately are just sweet to execute. Also new this time around is the ability to actually sever an opponents appendage when coming into contact with it with one of the lightsabers. Even the most dedicated force pushers and lightning users will opt to do some literal hacking and slashing while waiting for their force bars to replenish.
Free fallin is just one of the many
ways developers have switched up
the gameplay
     Each level includes with it multiple challenges and missions designed to keep gameplay fresh, keep gamers enthralled and truly show off just how powerful Starkiller is. From protecting a high-speed hover train from a pursuing gunship, to standing at the helm of a battle cruiser while force throwing space debris out of the way, there's so much more to TFU2 than just taking on endless streams of imperials. Players will truly feel unleashed as they free fall hundreds of feet in the pouring rain while having to duck and weave past obstructions, or force push them out of the way.
The Gorog, just one of the epic boss
battle awaiting players.
     Even the boss battles have been bumped up several notches to fit a new and improved gameplay. While the battles are nothing short of epic, LucasArts has done a spectacular job of still making them beatable without taking away from their intensity. Taking on the Gorog amidst a crowded Cato Neimoidia gladiator arena might be the perfect example of just how intense TFU2 truly is.
With the right lightsaber crystal,
force lightning becomes even more
deadly
     Like its former, players will be able to pick up holicrons hidden throughout the game to increase their life or energy, gain force points, or unlock new lightsaber crystals. Each color crystal not only changes the appearance of the lightsaber, but allows for different effects such as health regeneration, amplified force damage, or better laser reflection. Wielding two lightsabers, players can mix and match colors to fit their playing style. Those looking to unleash devastation with matching lightsabers will have to find two of the same color crystal, as each holicron only carries one.

Don't Change a Thing:
Yoda and Starkillers paths cross
briefly while our hero searches
for the love of his life
     Each new Star Wars game has a two-part objective: sell tons of copies and give true Star Wars fans something to geek out about. TFU2 does that brilliantly. Aside from the gameplay, cameo appearances by Boba Fett and Yoda, and the fact that players are living out their force fantasies as a human bulldozer,   LucasArts expands Star Wars lore that much more by giving gamers a chance to explore Cato Neimoidia, the former ruling world of the droid army.

Starkiller comes face to face with
what very well could be a dark
version of himself.
Should Have Spent More Time On:
     While criticizing a game so seemingly perfect is nothing if not soul shattering, there are a few key factors that might leave gamers wanting. First and foremost, as a game that is solely one player with no compatibility for cooperative play, players might easily grow annoyed with the fact that the game takes a mere 6-7 casual hours to beat and ends with a fairly massive "what happens next?" feeling. Developers tried to make up for this by offering the traditional Light Side and Dark Side endings, requiring the game to be played through a second time  to see what happens either way. However this doesn't make up for the feeling of being cheated out of a full-length game. Aside from extending the gameplay, LucasArts could have offered a 2-player versus section in which players can dual one-another as souped up versions of Star Wars favorites, unleashed style.
     The only other grievance found with TFU2 was the rare overacting of one of the voice actors, namely that of Sam Witwer, Starkiller himself. While generally Witwer does an amazing job, there are times where all the man seems to be doing is yelling, even when the situation seems rather calm. We get that Starkiller's going through an internal struggle and trying to figure out if he's a clone or not, but while riding a sideways elevator to the bridge, he doesn't really need to be shouting his replies to his allies.

Just How Homo:
Gaymers everywhere can agree:
Starkiller has all the qualities of
the perfect man.
     While the game is about a Jedi unlike any other trying to track down his long-lost female love, gaymers can't help but fantasize about just how far to the Dark Side Starkiller is willing to go. Based entirely off of voice actor Sam Witwer, the former secret apprentice and his real-life counterpart are going to have to prepare themselves for a slew of gay fan-fiction. While we're not sure what it is about a tormented bad ass with a buzz cut and pouty lips that makes us sweat in all the right places, we sure aren't arguing.

While shorter than most games, TFU2
delivers on the action.
Own it or Rent it:
     Own it. Although TFU2 may be short, the punch it packs is enough to keep players coming back for more over and over again. Aside from being able to review data entries on the various planets and enemies Starkiller encounters, players are able to complete various challenges, allowing them to unlock more lightsaber crystals, costumes, and even new cinematics. Also, given the caliber of downloadable material released for its predecessor, TFU2 is bound to have some truly unleashed additions coming out in the near future.

No comments:

Post a Comment