LucasArts producer Dan Wasson stopped by G4's X-Play show to demonstrate the Duel Mode and Wii controls for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed -- in an empty movie theatre, no less -- and, while it's no Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the game certainly has its charms.
Using the force, or unleashing it, as LucasArts suggests you do, to throw everything you can at your opponent while TIE fighters float around you is a scene we have no problem taking part in. All we need to know now is whether or not we'll still be able to play the game with the Wii Light Sword attachment to further immerse ourselves in the Star Wars Kid experience. Jump past the break for video from the preview!
Big-brother blog Joystiq's own Zack Stern got a little face time with some of the biggest games of your fanboy future at last week's Nintendo Media Summit, and mostly, the verdict is good, even in some surprising places. We've linked all of the hands-on impressions below, but will offer a quick recap here:
Rock Band for Wii is not quite a complete travesty; improvements made to the original Rock Bands are present here, and apparently, there is at least discussion of how to handle the online play/DLC problem, but whether or not that will be managed as a later add-on or reserved for a sequel was not said. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows ....
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is the opposite of Rock Band, however, in that it sounds even better than we expected. Zack spent some time in the Wii-specific multiplayer duel mode, and it sounds as though the level of depth (and sheer fun!) to be found there will make Wii owners and Star Wars fans very happy. We're looking forward to it!
BOOM BLOXmay seem like a simple game, but while we're on the subject of depth, this is another title with a lot to explore and discover, and we know a lot of you are excited about it -- so much so that you'll challenge the bloggers to steel cage matches and all. It's cool. We like to know you care.
Samba de Amigo both is and ain't the original. It looks and feels like the Dreamcast game, but Wii remotes just aren't maracas. We did get our wish, though you can use two Wiimotes instead of a Wiimote and a nunchuk if you want, to get your samba on.
Wii Fit is fun, with a lot of enjoyable mini-games, but Zack felt they might get repetitive after a while. Then again, what exercise routine doesn't? That's why they call it a routine, amirite?
Read: Joystiq hands-on with BOOM BLOX Read: Joystiq hands-on with Rock Band Wii Read: Joystiq hands-on with Samba de Amigo Read: Joystiq hands-on with Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Read: Joystiq hands-on with Wii Fit
You all probably know that we're already sold on the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Unleashed from LucasArts. Last night, it was revealed that the game will also feature an exclusive level where you control Darth Vader. This undoubtedly caused much excitement for some. Are you one of those people? Or could you care less about this game?
Well, folks, we finally have a date for when the gates to a paradise of exploiting Force powers in a video game will open: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will release on September 16th in North America. Hot on the heels of yesterday's big reveal on the Wii version of the game, you can imagine we're pretty pumped for this. September? Can't get here soon enough.
But, wait, there's more. While those of us in North America are getting the game on September 16th, it will arrive in Southeast Asia and Australia on September 17th and release in Europe on September 19th. Pretty sweet, eh? For once, you don't have to wait a ridiculously long time for something.
GamePro had some time to check out the Wii version of upcoming Lucasarts game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. During their time with it, they managed to sink their teeth into the robust PVP aspect (called Duel Mode, it allows for one-on-one combat between 27 different characters from the Star Wars universe) of the game, as well as provide details on how the motion controls will work. They even took time to compare the two versions of the game graphically, showing the difference in character detail and textures between them. But, who cares about graphics? The controls are where it's at, right?
For the chart containing the game's controls on Wii, click here or head past the break.
We love Star Wars as much as the next geek, so we found the news about a graphic novel of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed to be only a good thing. It's set to come out this summer, which means it will be released before the game. We suppose if you're worried about spoilers, then you should probably avoid it for a while. If you want a heads-up on the storyline of the upcoming Wii title, though, the book will probably be useful. There will be a regular novel available, too, for those who prefer straight-up words; but, as you probably know, those are neither as nerdy nor as fun.
The novel is set to be written by Sean William, who's been on the best-seller list of the New York Times before, while the graphic novel will be the work of Haden Blackman.
As you might have guessed, the story involves something about the Jedi, Vader, and the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance. Sounds good to us.
In the beginning (er, in November), there was a "light sword," and now, there is another. The question is: which one best allows you to enjoy your own Star Wars Kid experience?* Er ... which design is better? We're coming down on the side of this johnny-come-lately "light sword" so far. We'll say one thing: once (if) there's a game that really utilizes peripherals (and the Wiimote, obviously) like this to full effect, we may give 'em a try. Not that we would ever, ever tell anyone that we'd done it. And we would close all the curtains first. And bar the doors. And break all our cameras -- just in case.
*Unfortunately, the answer is neither, because they're all too damned short. We need some double-bladed business up in here.
I have fond memories of your mother -- yes, all of your mothers. Up until now, I've kept those memories separate from Wii Fanboy, mostly out of professional courtesy. After seeing how most of you ignored Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure, however, I have thrown civility out the window. The gloves are off now, and good riddance, as it'd be difficult to type about the games that remind me of your mom while wearing those restrictive mittens.
This Wii, currently being auctioned on eBay, comes in a black shell and features a chrome-finish stand and a Darth Vader picture on the side. It includes two black Wiimotes and two black Nunchuks. It was one of four made to promote Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. In short, it is brimming with collectibility. Or it would be if we knew it was real.
The provided pictures are clearly Photoshopped, unless what we thought was a chrome stand is actually printed with a close-up picture of a couch. Furthermore, the Wiimote pictured is an old prototype with "x" and "y" buttons and no speaker. Also, troublingly, the name of the promoted game is incorrectly written as Unleash the Force. We think we'd need a little more reassurance before we dropped $15,000 on this system.
Oh, did we mention that it's fifteen thousand dollars? Because it is. Fifteen thousand dollars.
This custom AT-AT GameCube lumbered around the Internet a few years ago, but we never dreamed that we'd be able to get our own tow cables around it. Nothing, however, convinces someone to get rid of an item like its total obsolescence.
Conversely, nothing convinces us to buy an obsolete item like having it crammed inside a Star Wars model! Really, it works out for everyone. At a current bid of $51, this is a deal just for the four Wavebird controllers included (whose receivers, along with two memory cards, are embedded in the unit). We'd love to see our friends' faces when we brought this in for some party gaming, but we don't have parties or friends. We are Star Wars fans after all.
Ever since Nintendo's Satoru Iwata revealed the Wii remote's motion-sensing capabilities, gamers have been clamoring for someone, anyone, to help realize their deepest nerd fantasy -- using the Wii's controller to act out the Star Wars Kid video.
Now, for only £14.99 (approximately $31), you, too, can record an embarrassing video of yourself looking like a damn fool fighting imaginary Stormtroopers with your special moves. The peripheral uses three AA batteries (not included) to power its 22 LEDs, just like the lightsabers used by real-life fictional Jedi!
As lifelong fans of the original Star Wars Kid series, we can't begin to express how excited we are that someone is finally bringing some lightsaber action to the Wii. We're already making lightsaber sound effects at our desk while simulating a duel with our pens in anticipation. Swing past the break for a couple Star Wars Kid clips. Also, may the force be with you! May the force be with you all!
With the time of year being what it is and all, we imagine inside the empty and very penniless chasms of our wallet is a faint and very tortured voice crying out for help. It wants us to stop spending, but we can't. Oh, we just love the Q4 season and our awe of the Wii grows and grows.
So, some big releases this week, wouldn't you say? Personally, we're making eyes at Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, but we're not absolutely sure we'll be picking it up. What about you? What will you be playing?
Today is a big week for releases on the Wii, as we not only get one first-party Nintendo game, but also two very high-profile third-party titles. It can only mean one thing: we're getting closer and closer to the holidays. Oh, will someone think of our poor wallet, please?
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn
Bee Movie
Hannah Montana: Spotlight World Tour
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga
Mario and Sonic: Olympic Games
My Word Coach
Agatha Christie: And Then There Were None
Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity
So, going to pick up any of these games? Would like to pick something up, but lacking the funds?
After finding out that the newest Star Wars game would be gracing the Wii also, we were all kinds of excited. Then, we actually got to see some behind-the-scenes stuff and we found out what it was truly like to be excited. We're pumped for this game.
Now, some more info on the game has trickled out of camp Lucas. Most of the information revolves around a couple of locations players will be able to traverse in the game, including a TIE fighter construction yard, the wookie homeworld of Kashyyyk, the planet of Felucia and also Raxus Prime, an interstellar dumping planet. There is also some details on the Apprentice's droid compantion Proxy.
We'll save you the spoiler-worthy details here. So, if you want to know the juicy stuff, head on over to CVG. But, don't say we didn't warn you.
You know, we never played the first Lego Star Wars game because, frankly, Star Wars Episode 1, 2 and 3 were trash. Seriously, we couldn't find a single thing worth liking about those new movies, but this is not the proper forum to complain about them, we're merely presenting you with a why as to our avoiding that game.
The latest trailer for Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga has us thinking that we missed out hard though, as the invasion of Naboo level looks like all kinds of fun. And those graphics are pretty nice, too.
Who will be joining us in picking this up come next month?
