Star Wars The Force Unleashed

(Warning: This Review Contains Story Spoilers)
Star Wars The Force Unleashed is a third person action game with a story that takes place between Episodes III and IV (or between the new movie trilogy and the old movie trilogy.) It is also the first Star Wars game to be given the honor by George Lucas as actually being a part of Star Wars canon.

The story is one any die-hard Star Wars fan will really enjoy (I know I did.) In the game, you play the role of Starkiller, Darth Vader’s secret apprentice. You are so secret in fact, that Vader has even kept your existence hidden from the Emperor. In the first few levels of the game Vader sends you on missions to hunt down and kill the last of the remaining Jedi. As the game progresses, however, you will eventually have to make a decision that will lead you to either the dark or light side of the Force.

As for gameplay, each level is pretty much the same, just in a different environment. You start at the beginning of a level and fight your way through Stormtroopers and other Star Wars creatures until you reach a final boss that you have to do battle with. The game is played from a third-person perspective and the only weapon you have is your lightsaber and your Force powers which allow you to do things such as shoot lightning out of your hand and lift objects (even people) with the Force and send them hurling across the room. The game is relatively short and can be completed in about 6-10 hours depending on the difficulty level you play at and how thorough you decide to be at looking for the bonus items hidden throughout the game.

What Parents Need to Know (Warning: This Review Contains Story Spoilers)

Violence

Each level has you fighting Stormtroopers or other Star Wars creatures that are trying to kill you. All you have to do battle with is your lightsaber and your Force Powers. When an enemy is defeated, they fall over and disappear. There is no blood or gore in the game.

Language

I did not come across any bad language in this game.

Sexual Content

A few of the female characters wear revealing clothing showing off their cleavage or mid-riff.

Spiritual Content

Star Wars is inspired from Mythology and you will be able to use different Force powers in the game such as the ability to shoot lightning out of your hand and push and throw objects with the Force.

Misc.

In some of the levels you are required to hunt down and kill Jedi (For any parent that has not seen Star Wars, the Jedi are the good guys.) There is, however, the possibility for redemption by the end of the game.

Reviewer’s Thoughts

I found myself having a love/hate relationship with The Force Unleashed. I loved it because it was Star Wars, the mechanics of how to use the force were really fun and the story was really good. I hated it because at times the controls were very frustrating, especially when it came to some of the boss battles. My son, however, went on to play the game after me and he played it on the easy level which allowed him to quickly defeat bosses that took me several tries playing on the normal difficulty. My main advice to parents regarding this game is that younger children (under 10) may have a hard time with why you are hunting down Jedi in the first few levels of the game. To everyone else, however, if you are a fan of Star Wars then you will definitely want to give The Force Unleashed a try.