| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II is rated "Teen" for players 13 years of age or older because of its violence. However, the action takes place in the Star Wars universe rather than real-world locations and there is no blood or gore. Plus, the story clearly puts players on the side of good in a fight between the Dark and Light sides of the Force. Note that as with most Star Wars products there's a good chance this game could lead players to pine for additional Star Wars paraphernalia.
What do you do after selling roughly seven million copies of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed? You create a sequel, of course. In STAR WARS: THE FORCE UNLEASHED II we're reintroduced to Darth Vader’s now fugitive apprentice, Starkiller, who ventures out to discover his identity and destiny. What's that, you say? Didn't Starkiller die at the end of the first game? Yes. Now you're a clone of Starkiller created by Darth Vader. Unfortunately for the Sith lord, the new Starkiller fights back against the Empire, resists his training, and vows reunite with his true love and former co-pilot, Juno Eclipse. The game's story is one of its greatest strengths.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II excels in its fiction and art direction. Plus, new Force powers and dual light saber wielding make the player feel like an extremely powerful warrior. However, the game's combat is repetitive, its boss characters are way too easy to defeat, and there are technical glitches that make it feel rushed to retail.
Compounding matters, this single-player game is much shorter than the original (only about 5 hours long on Normal setting) and just as linear. There's little replayability. It makes for a better weekend rental -- you should have no problem finishing it within that time -- than a $60 purchase.
Note: The Nintendo Wii and DS versions are not the same game, nor were they created by the same developer.
Families can talk about the commercial juggernaut that is Star Wars. The franchise has made billions off of multiple generations of sci-fi enthusiasts. Do you actively seek to collect Star Wars goods? Do you think that licensed Star Wars products are generally of good quality? Have you ever purchased something simply because it was associated with Star Wars and later regretted it?
Families can also discuss fantastical sci-fi violence versus violence set in the real world. Is there a difference between the two? Is fantasy violence somehow less disturbing? Why or why not?
| Platforms: | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Developer: | LucasArts |
| Release date: | October 26, 2010 |
| Price: | $59.99 |
| ESRB rating: | T for Violence |
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