In the original The Force Unleashed, players could conclude the adventure of the secret apprentice, named Starkiller, either as a disciple of the Light or Dark Side of the Force. Each path finished with vastly different consequences, for both the Star Wars galaxy and Starkiller. It’s unclear which ending TFU II picks up on, but since the Light Side ending is the only official canon, the choice seems obvious. Six months have passed, and once again, players pick up the mantle of Starkiller. Things kick off with Darth Vader landing on Kamino, the planet responsible for producing the prequel trilogy’s clone army. Meeting with Starkiller, Vader pronounces the Jedi but a mere clone of his former apprentice, and officially terminates his services. Of course, Starkiller escapes, on the run from Imperial agents and in search of true identity and past lover, Juno Eclipse.
Just singing, and slashing in the rain…
The Force Unleashed II incorporates a number of new additions and modifications, starting with Starkiller himself. The apprentice now wields dual lightsabers, which can be used with rather devastating results. Watching Starkiller in action with the two blades, his animations looked much more fluid and natural. Another new feature added to the arsenal of powers on offer is the Jedi Mind Trick. Rather then simply getting through checkpoints with a few droids in tow, players can trick enemies into fighting alongside them or even into committing suicide.
In the original TFU, LucasArts believes they cast the net too far with the high number of different enemy units. For the sequel, the developer is focusing on much more defined enemy types. As opposed to just knocking a few out of the sky with the Force, TIE Fighters now make up just one of the new opponents in the game. Players can expect to encounter them frequently as they engage in ground combat. Thankfully, Starkiller’s talents should not be underestimated. With the aid of the Force, he can crush the starfighters into tiny balls, which can then be used as projectiles to destroy other TIE Fighters.
Pacing is another area to have undergone some changes for The Force Unleashed II. The first game was centred heavily on combat, with hardly a second going by without someone taking a shot at you. TFU II contains its fair share of fights, but more emphasis is placed on platforming and exploration. In addition, there are new sections called ‘controlled dives’, reminiscent of Anakin Skywalker’s leap of faith in Attack of the Clones. In these segments, Starkiller jumps from a high platform, falling hundreds of meters to the next area. On the way down, players will have to avoid obstacles and use their prowess with the Force to destroy enemies, such as TIE Fighters, that may be standing in the way.
Atta boy.
From what we have seen so far, The Force Unleashed II has all the necessary visual qualities. Computer-generated cut-scenes look astonishing, and in the Kamino level on show, a great deal of detail could be viewed in both the environment and characters. Technologies such as Euphoria and DMM (Digital Molecular Matter) are making a comeback for the sequel, aiding in making the environment react naturally to the pressures of the Force. For example, after coming out of a controlled dive, Starkiller sent a shockwave out destroying much of the building he landed in, twisting metal and breaking various objects.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II looks set to continue the legacy established in the first game, with enthralling Force destruction and satisfying lightsaber combat. If LucasArts can improve on the previous iteration and deliver another spellbinding narrative, this game may be contender for other such classics as Jedi Outcast and Knights of the Old Republic. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is set to be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS and PC in October.
Loading...
