OFFICIAL SHARKYMCSHARK REVIEW
I'm a massive Star Wars fan. I mean, not to the point of attending conventions - but that is only because there aren't any in this god forsaken city. Anyway, having keenly followed the development of FU, I had somewhat high expectations for it. The first level is a near perfect introduction to the game. Sure, it showcases the limitations of the game (poor camera, linear level design, button bash happy gameplay) - but damn it is cool. It not only sets the scene for the rest of the game, but gets you in the mood for it aswell. So the first impressions are good. Where does that leave the rest of the game?
Slightly worse than the first level in my opinion. Combat is reasonably fun and stylish, but is hampered by camera and targetting issues ([i]especially boss fights[/b]). Level design varies - we've seen imperial outposts and stations done a thousand times before, but they do look extra shiny in this. Raxus Prime grates on the eyes to be honest - although it was possibly intended to do that. Felucia for me is where the level design and art direction reaches its peak - the level truly looks and behaves organic. The game is quite short (even more than Max Payne 2), but there is a reasonable amount of replay value and customisation options available.
GAMEPLAY
Fun, if not really that engaging. Quite bashhappy, but the physics interaction makes up for that (although arguably in later levels there is a little bit too much going on at one time to warrant you standing still to pluck something from the ground). Loses mass points for annoying quick time events, and boss fights that are quite stupid in my opinion (more on this later).
3/5
VISUALS
Beautiful, both in direction and execution. Apart from Felucia, other things to look out for include the much vaunted Eephoria system, and the DMM - shatter and pane on glass and tell me it isn't fantastic! Animation is nice, with the only MAJOR gripe I have is the falling to ground system for Galen - you ragdoll initially, but once you hit the ground you essentially go rigid and continue to slide, as if across ice. Plus points for amazing relfection and refraction effects (I'm a sucker for those).
4/5
SOUND
New score mixed with the old stuff that everyone knows and loves. Of worthy note is the Imperial March in the first level - PERFECTION. The new stuff is recognisable mainly for me because its the music that wasn't in the movie. The effects are... well the SW effects that we've been hearing for years. Par for the course there. The voice acting was pretty good (<3 Juno's accent) - impressed they actually got Jimmy Smits in to do Bail. The only part that really felt bad was Maris Brood - after her redemption speech I really thought that she was going to turn around and engage some quick time event by attacking me. That was the impression I got the delivery was that bad.
4/5
LONGEVITY
Replay value comes in the form of unlocking new powers, costumes and saber crystals. There are also some reasonably amusing challenges to complete in the training room. Not an abundance, but at least it lets you mix things up a little. Oh yeah, there are two endings, but all it boils down to is which of the final bosses you'd rather face, as opposed to different levels or a different gameplay experience (a la Jedi Academy or KOTOR)
3/5
STORY
Meh. It was alright. A little bit hackneyed - and all this post finishing the movies tacking on of these signficant events that are never mentioned or made reference to in the movies or anywhere else for that matter is beginning to grate. The writing was reasonable, the script was somewhat believable (in context). It is a hack n slash game, and I never really pay attention to story in games unless the game is an RPG, but it served to nicely tie things together.
3.5/5
Overall Score: 17.5 / 25, 70%
Definately worth buying if you're a Star Wars fan for both the story and the fact that there are lightsabres. Worth a rent if you're a hack and slash fan - you'll finish it in one night anyway.
Things that I really really thought were cool: All the new tech - physcis, NaturalMotion, DMM, etc. The combo system was pretty nice too.
Things that really shat me: The Camera. Targetting system. Nonsensical boss fights - why can I, a JEDI, fall from a shockwave produced by a royal guard, but he can't fall from one produced by me? The fact that the only power that works on bosses is lightning (sometimes), whereas they seem to be able to hurl you about with impunity really grated. Also, PURGE TROOPERS. WHY? They aren't a challenge to fight - they just take so long to kill that it really breaks the flow of the game.
Thus spake sharky
/thread while I go and try to unlock the rest of the shit.