Overall Rating: 4.975/5.0
The highly anticipated sequel to The Force Unleashed, Force Unleashed II hit store and video game shop shelves across the world on both October 26, 2010 and October 29, 2010. The game is developed, as always, by the talented people at LucasArts, and available in the special edition (only those who pre-ordered got this) and general public version, and released for the Xbox360, PlayStation 3, OSi, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS. Already with a booming fan following, both veterans of the Force Unleashed series and newcomers will love this game. However, due to its heavy focus on skills, button smashing, and some luck, it is not recommended for casual gamers! Below, you'll find a score breakup of all the areas graded. Want some tips? Try my page, just click here!
Gameplay Rating: 4.9/5.0
General Play, Controller layout, and Controls
The overall gameplay is quite enjoyable, and the additional ability to slice off Stormtrooper body parts (head, arms, and legs) makes the game more realistic than the first. The controls are the same as those found in The Force Unleashed, and to newer fans, they are both logically and physically appealing. They make sense, and don't require you to be button smashing in a way similar to: hold down LB, now RB, now keep pressing "A" while still holding those, now stand on your head and sing Nowhere Man! Yes, they make sense. For that reason, I must give this a positive review. It also allows you more time (slightly) than most games for cued button pressing.
Enemy Defeat
The standard game cover art.
The enemy defeat system, by contrast to the statement found above this one, is something which can become rather boring. Unlike the first game, in which the enemies were more adaptive and intellectual in their strategic killing of Starkiller, the enemies here can easily be killed. Disregarding the occasional appearance of a tough Sith Acolyte, there is little behind enemy defeat but finding a logistical and strategic pattern, then sticking to it. It's only button smashing.
Actually, in a way, this is comparable to Meta Knight in Super Smash Brothers. Why? Because as long as you button smash, you'll win anything. Not to mention that the challenges within the game are rather lax, and easily reward you with new lightsabers with powers ranging from granting extra experience points with each hit, to health regeneration increase, and even to chances to denigrate your opponent upon contact. However, the additional ability to cut off Stormtrooper/enemy arms, heads, and legs does make killing slightly more fun and the repetitive button-smashing a little more palatable.
Actually, in a way, this is comparable to Meta Knight in Super Smash Brothers. Why? Because as long as you button smash, you'll win anything. Not to mention that the challenges within the game are rather lax, and easily reward you with new lightsabers with powers ranging from granting extra experience points with each hit, to health regeneration increase, and even to chances to denigrate your opponent upon contact. However, the additional ability to cut off Stormtrooper/enemy arms, heads, and legs does make killing slightly more fun and the repetitive button-smashing a little more palatable.
Level Gameplay
The levels are nice, yes, but some of them can get quite lengthy... Another downside is the fact that in both the opening and closing, Starkiller has hangover headaches in which you can do nothing but listen and/or watch the flashbacks from the mind of the original Starkiller. The final level is also quite annoying, being that you wander the labyrinth inside Vader's lair screaming for Juno. Um...okay, has Starkiller ever watched a movie? Don't scream the name of the person you're looking for, it makes you stand out!
Graphics Rating: 5.0/5.0
Menu Aesthetics
You see it all the time! Those boring menus that just have options and all that crap. Well Force Unleashed II is an example of an amazing menu. With the increasingly popular side-to-side menu, in which you pick what you want to do by going left or right rather than up or down enhances the game's pleasure, and the background and effects on just the menu...yummy!
Level and Action Detail
The levels are extremely detailed, and show an insane amount of articulate specifics. From each individual scrape you make with your saber on the wall, to the logically placed dents in the door which occur when your force-push your way in, the levels are detailed beyond belief! The entire concept of the levels themselves is simplistic, but the amount
Click to enlarge
of work which went into just the levels is just mind-blowing! It's phenomenal work, and they pulled off such a precise, realistic universe that you're left to wonder... Am I playing a video game?
As for the action graphics... We've all seen 'em. Those games that have the crappiest spell graphics or sword fights in the history of history. Yeah, that's not the case here. Force Unleashed II eliminates that, and it simply replaces it with a comprehensive view of every force push, force lightning, and every lightsaber swing. As with the levels, it's mind-blowing!
As for the action graphics... We've all seen 'em. Those games that have the crappiest spell graphics or sword fights in the history of history. Yeah, that's not the case here. Force Unleashed II eliminates that, and it simply replaces it with a comprehensive view of every force push, force lightning, and every lightsaber swing. As with the levels, it's mind-blowing!
Character Detail
Click to enlarge
As with all the other graphics, the amount of detail in not only Starkiller, but also in the enemies is apparent in one glance. From every dent, knick, scratch, and spot of dirt on the Jango Fett costume you can acquire, to the precise way in which the orange glows on the area where a Stormtrooper's head was once when you decapitate it, it's clear this game is top-of-the-line in graphics. The movement and flow of the character motions, including running, jumping, and walking, all show a clearly precise and articulate graphic artist, and to those who worked on the game graphics, I salute you.
Sound Rating: 5.0/5.0
Voice Acting, Sound Quality, and Sound
The voice acting is prolific, and is nicely orchestrated by the people at the studios. Similar to the first, the sound effects are not only amazing, but they are also precise and high-quality.
Game Details
Game Name
Star Wars:The Force Unleashed II
Game Series
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Comes After: The Force Unleashed
Comes Before: None at the moment
Comes After: The Force Unleashed
Comes Before: None at the moment
Genre(s)
Action, Third person view, Science Fiction
Release Date(s)
October 26, 2010 and October 26, 2010
Game Rating
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB): Teen for: Violence, mild blood
Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC): Mature for: Violence
Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC): Mature for: Violence
Game Distributors
LucasArts (linked to official site)
All platforms distributor
All platforms distributor
Game Developers
LucasArts (all platforms development)
Aspyr Media (PC development)
Red Fly Studio (Nintendo Wii Development)
Aspyr Media (PC development)
Red Fly Studio (Nintendo Wii Development)
Game Platforms
Xbox360 (Microsoft), PlayStation3 (Sony Entertainment Group), Computer PC (Microsoft Windows enabled), Wii (Nintendo), Nintendo DS (Nintendo, portable), iOS (mobile phone application, portable)
Platform-Specific Elements
Microsoft Windows PC, PlayStation3, Xbox360: New Force skins, default ability to dual-wield sabers, new ability to destroy the in-game environment around you (and get experience for doing so!)
Nintendo Wii: Exclusive "Force Rage" effect (bullet-time mode), exclusive Force power, multiplayer mode
Nintendo DS: None, features all aspects of the platforms, allows quick access in and out of the game, more cartoon-like style
Nintendo Wii: Exclusive "Force Rage" effect (bullet-time mode), exclusive Force power, multiplayer mode
Nintendo DS: None, features all aspects of the platforms, allows quick access in and out of the game, more cartoon-like style