May The Wii Be With You...

By Toby Hillard
More Star Wars Force Unleashed : PS3 Review

If there is one thing that never quite made sense to me - besides the inner workings of the rubix cube - it was video games. 

So when news came about that Nintendo had created a video game console for "Non-Gamers" (a category I fall into... seriously, the last time I played anything even remotely console based was Battletoads on the original Nintendo), the feelings of potential hand blisters came rushing back.

You see, non-gamers can be grouped into two categories - those who can easily navigate 8000 buttons on a controller at once, and those who can barely survive buttons "A", "B", "Select" and some kind of directional arrows.

Thankfully, the Wii has kept it even more basic than that.

Never in my wildest dreams would I even think I would get close to "clocking" a game like Star Wars : Force Unleashed. But I did -- although from all reports... it's meant to be pretty easy on other platforms... but we'll just ignore that! This is a big moment in my life - so back the truck up.

Star Wars: Force Unleashed is the latest game from LucasArts (for all his flaws, George Lucas sure knows how to drive all forms of innovation in entertainment forward) which casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice".

Yep, it's time to be the anti-hero for once!

The expansive story is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars III : Revenge of the Sith and Stars Wars IV : A New Hope and allows players to assist the iconic villain in his quest to rid the universe of those pesky Jedi - decisions which, as always, could change the course of their destiny.

Already one of the fastest selling Star Wars games of all time, Force Unleashed on Wii has a forceload to offer to both experienced and beginner gamers, simply because the only real ability needed to play is use of your wrists.

In fact, it's for this reason that Force Unleashed on Wii is probably the best platform for Star Wars fans, especially those who don't want to memorise hundreds of button combinations.

There are very few opportunities in life to actively use one's relatively useless light saber skills in the real world. But in this game, on this console, Star Wars fans will find their true purpose in life.

I'm not going to lie - I stood up, I jumped around, I put my all into this game.

And I loved it!

Unlike the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, this is one game you'll want to play standing up: swing the Wii-mote around and you'll slash and swing your light saber. It's super cool.

The little joystick on your nunchuck controller moves your character around, and if you flick the nunchuck controller you can pick things up and use your force powers. 

It's very intuitive and even for a newbie like me, it didn't take long to become confident with my saber skills.

The motion controls are fairly sensitive when using the Wii-mote and nunchuck addon, which makes the experience all-the-more enjoyable and memorable. 

Of all the Wii games I've played, this is easily the most involving, as it uses the Wii-mote to good effect and it really makes you feel part of the on-screen action.

It's surprising more YouTube videos of Star Wars geeks getting into the spirit of the game and flailing around their lounge rooms haven't popped up online, because if you allow yourself, you can truly get swept away in the fun of it all.

The visuals are fairly impressive, with each world and their respective villains extremely well detailed and fleshed out. The interactive environments are phenomenal, with players able to use almost anything that appears on screen to throw, bend, break or smash.

Levels involving statues and rocks are by far the most guilty of pleasures, especially when playing the second time around, as the sound effects and damage they inflict are nothing short of superb.

If there are any weak points (and there are always flaws when it comes to anything Star Wars related: it seems to be a contractual obligation by Lucas to avoid perfection) it comes in the form of some occasionally sloppy camera angles.

There are plenty of moments during final battles where you essentially get trapped in a corner and are unable to see what the hell is going on which can be frustrating. 

Repetitiveness is also an issue as many level play out in a similar vein.

However, if there is one major drawcard to the Wii release (along with the brilliant motion sensitive controls) it's the much talked about Duel Mode. 

Only available on the Wii platform, Duel Mode is unabashed fun and quite possibly every Star Wars nerd's wet dream. 

The ability to challenge your friends and experience the thrill of Force Unleashed's unique combat style allows for players of all levels of ability to let their hair down and just... well... beat the hell out of each other.

Think Mortal Kombat but with better graphics, force powers, light sabers... and Darth Vader. 

Seriously, it's aceballs.

Game: Star Wars : The Force Unleashed
System: Wii
Players: 1-2
Online: No
Developer: Krome Studios
Distributor: Activision

Rating: 85%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)