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CES 2008: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed photo
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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.

Continue: More CES stories





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67 comments | showing # 1 to 50

bigfatton's Avatar
bigfatton at 01/08/2008 20:06
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Oh wait, no....this game looks awesome
bmdubya's Avatar
bmdubya at 01/08/2008 20:09
So did they show a new trailer or anything? I'm really looking forward to this game, and I want to see some more footage.
Scrixx's Avatar
Scrixx at 01/08/2008 20:10
REALISTIC YOU SAY?



Also looking forward to it :D
bruceleethree's Avatar
bruceleethree at 01/08/2008 20:10
NO PC?

NO THANKS!

DX10 IS THE FUTURE NUBS
Ravana's Avatar
Ravana at 01/08/2008 20:11
HAHA, Dale saw we wanted more Unleashed and so the dear sir has delivered. Its like koalas crapping rainbows in my brain!

I miss you Goz. *sob sob*
kawitchate's Avatar
kawitchate at 01/08/2008 20:12
well color me jealous
epoch's Avatar
epoch at 01/08/2008 20:12
what about lightsaber combat? I haven't heard anything about how that
Velt's Avatar
Velt at 01/08/2008 20:12
FIrst time I heard of this game... man, something for the pc gamers here?
wardrox's Avatar
wardrox at 01/08/2008 20:16
YES!
BahamutZero's Avatar
BahamutZero at 01/08/2008 20:22
I saw a demo of that DMM/Euphoria system, it's ridiculous.
Aertyr's Avatar
Aertyr at 01/08/2008 20:24
Why does Lucas art's hate me so much as to release 2 title's for non - PC. Not that it's going to be painful to buy a Xbox360, it's just sad. No love for me... *wimper*
Hamza CTZ Aziz's Avatar
Hamza CTZ Aziz at 01/08/2008 20:26
I posted video of the Euphoria system a while ago and it was amazing to say the least.
GuitarAtomik's Avatar
GuitarAtomik at 01/08/2008 20:27
I'm getting the X360 version, but I'm curious if the Wii and PS2 versions are still going to use DMM and Euphoria. Did they mention that?

Also, FINALLY. A Wii lightsaber game.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 01/08/2008 20:30
Dear god please..
Jarmer's Avatar
Jarmer at 01/08/2008 20:31
The DMM System sounds awesome. If it indeed turns out to work the way you described it, I can see myself sitting there for hours playing around with the environment.
bigfatton's Avatar
bigfatton at 01/08/2008 20:34
I think pc gamers are getting ignored more and more these days because they just don't sell as many copies. i think people don' have the money to keep constantly updating their computers to stay up to date with games. also, its just so much easier to pop a game in a ps3 or 360 and just start playing. pcs.....not saying its not really easy, but you know people....
Aertyr's Avatar
Aertyr at 01/08/2008 20:34
As a side note.... WHERE IS MY KOTOR 3!
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 01/08/2008 20:37
Dtoid asked, and Dale delivered. This game looks awesome! I’m also excited for that upcoming Indiana Jones game, which, as far as I know, is also being developed by LucasArts. It will use the same Euphoria software for non-canned animations as this game.
brucie97's Avatar
brucie97 at 01/08/2008 20:44
So here's hoping for multiplayer action!
Mr_Snuffle's Avatar
Mr_Snuffle at 01/08/2008 20:58
That's Krome, not Khrome
Toneman's Avatar
Toneman at 01/08/2008 21:05
The physics in this game make my pants moist.
F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 01/08/2008 21:06
This could be one of the most important games on the Wii if it turns out the way we all want it to
MrSadistic's Avatar
MrSadistic at 01/08/2008 21:11
The hype just went up for this game and with that it's bound to be a failure when it hits shelves.
Dan CiTi's Avatar
Dan CiTi at 01/08/2008 21:17
Smehexy.
brosef's Avatar
brosef at 01/08/2008 21:20
Yes!!! I got a boner just thinking about it. I can already it's going to be one to last over 4 hours, so I'm gonna go ahead and call the doc now. XD
Orionsaint's Avatar
Orionsaint at 01/08/2008 21:25
I got a boner too!

philgasm's Avatar
philgasm at 01/08/2008 21:33
btw, it's Krome Studios, no 'H' :)
Cowzilla3's Avatar
Cowzilla3 at 01/08/2008 21:34
Damn it Dale I wnated to know about light saber waggling action!!!
AgentMOO's Avatar
AgentMOO at 01/08/2008 21:52
Did you just say Life and Depth? Worst pun ever!


The game looks and sounds amazing, I can't wait to play it
PsychoSoldier's Avatar
PsychoSoldier at 01/08/2008 21:58
I can't wait for this to come out. Playing the evil side should be much fun.
TheStripe's Avatar
TheStripe at 01/08/2008 21:58
bruceleethree = retard

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.
Vitamin Awesome's Avatar
Vitamin Awesome at 01/08/2008 22:15
@ TheStripe

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.
AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 01/08/2008 22:15
I can't wait. I hope there's epic multiplayer, I really do.

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. :)
fearian's Avatar
fearian at 01/08/2008 22:17
no PC?
*tear
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 01/08/2008 22:37
lulz@Reaprar

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.
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 01/08/2008 22:38
And that's coming from a PC gamer.
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar
PrinceofCannedPeaches at 01/08/2008 22:41
That may have been a bit harsh. Sorry, D-army. [/regret]
Hiltz's Avatar
Hiltz at 01/08/2008 22:42
It all sounded good until I saw the incompetent developer responsible for the Wii version. It's doomed.

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.
Velt's Avatar
Velt at 01/08/2008 22:45
As I have said before, I stick to PC gaming because I like my mouse and my keyboard... also I dont feel like droping 400 bucks on a console that is going to die (yes, Im talking about the 360).
Corak's Avatar
Corak at 01/08/2008 22:51
Very excited for this, been waiting for a quality star wars game like this for a while now, lets hope this turns out as fun as it sounds.
benjoman's Avatar
benjoman at 01/08/2008 23:13
wow man, so much power in your hands, this game sounds really promising, i'll have my eyes on this for sure.
bluki's Avatar
bluki at 01/08/2008 23:23
Lucas arts need to make MOAR REPUBLIC COMMANDO.......... shit that game was awesome but very short... :(
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 01/08/2008 23:26
I'm more interested in the technology behind this game than the game itself.
Xeniteone's Avatar
Xeniteone at 01/08/2008 23:33
Until we play it, who knows how it'll come off. However, there are more Star Wars titles than reasons I wouldn't want my kids sleeping over at Michael Jackson's house, and while they haven't all been hits, some have had major potential. So, we'll wait this one out.
WDot's Avatar
WDot at 01/08/2008 23:35
Now THIS is interesting. If they can really pull off the technology they say they can, then this will be earth-shattering.

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-Excel's Avatar
The-Excel at 01/08/2008 23:57
That poster looks epic for all the wrong reasons.
TheStripe's Avatar
TheStripe at 01/09/2008 00:11
@Awesome - Point taken, but the loss of the fanfic credibility more like a sub-gripe to me. Lucas had already fucked the saga up for me with the special edition before he pooed all over the (licensed) fanfic regarding the bounty hunters that I found particularly entertaining. I'm just basically in denial of any part of the universe that's been added or modified since the first three movies were made. I hope this game is awesome enough to make me not care that Lucas is a derivative, money grubbing gnome.
Pariah's Avatar
Pariah at 01/09/2008 01:04
are you all forgeting about No More Heroes? Waggle control lightsaberish action only a few weeks away!
MasterSauce's Avatar
MasterSauce at 01/09/2008 01:09
It sounds fun. Hopefully it lives up to my hopes. I need gameplay video.

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?
God Len's Avatar
God Len at 01/09/2008 01:46
DO WANT
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