How 'Star Wars: The Force Unleashed' Changed Video Gaming
Image Source: StarWars.com
On September 16th, 2008, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed changed video gaming as we know it. At the very least, it was revolutionary for Star Wars games. You may be wondering how, especially if you’ve only experienced the modern version made for the Switch. Let’s delve into the history, lore, and features to get a proper grasp.
This title started as a massive multimedia project including comics and games. It was originally released for consoles, including the PlayStation 2, Wii, Xbox, Nintendo DS, and more. Essentially, all of the bases were covered with a wide margin of playability. This wasn’t the first video game for the franchise, but it was the first to implement some new, interesting character features. The storyline follows Kashyyyk native Galen Marek, codenamed Starkiller, the secret apprentice of Darth Vader. His missions in this role play out through the game. Vader gives Starkiller missions related to the Jedi to evaluate his abilities.
RELATED:
Image Source: The Next Level
The first mission is to hunt down several Order 66 survivors. Starkiller collects lightsabers as he goes for proof of death. When he gets to the final Jedi, he receives a foreboding prediction that Vader won’t be his Master forever. Following this mission, the character is sent to Raxus Prime to take out a Jedi Master who has gone insane in the junkyard. After this success, he tries to convince Vader that he is ready to face Palpatine, since he’s been faceless and hidden up to now. The idea is rejected and one more mission is embarked on.
This mission puts Starkiller after a former Jedi council member. The single Jedi doesn’t stand a chance at this point; Starkiller defeats him and the allies he had assembled. The last words of this Jedi were yet another ominous statement of the future, about how the Sith betray each other in the end. This forewarned betrayal comes to a head when Vader attempts to kill Starkiller in front of Palpatine, to prove his loyalty. He doesn’t succeed, however, and Starkiller’s faith in the Empire is shaken.
Image Source: JELLIS Gamer Footage
From here the character begins to secretly convene with people of the Light side and the (not fully established) Rebellion. He aids them in a few instances, and starts to reconsider all that he’s done up to now. The game comes to a climax when Starkiller and the Rebels are captured, and the former apprentice has to decide whether or not to kill Darth Vader.
Star Wars: TFU was the first Star Wars game to allow the user to play as a Sith, giving way to some pretty powerful Force controls. Delving into the storyline, we can see the battle between the light side versus the dark side of the Force within Starkiller. The game sets up a new structure and point of view. These features and details were never before seen, and they really set a standard for game quality and abilities going forward.
Throughout the missions, the player is introduced to various abilities and is given some freedom with what they do. Starkiller is a being full of raw power, and that is evident in his playable moves. Force lightning, a classic Sith move, is usable and controllable in this game. Combo moves using Force abilities and lightsaber moves were possible for great amounts of damage. Enemies can even learn from what the player does, taking less damage if the moves are repeated too much.
Image Source: Gamer’s Little Playground Footage
If you know the game, you know one of the pique displays of power that continues to set the title apart from other Star Wars games: at one point, Starkiller uses the Force to pull an entire Star Destroyer from orbit, during a Raxus Prime mission. The Force push abilities are usable outside of this event too, letting the player cause some mild, harmless chaos along the way.
You never truly know what will be revolutionary until you look back. The gameplay that The Force Unleashed introduced opened up possibilities for all Star Wars games to come. Its story may be considered Legends now, but that doesn’t diminish the game’s overall impact on Star Wars titles.
READ NEXT:
Source(s): Wookieepedia, Star Wars Official