Long time, no blog. Anyway, I have had a unique opportunity to play three different versions of The Force Unleashed, and while I have not finished the game on any platform, I can certainly give some impressions.

So far, I have played all three Sony versions of the game. The PS3 version is, of course, markedly different than the PS2 or PSP versions, with unique levels but the same basic storyline. The PS2 and PSP versions are essentially identical, with a few detail changes to the overall story and vastly different level designs.

All three versions suffer from a "wonky" camera to varying degrees. The PS2 and PS3 camera is controlled by the right thumbstick and seems to alternate between frustratingly slow and ridiculously fast. The PSP camera is more-or-less auto-controlled which can be both good and bad depending on the situation. The camera tries to stay in the "follow me" position directly behind and just above Starkiller, but sometimes turning a corner causes camera confusion and it takes a moment to re-orient. In the meantime Starkiller may very well be getting pummeled by an Imperial Guardsman. The PS3 and PS2 versions of the game suffer from similar camera hangups, although the manual control with the right thumbstick helps to alleviate issues somewhat. All three platforms have issues with the camera getting into a bad spot when Starkiller is up against the wall.

The rest of the gameplay is quite remarkable on any system. Aside from the frustrating targeting that grabs the little rock and flings it instead of the frightened Stormtrooper, usage of Force powers is simple and relatively fluid. The combo system usually works, although some of the better multi-button Force combos don't always work, and believe it or not, all three versions use different buttons for powers. Yergh!

Graphics are...well, about what you'd expect on each system with the possible exception of environmental hang ups. Levitating Stormtroopers in the PS2 and PSP versions are quite common, and Starkiller frequently gets blasted backwards into, and then THROUGH, walls. The Digital Molecular Matter in the PS3 version looks great, until the environmental havoc you just wreaked disappears, that is. Blasting down bridges and archways in the PS3 version as Darth Vader on Kashyyyk was fantabulous until the leftover pieces and chunks almost immediately fade. Bodies occasionally disappear before the enemy is even "Dead!" These issues do detract from the experience for me and are really inexcusable for a game in development for as long as this game was.

The best part of the game, by far, is the story. I'm only halfway through but already I'm completely amazed that we haven't seen this in movie form. Think about this: The storyline in this game shakes the foundation of Star Wars canon in a GOOD way, restores the image we want to see of Darth Vader as the evil, unrepentant force of nature we saw in A New Hope, and really completely shames the prequel trilogies for story. It is a fantastic addition to the Star Wars canon, and I can't wait to read the novel.

Overall, I have to say I'm pleased by The Force Unleashed, but a bit underwhelmed. Perhaps it was the hype, or the played-to-death conceptual trailer, but I was hoping for much more from this game. Instead, I got what I expected: A Jedi Knight-like game with amped up powers and better graphics. Overall, I give it a 7.5/10, and that's a shame, because this could have easily been a Game of the Year candidate.

Please remember these are my personal opinions and they may not jibe with your own. If you disagree, I have no problem with that, but I am not an idiot for holding my opinion and I would appreciate intelligent disagreement and not personal attacks. Dboy, et. al., what do you think?