LucasArts was kind enough to invite me out to their private suite to see the latest build of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Unfortunately, they weren't kind enough to give me some hands on time, but the game looks amazing, so I'll let that slide this time.
Set in the time between Episodes III and IV, The Force Unleashed puts players in the shoes of Darth Vader's secret apprentice. You are not some errand boy; the Sith Lord sends you on a quest to wipe out every last Jedi, and you have the unleashed Force at your disposal. If you've ever wanted to be one bad guy against the world, The Force Unleashed is your game
Hit the jump to read more about Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.
I got a chance to lay eyes on a Xbox 360 build of the title. Details and story specifics are still on lock down, but I can say that worlds like Raxus Prime and Felucia were a sight to behold. Some stages seemed practically endless, and all were a visual treat even in the game's unfinished state. I had to force a smile and nod every time they looked at me during the demo, the whole time forcing back the urge to snatch away the controller to get a taste for myself.
The game uses two new technologies, DMM (digital molecular matter) and Euphoria. DMM simulates how matter would behave in the real world, opting for realistic calculations over switched animations. Using the Force to bash in metal doors causes them to bend in a very realistic way, and its nice to know that what you're seeing isn't canned animations; it could be different every time you hit it. Every environment's reaction to the player's actions seemed real.
The Euphoria software is a human counterpart to DMM. This gives characters a nervous system, and it enables them to act and react in very human ways. Enemies will dodge shots, take cover, and hold on for dear life when given the opportunity, and this all seems to give the game a real sense of life and depth.
The gameplay looks to be an absolute blast. Every button press seemed to bring about mass destruction, and a string of Force powers can go beyond that to bring about punishing combos. You really get the sense that anything can be destroyed by the Force, and from what I saw, just about anything is game.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a multi-console title, with each version having its own exclusive content. From what I understand, the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will be similar. Khrome Studios is developing the PS2 and PSP versions, as well as the anticipated Lightsaber/Wii Remote Wii version. It's also coming to the DS, and will use stylus swipes to input battle commands.
As I said earlier, details are still on lock down, but stay tuned for more on
Star Wars: The Force Unleased soon.
Contest:
8:06 PM on 01.08.2008
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OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
Oh wait, no....this game looks awesome
Also looking forward to it :D
NO THANKS!
DX10 IS THE FUTURE NUBS
I miss you Goz. *sob sob*
Also, FINALLY. A Wii lightsaber game.
The game looks and sounds amazing, I can't wait to play it
PC gaming is doomed to be a boutique sport. Only those with too much money get to play.
And I almost hoped I wouldn't hear another word about this game before it hit because I want to give it a chance. My problem is that George Lucas' name is on the box. The man destroyed some incredible films to make a few more bucks. Then pooped a fat load on the volumes of fiction that sprang up around them. Fuck Lucas. I hope this game succeeds in spite of his involvement.
Fanfic is hardly a good source of canon, I was always sick of hearing about these people saying "well according to this novel..." and all that crap. If we had to incorporate everything that wasn't official into a story just so it wouldn't hurt the feelings of some guy making a quick buck off someone else's ideas, we'd see crisis core containing a side story about how Cloud, Zack, and Sephiroth were all butt buddies (according to some very disturbing fanfics I've heard about). I'm not about to defend George Lucas or anything like that, I was ultimately disappointed by the new trilogy, but I'm not about to hear that official stories proving noncanonical ones wrong are a bad thing.
With that said, I'm really excited for this game, I usually don't preorder games from a trailer, but this made me do just that.
GOD I MISS JEDI OUTCAST MULTIPLAYER!
I WANT A NEW STAR WARS FPS / 3RD PERSON GAME WITH A BETTER ENGINE THAT DECIMATES JEDI OUTCAST AND JEDI ACADEMY ONLINE!
Well, and campaign of course. :)
To those of you who get stiffed here: PC gamers always get stiffed, and always will get stiffed; your a**hole should already be wider than Larry Craig's pissing stance, I cannot SEE why you're complaining.
I can see it now, bad graphics and disappointing controls and well ... basically everything else the Xbox 360 and PS3 version will not be.
I'd like to force choke Lucas Arts. Thankfully, I'm not really into Star Wars games so it's not a big loss.
That said, throw I wouldn't mind if the PC port came a couple of months later, just keep it in mind. Some of us have a PC, have played plenty of Lucasarts games on it, and don't appreciate the sudden abandonment.
the Wii game? I'll have lightsaber battles and 60% of the the other goodies. No way on God's green earth it will do more than that. Which is Sad, because I heart the Wii.
DS? Hopefully they try something new and creative. The DS is starving for more adult, well made action games.
Actually, speaking of the DS, if you go on Gamesstop's website there are lightsaber styli that will be going on sale and Star Wars ...decorations or a sleeve, or some nonsense like that. Both are said to be out on March 25th. Wondering if that's a tie in for this game or rehashing the Lego series again...shrug, don't know. Lucas Arts web site doesn't mention another DS game. No way Unleashed is shipping by then. Maybe the DS, but none of the major consoles, right?