Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE

Photo Courtesy of blogs.ing.com

George Lucas had some explaining to do after the "Star Wars" prequels left so many fans in disgust. But the first Lucas-approved storyline made specifically for a video game pushes the franchise closer to the dark side in a great way.

"Star Wars: The Force Unleashed," released this month, opens with a bang, starting the player off as the black-suited death machine, Darth Vader.

The intro level serves not only to display the top-notch graphics, sound and level design, but also to teach the mechanics of the game, like force-gripping objects, light saber combat and force-push.

And as a Vader-exclusive move, force-choking Wookiees never gets old.

This level also introduces the main character, Galen Marek (also known as Starkiller), Vader's secret apprentice. Taking place between episodes III and IV, Vader charges Starkiller to hunt down the remaining Jedi in the galaxy.

Starkiller encounters a slew of new and old characters, enemies and monsters through the twisting and exciting story that carries more weight than most events in the prequels.

The problems come when the player reaches the boss fights that often end up as awkward slash-fests with cheap, unavoidable attacks. Strange glitches can force you to restart, and the level in which you must pull a mile-long spaceship from the sky while being shot at by a fleet of TIE fighters could result in a broken controller.

The controls take some getting used to with the loose camera and troubled targeting system, but once the game puts a dozen storm troopers in front of Starkiller, wiping them out in creative ways is where it shines.

Unleashing massive blasts of lightning, force-pushing soldiers into bottomless chasms, throwing metal crates into a crowd of aliens and slashing swaths of enemies with the lightsaber is a blast.

Much of this is thanks to three game engines providing unrivaled physics and artificial intelligence, allowing Stormtroopers to dodge attacks and work together.

Starkiller can upgrade his powers and light saber and learn new combos, the best of which gives him the ability to dropkick a Jawa.

Although the game sometimes feels more unhinged than unleashed, an engaging story and explosive gameplay ensures this "Star Wars" episode satisfies.

"Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" is available on all major game consoles.

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