Star Wars Episode III: First Hands-On, New Screens & Media Update With Trailer

We get an incredible chance to go hands-on with Revenge of the Sith, and bring you our full impressions plus a fresh helping of media. Become the greatest of all the Jedi!

Page: 1  2  3 

Arguably, there's only one film that needs no introduction this summer. Outweighing every other blockbuster franchise hitting theatres over the coming months, the Star Wars saga is set to climax in a spectacular motion picture that links the groundbreaking original trilogy to the modern-day epics. And of course, George Lucas' videogame publishing house has been readying a fittingly impressive videogame to go with the movie, set to hit stores on May 5, a fortnight prior to the movie release.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, the game, has been shaping up very handsomely in recent months, and our exclusive hands-on suggests it's no slouch in the gameplay department either. Episode III is a predominantly fighting-based, third person character action game, set against epic backdrops with visually astounding personality and flair. It's fast-paced, fluid, and generally looking like a superb package.

Prophesied to be the one to bring balance to the Force and rescued from a life of slavery, Anakin Skywalker is the character players will be taking on throughout most of the game, but the quick-tempered Jedi is not the only one players will be able to control. No Jedi has had a more direct hand in the fate of the galaxy than Obi-Wan Kenobi. Determined not to lose Anakin to the Dark Side, Obi-Wan is the other key playable character, as the two join forces in fierce battles, leading to a final confrontation between good and evil.

We can say that you'll be able to play as at least one other Jedi as well, but the spotlight is undoubtedly with these guys. As Obi-Wan, players wield a powerful lightsaber as they struggle to save the galaxy from darkness, by using the Force to control enemy actions and focusing the power of the light side into swift and precise lightsaber attacks. As Anakin, players will amplify the future Darth Vader's Jedi skills and lightsaber techniques by giving in to the dark side of the Force.

Not only do you get to take on the roles of the galaxy's finest, characters are also customisable, with new combos to learn and the ability to upgrade the Force skills your character possesses - like Anakin's Dark Side powers including his impressive-looking Force Lighting attack. Throughout the game you'll be able to attack with devastating shockwaves, crush and burn enemies, overpower hordes of enemies, and defeat even the most skilled Jedi Masters in one-on-one duels.

On the Xbox version we played, the fighting system certainly felt solid. A wide range of combination attacks can be used in all directions, including the skill of blocking or deflecting ranged weapon attacks, plus the ability to use lightsabers to cut through doors and interact with a variety of other destructible objects.

Building up Force throws and the roster of techniques is the order of the day; every so often you'll be called upon to use the Force during gameplay. As soon as the opening level ensues, it's possible to use the mysterious "don't mess" matter to throw objects around in the environment and even send the odd enemy hurling. It can be used to push, pull, throw or confuse enemies - and most importantly, to kick ass.

Page: 1  2  3 

NEXT PAGE >>