Rating

B-

Specific Ratings

GraphicsB+
SoundA
GameplayA-
Replay ValueC-
Learning CurveD+

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Maintains the same feel as the original
Cons
  • Does little else
  • Makes you want to have the Force for real

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (PlayStation 3)

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Summary

Should you get it? Yes. You know you want it. For me, it’s probably worth a whopping 30 dollars. The fact that, at the time of this writing, it’s probably less than 20 dollars should persuade you to go out and BUY IT!

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Description

If you know what substance Han Solo was frozen in, what the name of Jabba’s rat looking pet was, or if you’ve ever sung along as the ending credits rolled during any of the Star Wars movies came to a close, you’ve probably already read enough professional opinion in the form of reviews about Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II to know what kind of a game you’re looking at. With that in mind, my only hope (see what I did there?) is to help bring the game into a more realistic world, one where the people who get to play it have day jobs and had to fork out real dollars to play it, and help you determine if you should do the same.

Gameplay:

With any direct sequel to just about any game. There are two main goals: To bring the feeling of the 1st game to the 2nd, all the while adding more to the experience that would make it even more fun and memorable. While Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II delivers on the 1st goal, it ultimately fails to add anything new or fun; just as badly as when you’ve tried to use the force in real life (you know you have).

What works well is the great fun to be had in feeling all powerful. I can’t tell you the amount of times I smiled as wryly as Han Solo when I tore through a squad of stormtroopers and found that I had accidentally left one alive. The possibilities at your disposal to destroy him are so fun to think about, and even more fun to execute. But it won’t take long for you to figure out that all you need to do is force push your way through every level until you get to an enemy (always a giant robot) that will require you to do a specific move for which said enemy has a particular weakness –> boring. Sure you will come across jet pack troopers and red-guard type enemies that will require other tactics, but it’s a slight bump in a long road of wash, rinse, and repeat gameplay.

What does not work with Force II are the attempts it makes at adding to the overall Star Wars experience through pulling in new baddies that aren’t strictly part of the Star Wars universe. A perfect example: Remember the dread you felt in your gut when Luke had to go toe to toe with a Rancor without his lightsaber. That beast was the most hardcore, most insanely feared creature in all the galaxy that was far far away. But because we beat up enough of them in Force 1, LucasArts has decided to add a monster that essentially eats Rancors for breakfast in an effort to try and keep us with the feeling that “I might not win”. I hate that monster. He isn’t fun to fight against, nor is he particularly well designed.

Sound/Music:

You’ve probably been singing the exact soundtrack throughout this review. Not that the theme is on loop, but you get the idea.

Trophies:

Having obtained the Platinum trophy for this game, I feel safe in saying you will probably have trouble in getting only two or three of the achievements. Most can be done in the first playing with a good guide by your side or even just a fore-knowledge of what they even are. However I will say this, one of the trophies you need to get will have you banging your head against the wall. While it isn’t one of those, “Play this game for 10,000 hour” trophies, it will test your skills and take them to the breaking point. It’s a trophy that requires you to achieve a certain ranking in all of the various time trials that can be accessed from the main menu. Most are a breeze. The very first one, however, is a test of lightsaber skill where you are tasked with performing every saber combination in the game and are given a ranking based on the amount of time it was done in. I searched youtube and the google-verse, and have yet to find anyone be able to get the highest ranking in this skill test. Suffice it to say, it’s impossible. To be ranked 2nd highest, the rank required for the trophy, it took me roughly an hour and a half of straight play. It’s about a minute long test. Did you catch that? I had to replay it almost 100 times in order to get that stupid trophy! Other than that, the other trophies aren’t bad.

Closing:

Should you get it? Yes. If you’ve read this review down to here, you know you want it. For me, it’s probably worth a whopping 30 dollars. The fact that, at the time of this writing, it’s probably less than 20 dollars should persuade you to go out and get it. It’s great. I loved it despite its flaws.

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