Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

The A.V. Club (A-)

Final judgment: The Force Unleashed is simply the best thing to happen to the Star Wars franchise in decades. Being able to literally destroy this once-beloved world provides a long-overdue catharsis; this is a forsaken fan's chance to give Lucas' world the bird. But once all that residual anger has been purged, the game suddenly turns into a warm homecoming. A more appropriate title might have been Star Wars: Redemption.

GameLemon (9 out of 10)

Star Wars is bankable. You know it, I know it, and LucasArts sure a heck knows it. But if they're going to keep making games like this one, I think we can all rest a bit easier knowing that the future of Star Wars games is pretty safe. If you're not a fan of the saga, you may not be as swept away by this game as some, and you probably didn't read this far into the article anyway. But if you're like me and enjoy anything Star Wars related, you're sure to get some fun out of the deal.

Da Gameboyz (9 out of 10)

Star Wars: Force Unleashed was very much an enjoyable game. The hack and slash gameplay was pleasant and the graphics are the best I’ve seen from a Star Wars title to date. Although the actual length of the game was shorter than hoped, and it lacked some of the humorous dialogue sequences of the previous “choose your own adventure style games” that I have grown to love, it is still a great title. At the end of the day this game was quite exceptional and I highly recommend it to everyone out there.

Console Monster (90 out of 100)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a complete package, and one of which Lucas Arts should be exceptionally proud of. The Star Wars franchise is certainly an overused one, and the games industry has been graced with many great titles, but far more poor ones. It is great to see the franchise is back on form once again. Star Wars fans will no doubt love the chance to wield the force again, as should the general gamer. Be sure to pick this one up, for a rental at the very least, oh and remember... May the force be with you.

Digital Chumps (8.8 out of 10)

To be quite frank, Star Wars The Force Unleashed is badass. Despite a few drawbacks, I had a wonderful time playing through it and will do it again this weekend. For me, the bottom line for games is how fun it is, or how much enjoyment I got, or get, when I play it. The Force Unleashed in that regard is a near complete success and for that reason, and several others, I highly recommend it.

Game Informer Magazine (8.75 out of 10)

The Force Unleashed isn’t the ultimate Star Wars game — KOTOR is still king in my book. But, as advertised, it amplifies this mystical power in new ways to delivers exciting gameplay and unforgettable Star Wars moments. It’ll leave you wanting more, but take my word for it, it’s worth playing just to see Vader Force-throw wookiees.

Planet Xbox 360 (8.7 out of 10)

Remember that our final score is not an average but a simple number meant to represent our overall experience with a product. We are certain that there are people out there who will not enjoy The Force Unleashed as much as we did but this review is our opinion, and we can only hope that the developers have a chance with a sequel to polish some of the issues and create the perfect Star Wars gaming experience; something that has not been done to date.

XboxAddict (87 out of 100)

Overall, SWFU is a great concept and does belong in your Xbox 360 collection, especially if you are a Star Wars fan. It smells, tastes, feels like a genuine thing. So, run out and pick it up.

Atomic Gamer (87 out of 100)

While this element will occasionally nag at you, the game’s excellent narrative will surely make up for it. Unleashed offers the best Star Wars yarn that involves the original characters since the first trilogy. It takes place between Eps. III and IV, and reveals plot points that actually affect the films’ canon fairly significantly. It’s easy to hate on this one due to the franchise’s recent waning goodwill. However, don’t let your Jar Jar phobia tarnish what is the best Star Wars game to orbit the gaming galaxy in years. Top-notch storytelling, an amazing audio/visual presentation—complemented by John Williams' rousing score and slickly produced cutscenes—and a protagonist that finally allows us to do all the things we’ve wanted to do in a Star Wars game come together, despite its flaws, to deliver an experience that’ll make you feel better about blowing that ten bucks on the Clone Wars movie.

Cheat Code Central (4.3 out of 5)

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. Add to that a huge helping of fan service waiting to be discovered (no spoilers) and you’ve got one of the best Star Wars games in recent memory. Despite its few minor flaws, The Force Unleashed is truly an excellent and entertaining experience that shouldn’t be overlooked, whether you are a fan of Star Wars or not.

Good Game (8.5 out of 10)

I was waiting for a incredibly flexible world with spectacular interaction and destruction and what we got is nice, and a really good looking-make-your-own-fun type of game, but it’s not really ground breaking. I’m giving it 8.5 too. With extra points for the level with Jar-Jar Binks in frozen carbonite.

Wonderwallweb.com (8.5 out of 10)

The Force Unleashed in an excellent game, sure it can get a bit shallow at times as you cut your way through the hundredth enemy, however it is with the style that you do so that makes this game what it is. This is one of the finest Star Wars games I have played in a long time and I would highly recommend it to everyone.

Good Game (8.5 out of 10)

Right...well we didn’t really get the game we were waiting for hey Bajo? But what we got is still good and blasting objects and enemies around with the force is awesome no matter how you look at it. I’m giving this 8.5

FileFactory Games / Gameworld Network (84 out of 100)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a great Star Wars action game, with an interesting story and a lot of potential for fun, so long as as you can look past some moderately annoying issues.

360 LIVE (8.1 out of 10)

(...) Der »Star Wars«-Fan in uns ist wirklich zufrieden. Zudem die Handlung auch durchgehend spannend in Szene gesetzt ist: Man will einfach wissen, wie es weitergeht. Und die eine oder andere Wendung sorgt für zusätzlichen Pfiff. Dies bringt jedoch auch einen großen Nachteil: Der Wunsch zu sehen, wie die Geschichte fortläuft, animiert geradezu, das Spiel in einem Rutsch durchzuspielen. Erfahrene Spieler werden nach sieben Stunden den Abspann über den Bildschirm flimmern sehen. Klar, in jedem Kapitel gibt es auch optionale Ziele und Geheimnisse zu entdecken, aber so richtig Motivation zum erneuten Durchspielen bringt das nicht. »Force Unleashed« bleibt deutlich hinter seinen Möglichkeiten zurück. Wer kein »Star Wars«-Fan ist, sollte sich bei der Gesamtwertung eher eine Sieben vor dem Komma denken.

GamingTrend (482 out of 600)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a bit of a mix. On one hand, there is nothing better that force choking wookies, electrifying Jawas and watching them twitch, hurling Storm Troopers into electrified energy fields, and crushing walkers like beer cans. On the other hand, the quicktime events take most of the punch out of the boss battles. A few battles in the game are absolutely epic in nature and damned near worth the price of admission alone. While the Force Unleashed might not completely live up to the incredible hype befitting a Star Wars title, it is still a worthy entry into the Universe.

UOL Jogos ( )

"Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" não é exatamente o clássico instantâneo que muitos esperavam, mas cumpre o prometido com uma mecânica bastante sólida de ação em terceira pessoa, agregando elementos dos jogos de plataforma e RPG com sucesso. É uma experiência tipicamente "single-player" e, por mais curta que seja, é bastante intensa e divertida. Mesmo com seus problemas, é um jogo muito bom, que pode ser apreciado tanto pelos fãs mais ardorosos quanto por quem não está nem aí para a série.

PTGamers (16 out of 20)

Muito bem, voltemos à pergunta inicial: “Será que cumpriu?” Em parte sim e em parte não. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed chega-nos com uma história maravilhosa, que chega a ter a capacidade de nos dar uma nova perspectiva dos filmes pertencentes à trilogia original. Para os fãs, este é um produto essencial, mesmo que esteja longe de ser um título de elite no que diz respeito a videojogos baseados no universo. A sua jogabilidade, considerando a tecnologia que edificou o projecto, merecia ser bem melhor, o que não quer dizer que estejamos perante algo incapaz de proporcionar horas de puro entretenimento. Fico satisfeito em saber que a LucasArts já começou a forjar nova ideias para futuras sequelas, pois Force Unleashed continua a prometer, mesmo que a sua versão final já se encontre entre nós.

GamingExcellence (8 out of 10)

Overall, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a pretty good game. Seeing Force powers used like this for the first time ever is an immense joy, and throwing Stormtroopers and crushing AT-ST is greatly satisfying. The story alone is enough to pick up a copy and give it a try. If you are a Star Wars fan, you owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.

Middle East Gamers (MEgamers) (8 out of 10)

For all the fans of the series, this game is a must by! For gamers who have never gotten into Star Wars, this game warrants a look, if not for the Star Wars franchise, then at least for the great gameplay!

Official Xbox Magazine (UK) (8 out of 10)

So, it gives us great pleasure to say that this isn't just another franchise game: it's the closest that you'll get to a sequel to the movies. It's not the cleverest game ever made but there's certainly enough excitement, intrigue and massive explosions to keep you interested.

Daily Game (8 out of 10)

And really, "giddy" is the best word to describe how we felt during about one-third of the 10-12 hours it took us to beat The Force Unleashed. The gameplay has some issues, as discussed above, but the plot and Star Wars "vibe" delivered a level of excellence we never expected. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is the ultimate bridge between Episodes III and IV, and it tells the type of story that Star Wars fans deserved but didn't receive from the prequels. In spite of its gameplay snafus, The Force Unleashed pushed us forward through its narrative in a way few games have, and had it not been for the aforementioned gameplay frustrations, we'd have scored the game higher. 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.

PlayDevil ( )

If you love Star Wars, you’ll almost certainly love this, despite the glaring flaws. It’s a shame I even have to give this a 4/5, because with the issues mentioned, if they had been fixed, this would have been a surefire 5/5. Hopefully, although I’m not sure how, we’ll see a sequel, as the promise is there.

Jeux Vidéo Magazine (16 out of 20)

Star Wars n'avait pas été aussi bien servi depuis KOTOR. Une réussite graphique et scénaristique, doublée d'une bonne expérience d'action pure, malgré une réalisation parfois imprécise. Très plaisant.

GameLand (8 out of 10)

Признаться, судьба The Force Unleashed вызывала немало опасений – ведь сотрудникам Lucas Arts уже доводилось обманывать наши надежды. Тем не менее игра удалась и может по праву считаться одной из самых заметных новинок этой осени. Отдельные промахи разработчиков не позволяют назвать ее идеальной, а концовка как будто исключает появление второй части, но и то, что мы получили после долгих месяцев ожидания, наверняка понравится как закоренелым поклонникам Star Wars, так и тем, кто просто истосковался по интересным и зрелищным боевикам.

EL33TONLINE ( )

What I’m trying to say is that this is a great “game” and instead of depending on amazing graphics and the obvious license they created one of the best Star Wars games yet to grace any console and with it an amazing story to complement it. What more could you want as a fan?

TTGamer (8 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is no doubt one of the better game releases from that universe over the past few years and really takes what is cool about that franchise and amplifies it in the game. While there are many things to like about the game, the repetitive nature of the action, linear levels and old school level design keep it from being a must have, but it is clearly one of the better diversions until something better comes along. We hope for a sequel so that the team can really produce the next AAA Star Wars game.

ComputerGames.ro (79 out of 100)

Although Force Unleashed does deserve your money to a certain extent, be aware that your patience for technical and design issues will be tested. If you can get over these obstacles and the lack of multiplayer doesn’t bother you, add another 6 points to the score and enjoy a good Star Wars game. If not, wait for the Classics version and save some money. There are MUCH worse games out there, but then again, there are far better, too.

411mania.com (7.9 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an incredibly fun game that gives you the power to do more with the Force than you’ve ever been allowed to do before. While playing as the lead character, you unravel a new story in the Star Wars universe. However, the very first level of the game where you get to play as Darth Vader really spoils you. Starkiller comes nowhere near as powerful as Vader and I think that kind of hurts the game overall. My suggestion to Lucas Arts? Give us the rest of the story from Episodes III and IV – except this time, let us be Vader. That is all.

3D Juegos (7.9 out of 10)

A pesar de ser algo repetitivo, El Poder de la Fuerza es un título de acción en tercera persona realmente interesante. Los defectos de IA y la reiterativa forma de solventar los combates son aspectos que no nos deben distraer del hecho de que estamos ante un videojuego llamativo, ambicioso y en el que la acción no da ni un respiro.

TeamXbox (7.7 out of 10)

The disappointment from playing Force Unleashed comes from some really high expectations, ones that the game sets up itself in the early going. The storyline is so good, the graphics simply amazing, the whole thing just so classic Star Wars that it almost hurts when I think about how much the game pissed me off. If you just have to play it because you’re into Star Wars, go ahead. You’ll surely appreciate the delights Lucas has left for you, and you’ll wish they made this into a CGI movie instead of The Clone Wars. But if you like third-person action adventure games, you’re not going to be putting Star Wars: The Force Unleashed into your personal Hall of Fame anytime soon.

IGN Australia (7.6 out of 10)

Ultimately Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a solid game. It certainly does the Star Wars brand no harm and really does harken back to the original trilogy -- which is a good thing. However, 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. Certainly it's better than the Star Wars movie prequels but then so is being hit in the groin with a brick. Overall it's a consistently diverting action title with a few stand-out moments.

Gamer 2.0 (7.6 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an enjoyable game with plenty of action and mementos to keep fans happy for quite some time. While the action never ceases and you are quickly jumped from one planet to the next, the adventure is over quickly (only about eight hours), and with the lack of any multiplayer components there is no reason to head back once you finish. The combat might give you some problems once in a while, but The Force Unleashed is still the best game to arrive in a while branding the Star Wars name and is a true testament to the valor of the Star Wars franchise.

Xbox World 360 (7.6 out of 10)

So, The Force Unleashed is more of a highly impressive tech demo with a great narrative tagged on, with any actual game present inserted only as an afterthought. Do you buy it? Well, that depends on how much you love Star Wars. The story is fantastic, and there's a certain satisfaction to be had from impaling hurling Tie-Fighters at Jawas... but the game still feels like a wasted opportunity.

V2.fi (76 out of 100)

Pelin läpäiseminen rennosti ottamalla ja hermojaan pahemmin menettämättä kestää vajaat kymmenen tuntia, eikä lisäpelattavaa tarjota edes verkkopeliaktiviteettina. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed onkin ns. 'pienellä pilattu'. Se on syvällä sisimmässään mainio peli, joka hautautuu uusien teknologioiden esittelyn ja perusasioiden retuperälle jättämisen kaksijakoiseen jätepuristimeen. Sepäs taas onkin niin oleellista, ettei pelille voi antaa edes hyvästä sydämestään yli 80 pistettä, vaikka hetkittäin mieli tekikin.

MS Xbox World (7.5 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a decent enough effort and will be more appreciated by the fans of the saga. As a stand alone action game, then it’s a pretty mediocre affair, which is only really driven by the force powers as a gimmick to end all gimmicks. But, like I mentioned, this is nothing new and has been done before in other games. Aside from some incredibly frustrating moments from time to time, and some cheap boss battles, there is a semblance of fun to be gleaned from this game, and that goes for fans and non fans alike. However unless you are a huge fan of the series, then this is most likely to be rental fodder, albeit a decent one at that. If you are a fan of Star Wars, then you will undoubtedly will be buying this game regardless of reviews and other peoples opinion, in fact you’re probably not even reading this review!

4Players.de (75 out of 100)

Am Ende bleibt eines der besten Star Wars-Games der letzten Jahre, das ein würdiger Nachfolger der ruhmreichen Jedi Knight-Reihe geworden wäre, wenn es sich nicht selbst das Leben unnötig schwer machen würde.

UGO (UnderGroundOnline) (B)

So there you have it, the ups and downs of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Star Wars fans should, in a heartbeat, pick this game up. The story alone will make the purchase worth your while. As for action fans, the length (6-8 hours on Normal) and the bugs make it a solid rental or weekend borrow from a friend, but a full purchase might leave you wanting more.

Gameplanet (7.5 out of 10)

The Force Unleashed will not be a lasting experience. It's fun, but you can't help but feel a tingle of disappointment when thinking of what it could, and should, have been. It also may be a somewhat frustrating experience at times. But if you like Star Wars, you will put up with it. Why you ask? Because of the story. A game with a great story is a rare and beautiful thing but a great Star Wars story? Now that is a truly epic achievement.

Official XBox Magazine (7.5 out of 10)

The vehicle for that story — the game itself — proved less engaging. With its non-branching storyline and no multiplayer, Force Unleashed is certainly less ambitious than the classic Jedi Knight games — and ultimately, its design makes it feel more videogame-y and less of an all-engrossing Star Wars experience than Xbox entries like Jedi Knight II or Jedi Academy. But when the game’s on, it’s on, and Star Wars nuts will revel in those moments where you can be an unbridled, Force-fueled bully.

GBase - The Gamer's Base (7.5 out of 10)

Leider wurde aus The Force Unleashed nicht der erwartete Oberknaller. Dennoch kriegen Fans der Serie ein wahres Schmuckstück präsentiert und auch Macht-Neulinge werden mit diesem Spiel ihre Freude haben. Am Ende scheitert es an kleinen Macken. Die technische Seite hätte überarbeitet werden müssen und auch dem Spielprinzip hätte ein wenig Abwechslung nicht geschadet. So steuert ihr euren Helden über die vorgegebenen Wege und sucht vergeblich nach neuen Herausforderungen. Was mir persönlich aber am meisten fehlte, ist ein Mehrspielermodus. Es gibt einfach nichts cooleres als Lichtschwertduelle unter Freunden. Im Grossen und Ganzen können Star-Wars-Fans aber bedenkenlos zugreifen. Wer nur ein nettes Abenteuer fürs Wochenende sucht, leiht sich das Spiel besser aus!

Game Over Online (75 out of 100)

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. As a casual action game on the lower difficulty settings it actually plays pretty well. Improving your Force powers and using them creatively to dispatch an array of foes is good fun provided a sufficient margin for error. Unfortunately on the higher difficulties when that margin thins out, so does the fun. Stormtroopers with the durability of The Terminator and cheap-shotting bosses who snuff you in two hits are very few people’s idea of a good time. Still The Force Unleashed is worth checking out for its story alone, and who knows it might even be instructional. Doesn’t the remote look just a little closer than it was before? Oh yes, The Force is strong in this one.

JeuxActu (15 out of 20)

Il y a donc, ici et là, quelques défauts qui empêchent Star Wars : Le Pouvoir de la Force de briller pleinement. Les fans absolus de l’univers Star Wars seront bien évidemment aux anges de découvrir un jeu bien réalisé et prenant, malgré un héros à l'allure banale. Les autres s’amuseront c'est certain, mais pourront aussi vite se lasser de l’action, la faute à un gameplay à la fois complexe et primaire, à des idées mal exploitées et à système de jeu assez brouillon. En comptant une dizaine d’heures de jeu pour le finir, Star Wars : Le Pouvoir de la Force reste cependant un titre à saluer, ne serait-ce que pour l’investissement de LucasArts Entertainment dans le soft.

games xtreme (7.5 out of 10)

Star Wars the Force Unleashed has a superbly told story, one that fits in as canon to the Star Wars universe. It has an average combat system and it does reimagine the force as a highly destructive power. It's fun, however it has glitches.

GameSpot (7.5 out of 10)

Once you've completed the game and are the all-powerful Dark Jedi you've always wanted to be, it's remarkably fulfilling to return to Force Unleashed's earlier, better levels to try out the powers and combos you didn't possess on your first play-through of them. Or perhaps you want to experience the second of the game's two endings (a reasonable goal, since one of them is bound to get fans talking) while wearing one of the unlockable costumes. But most players will find that aside from a return to the better areas, once is enough. When the game caters to its strengths, it soars; when it deviates, it flounders. Regardless, it's still a more than worthy entry in a long line of licensed Star Wars games, and a good action game in its own right.

Jeuxvideo.com (15 out of 20)

Malgré des incohérences et quelques choix discutables, dont un aspect édulcoré un brin agaçant, Le Pouvoir de la Force contentera à coup sûr le fan de l'oeuvre de George Lucas. Ce beat'em all à l'esthétisante plastique offre en effet de purs moments de jouissance qui ne masquent en rien une construction parfois mal pensée, une surenchère de combats à un contre 100 ou tout simplement une histoire ayant parfois des allures de pot-pourri des meilleurs scènes de l'hexalogie. Cependant, si on balaye ces défauts et autres bugs, il nous reste un très beau jeu d'action, souvent redondant dans ses mécanismes mais avant tout triomphant quand il s'agit de nous faire ressentir la puissance de la Force.

JeuxVideoPC.com (15 out of 20)

Au moment d’appliquer une note ferme et définitive à Star Wars : le pouvoir de la Force, un doute m’assaille : il est certain que les fans de la saga prendront un plaisir quasi-orgasmique à parcourir le jeu, tant celui-ci s’avère fidèle à la saga, tout en apportant des véritables réponses à certaines zones d’ombre du mythe. Indispensable pour les amateurs, le titre de Lucas risque par contre de laisser froid les profanes de Vador et sa clique, qui n’y verront qu’un beat’em all correct, mais sans véritable génie. Donc, après mûre réflexion, un 15 sur 20 paraît un bon compromis, sachant que l’on peut ajouter deux points de plus à cette note si l’on a été nourri au sein de la Princesse Leia depuis sa tendre enfance.

PAL Gaming Network (PALGN) (7.5 out of 10)

The Force Unleashed is an excellent supplement to the vast library of Star Wars games. The game authentically captures the look and feel of the Star Wars movies, with an intriguing story, polished visuals and excellent audio. Though not too deep or robust, Lightsaber and Force-based gameplay is still vastly entertaining. New technologies like DMM and Euphoria are not as ground-breaking as previously thought, and the secret apprentice's adventure seems a little short at around ten hours. Nonetheless, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will satisfy fans of George Lucas' saga and anyone who has ever dreamed of duelling with a lightsaber.

Play.tm (75 out of 100)

Nevertheless, this is both an enjoyable flash in the pan, and a memorable and officially approved Star Wars story. The general cinematic quality of the game is very high, and for enthusiasts it is a must just for that. For everyone else, you might want to just think about it. If you want complexity and challenges, look elsewhere; but if you want to smash up a few melons with a sledgehammer then give this one a shot.

NZGamer (7.5 out of 10)

Anyway, these things aside (which would make for a pretty dull game I agree) – The Force Unleashed has an excellent storyline, graphics that push the boundaries of interactivity and great character development. This is a Star Wars game that reminds you how brilliant Mr. Lucas’ creations can be. But I can’t stress this enough – there are plenty of frustrations to be encountered amongst the brilliance too.

XboxAchievements (75 out of 100)

The audio is fantastic, and the graphics will impress more often than not. The fun combat system and epic story are moderately spoiled by a poor targeting system, bad enemy AI, and some glitches.

Game Shark (B)

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. It’s a well paced and engrossing look at the events that happened during the birth of the uprising against the Empire. The voice acting for all the characters is exceptionally well done, the saber combat is refreshing and using your Force powers to push back a crowd of enemies, as they scurry across the floor, is a delight to watch. Although there are some noticeable gameplay issues within it, The Force Unleashed is definitely one of the best Star Wars games to come around in a long while.

IGN (7.3 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a valiant effort at rejuvenating the largely underwhelming Star Wars videogame franchise. Some of the technology here is a little too far ahead of its time, though that could prove to be promising for future installments. 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.

Destructoid (7.25 out of 10)

Now while it may sound like the entire experience is marred by these control issues, that is somewhat not the case. While these issues are persistent throughout the title and, in my opinion, certainly detract from the overall enjoyment of the game, those who are longtime Star Wars fans will be more than satisfied with their Force Unleashed experience. Without a doubt, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a masterpiece of storytelling and fits magnificently into the Star Wars universe. Unfortunately, as a video game, the gameplay issues in The Force Unleashed are extremely noticeable and hinder a lot of the enjoyment that is derived from the narrative.

Computer Bild Spiele (2.38 out of 6)

Die Macht ist schon eine Wucht. Wie ein ausgewachsener Hurrikan schlägt der Schüler eine Schneise der Zerstörung durch seine Gegnerschar. Spielerisch bedeutet das nicht selten puren Chaos, weil auch die Technik nicht immer perfekt mitspielt. Grafisch beeindrucken vor allem die Zwischenfilme, in denen eine spannende Star-Wars-Geschichte erzählt wird. Allerdings unterbrechen sie den Spielablauf auch oft auf unsanfte und störende Weise. Die Spielabschnitte "Raxus Prime" und "Felucia" sind dagegen eher langweilig und in matschigen Farben gehalten. Dennoch ein "guter" Machtkampf.

TalkXbox (72 out of 100)

Even though there’s a lot of potential lost in Force Unleashed, there’s still a few things to enjoy. There’s much lore to be explored in this game including key plot points of Episode IV, such as how the Rebel Alliance was formed. And, although the story is predictable, it bridges the gap between the two trilogies in a satisfying way. If you want to play an average Star Wars experience, The Force Unleashed is par for the course. Those of you looking to have an engaging video game experience, may want to invest time looking elsewhere, or rather, replay God of War, since this is practically the same game.

RewiredMind ( )

If you are looking for a challenging Star Wars game, or a particular amount of aesthetic splendour, The Force Unleased probably isn’t for you, but if you are looking for a video game that allows you to vent your anger, and feel big and mighty, grab your lightsaber and enjoy.

Bit-Tech (7 out of 10)

It’s a shame really, because The Force Unleashed is a pretty good game. Not essential playing perhaps, but enjoyable certainly and with a faithfulness that makes it as worthy of accolade as Jedi Knight. These few flaws make parts of the game really annoying though and in the end that does hold the final experience back.

Hooked Gamers (7 out of 10)

Overall, the game is a mixed bag. Star Wars fans will love the fact that the game provides an important link between Episodes III and IV (even if some small canon facts are disregarded), and the fact that for the first time you can really use the Force to raise some serious hell. Still, glitches, occasionally brain dead AI and ultimately repetitive gameplay keep this one from achieving true mastery of the Force.

Games TM (7 out of 10)

This may not be the greatest videogame ever created, but as a means of telling an untold Star Wars chapter it performs exceptionally, and whether you enjoy the occasionally mediocre trials of Starkiller or not, you'll find yourself playing through to the finale regardless.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (7 out of 10)

It gets an extra point, then, from this Star Wars obsessive for the story and the mostly magnificent recreation of the universe. As a fan you will want to experience what The Force Unleashed has to offer. It's just a shame that while there are occasional moments of brilliance when everything falls into place, they're not quite enough to back up the game's delusions of grandeur.

Blend Games ( )

There have been many sub-par Star Wars games in the past that simply coasted on the license and happily, The Force Unleashed is a game that deserved to be made. The gameplay is not revolutionary but it's a graceful experience with great visuals, a thrilling score, and only a few hiccups. It has no multiplayer and doesn't have the depth of customization that other action RPG's possess but Force Unleashed does accomplish its goal of creating a story worthy of the Star Wars universe.

GameDaily (7 out of 10)

After the credits roll, Force Unleashed isn't the end-all, be-all interactive Star Wars experience but it manages to showcase some interesting new game technology and is a mostly fun virtual slugfest that's worth killing a few hours to experience. It will at least inspire you to dust off those Star Wars DVDs and relive the magic all over again.

GamePro (US) ( )

Make no mistake: you can have a lot of fun with The Force Unleashed. One of the greatest joys during my time with the game was revisiting the more entertaining early levels with all my new tricks intact. But as I alternated at will between electrocuting goons, uncorking floods of psychokinetic rage, and blasting everything to hell and gone, I couldn't help but wish that the rest of the game underscored that early sense of freedom, instead of slowly collapsing your options and sabotaging the otherwise expansive combat possibilities.

Gamervision (7 out of 10)

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. For anyone who considers themselves a fan of the series I would recommend a purchase, there is definite replay value in repeating earlier levels with newly gained abilities, and many of the game’s flaws fade into the background when your character is powerful enough to dominate a level. There are challenge rooms, unlockable costumes and different modifications for your Lightsaber, so there is plenty to find on repeated plays through, as well as the satisfaction of occasionally going back to the first level and Force Choking hundreds of Wookies again and again. For casual fans of the Star Wars movies and everyone else, I recommend renting it, just to see the technological achievement in the title and a glimpse into what the future of gaming holds.

Xbox World Australia (XWA) (70 out of 100)

All in all though, there's a lot to like in Star Wars the Force Unleashed and myself, I find it difficult to understand some of the hate that's been directed at it but can sympathise those let down by the points discussed above. Imagine everything that was cool about past Jedi Knight games (except the multiplayer) and ramp that up a dozen notches. Throw in fights against Rancors and AT-ST's as well as Darth Vader as a playable character in the ‘prologue' level destroying Wookies and their home world and you've got a very enjoyable single player Star Wars experience. Unfortunately though, while great inclusions, the use of DMM just isn't enough alone to bring you back a second, or a third time through the campaign.

AceGamez (7 out of 10)

There are times when you feel like a force-wielding messiah, destroying all in your path with a wave of your hand and a flash of your laser sword. Yes it falters sometimes, it's too short, it fails to deliver on some of its promise, but when it's at its glorious best, when the blood's pumping and the bodies are flying, The Force Unleashed is one of the best Star Wars experiences you could ever hope to have. Even when things are going badly and giving in is becoming a possibility, a desire to find out what happens in the end takes over and pulls you through. The Force Unleashed is far from perfect, but it's definitely Star Wars, it's definitely fun and, if you're a fan of the franchise, it's definitely worth the money.

DarkZero (7 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is 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. As Yoda might say, - “Lazy level design is the path to the dark side. Lazy level design leads to irritation. Irritation leads to apathy. Apathy leads to mediocre review score.”

Kombo.com (7 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a good game that could have been great. You can really feel the effort the developers put into the game at some points, but there will be other times where you'll openly wish horrible fates on everyone involved with the project. The combat engine is solid and the Apprentice is a badass character worth exploring, so a sequel might be a worthy pursuit. Fans of the universe and the action genre should give the game a look, but there are better action games available on just about every platform.

videogamer.com (7 out of 10)

Being Darth Vader's apprentice isn't an easy job and neither is making one of the most hyped Star Wars games of recent memory. On the whole LucasArts has done an admirable job and succeeded in making a highly entertaining action romp that gamers (Star Wars fans or not) will enjoy. It's far from the finished article though, with too many niggles and flaws to compete with the best the genre has to offer. 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.

Thunderbolt Games (7 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an entertaining romp through the Star Wars universe; just don't expect something of The Empire Strikes Back brilliance.

GameTrailers (6.9 out of 10)

The secret apprentice has a palatable action game, which for a change, is strengthened by its license and story. It initially delivers on its promise, but it erodes over time due to the monotony and meager difficulty that discourages exploring the combat’s complexity. Long ago in a galaxy far, far away, things like telekinesis and laser swords were enough, but now games need to back up tech with substance. This is where Star Wars: The Force Unleashed turns to the dark side.

gameZine (UK) (6.5 out of 10)

So, to summarise for all those people who skip to the end of reviews, this is an absolutely fantastic game with no flaws whatsoever, but I’m only giving it a low score because there isn’t a bloody PC version.

Worth Playing (6.5 out of 10)

Hardcore Star Wars fans are perhaps the only ones who will really enjoy the plot, which is filled with a number of unintentionally goofy moments. The Force Unleashed is a mediocre game that has glimmers of fun, but they're buried in a sea of monotonous gameplay, and the numerous technical problems and nonexistent replay value makes it difficult to justify dishing out the full $60. The length of the game makes it perfect for a rental, but nothing more.

Meristation (6.5 out of 10)

Un bagaje muy severo para cualquier videojuego. Pese a ello, El Poder de la Fuerza invita a ser jugado, gracias a lo atractivo de su premisa y al uso de la Fuerza como en ningún otro juego -ni siquiera en ninguna otra película- pero a lo largo de la progresión por él es inevitable pensar repetidamente que ha sido una magnífica ocasión perdida para firmar uno de los mejores títulos de Star Wars de la historia.

Gamestyle (6 out of 10)

So when Force Unleashed works, it works very well and we defy anybody not to chuckle as they hang a Storm Trooper over a bottomless pit and watch them flail and scream in mid air before letting the succumb to their destiny. However the problems with the game stop it from being able to achieve its full potential. A great game if you can stomach the bugs, but that’d be like trying to ignore somebody choking you from across the room.

Video Games Daily (6 out of 10)

It's not what I wanted, it's not what I expected and it's fundamentally broken in many different ways. It's a callous cheat of a game, it's shallow, short and has a man doing a crap Darth Vader impression. Targeting is bollocks, the force feels underpowered and boss battles are terrible. But it doesn't fill me with as much hate as it should do, and that's down to two clear factors: 1) you can throw stormtroopers at TIE Fighters, and 2) it's Star Wars, for god's sake.

Giant Bomb ( )

Overall, 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. But even with its lengthy list of caveats, The Force Unleashed is still one of the best Star Wars games to be released in quite some time.

The Review Busters (6 out of 10)

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a huge disappointment. For years now we have waited for this game to come out and now that it is here I am wishing the developers took a little longer to polish things up. If you are a Star Wars fan then you need to check this game out. Everyone else might as well wait for the pile of used copies that will soon plague stores.

GameSpy ( )

Depending on your ardor for all things "Star Wars," you might be able to forgive the flaws of The Force Unleashed and appreciate it as another piece of Lucas' greater narrative puzzle. It's certainly got the sleek authenticity one would associate with a "Star Wars" film. If you're not a Jedi fan, you'll likely be disappointed that the gameplay doesn't quite live up to the production values on display. 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.

Yiya (9 out of 15)

Was dem Spiel fehlt ist Finetuning und ein wenig mehr Abwechslung im Gameplay. Wer sich davon aber nicht verschrecken lässt, als Einsteiger oder Gelegenheitsspieler auch mal länger an einen Bosskampf ausharren und probieren möchte, bekommt zwar kein Star Wars Actionspiel, das an die Jedi Knight Serie anknüpfen könnte, wird aber trotzdem solide unterhalten. Leider wurde hier viel Potential verschenkt. Insgesamt nur noch knapp eine 3+.

Game Revolution (C+)

It is unfortunate that the setbacks are so blatant, because the title really draws from the rich Star Wars mythos and makes you experience the power of the force. But with the lack of gameplay polish, The Force Unleashed, like the secret apprentice himself, simply doesn't always play well with the other children..

Boomtown (5 out of 10)

LucasArts has had six years since the release Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast to improve on the formula of an action adventure that combines force powers and lightsaber action. It has failed to do so. The Force Unleashed is fun enough in parts to entertain for an evening or two, but for nearly £40 of your hard earned money that really isn't good enough.

1UP (C)

Star Wars geeks will undoubtedly enjoy the story to some extent...as long as they can excuse some manipulation of canon to accommodate it. Certain plot points just don't make much sense in terms of the timeline -- for example, how long the Jedi actually stick around after Episode III -- but as George Lucas has shown, it doesn't seem like the timeline developed by the three original movies holds much weight, anyhow. 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.

Gamekult (5 out of 10)

Tout simplement, sur trop d'aspects, le jeu ne semble pas fini comme il devrait. Cela va des aléas des graphismes jusqu'aux sérieux problèmes de maniabilité qui rendent certains passages atroces à jouer. Difficile donc de fermer les yeux sur ces problèmes qui nuisent énormément au plaisir de jeu. Reste à savoir si votre dévouement à l'oeuvre de Lucas et votre attirance pour le côté obscur saura vous aider à surmonter le léger manque de considération de LucasArts qui a sans doute trop précipité la sortie d'un jeu aussi attendu.

G4 TV: X-Play ( )

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed should have been much better than it is. 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. Fans should rent it and go through the story to see what happens to the apprentice and the key events in Star Wars history he takes part in, but they shouldn't expect to have much fun between the cutscenes.

Immoral Gamers (3.5 out of 10)

Lucas was responsible for the Ewoks, the Gungans, the Neimoidians, Ziro the Hutt, and Greedo shooting first. He was responsible for the Prequel Trilogy, which had exciting lightsaber battles and was horrible in every other respect. He has gotten away with all of these things, because Star Wars is such a great concept. The Force Unleashed is another great Lucas getaway, a game clearly rushed out in the middle of beta-testing to meet a deadline.