It has been almost a month since my PC came to life, resting on top of my kitchen table, and almost three weeks since I discovered that I was running Windows 7 32 bit, and only utilizing about one quarter of my computers gaming power. A copy of Windows 7 64 bit is over 100 dollars, and I, after spending far too much money on my creation, was unwilling to shell out the money for a copy. So right now I am waiting for a free copy to materialize, as I'm sure it will at some point, but until that happens I am taking a break from my gaming computer.
Without the PC, I decided to go for my Xbox. Once I'd found it, dusted it off, and plugged it into the TV, I was alerted that my save files had been corrupted and that all my games had been deleted. Already I was recalling the reason I built a computer, but this isn't a review of the Xbox. Searching through the Microsoft store I stumbled upon an old treasure: Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2.
The protagonist of SWFU 2 (as I will call it to save time) is a young man named Starkiller, acted by Sam Witwer. Dropping into the games campaign, a jumbled series of flashbacks were hurled at me, in a vague attempt to remind me of what happened in the previous game. The game doesn't fall short in the story aspect by any means, it does an excellent job of weaving its story into the Star Wars universe. The game starts with the player fighting a seemingly unlimited amount of rebel soldiers, slicing through them with dual lightsabers, frying them with lightning, hurling them against the walls with the force, and some combination of the three. After the player dismembers a sufficient number of goons it is revealed that they are all robots, and that the infamous Darth Vader is holding you captive. For reasons beyond my understanding, Starkiller decides to violently and thoroughly electrocute a startled Darth Vader. While Vader's muscles are still locked in place Starkiller blows a large hole in a wall, then jumps out into the rainy night. After this cutscene the player is given back control of the game, only to find themselves falling at high speed from a tower that seems to be miles tall. On the descent the player must destroy and dodge obstacles such as antennae, lightning, planes, and platforms covered in stormtroopers.
After the descent is completed Starkiller (cutscene) crashes into some kind of sea view cafe, killing many hungry stormtroopers. The player (no cutscene) runs through the whole bad guy complex dispatching everything in his way from troopers to passive aggressive computer terminals.
Nearing the end of the level is the first good example of what the main character Starkiller is capable of. In his effort to escape he spies a ship parked on a landing pad, however separating the would be transportation from the player is 100 feet of nothing. To bridge the gap the player is directed to some kind of TV tower, and as everyone knows TV towers are really just bridges in disguise. Just then some helpful Tie Fighters come along, and the player is directed to grab them as they fly by and smash them into the tower. Once, twice, thrice! The tower swoons then crashes onto the adjacent platform, killing everyone on it. After the player climbs over a new game mechanic is introduced, rage mode! As the player destroys all the resistance in their path they fill up a meter with every living thing that falls to their hand. Once the meter is full the player can go into super-saiyan mode where he glows blue, and all his power's our multiplied ten fold! A fight ensues where the player is forced to go into this rage mode and eviscerate the unfortunate stormtroopers sent to stop him. Once all resistance is quelled he hijacks the ship then takes off, leaving the empire to wonder who is going to pay for all the damages.
Overall I would recommend this game, as it provides an engaging experience. Be warned though that the game is short, only four full levels! luckily each of these levels is a solid hour long, and the game has strong replay value.
look out for a podcast collaboration with Jake at Dudley's Daily on the upcoming game Titanfall. Thanks for reading!
4/5
Good
Without the PC, I decided to go for my Xbox. Once I'd found it, dusted it off, and plugged it into the TV, I was alerted that my save files had been corrupted and that all my games had been deleted. Already I was recalling the reason I built a computer, but this isn't a review of the Xbox. Searching through the Microsoft store I stumbled upon an old treasure: Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2.
The protagonist of SWFU 2 (as I will call it to save time) is a young man named Starkiller, acted by Sam Witwer. Dropping into the games campaign, a jumbled series of flashbacks were hurled at me, in a vague attempt to remind me of what happened in the previous game. The game doesn't fall short in the story aspect by any means, it does an excellent job of weaving its story into the Star Wars universe. The game starts with the player fighting a seemingly unlimited amount of rebel soldiers, slicing through them with dual lightsabers, frying them with lightning, hurling them against the walls with the force, and some combination of the three. After the player dismembers a sufficient number of goons it is revealed that they are all robots, and that the infamous Darth Vader is holding you captive. For reasons beyond my understanding, Starkiller decides to violently and thoroughly electrocute a startled Darth Vader. While Vader's muscles are still locked in place Starkiller blows a large hole in a wall, then jumps out into the rainy night. After this cutscene the player is given back control of the game, only to find themselves falling at high speed from a tower that seems to be miles tall. On the descent the player must destroy and dodge obstacles such as antennae, lightning, planes, and platforms covered in stormtroopers.After the descent is completed Starkiller (cutscene) crashes into some kind of sea view cafe, killing many hungry stormtroopers. The player (no cutscene) runs through the whole bad guy complex dispatching everything in his way from troopers to passive aggressive computer terminals.
Nearing the end of the level is the first good example of what the main character Starkiller is capable of. In his effort to escape he spies a ship parked on a landing pad, however separating the would be transportation from the player is 100 feet of nothing. To bridge the gap the player is directed to some kind of TV tower, and as everyone knows TV towers are really just bridges in disguise. Just then some helpful Tie Fighters come along, and the player is directed to grab them as they fly by and smash them into the tower. Once, twice, thrice! The tower swoons then crashes onto the adjacent platform, killing everyone on it. After the player climbs over a new game mechanic is introduced, rage mode! As the player destroys all the resistance in their path they fill up a meter with every living thing that falls to their hand. Once the meter is full the player can go into super-saiyan mode where he glows blue, and all his power's our multiplied ten fold! A fight ensues where the player is forced to go into this rage mode and eviscerate the unfortunate stormtroopers sent to stop him. Once all resistance is quelled he hijacks the ship then takes off, leaving the empire to wonder who is going to pay for all the damages.Overall I would recommend this game, as it provides an engaging experience. Be warned though that the game is short, only four full levels! luckily each of these levels is a solid hour long, and the game has strong replay value.
look out for a podcast collaboration with Jake at Dudley's Daily on the upcoming game Titanfall. Thanks for reading!
4/5
Good
"leaving the empire to wonder who is going to pay for all the damages." Brilliant. Great review, loved the length and detail. Suggestion for your PC: have you considered going open source?
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first got my xbox. This was one of my favorite games.I had some great times on it clem, thanks for reminding me of them.
ReplyDeleteI like this game a lot, it provides a good output for console gamers to play Star Wars games
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my most favorite games when I was a kid, great post
ReplyDeleteSmall tip: You say "SWFU 2 (as I will call it to save time)", yet that is the only time you use the abbreviation.
ReplyDeleteAs this was one of Adam's favorite games when he was a child it was one of mine too!
ReplyDelete