Not readily known for its consistency where quality is concerned, LucasArts’ longstanding Star Wars videogame series has disappointed as much as it has impressed. Indeed, for every critically acclaimed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic there is a lambasted Star Wars: Lethal Alliance in a trend reaching back many years.
Don't say it too loud, but The Force Unleashed is looking like a winner. Credit: LucasArts.
For the more dedicated (and borderline masochistic) Star Wars fans, that particular aspect of the pre-release suspense is always half the fun, while the rest of us perhaps choose to exercise a degree of caution before getting our Jedi knickers in a twist of fevered enthusiasm.
And that’s where Star Wars: The Force Unleashed comes in. While LucasArts is keeping a tight Sith death grip on the game’s more meaty details, the little information and media it has released thus far have certainly managed to whet the appetite – especially the sumptuous trailer clip (see below) showing a Sith apprentice using only Force powers to bring down a hulking Imperial Star Destroyer.
This week, one lucky so-and-so over at Destructoid was granted an audience by LucasArts in order to feast his cursed eyes on the latest build of The Force Unleashed, and it would appear that this particular entrant to the Star Wars catalogue is leaning heavily toward ‘impressive’ rather than ‘disappointing.’ Praise be.
Specifically, resulting comments regarding the current prowess of The Force Unleashed included the likes of "the game looks amazing," and "a visual treat," while showcased game worlds (Raxus Prime and Felucia) were "a sight to behold," and stage levels "seemed practically endless."
The preview also focused on two new game technologies, Digital Molecule Matter (DMM) and Euphoria.
The former simulates the behaviour of physical objects to outside influences in the game world, which will dictate, for example, that metal doors beaten in by The Force will register damage differently every time rather than merely relying on cycled animations.
And the latter, Euphoria, will provide characters with a nervous system that "enables them to act and react in very human ways." For example, enemy targets will work to avoid being shot by seeking cover and even "hold on for dear life when given the opportunity." Destuctoid describes that these elements combine to give the gamplay a tangible sense of life and depth.
Finally, it would also appear that LucasArts is looking to make good on its promise to deliver massive, ass-kicking destruction in The Force Unleashed, with the game exuding moments of rampant Force-fuelled action where a mere button press, or a string of Force powers, rains down fabulous chaos and leaves virtually any on-screen element open to being ripped apart.
If, by some bizarre turn of events, you’ve never heard of The Force Unleashed, it takes place in the timeline between Episodes III and IV and sees the player assuming the role of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice dispatched to hunt down and destroy the last of the Jedi. If that doesn’t get you excited, then, frankly, you’re dead inside.
The official retail release of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is yet to be finalised, but it will arrive on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 – both expected to sport their own exclusive content – PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo DS. Also, the Nintendo Wii will indeed be receiving a Lightsaber/Wii Remote version of the game.
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