04-19-2007, 04:47 PM
Developer(s): Traveller's Tales, Amaze Entertainment
Publisher(s): LucasArts, TT Games
System(s): PC, GameCube, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, PSP, and GBA
ESRB: E10+
Videos:
Trailer
Review
When most see this game, and hear the word "Lego" in the title, they most likely think of it as a little kids game, well they are wayyy off. Lego Star Wars II: The Orginal Trilogy is one of the best games ever made. Taking place in a galaxy far far away, this game is based on the Original (or final, whatever floats your boat) 3 star wars movies, with alot of the levels having not been seen in the movies, such as the journey to ol' Ben Kenobi's house.
Gameplay: 9/10
Opposed to the shockingly easy Lego Star Wars I, LSW:II is much more difficult. The AI are more responsive, and can aim quite well with their weapons. Another improvement from LSW:I, is that the levels can be insanely long. The replay value is great, having to complete each level multiple times with different tasks each time.
In each level, (18 in all, 6 for each Episode), you must complete a wide variety of tasks. The first task is obviously to complete the storyline of the level. While doing so, you will have to pick up a certain number of Lego Studs, each time you die, you lose some, so you must try to keep a certain amount (depending on the level) until the level is over to complete that task. Another task is to find a hidden red Lego block, which can be used to purchase special items from the Mos Eisley Cantina, or home-menu as you will. And finally, the last task is to pick up 10 'minikits' per level, each contains part to a type of vehicle that corresponds with that level (i.e. an AT-AT for Hoth Battle). However, you cannot get all 10 the first time of playing the level, which is what makes the game so long to beat, because after you beat the level a first time, you are allowed to play it again in Freeplay mode. In free play mode, you can have a large number of characters to play with (unlike in story mode), each with different special abilities to help beat the level. For instance, When playing on the very first level, Tantive IV, you only can play as Princess Leia, Rebel Soldier, R2-D2, and the notably gay, C-3PO. But some areas of the level can only be accessed by a Jedi of the Dark Side (Darth Vader or the Emporer) which you can only play as during the Freeplay mode.
Now comes yet another purpose to play the level again: Superstory mode. The superstory mode, along with two small bonus missions, can only be unlocked by getting a certain number of Gold Bricks (which you automatically get for getting 10/10 minikits, certain Lego stud count, and the red Lego block). Here you must complete each of the 6 levels in that Episode, while collecting a certain number of Lego studs (accumulated of all 6 levels) and within 1 hour. (I am not sure if an hour is just a time to beat or just for hiscore purposes, but I just happened to beat it each time in under 1 hour.)
There are also 12 extra "Bounty Hunter" missions, in which you can play as a Bounty Hunter and work for Jabba the Hut. The purpose of this is to find a certain character in a certain level within a given amount of time. It can be extremely hard to find them sometimes, so it can get quite frustrating.
The controls in this game are quite basic and easy to get used to. However, it is hard to do certain tasks in game. For instance, sometimes the camera angle isn't at a good spot and you can't see where you need to jump to, and you jump to far and slide all the way back to the bottom. Or when playing as ghost Yoda, Anakin, or Kenobi, the light saber just goes straight through the enemy without beating them.
Graphics: 8/10
Although graphics aren't good in this game, well firstly, they really aren't supposed to be good. They are Legos. The landscape graphics are about average, but it is nice because the Lego characters look 'at-home' on the real looking landscape. The character movements and actions are nice and smooth as well, however some graphics may be 'too much' (as in watching a bunch of Storm Troopers bathing in Speedos). Explosions and lasers look realistic as well.
Sound: 10/10
With each level featuring the classical music from legendary composer John Williams, what is there not to love about it? Not just that, but laser shot, explosions, vehicle sounds, and lightsaber swings all sound just like in the movies. Some sounds can be annoying though, such as listening to R2 squeeling as he is falling off a ledge, or hear Leia moaning every time she gets hit (however, some may find that erotic).
Cut Scenes: 7/10
Seeing as there are no cut scenes from the actual movies, it was a bit of a bummer. However I don't think they would have fit into this game on most occasions anyways. They do show cut scenes of your player in-game though, some are pretty cool, others are just annoying and boring though. There isn't many though, only before/after each level and occasionally some during the level.
Overall Score: 9/10
This is just a great game. Being able to relive all those historic moments in the Star Wars saga, what could be better. It has so much replay value, multi-player (not online, only for 360 though) is fun, and it is fun because it is not too easy and not too hard. Just right for any level of gamer. And what could be better than building something out of Legos, then destroying it with a lightsaber one second later? Or pulling heads off Storm Troopers with Chewbacca, or Force choking/electrocuting your enemy with the Emperer? Ok, I'm just getting carried away now. I would definately recommend BUYING this game, not renting, because it takes a while to beat. However do not buy the Nintendo DS or GBA versions, because the GBA has bad graphics, and the Nintendo DS is really 'glitchy', making it unable to be beat. (note that I am writing this review based on the PlayStation 2 version of the game.)
