I enjoyed the hectic action of the first Force Unleashed. Being able to throw around crates and Stormtroopers alike had a fun sandbox-like feel, combined with collectibles, unlocks, and a mix of traversal and combat. It was a good game. The sequel seems to have been streamlined a lot, but also feels very rushed: shorter and with less variety.

The first thing I noticed was how pretty the game looks. They’ve done a fantastic job gussying up them graphics. The cutscenes aren’t full of hideous creepy doll faces anymore! The levels also look much cleaner, and that applies to the UI as well. So in terms of looks it’s a real step forward. Unfortunately the game really only has three distinct environments (Kamino, Cato Nemoidia, and the Rebel ship), compared to the six or so of its predecessor.

With fewer locations comes fewer enemy types. You don’t get the scavengers and junk constructs of Raxus Prime, the Felucian natives and Rancors, Wookiees, nor do you have climactic Jedi battles with Force struggles. In comparison, the final fight with Vader is quite boring. There are a few new robots and things, but the combat isn’t as varied. Another contributing factor is that it feels like different enemies must be tackled in specific ways, unlike the freedom of the first game; I also feel like there’s less big open rooms to play around in.

I mentioned the streamlining. The upgrade system is much simpler, without separate categories and lots of unlocks. There’s a bit more customisation available for lightsaber crystals since you have two of them now, which is nice. The menus are also a bit easier to navigate. These are all pretty much improvements, which is why I’m so disappointed they fumbled the whole “content” side of the game.

To draw another unfavourable comparison, this game either removes characters or reduces them down to bit parts. Kota is present but quite one-note, Proxy is basically a cameo, any other Rebels are nowhere to be seen, nor is the Emperor. There’s only one new secondary character introduced. Boba Fett and Yoda appear briefly in cutscenes, have a couple of lines, and have no bearing on the plot. As for Juno, *sigh*, well she’s gone from being a character to someone whose name the male protagonist can shout lots of times while she’s been kidnapped or being threatened, or being apparently killed. It’s very distressing and shallow. Starkiller himself has some struggle over whether he’s a clone or not, when it’s obvious that he is, and there are no real twists or progression. Two steps back on the story front.

I don’t know what else I can say. That paragraph really depressed me. There’s a challenge mode now, so you can try to do ten specific things quickly. You can now use Jedi mind tricks, to turn your enemies against each other or make them jump off a bridge. That’s a very neat addition. But the game is such a whiff; if it only combined its advancements to the engine and presentation with the scope of the previous game, and advanced the story, it could have been really great. Instead I’m not even sure it’s worth your time; just play the first one and be done with it. It feels like half a game, especially because the ending leaves threads dangling on purpose as a sequel hook that was never picked up. And Starkiller is just so angsty white boy. Get over yourself, dude.