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For all that it was the fastest-selling LucasArts title of all time and featured an award-winning narrative (from the Writers Guild of America, no less), the original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed pulled up short in the gameplay department.
The game was plagued by elementary flaws such as knock-down locks, poorly implemented mini-game additions (the woeful and much-hyped Star Destroyer sequence, for one) and an unpredictable difficulty curve.
The Force Unleashed II faces two very significant development challenges, then. Not only must it address the first’s numerous gameplay flaws, it must match or exceed the storytelling on display in the original.
LucasArts briefly skimmed over the premise for this second dip into the era between Star Wars movies III and IV. Codename Star Killer – Darth Vader’s secret Sith apprentice – sacrificed himself at the end of the original game so that the Rebellion might have a chance. The first thing this game must address is how to tell a story when the lead character is dead.
Turns out they’ve wheeled out the old “clone” device. The Force Unleashed II sees players take on the role of a Star Killer clone (“or is he!?”) as he escapes from Vader’s laboratory. It’s hardly inspiring and perhaps a little worrying. That said, the wending narrative in the first was a pleasant surprise, so we're already preparing to make a hasty retraction.
The more pressing gameplay concerns are where LucasArts invested the lions’ share of Gameplanet’s eyes-on presentation. Most immediately, Star Killer now has two lightsabers, turning his already-impressive penchant for flashing swordplay into a veritable dervish of neon lights and fan-like audio samples. And detached limbs: Now, Star Killer can decapitate and dismember legions of Storm Troopers as he cuts his way through what still appears to be a largely linear experience (nothing wrong with that).
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The Star Wars Saga continues with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, the highly anticipated sequel to the fastest-selling Star Wars game ever created, which has sold more than seven million copies worldwide. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the world was introduced to Darth Vader's now fugitive apprentice, Starkiller-the unlikely hero who would ignite the flames of rebellion in a galaxy so desperately in need of a champion.In the sequel, Starkiller returns with over-the-top Force powers and embarks on a journey to discover his own identity and to reunite with his one true love, Juno Eclipse. In Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Starkiller is once again the pawn of Darth Vader-but instead of training his protégé as a ruthless assassin, the Dark Lord is attempting to clone his former apprentice in an attempt to create the Ultimate Sith warrior. The chase is on - Starkiller is in pursuit of Juno and Darth Vader is hunting for Starkiller.
Features:
- Fight through challenge levels designed to test and hone your fighting and Force power skills while you skillfully manage your combat techniques to defeat brand-new enemies, which will culminate in epic boss battles
- Continue the galaxy-altering journey of Starkiller, Darth Vader's fugitive apprentice, that shapes the key events between Star Wars: Episode III and Episode IV
- Unleash the Force with more power and precision through improved controls and new powers, such as the deceptive Mind Trick, which turns enemies against their allies
- Discover the true power of Starkiller with Force Fury, where his attacks and Force powers are exponentially increased
- Take combat to the next level with the ability to wield dual lightsabers and punish enemies with all-new combo attacks as well as expanded customization options such as new costumes and power-enhancing lightsaber crystals
