6.1 hours played
Written 30 days ago
As a foreword, let’s start this review by saying that this port of the game is not the best. Thankfully, the guide to fix this game is extensively documented on the pc gaming wiki and some simple patches allow for a decent experience. With that, I will give some benefit of the doubt to some of the jank I experienced. I made no modifications to the framerate and locked it at 30 fps to prevent issues. Only fix I really implemented was audio fixes.
Star Wars : Force Unleashed is, in my opinion, a game that is a collection of great ideas crushed under older game design decisions of the past. While this game has some great writing and gameplay moments, there are so many frustrating elements to this game that it’s hard to recommend. Reflecting on my experience with it more, this is a game that would heavily benefit from a remaster as there is something special here. But in this state, this Tequila needs a lot of salt to make it go down. If you wish to play it, it may be wise to play a seventh gen console version instead for a stable build and even achievement support.
[b]Positives: [/b]
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[*]Great flow of combat (when it doesn’t trip up)
[*]Music, audio and voice acting is great.
[*]Story is great fun, memorable characters and writing that slaps.
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[b]Negatives: [/b]
[list]
[*]Terrible at teaching the players how to play
[*]Combat is filled with frustrating moments
[*]Unbelievably frustrating QTE’s
[*]Difficulty curve like a ecg graph
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[b]Neutrals: [/b]
[list]
[*]All DLC is included that was split across console versions
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[h2] The Details (Spoilers)[/h2]
[h3]Game Mechanics and Game Flow[/h3]
This game has a great premise for its combat, with a main character that feels like he can crush mountains and move like the wind. When you are crashing through enemy fodder, using all your force tools and lightsaber in tandem, this game actually feels incredible.
However, once you hit a bump in the road in combat, it all comes crashing down. A major part that tanks the experience is the hit stun. When Starkiller gets knocked off his feet, you may as well fix yourself a drink because you won’t be getting back up for a while (assuming you live after everyone kicks you while you’re down)
When it comes to the one on one duels as well, these feel like puzzles rather than fights. Like you are searching for an exploit rather than a weakness. Half of these fights for me resulting in me either using a weird combat method (Kazdon was rotten for this) or just cycling a a ground to air combo alongside a force burst (For the rest of the fights)
The biggest issue I take with this game however spawns from the QTE’s. I have no prejudice against QTEs as a concept, but I take offence when they are placed in the middle of sections of gameplay that are action packed and busy. Half the time you will mess them up given how they just rip you out of your seat and throw the buttons at you. The biggest culprit in this line up however is from the Star Destroyer section. I say it with my chest, it may be the worst QTE section I have experienced in a video game. Having QTE instructions lie straight to your face (and apparently work even worse on keyboard and mouse, my prayers goes out to anyone who managed that) is an experience I would tell around a midnight campfire.
[h3]Visuals [/h3]
A part of the review where this game claws back some standing. While it’s on the edge slightly, it still maintains that earlier video game visual clarity, where clutter is minimal and environments are easy to comprehend.
An honourable mention goes out to the physics system they used for destructible objects. There’s nothing more satisfying than shattering a window with the force and watching the shatter ripple through it.
Each planet and environment also has a very distinct look, with Starkiller himself pulling up with a new fit every level (Not to mention all the other outfits and lightsabers)
[h3]Story (Spoilers) [/h3]
The premise of Darth Vader taking a secret apprentice and setting up a sabotage of the emperor is done very well. The story of Starkiller growing and forging his own path once his reality comes crashing down creates some great moments with some excellent pay offs in the final act.
The journey that Starkiller experiences as well has some excellent moments, with his character shining through nicely. He strikes a nice balance of both serious and humorous.
The supporting cast is all likeable here (Although the droid companion did grate at the latter point of the story) Each of the Jedi that you face are all interesting as well, with details on how they survived order 66 being great additions to the lore.
[h3]Audio [/h3]
In terms of music and sound effects, this gets an easy walk. One guy in the 70s goes on a mad one and sets a sfx template that is timeless. This game uses it all to great effect, with its own sound effects for destruction and so forth having a really nice impact.
In terms of the voice acting, a great show of talent across the board. Sam Witwer (Voice for Starkiller) gives a great performance and provides the character with a lot of life. Random note but he does excellent screams,sounds like they were actually throwing him around in that recording booth.
[h3]Longevity and Achievement List Review (Slight Spoilers) [/h3]
For my review, I did a single playthrough, playing the game at the recommended second difficulty which took me four and a half hours. While not intentionally, I very much did a critical path playthrough, not going for any repeats or utilising any of the training challenges.
There are multiple endings and difficulties, along with the sith edition bonus levels so if you like what you’re playing, there’s far more to enjoy. The steam version has no achievement list but console ports do. As mentioned in the abstract, this may be better played on console than on pc.