Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Xbox 360) | 
 enlarge | From: Activision
Category: Video Games
List Price: £39.99
Buy New: £29.95
You Save: £10.04 (25%)
New (14) Used (17) from £24.99
Rating:  54 reviews
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: action-games
Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Media: Video Game
Operating System: Xbox 360
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.6
UPC: 023272005641
EAN: 0023272005641
ASIN: B000NTAG66
Release Date: September 19, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk
The Star Wars saga will continue in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, a videogame developed by LucasArts, which casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. The expansive story, created under direction from George Lucas, is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. In it, players will assist the iconic villain in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi - and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.
Join the Dark Side |
You are Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice
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Use The Force to disable your enemies
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Artwork of the Jedi "Maris"
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As its name implies, The Force Unleashed completely re-imagines the scope and scale of the Force by taking full advantage of newly developed technologies that will be seen and experienced for the first time: Digital Molecular Matter (DMM), by Pixelux Entertainment, and euphoria by NaturalMotion Ltd. Paired with the powerful Havok Physics™ system, these new technologies create gameplay only possible on the new generation of consoles. DMM incorporates the physical properties of anything in the environment so that everything reacts exactly like it should - wood breaks like wood, glass shatters like glass, plants on the planet Felucia bend like plants on the planet Felucia would, and more. Meanwhile, as a revolutionary behavioural-simulation engine, euphoria enables interactive characters to move, act and even think like actual human beings, adapting their behaviour on the fly and resulting in a different payoff every single time.
Game Features:- During the period between Episodes III and IV, players hunt Jedi in the role of Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice.
- Unleash and upgrade the Secret Apprentice's four core Force powers - Force push, grip, repulse and lightning - throughout the course of the game, and combine them for ultra-destructive, never-before-seen combos.
- Examples of unleashing the Force in ways never thought possible:
- The Secret Apprentice won't just Force push enemies into walls - he'll Force push enemies through walls.
- The Secret Apprentice won't just Force grip foes to throw them aside - he'll Force grip them in midair, zap them with lightning, then drop them to the ground to explode like a bomb.
- In addition to new adversaries created just for the game, such as fugitive Jedi and Force-sensitive Felucians, players will also confront and associate with familiar faces from the Star Wars films, including Darth Vader.
- Visit locations such as Episode III's Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk and the floral Felucia, the junk planet Raxus Prime, plus an Imperial TIE fighter construction facility.
- The Force Unleashed is LucasArts' first internally developed title for next-generation consoles, and it represents the first in-game collaboration of talents and technology between LucasArts and Industrial Light & Magic, two companies now finally under one roof at the new Letterman Digital Arts Center in San Francisco's Presidio district.
- The Force Unleashed debuts Digital Molecular Matter from Pixelux and euphoria behavioral simulation from NaturalMotion Ltd.
- LucasArts is preparing an unprecedented promotional effort around the launch of The Force Unleashed, encompassing a full line of toys and game-based action figures from Hasbro, as well as a full publishing program from Dark Horse, Del Rey and Palace Press.
Meet the Cast
The Star Wars Saga will continue in 2008 with LucasArts' biggest-ever video game event. Set during the "dark times" between Episodes III and IV, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed portrays the previously untold story of Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice -- and now you can put a face to that mysterious character as well as the major supporting cast members as LucasArts unveils the actors set to star in The Force Unleashed. The New Technology of The Force Unleashed
With The Force Unleashed, LucasArts not only introduces a new chapter in the Star Wars saga, but also two completely new and innovative technologies -- Digital Molecular Matter by Pixelux Entertainment and euphoria by NaturalMotion Ltd. These groundbreaking technologies combine with Havoc physics to create true next-gen gameplay and the Force like it's never been seen or experienced before.
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| Customer Reviews:
The Force unrealised September 21, 2008
J. T. Houlston-hope (England)
47 out of 50 found this review helpful
At first, it's impossible not to like this game. The hype has been overwhelming and the prospect of playing as Darth Vadar before stepping into the shoes of his secret apprentice is a thrilling thing for even a half-baked star wars fan. The intro is great- the rousing John William's score, the scrolling text, and then a pre-rendered, high definition intro. Good times.
However, even a few minutes into the game, the initial thrill begins to wane as the limitations of this new release start to unravel. Sand box this ain't. From the off you can move ten feet to you left and ten feet to your right and it is immediately clear that the only direction you are meant to (and allowed to) go is straight forward. This rapidly establishes itself as the overriding rule of the game, and it is not much of an exaggeration to say the environments are almost as restrictive as the old crash Bandicoot games. Remember them? Replace Crash with Sith and you're not in a galaxy far, far away from this. No sense of a leap forward in gaming technology here, then.
So on you plough, blasting things out of the way with force push, swinging your light-saber wantonly, rolling past huge wookies and bumbling stormtroopers. There's no doubt that using your force powers to hurl adversaries out of your path and over cliffs is great fun. This is strongest and best aspect of the game, so starting with Vadar at the height of his powers is a master-stroke.
Eventually, after a surprisingly short introduction level, you find your way to an expanded area, which, were this two generations ago, you would assume were designed to facilitate a generic end of level boss. You know the type of boss I mean- from Playstation one/two games. The type of boss that attacks you with repetitive moves, the aim being to learn this repetition and exploit the weak spots. Imagine my surprise, then, when exactly this type of boss strolls into my field of vision and battle ensues. His techniques are learnt, he is overcome, we proceed to the next level. And repeat. And repeat. And Repeat. In fact, by level five it is quite clear how bereft of ideas this game is. The core purpose of every stage (save for a very few token gesture later levels at Cloud City and other venues) is to stroll down a narrow predetermined route, dispatching poorly matched hordes, before arriving at end of level boss venue and duking it out. Plus, the levels are disappointingly short throughout and, as the game progresses, less and less interesting. Awards for game play and level design will not be on the shelves of Lucas Arts this year.
What you can say for the game, at least, is that it looks incredible. The graphics are first rate and the sense of being part of a larger struggle never leaves you. Look over a cliff, there's a huge star destroyer hovering forwards. Looks out a window and there's a brace of tie fighters deep in a dogfight. Magic. And no matter how limited the game play there's an impossible joy when bumping into familiar characters and (superficially) exploring familiar worlds. This is star wars- and its clear no expense has been spared.
But at its root that is the beginning and end of the problem. This game suffers precisely the same ills as episodes 1-3. Fantastic to look at but very, very, oh so very little underneath. How George Lucas can keep making this same mistake over and over again fills me with as much disbelief as it does rage. But that's a different subject altogether.
Bottom line is, if you like Star Wars, You'll be thrilled with the eye candy this game has to offer. But once you've finished it, the day after you bought it, it will go back into your draw and never bother GTA4 again.
7 out of 10 at best.
Almost ruined September 21, 2008
S. Williamson
20 out of 26 found this review helpful
This game has a lot going for it. Force powers are great, art & design is fab and a great story.
However, the game play just about ruins the whole game. Whole sections are far too difficult, forcing you to do that same old no-no; replay the same section again and again and again and again.
That's bad enough, but the targeting system is poor, you'll launch an attack with an enemy standing right next to you and the targeting system will loose him, miss and you'll die.
Some of the boss fights are simply random, you're winning and just before you complete it, some new enemies appear and take turns to attack, after which your character has to spend a second recovering. In effect you are reduced to spectating in anger and frustration unable to do anything and forced to repeat. There is no sense of satisfaction from winning these, just relief that another rubbish, boring part of the game is over.
Programmers keep making the same poor mistakes and somehow they get away with it. The story keeps the game alive, but very poor programming and design almost killed this one - a terrible disappointment.
There are other releases on their way which will no doubt deserve your money more.
Very good game but Not as god as the PS3 and Wii versions August 27, 2008
M. Treadwell (London)
11 out of 66 found this review helpful
I'm always a bit sceptical when it comes to games based on the Star Wars franchise. For every Knights of the Old Republic there is a Bounty Hunter that ruins it. I'm a big Star Wars fan and even the terrible games I enjoy for their story. Star Wars has had a pretty easy ride recently with the succesfull KOTOR, Battlefront and Lego games. Which is why I was a bit worried about the development of The Force Unleashed. The game seemed to have a large amount of amibition with the new physics systems and bridging story.
Upon starting the game the menus seemed very basic. But once the game kicked off I was very surprised. The way it makes you feel like a powerful sith is impressive. Combining force powers opens up lots of options to defeat your foes. The first I tried was lifting someone, then shocking them and throwing them back at their allies so he can shock all of them too. The controls are very simple and easy to pick up. You will feel like a powerful Jedi very quickly. Therewas a quick time event at the end of the level where you can cut an AT-ST in half and split it in 2 using force push.
The graphics were vey good and very authentic. Star Wars has always been recognised by its atistic style and this doesnt dissapoint.
One thing I should mention is how inferior the Xbox 360 version is to the PS3 version. The PS3 version has much better details, colours, framerate, resolution, particle effects, cinema videos and sound. The sound is in DTS on the PS3 version. If you have a home cinema system the sound of the lightsaber and explosions sound fantastic. The bass is rich and the music score fits right in. The Xbox 360 version sounds weak. Its almost as of a wasp is humming in your room rather then the deep buzz in the PS3 version. The Xbox 360 version also suffers from screen tear (v sync). This is where the top half of the picture is out of sync with the bottom and a line appears half way down the screen. Its very off putting. There is also a slight pause between animations on the Xbox 360 which can be off putting when doing combos. The PS3 version flows perfectly while the Xbox 360 version seems jerky. I am well aware that a few Xbox 360 fanboys will dispute this but I own every system and I am unbiased.
Overall I would rate each version in this order: PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, PSP, PS2, Nintendo DS. If you have more than 1 system feel free to use this as a way to decide which version to get.
Star Wars The Force Unleashed September 22, 2008
Mr. G (UK)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
This is a brief honest review from a game lover and a star wars fan.
Having now completed the game, one day after purchase I feel a little short changed. Although the game is fun, once you have gained control of your power (unlike other reviews I have not found that the game will throw items off in random directions when you send them flying, and simply attribute this to poor use of the controls)it is a very short game.
The game is fun, you do get a thrill from throwing around hoards of stormtroopers, electrocuting rancors, and blasting open doors with your force push. Also the story behind the game, I feel, is well done.
Unfortunatly the game does have many flaws, glitch's, you may hear about, being one of them. The game seems not able to keep up with everything going on and that causes the game to stutter at times, albeit very briefly, however once you are into the game and busy slicing up at-at's you hardly notice it. Also many of the boss battles are from an awkward POV, which cannot be changed, in some cases this is only a minor problem, but in some battles it means that the boss himself is off screen whilst he kicks your butt; this however does not take away from the end boss battles, which I enjoyed.
These however are the only major problems, repetition is not so much a problem as the game, as said before is quite short, and there is a lot of fun to be had from this game, however it may be worth waiting for the price to drop a little before purchase!
 button glitch? September 20, 2008
P. Haines (London)
6 out of 8 found this review helpful
The first 4 missions are very enjoyable and then starts getting boring. This game is very simlair to battle front,
The controls did not work at times, times you find yourself standing there doing nothing. The aim does not always work. you kill someone, and they you target another guy. then you lose the target.
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