Occasionally star wars games reviews of video games are released that you just know will become classics. Like The Matrix of the movie world, or Star Wars The clone Wars Games, and sometimes a video game comes a long that brings a freshness that is totally satisfying. Not that they’re without flaws (we’ll come to those), but they’re special enough that you don’t really notice them. The Star Wars Legos games fit this bill, and in particular, LEGO Star Wars II. From the quirky, comical style of the game that sets the whole theme of the game, to the complex character interaction and multiple playing modes the video game is gaining a growing fan base. Notwithstanding the great features, there are also some annoyances worth mentioning. This article will provide an overview of the Lego Star Wars and some of the main features that are attracting fans from all over the globe.
If you were to summarize its main selling point, it would have to be the comical sense of fun the game creates. The whole idea of a video game based on lego characters based on a movie series has got to be a great starting point for a spoof game! From the way the classic scenes are done in a comic style to the way Chewie rips arms off the stormtroopers its pretty hard not to smile when playing the game. The graphics are just right too – somehow they’ve got the animation just right – they move just like you’d expect lego characters to move. Not that I’ve ever seen one move, of course.
Star Wars Lego II is suitable for adults and children alike and because it has multi-player multi-character functionality adults are able to jump in and help them out when required. Dedicated Star Wars fans will be delighted to hear that John Williams’ classic music accompanies the game as it moves through the different chapters and episodes. It covers episodes 4-6 and follows the movies quite faithfully in story mode.
The game has two main modes to play – story mode, where you can re-enact the scenes from the movie, and free-play mode. It probably takes about 5 hours of game time to complete all three episodes in story mode – but don’t fret, there is plenty of fun to be had in free play mode. In this mode you can move away from the script, so to speak, and use different or new characters in different roles and explore alternative areas within the game. Some characters can access special areas that may not be available in story mode. Ewoks, for example, can enter vents and hatches to areas that are inaccessible to others.
The characters are really the heart of the game. The way they interact and the way you are able to interact with them is what makes the Star Wars Legos game so great. As you move through the episodes (or in free-play mode), you need to use different characters to solve different problems. Each character has a unique attribute – for example, Jedis can use The Force and droids can open certain doors. You play one character at a time and can switch between them to complete the various areas. More than one person can play at a time. You can even create you own characters – Han Solo’s head with Princess Leia’s body with Darth’s legs, if thats what turns you on. You can also name your characters.
Using a game save from the original Lego Star Wars will give you an additional 50 characters that you can unlock. You unlock characters and buy “cheats” by earning money, which is achieved by destroying the enemy or certain objects along the way.
There were a few issues when using the game. Probably the most annoying thing I found was the lack of control of the camera – a legacy from the original Star Wars Legos original game. Ol’ Chewie can be a bit annoying as he goes into arm-ripping mode just when you want him to be shooting out in a firefight. In fact, thats a general problem – characters go into close combat mode automatically and this can be a bit frustrating at times. If you’re busy blasting walls or whatever and your friend gets too close, you’ll find that you fry them as well.
My final point is to remember this game is about fun and entertainment. In reality there isn’t a great deal of challenge in the Star Wars Legos games. If you’re a hardcore, ultra-competitive gamer then this isn’t for you. If you want a good laugh and a bit of entertainment then you’ve got a winner here.
