Unleashing the Force Has Never Looked So Much Fun

The events that transpired between Star Wars Episodes Three and Four are more-or-less unknown. It’s clear in the latter Episode that Darth Vader and the Emperor have taken control of most of the galaxy, constructed an authoritarian empire, and make the Jedi an all but forgotten force. Yet, how did this reign of the Dark Side come to pass? Who did Darth Vader’s bidding throughout the Empire by killing off the Jedi?

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed aims to answer some of these questions. In the upcoming LucasArts third-person action adventure, you control Vader’s secret apprentice. The game actually opens with you playing as Darth Vader immediately after the end of Episode Three. In a search for one of the last Jedi, Vader runs across a small child who will eventually become his secret apprentice and the protagonist of the game. George Lucas was a major collaborator on the project, authorizing the creation of new characters and plot lines, so all you Star Wars fans have nothing to worry about, this title has been blessed by the Star Wars god.

While The Force Unleashed runs centrally on the Havok physics system, what is particularly impressive is this titles use of Euphoria physics which essentially gives AI characters a central nervous system. So, say you decide to launch a storm trooper into the sky with your mad Force skills (oh yeah, this apprentice is so secret he even has to fight off the Empire sometimes). That storm trooper will attempt to grab onto anything it can around him to hang on to and save his life. None of the reactions of AI enemies will be scripted, all will be completely genuine and reactive to their environment and the move used against them. Euphoria was used in GTAIV as well and will be used in all future Rockstar titles, but I have a feeling we’ll really see this physics system...err..unleashed...in this title. But it doesn’t stop there! On top of Havok and Euphoria is Digital Molecular Matter. With this physics engine wood will splinter as would should, glass will shatter as it should, and metal will bend as it would in the real world. This is by far the most entertaining looking aspect of the game.

Prepare for the Force to be unleashed on September 16th on the PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, PS2, Nintendo DS, and the Wii. Each platform had the title built specifically from the ground up, and each will contain special exclusive content for that platform. 

Posted by on 07/30 at 04:50 PM