I believe this game in itself is a good testament of why Lucasarts needed to go. Of course I'm sad because I still remember their past glory with games like X-Wing, Tie Figher, Dark Forces, Jedi Knight, and I could go on for pages with great games they published or produced in the past. But the cold hard facts are that they were on an all time low for years. This game is a very good example of what kind of crap they put out occasionally.

First thing you have to know is that the game is riddled with game breaking bugs. One of the bugs is when the game simply shows a blank screen instead of a cutscene. Sometimes you can hear the sound, but usually there isn't even that. And since they "cleverly" removed the option from the menu where you could replay cutscenes, if this bug comes, then you're screwed out of a part of the story. Or if you're feeling lucky you can replay the level and hope this time the bug doesn't show its ugly blank face. This game has something in common with Double Agent because again I had to watch the ending cinematic on youtube. Because I refused to replay the final bossfight in hopes of actually getting the cinematic the second time.

The second annoying bug is when all map textures turn to black. They'll have the rbg color 0,0,0. Not even lighting changing that. So when that happens it's impossible to tell apart the floor from the walls in the game. And since you can't find your way you're screwed again, you have to restart the level, and cross your fingers.

Another bug I successfully met, is on a specific level. It goes like this: If you die on this map, just once, then at about three quarters into the level, there will be a power cell that you supposed to pick up, but it won't be active. You won't be able to interact with it. Even if you died at the very beginning of the level. So the only way to beat this bug, is to restart the level, and reach this part without dying even once, easy-peasy .

So enough about bugs, now let's move on to the things why the game sucks regardless of being buggy. My ever recurring fad: It's 4 hours long, and even half of that is made up by overscripted bossfights. In the first game bossfights were fairly normal hack&slash battles, I know I criticized that too, but compared to this it was way better. Here most of the enemies are not even reachable by conventional means. So you defeat them by following a stupid script in the game. There are no strategies or any individuality, just have to follow the instructions to the letter.

And after the very moving story of the first game, this one basically has no story to speak of. Of course in 4 hours of gameplay there is not much story you can include, but what little there is is absolutely weightless and pointless. And then the ending screws the stakes in the arse, because from now on it seems anyone can be revived.

About the only good thing remaining from the first game is the fast paced fluid gameplay. But nothing else, they even removed the combo system, I know I did say that I hated that too, but at least it gave some means to use tactics. Now every enemy apart from basic stormtroopers can only be defeated by following one method. They kept the skill system, but now it's only there to upgrade the skills you already have. Like making force lighting more effective.

Another thing that warrants a few words is level design. Which is extremely stupid and crap. One great example is when you're moving trough the engineering deck on your own ship. It's like everything is put there for your entertainment only. This type of map design would've been ok in a 2D scrolling platfrom game in the early nineties. You have to destroy things in your own ships engines to actually move forward WHAAAAT? Logical right, your crew also destroys half the ship when they want to reach the other side of the deck, that's how things are done here. And how did enemy soldiers and sith warriors get inside if even you can only get in, by blowing shit up? As far as I know there is no teleportation in the star wars universe. And the funniest thing is that all the catwalks are arranged in a way, that you can just reach them by performing a double force jump. I imagine the recruitment process for the engineering crew for such a ship: "- Are you a master Jedi Knight? -Nope -Next please" Or how else would the crew move around?

And one final thing that annoyed the shit out of me is Kota. He's constantly micromanaging you, telling you how to do even the most basic things. He doesn't shut up for five seconds. Like he has nothing else to do. It's probably there so average Joe doesn't even have to use his brain to remember the objectives, since he's being told everything all the time. One of the worst parts was when you have to charge a bunch of power cells with force lighting to defeat a boss, but Kota keeps yelling at you through the radio, that you're doing that in vain because you can't damage it. Oh shut the fuck up I don't want to damage anything I want to charge the damn thing.

I'm not saying that the first game was a masterpiece but it was enjoyable in it's own way, it had a decent story, that kept you on your toes all the way, but this one? It is like the horse in the collection of a veterinary college, demonstrating all conceivable illnesses.

+

  • Fast paced, fluid gameplay


-

  • Level design
  • Nothing story
  • less than 5 hours play time,      and that includes all the replays due to bugs. And this is a full price      game.
  • Regardless of its length the      fighting becomes repetitive since you can only defeat every enemy one way
  • Scripted boss fights
  • Constant hand-holding
  • Bugs, upon bugs, upon bugs
  • Stupid ending


Score: 2/10