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How Metascores Are Calculated
76
Age of Booty
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 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 assist the iconic villain in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi - and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny. 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. The Secret Apprentice doesn't just Force push enemies into walls - he Force pushes enemies through walls. The Secret Apprentice doesn't just Force grip foes to throw them aside - he Force grips them in midair, zapping them with lightning, then dropping 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 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. Decisions made by players throughout the game determine the path of the story, including multiple endings that will rock Star Wars continuity as they know it. [LucasArts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 89
GamingXP
A story set in the world of the Star Wars-universe, impressive fights and a hero with profile - all that a Star Wars-fan needs!
 88
Game Informer
The gameplay is electric and fun, and the plethora of awesome new enemy types will make Star Wars action figure collectors salivate.
86
Cheat Code Central
For Star Wars fans, there is a lot here to love. The game looks great, controls well, is fun to play, and has a great storyline that you won’t want to miss.
85
ZTGameDomain
The unlockables and amazing force powers offer plenty of replay value, and the story is top notch. Anyone who calls themselves a Star Wars fan needs to experience this game, if only for the narrative which really adds a lot to the main canon.
85
Gameplayer
The truth of the matter is that Star Wars: The Forced Unleashed is an enormously fun game, which will suck you in with its story, frequently blow your mind with its visuals and, perhaps most importantly, will fulfil your Jedi fantasies like never before. And that, Star Wars fans, is worth the price of admission alone.
82
MEGamers
The story is engaging, the graphics are incredible and the mood fits with the classic three films. It is the best Star Wars game on the current gaming consoles and it is a very satisfying experience.
80
GamingExcellence
Overall, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a pretty good game. If you are a Star Wars fan, you owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.
80
Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
Embracing the Dark Side of the Force, this is a game plenty of action, memorable locations e a few surprises in the Star Wars world. It has some technical issues and an incoherent difficulty, but it’s still an experience that no fan should miss, also deserving the attention of the action gamers. [Sept 2008]
80
DailyGame
As a Star Wars video game, The Force Unleashed just takes too many missteps to be a masterpiece. But as Star Wars canon, The Force Unleashed does very little wrong.
80
Cynamite
Straight-forward lightsaber action meets first class story. But what sounds like a must have game reveals a lot of frustrating sides and small bugs.
80
PTGamers
The playability should have been better, considering the technology behind it all, but it still manages to offer some hours of unadulterated entertainment.
80
Deeko
The game takes a lot of time to figure out how to complete but when you do finally figure out the puzzles, it becomes an experience well worth the admission price.
79
3DJuegos
Despite of being repetitive, The Force Unleashed is a really interesting action title. The AI defects and the reiterative form of resolving combats are aspects which should not distract us from the fact that the videogame is attractive, ambitious and full of action.
76
IGN AU
Some overlong levels, repetitive enemies and the inconsistent effect of your powers stop this from being great. As it is, it's a lot of fun but once you've played through it a few times it's hard to imagine dusting it off years or even months down the track.
76
Gamer 2.0
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an enjoyable game with plenty of action and mementos to keep fans happy for quite some time.
75
BigPond GameArena
The story is engrossing and playing around with The Force powers is a treat.
75
Gameplanet
A solid game with fantastic sound and visuals. However, unpolished aspects of gameplay will cause frustration. Ultimately, Force Unleashed is unlikely to be remembered for anything other than its excellent story.
75
Armchair Empire
As much as I'll remember the awesome setting, the very satisfying conclusion, some really great outdoor set pieces, and just feeling like a bad ass Sith apprentice, I'll also remember the Star Destroyer Slap to the Face.
75
GameSpot
The Force Unleashed's action can be incredible, though it too often strays from what it does best.
75
Game Over Online
What you wind up with when all is said and done is a neat little chunk of Star Wars fiction wrapped up in a mediocre action game package.
75
GameShark
As good as the game is - aside from the targeting issues and the falling to your death over and over - the story that unfolds is the definite high point.
73
IGN
Uninspired level design and some tedious enemy battles mar an experience that gives you power over the Force like we've never really seen before. While it's far from perfect, Star Wars fans will find that it's worth playing through simply for its story and the ability to use the Force in fairly awesome ways.
72
Worth Playing
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed can often be a frustrating mess. There are tons of polish issues and questionable design choices. Even with a 2.5GB install onto the PS3, there is still far too much loading. However, when everything works, there's just something innately satisfying about being able to kill dozens of Stormtroopers with the flick of your wrist.
70
VideoGamer
If you like the idea of messing with some storm troopers to the extent that it verges on Force-fuelled torture we recommend you give The Force Unleashed a look.
70
GamePro
Killer force powers and intense action can't fully save an otherwise inconsistent effort. Still, it has its moments.
70
Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
At the end of the day, this remains a Star Wars game - and an essential one thanks to its compelling story and, to be fair, engaging gameplay. [Oct 2008, p.74]
70
GameDaily
The fancy technology powering the experience is impressive, as is the performance by actors who lent their voices and likenesses to the game's pivotal characters. That's mixed with rote game mechanics -- hack, slash, fight big boss, level ends -- that can easily grow tiresome, and a leveling up system that's more distraction than a way to create a customized character.
70
Playstation Official Magazine UK
One of the most bizarre failings, however, has to be a bafflingly imprecise lock-on system. [Nov 2008, p.114]
70
LEVEL (Czech Republic)
Instead of a game revolution, here comes an “ordinary” great and fast action-paced game with RPG elements and amazing Force usage. In Darth Vader’s service you try to kill popular Star Wars characters – what more did you ever want?! [Oct 2008]
70
Gamervision
Just as is the case with prequels, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed provides insight into the dark areas of the Star Wars Universe while being flawed in many ways.
70
Thunderbolt
With all of the new technology implemented within the game, it feels like a mediocre game from the future. The camera is rubbish, and the controls are hard to wrestle with thanks to that; and of course, let's not forget that the level design tends to hover between infuriating and boring in some places. Still, there's nothing else quite like it on the market.
70
DarkZero
An essential play for any fan of George Lucas’ creation. Unfortunately, the gameplay feels a tad repetitive, un-ambitious and never quite lives up to the superb storytelling.
70
Playstation Official Magazine Australia
A Force bonanza that plays a good game of Sith but fails to use its idea to max effect. [Nov 2008, p.90]
70
Level7.nu
The Force Unleashed does so many things right that you'll almost be able to overlook all the flaws that unfortunately plague this production. The unfinished state of this thing is a direct reflection of the scattered state the developers were in when this game was sent to the presses. Even though there are a lot to complain about here this is still a must have for die hard Star Wars fans.
69
PSX Extreme
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed won't be one of the games I'll remember as being poor, but I also won't look back on it years from now and feel nostalgic.
68
GameZone
The Force may be unleashed, but it's a bit more average than the dream Star Wars fans were hoping would come true.
65
Play UK
Fast paced and never deviating from its solid format, this arcade adventure, where limited in parts, does boast some superb visuals and addictive gameplay.
60
Giant Bomb
The story is the main thing that I'll remember about The Force Unleashed--I found it to be more satisfying than the last three movies combined. Though you go in sort of knowing how it has to end, since it has to lead into Star Wars, there are plenty of significant events occurring throughout. It's enjoyable to watch it all unfold. That said, it's unfortunate that the game isn't a bit more even, because the constant flips from too easy to too hard really drag things down and prevent The Force Unleashed from being great.
60
GameSpy
Awkward controls and handling largely dilute the fun of "kicking ass with the Force," especially during a few big moments toward the end. The Force Unleashed spins an entertaining yarn, but its gameplay prevents it from becoming a rich contributor to "Star Wars'" interactive tapestry.
59
PSM3 Magazine UK
This is just another mundane Star Wars game to throw on the pile. [Nov 2008, p.74]
58
Game Revolution
Unfortunately, though beating the crap out of Rancor is cool, it's quite flawed, thanks to the wonky camera and targeting system.
56
Electronic Gaming Monthly
An ambitious--yet ultimately dissatisfying--effort. [Oct 2008, p.82]
50
1UP
Even the most hardcore Star Wars fans will be disappointed in what could've been an opportunity to highlight the true power of the Force.
50
Wired
It's all the more disappointing because you can see, mired in the boring levels and bad cameras, glimpses of fun ideas.
40
G4 TV
The concepts are solid, the story is excellent, and the characters sustain. Aesthetically it is a beautiful piece of work. It's just not all that much fun to play, especially when bugs have left parts of the game incomplete.
40
Gamer.nl
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed could have been a great game, however it doesn't live up to its premise. The story and physics give a new dimension to the Star Wars franchise, but the countless technical glitches and shallow gameplay make this game a huge diasppointment that's not worth your money.
Kyle W. gave it a10: Tristan H. gave it a4: P. W. gave it an8: B Brazil gave it a9: ricky l. gave it a7: Sean M. gave it a10: D F. gave it an8: |
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