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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Demo Impressions (360)
DJMegaMatX | 5:39 PM on 08.24.2008 15 comments


Growing up as a skinny nerd, one of my favorite things to do was to play Star Wars games. Back then, there were good titles: X-Wing(tm): Alliance(tm), Super Empire Strikes Back(tm), and Dark Forces(tm): Jedi Knight(tm). As the prequels got released, more titles were released of lesser quality: Star Wars(tm): Episode 1-Battle for Naboo(tm), Star Wars(tm): Masters of Teras Kasi(tm), and so on. All the recent press of Star Wars(tm): The Force Unleashed(tm) got me excited, so I downloaded the demo only to be disappointed. Sluggish controls, respawning enemies, and a fairly uncreative environment (an Imperial base) were enough to get me to cancel my preorder of the game.

To be fair, the demo did a few things right. An original score has enough of a John William's flair and the graphics and physics feel appropriately as they would long ago in a galaxy far, far, away. It did have a brief tutorial on how to Force Grab (tm) and Force Shove (tm) things at other objects, but other subtleties to the controls weren't explained. A 3 second loading screen of the 360 controller explaining the function of 20 buttons isn't enough to show someone the ropes in a demo. As I controlled the secret Jedi Apprentice through his mysterious mission, tossing Stormtroopers (tm) into TIE Fighters (tm), I realized I don't really give a shit about Star Wars anymore. I've played too many games exploring metallic bases, slicing up robots and enemies whilst solving simple environmental puzzles to open doors.

Maybe I drank too much of the hype Kool-Aid (tm), but I was expecting a demo of this game to truly knock my socks off and make me feel like a kid again. Guess it's time to reread one of the Timothy Zahn novels again.

Am I the only person with negative opinions from the demo or not? Anyone?



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15 comments | showing # 1 to 15

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wepmajoe's Destructoid Blog
You're not alone. This game truly sets the bar of "...meh" when it comes to Star Wars games. I didn't have any fun playing it, and the several flaws didn't help.

I just wish they would go ahead and make KOTOR 3. I don't care which dev does it, just do it.
DJMegaMatX's Destructoid Blog
I'm only 6 hours or so into KOTOR and find the initial build up to be slow, although I'm told it gets better. Maybe I'd be better off starting with KOTOR 2?
Great Heat Engine's Destructoid Blog
if you didnt finish the first KOTOR, KOTOR2 will make NO sense.
LostCrichton's Destructoid Blog
Stick with KOTOR. The story and pace get much better as you go.
Spitfire's Destructoid Blog
I dunno, I have some disappointment with the trailer as you did, but only because I felt that it brought nothing new to the Star Wars series. I thought Jedi Knight II topped the light saber fighting and I agree with you that the force controls were a bit off. I really didnt like throwing an object with the left stick, I think it would have gone better if you just pressed force push after you've grabbed an object.
Tubatic's Destructoid Blog
@Spitfire

The thing there would be a diminished control on direction of the throw. I could imagine a scenario where throwing behind you might be preferable (if intentionally frantic and unweildy.

@MegaMax
I think I get where you're coming from, though I was largely satisfied with the demo. Kinda like how every 2 out of 3 Star Wars games has a Hoth level. Its easy to get tired of Hoth, but I like the point of reference. Without it, what *does* make it Star Wars?

What makes me a little hopeful in spite of the demo, are the trailer locations shown, as well as the additional environment(s?) depicted in Dinks's C-Blog entry.

Its not the second coming of Star Wars (I'm admittedly a little burnt, and can't care about the more or less surprise animated Clone War redundancy movie), but it does tread into some nice "next gen" enabled fan service territory regarding force powers and alignment anarchy.
Chocobo Knight's Destructoid Blog
Yeah, keep with KOTOR. It's slow to start, but it gets much better as the story opens up.

As for the demo, I feel pretty 'meh' about it after I finished it. I knew better than to buy into the hype-side, but it wasn't nearly as flashy and fun as the trailers have marketed it. It's definitely a perfect rental title if I ever saw one.
DJMegaMatX's Destructoid Blog
Haven't played KOTOR in a while, but might dip into it for a little bit until Castle Crashers comes out. Final Fight + RPG-ish stats (yay King of Dragons) should = awesomeness!
DJMegaMatX's Destructoid Blog
Haven't played KOTOR in a while, but might dip into it for a little bit until Castle Crashers comes out. Final Fight + RPG-ish stats (yay King of Dragons) should = awesomeness!
Chocobo Knight's Destructoid Blog
I'm pretty stoked for Castle Crashers that I've been holding off starting anything new till I get a chance to play it. I hope it's as awesome as everyone is hoping for. :D
king3vbo's Destructoid Blog
Finish KOTOR dude, its one of my favorite games
Chopp's Destructoid Blog
Am I the only person with negative opinions from the demo or not? Anyone?

I dunno about that, but you probably are the only one who adds trademarks to their blogs.
Clockwork's Destructoid Blog
I thought it was okay. But nothing spectacular. I can never imagine this game any more than a rent.
Velt's Destructoid Blog
Im feeling lucky this game will not come out on the PC.
johnphilips's Destructoid Blog
Yes, I agree with you. And obviously demo did a few things right.

John Philips

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