Force Unleashed Preview
Posted on behalf of Eludajae M'Nar of CSP.
Everyone knows about this game but here is what is being said in the various gaming magazines about it. Game Informer did a whole preview on the game and its features as their editor was given a chance to play it at E3 this year.
First, some good news to the die-hard PS2/PSP/DS/Wii users, there will be a version of the game available for your systems. This version will be without the new technology that the PS3 or 360 have, excellent games. For example the Wii version will allow you to use the motion controls that are the Wiis claim to fame and will track your Force and Light saber use so you can use all sorts of combinations that the Wii user has come to enjoy.
Now onto the next generation console game!
The Force Unleashed will not only sport a whole new engine, that allows the game to simulate behavior and environmental properties, but the big news is unlike all your other Star Wars games there will be no menus needed to use your Force skills. All your Force skills are mapped to one of the buttons or triggers on your controller. What does that mean? You can use all your Force skills and Light saber skills in combinations that were never allowed before and all on the fly.
The new environmental properties engine allows for things like, say youre facing a group of Storm troopers in a hanger you reach up with the Force and grab a TIE Fighter and drop it on them. Moments later another group attacks and you lift the flaming TIE wreckage into the air and throw it at them. But wait! Blink, Blink Two of the Storm troopers actually dodged the incoming wreckage! That is right, no longer will the enemy just stand there and watch as you kill them. They will dodge, duck behind cover, and generally maneuver like someone trying to stay alive while trying to kill you.
As the editor of the Game Informer put it, Simply witnessing the carnage that results from your actions is a reward in and of itself.
The system works because of all the powers being mapped to your controller buttons and triggers allow you to combine your skills like never before, but that is not all that this game gives. It allows you to level up the Secret Apprentices Force powers allowing you the gamer to choose the ones you want to focus on. Giving you the ability to create your own style of play. And for those of us that are into game aesthetics, every level you unlock a new look for the Secret Apprentice, and you are also given several ways to unlock special skins for the Secret Apprentice as well, sticking to the console game tradition of secret unlocks.
All in all, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is going to do two things it will fill the gap in the storyline between the Prequels and A New Hope, and change the way we envision the Force and its use forever.
Game on!
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whats the date on the wii version? And are they still not saying if it will be released for PC?
they stated it wont be. So we can pray or do a riot.
All the Game Informer said on release dates was "due out this summer." However, Gamestop and EB Games both say middle of March.
As for the PS2/Wii and other versions I am pretty certain those will be after the Next Generation ones. They'll pump those sales first, business-wise it makes sense, so I would say April for the others if the next gen come out in March. Wii might be different as its technically a next gen system just not as high tech as the PS3 and 360. But there is always hope for a PC release, if they are getting the older consoles one, then maybe PC might come next year.
Wait... why are my pants wet?! Oh well at least they were already white...
The release date was originally March but reports this week have been hinting at a delay until August, which apparently still counts as "summer" in the video game calendar. Bad news, its a delay, good news, it hopefully means it will actually be finished (I'm looking at you KOTOR2).
They haven't said anything new about the supporting products. The toys are already on sale in some places. The toys make it fairly clear there will be multiple endings and some of the previews have mentioned unlockables like bonus costumes for each level. Publishing sites for the novel and comic state March, so they might be on schedule still.
Most sites are stating "Q2 2008" as the US release date. The ones i've seen have not given release dates or game title for EU (though i'd imagine it'd still be The Force Unleashed)
That top picture, though... "Oh sure, you said. We can just park it, you said. I'm sure it's got repulsor engines, you said..."
It looks like a fantastic game and cant wait to get my paws on it. And I heard from PTOM that the PS2 edition will have not as good graphics and such but an additonal level in the Jedi Temple on Courscant and a confrontation with some Darth Dolohoeus...something like that.