IGN Reviews Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for XBOX 360

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.

[SullyDrake]

"7.5 - Graphics

Some of the technical work is great, but it isn't used as well as it could be. The Xbox 360 version has bits of screen tearing and framerate stuttering."

Interesting how quickly things are turning around...

[Anton Chigurh]

I heard , the ps3 was the lead console

the funny part is , ps3 got a little higher in graphics but the overall score is still the same lol

[SullyDrake]

The PS3 version was rated an 8.0 in Graphics by IGN.

[TheIneffableBob]

The PS3 version got a better graphics score but the overall score is the same between the PS3 and 360 versions.

[jkoz]

I've found that the Xbox 360 version studders and grinds to a hault when you unlock an achievement. It's weird, it's not like a whole lot of CPU power is needed to display that tiny blip. But yeah, the PS3 version won't be having that problem ;)

[Masta_fro]

if it was the other way around though and the ps3 had frame rate issues then ign would have given the ps3 a lower score....but nooooo it doesn't matter when the 360 has frame rate issues..."it doesn't hurt the over-all experience" when the problems are xbox related

oh no, I've gone cross eyed again.

[Blademask]

I'd love to see a PS3 game ever get called a "flawed gem" if it had framerate/loading problems like Mass Effect did. While on one hand its nice to see that things are changing as far as the PS3's performance not trailing behind due to idiotic programmers. On the other the double standards in reviewing are very much prevalent.

I think most PS3 owners remember the circus that was last year when it came to reviews. Its like they would wait to see the ps3 frametear then that itself would be a 900 page article on why the ps3 version is scoring lower due to the Cell not living up to the hype, and wheres 4d?

Recently, and maybe since 08. All multiplats are scored higher/equal on the ps3.

[clevernickname]

I downloaded both the 360 and the PS3 versions of the demo and there was noticeable screen tearing and frame rate issues with the 360 version, specifically in the hanger section of the demo. The PS3 visuals were silky smooth throughout.

It was a nice change and I am buying the PS3 version.

[INehalemEXI]

lol , Bubbles @ Masta_fro.

[Masta_fro]

i know, i mean, i don't mind if the ps3 scores lower because of frame rate issues, in fact, i encourage it... if a game looks and feels better on any console, it should be noted by the reviewer.

That IS why we have reviews right? So we know which version is better...

But no, its a "different color pallet" when it looks worse on xbox, or my favorite "achievements makes the 360 version equal to the PS3 version".

Some other lines you might enjoy:

"A bigger, better xbox live cummunity should make the online portion of the game better than its ps3 counterpart" even though the ps3 has free online and has sold like 13million consoles...

3 months later Cod4 comes out:
"the game is identical on both systems and we had no problems at all getting enough people to play with on the ps3 version." confused?

"Lack of rumble in the ps3 version truly makes it feel shallow, although it has sixaxis support and brings you into the game, its a little gimmicky"
riight...

Dont get me wrong, i like the 360, its just that i cant remember anybody saying anything negative about the 360 version of any game up until last year so i cant quote...(i.e. ign, 1up, 7up, pepsi..etc)

[OOG]

so sad I had high hopes for this game...until I played the demo.....:/

[Jock]

I played the demo and it left me wanting more of this game...

using the power of the force seems pretty cool....

[digger18]

Is this game really that bad? I was really looking forward to this.

Who has played the demo? Since I haven't, can anybody tell me what its like.

Edit. Thanks Mitchell, I'll give it a rent first.

[SullyDrake]

Within the demo you can easily see the games' strengths and weaknesses, and it has more strengths.

A 7.3/10 is good, not bad. To me a 5-6/10 is mediocre, 3-5/10 is bad, and 2 or less/10 is FAIL.

Plus you've gotta try it for yourself. Give it a rent and make your own decision.

[4cough]

FACTIOD for you...........IGN are PlayStation fanboys, The site should be shut down for giving FIXED reviews and downright lying.

[digger18]

Please STFU, it would be real nice.

[Montrealien]

bieng an anonymous fantart is easy eh 4cough? I bet you suck at halo also, noob.

on topic: I`ll be checking this out tonight on my 360, looks like a great rental. I don`t think I `ll be buying it though.

[bokharij]

I'm not a starwars fan so do u think i'd still enjoy the game? because everywhere they keep saying if your a starwars fan then its good etc.. I enjoyed the demo very much and i look forward to getting it for the PS3.

[Sena Kobayashi]

I expected more Fanboys to call this game a FAIL because it scored 7.3 but its on both Ps3/360 they cant really say anything about it. This game still looks sweet to me I might check it out at blockbuster.

Im of to another thread with my MAX SPEED!!!

[Mr402]

Rental.

[borgome]

Just like the guy in the movie Titanic said it.

[Kratos Spartan]

Factoid for you...Factoid for you....you you you...Factoid for you

smigglenarious tipple topple...I just made more sense than you

FACTOID FOR YOU!!

[kevanio09]

Said the PS3 version was worse, and IGN said the xbox 360 version was worse...They always seem to contridict each other.

[SullyDrake]

I'd say Gamespot is crap compared to IGN, but they did somewhat redeem themselves with their MGS4 review.

Still pissed about that Ratchet & Clank review from Gamespot though!

[INehalemEXI]

I don't even know who GS is anymore. Everyone with a shred of unbias credability there went to Giant Bomb.

[meepmoopmeep]

Star Wars: The Flop Unleashed

:P

[Anton Chigurh]

>_>

not even funny

[KBDuB]

meepmoopFLOP!

[meepmoopmeep]

my work is done here
:P

[KBDuB]

Exactly. You see how easy it is to call something a flop? You sir, are a flop! See?

[Montrealien]

You know this ones coming...Little Big Flop?

you're right, very easy!

Disclaimer: I can't wait for Little big planet, sounds like hours of fun and a must buy on the PS3.

[SteveBallmer SonyRep]

Thank god it was easy wouldnt want your head to be sore afterwards

[Figboy]

7.3 is not a bad score. and of course, IGN's "not an average" system mars what is a decent score. averaged, the score is a 7.7, which is about what i would give it.

what i like: graphics are pretty good. nothing amazing, but it doesn't look bad on a large screen HDTV.

the Force: it's fun to use. period. Force choking, pushing, impaling, and generally causing havoc is enjoyable.

voice acting; the voice acting is very good, and the dialogue is well written. it feels like a Star Wars story (pre-prequels, of course).

what i don't like: some irritating boss battles.

the camera is too loose, though i believe there is an option to tighten it up a bit in the options. i didn't bother to check it.

random platforming elements. because the apprentice is so fast, and the camera can be a problem, there are many a time when simply double jumping up to another platform requires a few tries. the camera never seems to know how to be in the right place, generally requiring a press of the "R3 button" to recenter it.

overall, i'm having a good time with the game. oddly enough, however, i like the PSP version of the game more (i played the PS3 and PSP versions over the weekend).

i actually recommend both the PS3 and PSP versions, as they are so different from one another in almost every way barring the overall gist of the story (the cutscenes are different, some of the dialogue is the same, the apprentice's force powers are different, and the level layout and progression are somewhat different). this is the first time i played two versions of the same game, and had very different experiences on each one.

i like the added levels and bosses in the PSP version, and the overall flow of gameplay and story seems better. since the DMM and Euphoria engine aren't really used to their maximum effect on the console versions, it's absence in the handheld version isn't missed.

being a huge Star Wars fan, i'll probably purchase the game on the PS3, but i'd recommend to others a rental.

[bloop]

After playing the demo this was a definite buy for me. These reviews are a little worrying though. I'll probably get it anyway because I'm a big Star Wars fan and there hasn't really been any good games out in months now.

[IAm1Bearcat]

i wasnt really expecting this to become the greatest Star Wars game ever conceived, so i'm not truly "disappointed" by this score. 7.3/10 is still pretty damn good in my book and honestly, since i'm a big Star Wars fan, i'll probably pick this up... just not for 60 bucks.

either i'll ask for it for Christmas / birthday, or buy it when it goes down to 40/30 bucks. no matter what issues the review talks about (personally i think "annoying boss battles" is personal opinion, and if its true that sucks because boss battles are a major 'whoa' moment for most games), it only saddens me it's 8-10 hours and low replayability.

however, with all the fun force powers i could see going back and just trying out new variations of powers on stormtroopers. that never seems to get old

[kalel333]

yeah personally I haven't had one WOAH with any of the big bosses so far.It gets repetitive but still fun thx to the force powers (well implemented in the game) .

[ReBurn]

I'm going to give the Xbox 360 demo a whirl tonight. I thought that the PS3 demo was an ok experience, but I haven't fired it up on the 360 yet.

[kalel333]

I have the game on ps3 , I like it but I expected so much more. 1. A FREAKING MULTIPLAYER!!!! I loved jedi outcast 2 on pc multiplayer, I was so disapointed to read on the back 1 player only F*CK! Also the level design like ign says is pretty straight forward, no room to explore or play around . It feels like a hack n slash with waves and waves of enemies coming at you. a Boss at the end of each level and mini bosses during the middle of some levels. Overall I'm disapointed but it's really fun to use the force powers on storm troopers (more so then on other enemies) because they don't do sh*t (really easy to kill) .

[SolidSnake93]

The Wii version scored higher, maybe it might be the right choice to buy.

[ReeBlock]

Overall, The industry is saturated with the same types of games that have different appearances. Killzone, for instance, I am not overly enthused about because it's really just another shooter, a good one it seems, but still just that. SWFU to me, is just Ninja Gaiden with upgraded(but not perfect)Psi-Ops powers. I also feel no real connection to the enemies onscreen, very generic. It is a fun game though and worth a rent. Again, this is just my opinion.

[moja]

like ninja gaiden with force powers. still think i might pick this one up though.

[theEnemy]

Is freaking strong!

:D

[Tigervamp]

http://www.teamteabag.com/2...

[Lord Vader]

Funny, Gamespot says the Ps3 version has more problems... lol, never know who to believe. Anywho, with no MP I'm picking this one for my PS3 anyway.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbo...

" Visual bugs, momentary pauses, and frame rate drops are relatively common, and somewhat more prevalent in the PlayStation 3 version. We encountered instances of blinking textures, incomplete geometry, and on the PS3, multiple occasions when enemy character models would immediately disappear upon defeat."