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Star Wars - The Force Unleashed

Posted by Zonk on Tue Feb 13, 2007 09:17 AM
from the khhhhhhh-shhhhhhhh-khhhhhh-shhhhhhh dept.
Media Movies Star Wars Prequels Entertainment Games
CVG has the news from the front cover of Game Informer's March edition: the next-gen Star Wars title LucasArts has been working on is called Force Unleashed. Set in the relatively unexplored time period between Episodes III and IV, you'll be taking on the role of a dark side agent assisting Darth Vader to hunt down the remainder of the Jedi. The game will use the much-touted Eurphoria physics engine LucasArts has been working on, and will feature a number of elaborate force-using effects. Highlights from the game may include (spoilers ... feel free to look away ...) a fight with Shaak-Ti in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, and assisting Vader in an attempt on the Emperor's life. There's even talk of allowing you to play out 'alternate paths', in which the dark side ultimately wins the Galactic Civil War. No word on a release date, but the game will come primarily to 360 and PC. PSP, PS2, and DS ports are being farmed out to another developer.
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  • This article has been posted for hours and no one has commented? Glitch?

    Didn't have much to say about it, was interested to see what everyone else had to say. Apparently nothing. :P

    • This article has been posted for hours and no one has commented? Glitch?
      Uh, we ran into some old friends.
    • there's something to say about it: PS2 but no Wii?? fuck!
      I want it on the Wii!! there was a mock-up video [youtube.com] on youtube about what it'd be like to fling clone troopers through walls by swinging your wiimote. I WANT that.

      And since we're on the Wii + StarWars subject.. when are they going to release a lightsaber [gamasutra.com] duel game [1up.com] for the wii? I mean, It's clearly what the console was designed for ;) First time i saw it, the first thing that came to my mind was "DAMN! LIGHTSABER FIGHTS!!!". More so when we learned there
  • Thanks LA, this is what? the 30th star war game you have released? If you want to release Star Wars, fine, but can you also go back to your roots and start re-releasing some of the originals that made your name (Monkey Island, Grim F, Sam & Max).... I know the series would never be the same since most of your creative adventure designers are most likely long gone... but damn I miss them.

  • No Wii? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by Don_dumb (927108) on Tuesday February 13 2007, @09:39AM (#17996716)
    Damn you Lucasarts, Star Wars is the perfect game for the Wii, everyone wants to wield their lightsaber, why are you porting this to the DS (albeit through 3-party) rather than the Wii?

    On the plus side, it is refreshing to be the bad guys. Just let us Wii owners (there are alot of us, possibly more than you thought would be)
    • The Wii is only roughly 1.5 to 2 times as powerful as the Gamecube.

      I'm sure you can still push decent graphics out of it, but Lucas is a graphics snob, and he will want the best. Regardless this game is real heavy on the use of physics, which requires a top-notch processor, which the Wii does not have.

      This is what I feared, the Wii would be very popular early on, but the truth is that good graphics sell. When people initially saw screenshots for Oblivion two years ago, no one believed a console could push

      • I'm sure you can still push decent graphics out of it, but Lucas is a graphics snob, and he will want the best. Regardless this game is real heavy on the use of physics, which requires a top-notch processor, which the Wii does not have.

        And so, they're publishing it on the PS2...

        As far as I can tell, the real reason why they're hesistant to release this on the Wii is because of all the expectations gamers have of a "1337 l1gh754b3r g4m3". Everyone wants to see the Wii remote used for some sweet lightsaber ac

        • They are pushing the PS2, DS and PSP ports out to a different company. Thusly, it will not use the Euphoria (or whatever it's called) engine.

          I doubt the Wii can handle the physics in that engine. They could have just outsourced the Wii port to someone else as well, but I imagine they will make a seperate, in-house Wii game down the line.

          However, LucasArts also said they only want to release 1-2 Star Wars games a year now, as to not oversaturate the market.

          Battlefield was the best selling Star Wars game of
          • Not to be pedantic, but the star wars game series was Battlefront; Battlefield was the EA games franchise, which coincidentally has some rather good Star Wars mods. Galactic Conquest for BF1942 for example.
      • the gamecube was still more powerful than the PS2. It was lack of third party support that killed the cube. the wii might not have a huge graphics leap over the last gen consoles like the 360 and PS3 have, but that doesnt mean you can't get great games with awesome graphics out of it. The friggin PS2 and DS are still sellin like hotcakes! Why? awesome games.

        when are people going to learn that graphics aren't the end all for games. This generation it just way too expensive just to enjoy these graphics. the P

        • Right now both the 360 and PS3 are pretty expensive. And the second the PS2 launched, it took a while for it to take off as well. PS1 sales continued for some time.

          People don't drop 10,000 on a high-end plasma because they don't care about graphics. If graphics didn't matter, then console makers wouldn't literally lose money on hardware to push the graphics envelope.

          Go to any major games review site, and the first thing you'll read in most any game review is a discussion on the graphics.

          A good looking ga
          • People don't drop 10,000 on a high-end plasma because they don't care about graphics. If graphics didn't matter, then console makers wouldn't literally lose money on hardware to push the graphics envelope.

            Yeah, but about 10% of households in the US have HDTVs. When you leave the US, the numbers get lower.

        • the gamecube was still more powerful than the PS2. It was lack of third party support that killed the cube. the wii might not have a huge graphics leap over the last gen consoles like the 360 and PS3 have, but that doesnt mean you can't get great games with awesome graphics out of it. The friggin PS2 and DS are still sellin like hotcakes! Why? awesome games.

          This quote manages to both be technically correct and a spectacular example of missing the point.

          It was indeed lack of third party support that killed the Cube. By the same token, it was massive third party support that secured the PS2's overwhelming victory. However, and this is the important point, there is *no* indication that this situation is likely to change during this generation. Moreover, once the novelty value and hype/astroturf that accompanied the release has vanished, the Wii's situatio

        • A triple-A title based on a new engine can easily take two-three years of development. If they start on a brand new game for the Wii right this moment, and compare it with the graphics that the PS3 or 360 can put out two to three years down the stretch, it will be silly.

          The Wii won't be abandoned, but customer demands will in fact be very different two or three years down the stretch.

          If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say this physics engine has been two or three years in the making, and is largely the backbo

            • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

              by Enderandrew (866215)
              Actually, I spend 90% of my time playing retro games.

              I'm not speaking of my personal opinion, but rather an industry rule.

              It is a simple, cold-hard fact. Games with poor graphics do not sell.

              They can be fun, and I prefer good-gameplay over graphics personally. I can't tell you the number of times I've played Fallout, Ultima 7, Planescape, etc. over modern RPGs.

              Right this moment I'm running through Shadowrun on the NES, Breath of Fire, and Worlds of Xeen again for nostalgia because modern RPGs are lacklust
    • Are you sure you want to be playing with a lightsaber on your wii?
      What if someone comes in, records it, then posts it on the internet...boy will you look stupid

      • Are you sure you want to be playing with a lightsaber on your wii?
        What if someone comes in, records it, then posts it on the internet...boy will you look stupid
        A video isn't required to make me look stupid.
      • Truly wield the Force? Show the the game that gives me the power to shoot Force Lightning for real, or jump 10 meters into the air, and I am *so* there!
      • That's actually a really good point. I never thought of that.

        If the controller had force-feedback, you could simulate at least some resistance of hitting your opponents or their weapon.

        I wonder if the PS3 will ever have force-feedback in their controllers. Because of the patent-suit they lost, they will have to invent a new form of force-feedback.
          • The funniest line in Star Wars:

            "Only Imperial Stormtroopers are this precise."

            Though I just realized that in most LucasArts games, you've fought droids quite a bit. LucasArts didn't want the games to be viewed as violent or bloody.

            This game should be a big departure in that department.

          • Re:No Force Feedback OH PALEEEZE (Score:5, Insightful)

            by RogueyWon (735973) * on Tuesday February 13 2007, @02:08PM (#18001006) Journal
            You miss the point entirely. I do have a Wii (waste of £200 that it was) and the grandparent is absolutely right. What he is talking about is not the lack of force feedback, it is the lack of resistance.

            Just think about what happens when you swing your lightsaber, in this theoretical game, at your opponent and he parries. On the screen, he catches your blade with his and, to all intents and purposes, it stops moving. In the living room, meanwhile, there is no such physical impediment for you to encounter. Your momentum carries through your swing, even if the Wii-mote gives you a buzz of force-feedback. The result is that you are now positioned completely differently to your on-screen avatar. Even if the game has some code to tell it what to do when this happens (which would be difficult - probably impossible - to implement to everybody's satisfaction), the illusion of being in an actual lightsaber duel is lost. With eps 4-6 style "slow" duels, this is bad enough. The moment you try to simulate an eps 1-3 style fast-moving duel this way, the whole thing becomes a soggy mess.
  • They should make a more extensive lego collection from their previous games Lego Grim Fandango and Lego Monkey Island. Now theres an idea!
  • I have to say, even as a minor SW geek, I'm intrigued by this. I like the idea of being a 'bad guy' from the outset, that isn't something you see a lot of in games - usually the game is setup so you play as the hero.

    I remember wishing, back in the day when I used to watch cartoons like GI Joe, Transformers, and Thundercats - I believe this was last Thursday, that the bad guys would win one - if only to mix things up a bit.

    I like being given a choice to be good or evil, a la the Knights of the Old Repu
  • Getting the story to load so that I can comment.

    I'm shocked that Lucas of all people would allow a game that caters to the Dark Side fan-base so much.

    I'm light-side for life, but my wife's panties will no doubt get wet when she sees this.

    • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

      by Gulthek (12570)
      Tie Fighter [wikipedia.org].
      • Yes indeed. One of my favorite games of all time. I miss the X-Wing series of games. Why aren't they making any more?
      • From your link:

        "Despite playing on the side of the Star Wars saga's "bad guys", the player's role is somewhat sympathetic, not only because he lives in fear under the shadow of Darth Vader and other unforgiving superiors, but also because the game's portrayal of the Empire--dictated, of course, by the player's superiors--focuses on its role as a guardian of order."

        Even with Bounty Hunter, you played the villian in a somewhat good-guy role, hunting down other bad guys.

        And for the record, we need a next-gen X

    • I'm light-side for life, but my wife's panties will no doubt get wet when she sees this.

      If any of us had any doubts about your ability to attract women before this comment, we have none now.

      • I've always been a big Star Wars fan, but my wife is the one who is a member of the Fan Force and spends every night in a Star Wars RPG.

  • 360 and PS3, not PC (Score:3, Insightful)

    by rayde (738949) on Tuesday February 13 2007, @10:06AM (#17997110) Homepage
    it should be pointed out that TFA mentions this game will be developed in-house for Xbox 360 and PS3, but makes no mention of PC (which the summary erroneously stated).
    • Strange. How many LucasArts Star Wars games have been console-only? I can only think of that horrible fighting game. While the summary is clearly wrong, it seems unlikely that this won't make it to PC.

  • Vader attacks Palpatine? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by MeanderingMind (884641) on Tuesday February 13 2007, @10:24AM (#17997360) Homepage Journal
    Am I the only one who finds the idea that Vader attempts to kill Palpatine before Return of the Jedi ludicrous and out of character?

    Well... not that anything else that happened in 1-3 was in character...
    • It says "Assist Vader in an attempt on the Emperor's Life." I'm guessing you're assisting him to *protect* the Emperor from the assassins, not playing the role yourself. That would be more in character with the story ... until, well...

      Maybe you're spotting Vader lifting weights?
      • Maybe Vader saves the Emperor by putting him on a strict low chloresterol diet and regular exercise?

        "You play Vader the Nutritionist in this exciting, and educational, Lucas Games release!"

    • Re:Vader attacks Palpatine? (Score:4, Insightful)

      by dooms13 (954485) on Tuesday February 13 2007, @10:48AM (#17997724)
      That doesn't seem that out of character to me. I mean if you think about it the Sith are all about the apprentice trying to over take the master. If he fails that could be the reason he never thinks of trying to over take the emperor again until Return of the Jedi.

    • Re:Vader attacks Palpatine? (Score:4, Interesting)

      by SanityInAnarchy (655584) <ninja@slaphack.com> on Tuesday February 13 2007, @01:28PM (#18000352) Journal
      Why is it ludicrous and out of character? Vader's violent and out of control, no reason he wouldn't try to kill his master and be #1 -- in fact, that's basically what he wanted to do with Luke, if you remember. How can he "rule the Galaxy as father and son" if Palpatine's in the way?

      Regardless, this isn't the first time they've tried this. Play through the Episode III videogame, and check out the alternate ending if you play as Annakin. (Spoiler: Annakin does not become robo-Vader (since he wins the fight with Obi-Wan), returns to his master Palpatine and kills him easily.) Indeed, if Obi-Wan hadn't burned away most of Annie's body, he'd be much more terrifying as Vader -- which does provide an explanation for how much worse a fighter Vader is in Episodes IV-VI.

  • From TFA: There's also the suggestion of being able to control your own pack of Rancors, the gigantic beasties that Jabba the Hutt likes to keep under his gaff.

    Take heart, fellow Creature Handlers!

  • Finally! (Score:3, Funny)

    by tygerstripes (832644) on Tuesday February 13 2007, @11:00AM (#17997932)
    ANY opportunity to throttle Jar-Jar with a force-grip before taking off his f*cking head with one good swipe is, in my opinion, very welcome and long overdue...
  • Am I the only one out here who wishes LucasArts would just bring back the X-Wing series with some updated graphics? No change in gameplay at all, but some nice new shiny models.
    • MMOG X-Wing vs Tie Fighter. You have to do some missions for rebels/imperial for money before you can go out on your own as a merc. Or maybe it would be funny for you to steal your first vehicle. Once in space, you can run missions to earn more money to buy bigger and badder ships, or extra ships to accompany your fleet: See Star Destroyer for an escort. Finally you get a team of your friends together, and you take on large battles for big money or rebel/imperial control of star systems. It wouldn't be

  • Euphoria-physics-engine (Score:4, Informative)

    by MrCopilot (871878) on Tuesday February 13 2007, @01:06PM (#18000012) Homepage Journal
    For the uninitiated.

    http://www.videosift.com/video/Euphoria-physics-en gine-GC-2006-demo [videosift.com]

    Looking Good.

        • Firstly, how was the PS2 the runt of its generation? Are you referring to its somewhat lesser graphical capabilities? You do realize that anything that wasn't a system exclusive on the other systems eventually made its way onto the PS2, even AAA titles such as Resident Evil 4, not to mention a lot of titles were developed specifically for the PS2 and never ported to the others.

          Secondly, what's the point in claiming the Wii might not have the power to cope with it when you follow it up with mention of the PS

    • Advertisement: George Lucas reportedly has a lot of input in the project, and even helped design some of the characters.

      That's not an advertisement, it's a warning, much like that blue oval on the front and sometimes back of many American cars.

    • "Other game developers" means mostly indie stuff (Darwinia, Uplink, Lugaru, etc) and id software, with a few random things (Neverwinter Nights, ut2004). The vast majority of games do not have native Linux ports.

      I mean, I do wish they did a native Linux verison. In fact, with most of the Jedi games (using the Quake 3 engine), it would've been a simple recompile. Then again, the Quake3 engine does REALLY well under Wine (better than native Windows), so I guess it's not all bad...

      And by the way, the game+Linux

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