Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

 PlayStation 3
Metascore
71

Mixed or average reviews - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 47
  3. Negative: 2 out of 47
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  1. GamingXP
    89
    A story set in the world of the Star Wars-universe, impressive fights and a hero with profile - all that a Star Wars-fan needs!
  2. Game Informer
    88
    The gameplay is electric and fun, and the plethora of awesome new enemy types will make Star Wars action figure collectors salivate.
  3. Cheat Code Central
    86
    For Star Wars fans, there is a lot here to love. The game looks great, controls well, is fun to play, and has a great storyline that you won’t want to miss.
  5. Gameplayer
    85
    The truth of the matter is that Star Wars: The Forced Unleashed is an enormously fun game, which will suck you in with its story, frequently blow your mind with its visuals and, perhaps most importantly, will fulfil your Jedi fantasies like never before. And that, Star Wars fans, is worth the price of admission alone.
  6. ZTGD
    85
    The unlockables and amazing force powers offer plenty of replay value, and the story is top notch. Anyone who calls themselves a Star Wars fan needs to experience this game, if only for the narrative which really adds a lot to the main canon.
  7. MEGamers
    82
    The story is engaging, the graphics are incredible and the mood fits with the classic three films. It is the best Star Wars game on the current gaming consoles and it is a very satisfying experience.
  8. DailyGame
    80
    As a Star Wars video game, The Force Unleashed just takes too many missteps to be a masterpiece. But as Star Wars canon, The Force Unleashed does very little wrong.
  9. Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
    80
    Embracing the Dark Side of the Force, this is a game plenty of action, memorable locations e a few surprises in the Star Wars world. It has some technical issues and an incoherent difficulty, but it’s still an experience that no fan should miss, also deserving the attention of the action gamers. [Sept 2008]
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  10. GamingExcellence
    80
    Overall, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is a pretty good game. If you are a Star Wars fan, you owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.
  11. PTGamers
    80
    The playability should have been better, considering the technology behind it all, but it still manages to offer some hours of unadulterated entertainment.
  12. Deeko
    80
    The game takes a lot of time to figure out how to complete but when you do finally figure out the puzzles, it becomes an experience well worth the admission price.
  13. Cynamite
    80
    Straight-forward lightsaber action meets first class story. But what sounds like a must have game reveals a lot of frustrating sides and small bugs.
  14. 3DJuegos
    79
    Despite of being repetitive, The Force Unleashed is a really interesting action title. The AI defects and the reiterative form of resolving combats are aspects which should not distract us from the fact that the videogame is attractive, ambitious and full of action.
  15. Impulsegamer
    77
    For all of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed incredible game play, there is not a huge amount of replay value here.
  16. IGN AU
    76
    Some overlong levels, repetitive enemies and the inconsistent effect of your powers stop this from being great. As it is, it's a lot of fun but once you've played through it a few times it's hard to imagine dusting it off years or even months down the track.
  17. Gamer 2.0
    76
    Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an enjoyable game with plenty of action and mementos to keep fans happy for quite some time.
  18. GameSpot
    75
    The Force Unleashed's action can be incredible, though it too often strays from what it does best.
  19. BigPond GameArena
    75
    The story is engrossing and playing around with The Force powers is a treat.
  20. Gameplanet
    75
    A solid game with fantastic sound and visuals. However, unpolished aspects of gameplay will cause frustration. Ultimately, Force Unleashed is unlikely to be remembered for anything other than its excellent story.
  21. Armchair Empire
    75
    As much as I'll remember the awesome setting, the very satisfying conclusion, some really great outdoor set pieces, and just feeling like a bad ass Sith apprentice, I'll also remember the Star Destroyer Slap to the Face.
  22. GameShark
    75
    As good as the game is - aside from the targeting issues and the falling to your death over and over - the story that unfolds is the definite high point.
  23. Game Over Online
    75
    What you wind up with when all is said and done is a neat little chunk of Star Wars fiction wrapped up in a mediocre action game package.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PS3 Game of 2008
13
#13 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
14
#14 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 321 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 167 out of 321
  2. Mixed: 98 out of 321
  3. Negative: 56 out of 321
  1. Treeroy
    Dec 30, 2012
    6
    Not incredible, but not bad fun. The force powers you are given are really great, and you can use them in really cool ways - from throwing aNot incredible, but not bad fun. The force powers you are given are really great, and you can use them in really cool ways - from throwing a stormtrooper into a fire, to bringing an Imperial Star Destroyer down to the ground. The graphics are decent, and the voice acting is above average. The boss fights make you think on your feet, but do end up being repetitive, much like the rest of the game. The story is not great - there are too many twists and turns for my liking, many of which are predictable - but the way it is played out more than makes up for it. There are a great number of interesting locations, characters, and the cutscenes are fairly good too. And although the game is too short, I found there to be a reasonable value of replayability, thanks to a well-made collectibles system, which allows you to get things like a black lightsaber.
    Ultimately, it's an adequate game, and the combat is built well enough to make it last.    … Full Review »
  2. Inuit_Dude
    Mar 20, 2011
    1
    this was a good idea for a game but the people behind it did not do a good enough job with it. they should have stuck with the Battle Frontthis was a good idea for a game but the people behind it did not do a good enough job with it. they should have stuck with the Battle Front series and made a 3rd one instead of this garbage then work on this a bit longer then release it once it has been polished and well done… Full Review »
  3. jadelith
    Nov 15, 2010
    4
    Great story, great graphics. Completely arbitrary controls. Game is hard, not because it actually is (ie Ninja Gaiden series), but because theGreat story, great graphics. Completely arbitrary controls. Game is hard, not because it actually is (ie Ninja Gaiden series), but because the character fails to do what you want him to. If the game itself was playable, this would've been a great game. But as it is, the game simply sucks; you'll be playing the same area 5+ times because you get chain knocked down by shoulder cannons..… Full Review »
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