Post by jammer81386 on May 4, 2017 5:07:13 GMT
Back on IMDb I created a list of reviews of every Star Wars game I have ever played which I will probably repost here, after I finish up a few additional games. For now, in celebration of May the Fourth, I wanted to post a concise list of my 5 favorite and least favorite Star Wars games. I am happy to report that I had many more "nominations" for best than I did for worst. With all that said, I hope you enjoy.
WORST
--5. Bounty Hunter (GameCube, 2002)
"Wasted Potential" is the term that best describes this game. It has a unique concept and a decent story that is unfortunately overshadowed by shallow repetitive gameplay, a horrendous camera, poor level design, and some of the worst AI imaginable. You'll find yourself fighting these mechanics more than the actual enemies. While an ability which allows you to scan random people for bounties is clever, it is hampered by your inability to have any weapons equipped while doing so, leaving you very vulnerable to enemies that may pop up unexpectedly. You have a variety of weapons at your disposal, but you will rarely utilize them as switching weapons in combat is very clumsy. In my humble opinion, this game deserves more hate then it gets. The interesting story and some cool weapons are the only positives.
--4. Obi-Wan Adventures (Game Boy, 2000)
The scenery can occasionally be interesting to look at. That is about the only positive attribute of this game. The controls, the enemies, and the level designs, while not terrible are just kind of meh. You have three weapons that you can switch between by pressing the "select" button; A lightsaber, the force, and a blaster. However, doing so in combat is very awkward so 95% of the time you will be sticking to the saber. There is also a jumping mechanic that is hardly even used in the game, so it is basically useless. On the whole, there is nothing terrible about, it is just uninteresting.
--3. Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire (PC, 1995)
An improvement of the previous game which certainly isn't saying much. Unlike the first game, this one is largely, but not entirely, playable. With the exception of one level, the player can get through the game without having to fight the controls. That said the gameplay is extremely simplistic even for a rail shooter, consisting almost entirely of pointing and clicking with the mouse or joystick. The graphics and scenery are quite nice to look at despite being dated at times. The cutscene are all full motion video which really aren't that great even by the standards of the time. It is only worth getting if you are really curious.
--2. Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (Playstation 2, 2009)
Lazy. Extremely Lazy. This is a game with very few redeeming qualities. The controls, camera, AI, and mechanics are all terrible. Jedi combat consists mainly of smashing X button endlessly, while the clone trooper levels have you shooting(not aiming, shooting) with the right analog stick, making sure that you will rarely hit your intended target. All of these factors will ensure that 99% of your deaths will not be due to user error. Even then you don't really die you just loose some points, which you use to purchase unnecessary upgrades. The lack of any type of "game over" indicates that the designers were more interested in compensating for their game's design flaws rather then fixing them. Tutorial screens pop up constantly even towards the middle of the game. Many of the levels end so abruptly that it is almost comical. These are just a few of the several problems with this game, but I'll leave it at that. The best thing that can be said about Clone Wars: Republic Heroes is that it is at least functional, not enjoyable, but functional, sometimes.
--1. Rebel Assault (PC, 1993)
This game isn't played, it is fought. The control in this game are so astonishingly bad that any possibility of enjoyment dies the second the actual game starts. The controls are so poor that it is actually rather impressive, as the human wrist can only take about a half hour of play time before it atrophies into debilitation. What makes that all the more painful is that most of the aspects outside of the game are pretty decent. The music, sound, voice acting, and cutscenes at times do create some level interest. Unfortunately, everything comes to a grinding, and literally painful, halt once the level starts.
BEST
--5. Battlefront II (Xbox, 2005)
A strong improvement over the first game. Most of the problems that the first game had have been remedied here. The most notable one of these being the addition of space combat mission in which the player seeks to destroy the enemy fleet either by bomber attacks or by boarding action. Also added is the ability to control a hero character like Mace Windu or Han Solo, which is certainly fun and adds a new dynamic to the game. The single player campaign has also been expanded upon with more diverse objectives and an enjoyable story. Another addition is the inclusions of various game types such as capture the flag and hunt. So there is a lot of bang for your buck. A few problems still remain however, like the lackluster AI and some of the maps that were present in the first are absent here. Despite these faults the game it still an improvement over the first and is a lot of fun.
--4. Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (PC, 2002)
This is, without question, the definitive Jedi experience. No game before or since has been this successful in making the player feel like a Jedi. As you progress though the game you develop a variety of useful force powers that can be used for both combat and puzzle solving. But as good as the force powers are, it is the lightsaber combat that is the true highlight for this game. Unlike other games with lightsaber combat, here you can kill most enemies with a few good hits. You can also be killed just as easily, making saber dueling really intense and the slow motion killing blow all the more visceral. The levels are diverse both in scenery and gameplay, preventing the game from becoming redundant. The game also features numerous cheat codes that adds tons of replay value. A much appreciated entry into both the Dark Forces series and the entire Star Wars franchise.
--3. Dark Forces (PC, 1995)
A true classic. Despite its age and limited technology this game stands toe to toe with modern shooters like of Halo and Call of Duty. Like any great FPS, the game has a diverse selection of weapons, each of which having a unique function. The levels are fascinating in both aesthetic appeal and design, making them feel like an actual location rather a video game level. The sound effects are particularly noteworthy giving the player a visceral feeling to the action. The game has a rather intriguing story arc and introduces the fandom to the character of Kyle Katarn, one of the most notable figures of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. The newly introduced Dark Troopers are both intimidating and challenging. Going up against them genuinely feels like an epic battle. The only real noteworthy problem is that the player can occasionally become lost in the levels. The level maps do help but you will still occasionally run into a "where do I go" moment. But honestly that is it, there is little to complain about. If you haven't played this game before you can purchase it on steam for $5.00. Do it, you'll thank yourself later.
--2. Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox, 2003)
A masterpiece of both storytelling and gameplay. There are so many fantastic aspects to this game that it is difficult to put it all into a concise review. The story is without a doubt the games highlight. It is one of the most engrossing stories, not only in regards to the video games, but the entirety of the franchise. Throughout it your created character will encounter several scenarios that will enable him/her to decide whether to be a light or dark sider, culminating towards the game's finale where you become the galaxy's savior, or its conqueror. Also, included in the story are a variety of subplots and side missions, often given to you by your nine teammates, all of whom have interesting personalities, histories, and skills. Talking to them can often be just as enjoyable as playing the game. The character progression systems works great with numerous character classes, skills, force powers, and attributes to select, adding a ton of replay value. The actual combat mechanics are very solid allowing for both improvised and planned strategic fighting. The combination of all these wonderful elements makes this game a must for any Star Wars fan. The only thing to be said against it is that, due to its complex mechanics and the required time commitment, it may to difficult for more casual gamers to get into. But when all is said and done, this game is nothing short of magnificent.
--1. X-Wing (PC, 1993)
Large. That the word that best describes this game. There are so many features and levels in this game that it is difficult deciding where to start. This game has over 100 missions none of which feel redundant or recycled. Despite the game's title you are not limited to the X-Wing starfighter. Missions will also include the Y-Wing, A-Wing, and B-Wing, each of which has their own strengths and weaknesses. You are able to fly numerous types of missions including; hit and run mission, assaults, escort missions, search and rescue, a very enjoyable obstacle course, and much more. Completing this mission really gives you a sense of accomplishment because many of them are very challenging. This is not a game where you go in gun ablazin. Thinking strategically is a must if you hope to beat even the more moderate levels of the game. Some of the levels take well over a half hour to complete and there are no checkpoints or save states. This really makes playing though them stressful, but in a good way as each of the levels really feels like a military operation. You even have to ability to record your gameplay for later viewing. There are other more specific things worth mentioning, but I think this has gone on long enough. The game is on stream, get it, enjoy it.
Thanks for reading. If you have any favorites of you own please share.
WORST
--5. Bounty Hunter (GameCube, 2002)
"Wasted Potential" is the term that best describes this game. It has a unique concept and a decent story that is unfortunately overshadowed by shallow repetitive gameplay, a horrendous camera, poor level design, and some of the worst AI imaginable. You'll find yourself fighting these mechanics more than the actual enemies. While an ability which allows you to scan random people for bounties is clever, it is hampered by your inability to have any weapons equipped while doing so, leaving you very vulnerable to enemies that may pop up unexpectedly. You have a variety of weapons at your disposal, but you will rarely utilize them as switching weapons in combat is very clumsy. In my humble opinion, this game deserves more hate then it gets. The interesting story and some cool weapons are the only positives.
--4. Obi-Wan Adventures (Game Boy, 2000)
The scenery can occasionally be interesting to look at. That is about the only positive attribute of this game. The controls, the enemies, and the level designs, while not terrible are just kind of meh. You have three weapons that you can switch between by pressing the "select" button; A lightsaber, the force, and a blaster. However, doing so in combat is very awkward so 95% of the time you will be sticking to the saber. There is also a jumping mechanic that is hardly even used in the game, so it is basically useless. On the whole, there is nothing terrible about, it is just uninteresting.
--3. Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire (PC, 1995)
An improvement of the previous game which certainly isn't saying much. Unlike the first game, this one is largely, but not entirely, playable. With the exception of one level, the player can get through the game without having to fight the controls. That said the gameplay is extremely simplistic even for a rail shooter, consisting almost entirely of pointing and clicking with the mouse or joystick. The graphics and scenery are quite nice to look at despite being dated at times. The cutscene are all full motion video which really aren't that great even by the standards of the time. It is only worth getting if you are really curious.
--2. Clone Wars: Republic Heroes (Playstation 2, 2009)
Lazy. Extremely Lazy. This is a game with very few redeeming qualities. The controls, camera, AI, and mechanics are all terrible. Jedi combat consists mainly of smashing X button endlessly, while the clone trooper levels have you shooting(not aiming, shooting) with the right analog stick, making sure that you will rarely hit your intended target. All of these factors will ensure that 99% of your deaths will not be due to user error. Even then you don't really die you just loose some points, which you use to purchase unnecessary upgrades. The lack of any type of "game over" indicates that the designers were more interested in compensating for their game's design flaws rather then fixing them. Tutorial screens pop up constantly even towards the middle of the game. Many of the levels end so abruptly that it is almost comical. These are just a few of the several problems with this game, but I'll leave it at that. The best thing that can be said about Clone Wars: Republic Heroes is that it is at least functional, not enjoyable, but functional, sometimes.
--1. Rebel Assault (PC, 1993)
This game isn't played, it is fought. The control in this game are so astonishingly bad that any possibility of enjoyment dies the second the actual game starts. The controls are so poor that it is actually rather impressive, as the human wrist can only take about a half hour of play time before it atrophies into debilitation. What makes that all the more painful is that most of the aspects outside of the game are pretty decent. The music, sound, voice acting, and cutscenes at times do create some level interest. Unfortunately, everything comes to a grinding, and literally painful, halt once the level starts.
BEST
--5. Battlefront II (Xbox, 2005)
A strong improvement over the first game. Most of the problems that the first game had have been remedied here. The most notable one of these being the addition of space combat mission in which the player seeks to destroy the enemy fleet either by bomber attacks or by boarding action. Also added is the ability to control a hero character like Mace Windu or Han Solo, which is certainly fun and adds a new dynamic to the game. The single player campaign has also been expanded upon with more diverse objectives and an enjoyable story. Another addition is the inclusions of various game types such as capture the flag and hunt. So there is a lot of bang for your buck. A few problems still remain however, like the lackluster AI and some of the maps that were present in the first are absent here. Despite these faults the game it still an improvement over the first and is a lot of fun.
--4. Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (PC, 2002)
This is, without question, the definitive Jedi experience. No game before or since has been this successful in making the player feel like a Jedi. As you progress though the game you develop a variety of useful force powers that can be used for both combat and puzzle solving. But as good as the force powers are, it is the lightsaber combat that is the true highlight for this game. Unlike other games with lightsaber combat, here you can kill most enemies with a few good hits. You can also be killed just as easily, making saber dueling really intense and the slow motion killing blow all the more visceral. The levels are diverse both in scenery and gameplay, preventing the game from becoming redundant. The game also features numerous cheat codes that adds tons of replay value. A much appreciated entry into both the Dark Forces series and the entire Star Wars franchise.
--3. Dark Forces (PC, 1995)
A true classic. Despite its age and limited technology this game stands toe to toe with modern shooters like of Halo and Call of Duty. Like any great FPS, the game has a diverse selection of weapons, each of which having a unique function. The levels are fascinating in both aesthetic appeal and design, making them feel like an actual location rather a video game level. The sound effects are particularly noteworthy giving the player a visceral feeling to the action. The game has a rather intriguing story arc and introduces the fandom to the character of Kyle Katarn, one of the most notable figures of the Star Wars Expanded Universe. The newly introduced Dark Troopers are both intimidating and challenging. Going up against them genuinely feels like an epic battle. The only real noteworthy problem is that the player can occasionally become lost in the levels. The level maps do help but you will still occasionally run into a "where do I go" moment. But honestly that is it, there is little to complain about. If you haven't played this game before you can purchase it on steam for $5.00. Do it, you'll thank yourself later.
--2. Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox, 2003)
A masterpiece of both storytelling and gameplay. There are so many fantastic aspects to this game that it is difficult to put it all into a concise review. The story is without a doubt the games highlight. It is one of the most engrossing stories, not only in regards to the video games, but the entirety of the franchise. Throughout it your created character will encounter several scenarios that will enable him/her to decide whether to be a light or dark sider, culminating towards the game's finale where you become the galaxy's savior, or its conqueror. Also, included in the story are a variety of subplots and side missions, often given to you by your nine teammates, all of whom have interesting personalities, histories, and skills. Talking to them can often be just as enjoyable as playing the game. The character progression systems works great with numerous character classes, skills, force powers, and attributes to select, adding a ton of replay value. The actual combat mechanics are very solid allowing for both improvised and planned strategic fighting. The combination of all these wonderful elements makes this game a must for any Star Wars fan. The only thing to be said against it is that, due to its complex mechanics and the required time commitment, it may to difficult for more casual gamers to get into. But when all is said and done, this game is nothing short of magnificent.
--1. X-Wing (PC, 1993)
Large. That the word that best describes this game. There are so many features and levels in this game that it is difficult deciding where to start. This game has over 100 missions none of which feel redundant or recycled. Despite the game's title you are not limited to the X-Wing starfighter. Missions will also include the Y-Wing, A-Wing, and B-Wing, each of which has their own strengths and weaknesses. You are able to fly numerous types of missions including; hit and run mission, assaults, escort missions, search and rescue, a very enjoyable obstacle course, and much more. Completing this mission really gives you a sense of accomplishment because many of them are very challenging. This is not a game where you go in gun ablazin. Thinking strategically is a must if you hope to beat even the more moderate levels of the game. Some of the levels take well over a half hour to complete and there are no checkpoints or save states. This really makes playing though them stressful, but in a good way as each of the levels really feels like a military operation. You even have to ability to record your gameplay for later viewing. There are other more specific things worth mentioning, but I think this has gone on long enough. The game is on stream, get it, enjoy it.
Thanks for reading. If you have any favorites of you own please share.