To sum up the Force Unleashed series – God Of War meets Star Wars. This format seems tailor-made for the Star Wars universe with all the abilities that come with “the force”. As Starkiller, the series’ protagonist, you are able to fall gracefully from any height, dual-weild lightsabers, mind-trick enemy battalions into civil war, and crush tie fighters with a mere thought. Everything you would expect a Jedi to be capable of and more. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 is definitely not short on action, what it is short on is substance.
FU2′s story mode is only nine short levels in length, taking place in only three locations. Famous Star Wars characters such as Yoda and Boba Fett make appearances, but are used only briefly and then are never seen again. FU2′s narrative is also lacking. Having never played the original will not matter much as the story is quite simple. Starkiller seeks out his love interest from the first game and continues to defy his master, Darth Vader. It sadly never gets any deeper or more interesting and doesn’t particularly go anywhere ultimately.
Graphically, FU2 has real polish. Environments are nice, in-game character models are plenty serviceable, and cutscenes are some of the best around period. Gameplay is enjoyable with some nice force-powered moves making combat varied, leaving the player to decide which power to use in any given situation. Fighting larger enemies is much less varied and becomes rather tedious using the same quick-time-events repeatedly.
The best of what FU2 has to offer doesn’t even appear on the game disc. FU2′s downloadable content features a costume pack including skins of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker with Yoda in tow (in a papoose), and Darth Malak of K.O.T.O.R. fame for only $.99 (among numerous other skins). Also for just $.99 is The Battle Of Endor, a short yet highly entertaining self-contained side-story in which you as Starkiller destroy the rebel alliance during the events of Return Of The Jedi. Highlights include doing battle with ewoks (and comically punting them), Han Solo, Chewbacca, and a “differently-abled” Princess Leia.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 leaves plenty of room for improvement, but is still a decent licensed game, albeit a short one.