Star Wars Force Unleashed II Review

     Starkiller is dead, long live Starkiller! This game continues the good side ending from Star Wars Force Unleashed, marking Starkiller's demise. Although, with some super glue, a paper clip, twine, a couple thousand clone tanks, and the budget of the prequels combined, Darth Vader resurrects his wayward apprentice. Vader, more machine than man, apparently has not learned from his mistakes and believes he can “rehabilitate” his flat lined pupil. As with most plans of mice and machines, Starkiller quickly goes rogue and escapes Vader's clutches. With no direction (from Vader, Lucas, or the writing department) Starkiller decides his only mission will be to reunite with his love of three scenes, Juno Eclipse. So sets the stage for Force Unleashed II, which will include, redemption, pain, love, friendship, and confusion? Force Unleashed II seems more like Force Unleashed I.5. Nothing is resolved and all loose ends are left frozen in carbonite. Yet, there is a lightsaber lining to this cloud.

     Graphically Force Unleashed II is a Tour de Force. As we enter the first level on Kamino, the technology and graphical fidelity are amazing. From the way that the ground and walls reflect Starkiller's movements and lighting, to the varied weather patterns of the different planets, the game is a beauty to behold. LucasArts uses a suite of high powered physics, clothing, and motion software that create a surprisingly realistic and interactive world. Keep in mind that Starkiller can force push and blow himself up to obliterate everything around him, so the term realistic is used loosely. If nothing else Force Unleashed II is a tech demo that highlights how far we have come in creating digital worlds.

     For all of Force Unleashed II's technical wizardry and advancements, the gameplay has not been touched at all. The combo's are different, enemies are mostly new, and the locations you visit are taken from Star Wars lore, but it is still, like it's father before it (Force Unleashed I), a clone. Force Unleashed II borrows heavily from the God of War series, even having you fight a bigger than life enemy, in a very cinematic encounter. This does not make the combat in Force Unleashed II bad, it is just an impersonation, like children who dress up as Vader for Halloween. If you enjoy using over the top force powers, destroying swaths of enemies with lightsabers, and button prompted stylized kills, then you will enjoy this game. Try not to enjoy it too much though, because it is over in about five to eight hours according to your skill.

Force Unleashed II is a beautiful game made for Star Wars fans that enjoy God of War. It is also made for people that love lightsabers. Who doesn't love lightsabers?