Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Review (Xbox 360)
The original Lego Star Wars came out over four years ago. It was such a success, loved by critics and fans alike, that it spawned a bevy of similar games based on a variety of Lego licenses.
I never got to play the Original game. Its successors on the other hand, have gotten quite a workout.
See, the first Lego Star Wars Game was based on the most recent Star Wars Movies (episode 1-3). Its been made clear to me that we don’t hold with those (‘sorry excuses for Star Wars’) movies. So the much celebrated and honored Lego Star Wars game was banned from our Xbox.
When Lego Star Wars II finally came on the scene, much rejoicing was had. It follows the movie episodes 4, 5, and 6. (The REAL Star Wars movies.) =D
So while I can’t use the original game as my ground zero, I find that the sequel makes a very good substitute. Some would say it’s the better option (the only option!)
Review
Release date: September 11, 2006
Website: http://www.lucasarts.com/games/legostarwarsii/
Developer: Tt Games
Platform I played on: Xbox 360 (though it is available on practically every platform)
Game Summary
Romp through the Star Wars storylines as any of the myriad Lego Characters. Solve puzzles, fight bad guys, and save the galaxy.
Game play
I really admire a well-chosen title. This title seems rather obvious, but its fabulous mainly because it tells you almost everything you need to know: Lego and Star Wars.
Star Wars has been a tremendous license for Lego, and they make good use of it in this game. Almost all of the Lego Star Wars sets I have seen make an appearance in the game. Lego is so central the game that the currency is represented in round 1×1 pieces.
While the game is very focused on solving puzzles to advance past sections (jumping puzzles, building Lego contraption puzzles, find the key puzzles, etc), it also has a fair amount of real time action and combat. Very simple and easy, but it breaks up the puzzle solving nicely.
In story mode each level has a group of characters that intrinsic to that section. For example the very first level begins with Leia and a Rebel Trooper. As you progress, different characters become available, never the less, each level will have at least two characters to choose from. This gives you the option to choose any of the characters on the team to play.
In single player mode, switching between characters on the team becomes more necessary, as it often requires multiple characters to solve a puzzle, or only a specific character can unlock the door (like R2D2 with the Garbage Compacter).
I shouldn’t forget to mention that not only are there all the different characters to play but also a vast variety of vehicles and animals to ride. =)
All in all it’s a fast paced puzzle game with decent action, which makes for a very compelling combination.
World and Story
It seems to me that Star Wars is one of those phenomenon that has firmly rooted itself into societies genetic memory (if there is such a thing). Most people who play this game will find the story to be at least somewhat familiar. In fact the game follows the storyline impressively well. Some little bits are left out, other parts are embellished but overall it stays quite true to form.
In most movies the boring getting from place a to place b is cut out, but to fit these movies into a more exciting game format, lots of puzzles and excitement were added into the “moving” sections of the story. This is really where the bulk of the embellishments and game play can be found.
Graphics
All the graphics (except for the backgrounds) are Lego; the characters, the vehicles, the interactive bits of the world, the shrubbery, the currency. Its incredible how filled with Lego this little world is.
As you run around this 3D world you encounter loads of Lego structures you can reduce to their smallest Lego bits, or find bouncing heaps of Lego that you can combine to create something new. But cutest of all are the character animations. Their expressions and body motions are hilarious. Who knew little plastic Lego figures held so much character?
Replay ability
The bulk of the replay options seems to be backtracking. Going back to levels that have already been played to unlock sections that you previous could not access or finding secrets that you missed.
Once you play through a level the free play option is unlocked. This leaves you able to take any of the characters you have seen into the free play unlocked levels for more snooping and romping and coin collecting. =)
Multiplayer
One of this game’s strongest features is that you can enjoy the entire game with a buddy. Lots of the puzzles are set up in such a way to make both players feel useful. Yet the whole game is quite playable in single player.
Since both players are playing on the same screen (no split screen here) its best to play with someone you aren’t going to argue with all the time, as that will just lead to both of you running in opposite directions and thus not advancing much in the game.
Things that bothered me
-Instant death via water.
Anytime you touch water you die. Sometimes when you get too near the waters edge, your character slips in and dies. Death via water is irritating.
Falling off a cliff because its tough to estimate distances is almost as irritating. Slipping off the edge because you got just a bit too close almost ranks up there as well.
-It’s easier to play alone.
Not always, but enough of the time its easier to just be able to go in the direction you want to without having to argue with your team mate.
There are also times when one character lags behind (probably picking up some errant coin) and gets stuck or pushed into the water (aka death) because the other character has moved too far away. If death is the result, this can cause a horrible death loop, where the character respawns and immediately gets pushed to their death again. Over and over. Not fun.
-Linear storyline means only one solution.
We all know where the story is going. There isn’t much in the way of wriggle room there. This is similar to the nature of the puzzle genre, in that there tends to be only one way to solve a puzzle.
Since progressing along the storyline depends on solving the puzzle correctly, its very easy to get stuck in the game. Thankfully most of the puzzles are fairly simple. The best hint I can give is switch around characters as much as possible. All the times I was stuck were times I was currently playing the wrong character.
Time played
I honestly don’t remember how long I played, and I can’t find my saved game any longer.
Since my memory was so shoddy I got reacquainted with the game, you know, for the review. Three hours later my husband came to find me wondering where the hell I had gotten off too.
Currently I have logged about five hours, but am probably going to poke around a bit more. The Battle of Hoth must be reached!! That’s by far my favorite Star Wars part.
Game finished
I never did finish this game. It was one of those games that I always intended to come back too. Handy that I am now reviewing it and have an excellent excuse to spend some quality time playing the game.
Mood Progression
Last Thoughts
Instant death is bad, mkay?! Exceptions include Storm Troopers and Tusken Raiders. =D
Also there is a Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga for those interested in the game. Might as well get the whole story.
Tags: action, adventure, cooperative, jumping, lego, puzzle, robots, scifi, star wars
