Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

 Xbox 360
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 521 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 258 out of 521
  2. Mixed: 174 out of 521
  3. Negative: 89 out of 521
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  1. Tjthegamer
    Nov 12, 2008
    6
    While the games concept is good, and the force powers work perfectly. The game suffers from bugs and issues that seemed would be the least of the devoloper's problems in making a force game. Such as impossible camera, targeting system, and difficulty issues (the games second boss is still the hardest for me even after 4 cycles). Boring locations (a grand total of 4 themes), While the games concept is good, and the force powers work perfectly. The game suffers from bugs and issues that seemed would be the least of the devoloper's problems in making a force game. Such as impossible camera, targeting system, and difficulty issues (the games second boss is still the hardest for me even after 4 cycles). Boring locations (a grand total of 4 themes), Repetitive gameplay, and dumb A.I. (They fall for the same moves time and time again) means this game is an average game. It gets a 6 because you can at least take out your frustration by flinging a storm trooper 100 yards at 50 mph into a boulder face first.… Expand
  2. Logi2002
    Feb 11, 2021
    6
    Not as good as i remembered it as a kid,

    Likes: Combat, and force abilities Enemies and Enemy design the Maps Aesthetics and scenery in this game really brings you into the star wars universe The Darth Maul Part the combos and force abilities are what drive this game foward and make it satisfying to kill enemies over and over again, makes you feel like a Sith lord with the amount    Not as good as i remembered it as a kid,

    Likes:
    Combat, and force abilities
    Enemies and Enemy design
    the Maps Aesthetics and scenery in this game really brings you into the star wars universe
    The Darth Maul Part
    the combos and force abilities are what drive this game foward and make it satisfying to kill enemies over and over again, makes you feel like a Sith lord with the amount of power you have

    Dislikes:
    Star Destroyer Part Sucks, When the tie fighters get in the way constantly
    Its Pretty Repetitive Near the End of the Game
    Story isn't great
    the romance they try and build between the piliot and star killer sucked and when they kissed it felt strange because there was no signs of romance the whole game except for them meeting, then the rest of the game he just orders her where to go, and she's just a robot about it
    Ending (Good Ending) Palpatine fight wasn't rewarding
    Quick Time events feel a little deflating when you see it over and over again

    its alright, not bad not great    … Expand
  3. Cadell_Sheldon
    Jun 12, 2022
    5
    I recently bought the game for Nintendo switch thinking it was going to be a slight remaster using some of the best parts of the original games on most platforms, and giving it some basic life improvements making it the best it could be but nope. What I got was a repackaged version of the Wii version with nothing, but an added dash of no mandatory motion controls. And even with all ofI recently bought the game for Nintendo switch thinking it was going to be a slight remaster using some of the best parts of the original games on most platforms, and giving it some basic life improvements making it the best it could be but nope. What I got was a repackaged version of the Wii version with nothing, but an added dash of no mandatory motion controls. And even with all of that, I only beat the game in the 3 days I got it in, on the normal difficulty, and most of that time was spent spamming the force attack, Sith Lightning, or just the basic lightsaber attack over & over & over & over & over again. And while speaking of the gameplay everything controls fine, nothing too awful, but not great. The game is also really bare bones with both world progression and combat variety it mostly fizzles down to block for a little bit, then spam the attack buttons as much as you can. And the amount of attacks their we're, and how the upgrade system worked was terrible, yeah I get killing more enemies in a small amount of time multiplies the earnings you get by a lot, but that still doesn't fix the simple and boring combat mechanics. Which is sad because when you look at a game such as Devil May Cry, or even the Spider-Man Movie games on PS2 & GCN you can see that they both have in depth combat systems with lots of different ways to level up and get specific moves you want by engaging each enemy differently with different moves, with the added benefits of large open areas to pull of multiple attacks and still get combos going shows how disappointing this game is.… Expand
  4. JakeSciaroni
    Jan 30, 2016
    7
    As far as star wars games go The Force Unleashed is pretty good. It is definitely an enjoyable, sometimes glitchy hack and slash type star wars game. A ton of fun (when it works...)
  5. TatsMcGee
    Sep 8, 2018
    5
    Why did you want to get the game?

    I have heard about this game for a while and it’s been something that I have been wanting to pick for a while. Then I saw it on Xbox Game Pass and figured that this is a great opportunity to finally sit down and play it. What did you not like about it? I played the game for a number of hours, it wasn’t bad but it never really hooked me in. I    Why did you want to get the game?

    I have heard about this game for a while and it’s been something that I have been wanting to pick for a while. Then I saw it on Xbox Game Pass and figured that this is a great opportunity to finally sit down and play it.

    What did you not like about it?

    I played the game for a number of hours, it wasn’t bad but it never really hooked me in. I played it one night for 3-4 hours and then I just never had any motivation to go back to it. Sadly the game just didn’t have anything that was worth going back to. It just felt painfully average.

    How much time did you put into it?

    As I said before, it was about 3-4 hours.

    Do you think you’ll try it again at some point?

    I haven’t deleted it from my Xbox yet so that should count for something. I may go back to it if I am feeling desperate but at this point, there are a lot of other games that I want to try. On my backlog, it’s at the bottom of the list which should say everything that needs to be said about this game.    … Expand
  6. CenkAlp
    Jan 3, 2018
    7
    Hikaye = 8
    Oynanış = 8
    Grafikler = 6
    Sesler = 7
    Keyif = 7
    Atmosfer = 8
    Süre = 6
  7. JacobL.
    Mar 2, 2009
    7
    The Force Unleashed is overall a good game. The force powers are fun to use and there are some interesting boss fights. However, about half way through the game the enemies become tougher and are only vulnerable to one of your force powers and you revisit every location you went to in the first half. Despite all of these flaws the game is fun especially if you replay levels when you are The Force Unleashed is overall a good game. The force powers are fun to use and there are some interesting boss fights. However, about half way through the game the enemies become tougher and are only vulnerable to one of your force powers and you revisit every location you went to in the first half. Despite all of these flaws the game is fun especially if you replay levels when you are very powerful. The story is good, the weaker enemies are fun to toy with, and the graphics are amazing. This is the one game that may not be for everyone so play the demo before you buy the game.… Expand
  8. Sonny
    Oct 1, 2008
    6
    as an RPG it cant measure up to content found in KOTOR I & II, as for fighting there are more realistic and better saber fights in battlefront II, force powers is really all this game has. i found it too be too short and too constrictive. and even force powers are a bit of a let down since u get a movie clip wher u down a star destroyer but in fights againt AT-Ts u cant do the same. its as an RPG it cant measure up to content found in KOTOR I & II, as for fighting there are more realistic and better saber fights in battlefront II, force powers is really all this game has. i found it too be too short and too constrictive. and even force powers are a bit of a let down since u get a movie clip wher u down a star destroyer but in fights againt AT-Ts u cant do the same. its really just another dungen crawer. C+ just for the graphics and force powers.......other than that its a disapointment. and not too mention than ending is so unrealistic and for obvious reasons. i mean how can a character that is supposed to be a sith apprentice that spends his hole life on training to kill the emperor on the end spair him...well because if he didnt there would be no Starwars saga of Luke Skywalker. C.… Expand
  9. JoonasM.
    Sep 27, 2008
    5
    Gameplay is very poor. Only good thing about this game is that the story is very good. Everything else just sucks.
  10. MY.
    Sep 4, 2008
    5
    The only reason I can think of for not releasing a PC version of this game is the stark difference in quality between it and the other Jedi Knight titles that have come before. Lucasarts really dropped the ball on this one, and I for one would rather wait for the new Castlevania on DS than buy this title.
  11. ZachM.
    Jan 7, 2009
    5
    I am so let down I can't put it into words. I was hoping for a real roleplay game in which I could feel what it would be like to have total control over the force but instead what I got was anxiety. The auto lock feature SUCKS, the lightsaber is more like a stun gun, and the part where you have to move the destroyer is enough to make you pull your hair out. Then to top it all off I am so let down I can't put it into words. I was hoping for a real roleplay game in which I could feel what it would be like to have total control over the force but instead what I got was anxiety. The auto lock feature SUCKS, the lightsaber is more like a stun gun, and the part where you have to move the destroyer is enough to make you pull your hair out. Then to top it all off after like five hours of gameplay....the whole thing is over. That's like more than than ten bucks an hour I paid to play this sorry ass excuse for part of the Star Wars franchise. I think I fought like three Jedi and one so called Sith (other than the Emporer) and they were all easy as hell to beat. Now what? I am supposed to go play the same old lame ass missions on a harder level...no thanks...I am taking this biaatch to gamestop and trading it in for polly pocket, or simcity or something not quite as lame. NIce job George..maybe you should focus on making the third trilogy instead of giving us cartoons and horrible video games to try and give us our Star Wars Fix......as Master Yoda would say...Sucks a big one,,,this game does.… Expand
  12. LongTimer
    Oct 1, 2008
    6
    Dodgy level design and a huge amount of bugs makes this game sub par. Getting caught on something invisible while trying to run over a bridge is pretty unacceptable in this day and age. Almost seems like it wasn't play tested. The digital molecular matter that has been boasted about for the past few months isn't up to scratch yet on some objects, namely wood. The story is enough Dodgy level design and a huge amount of bugs makes this game sub par. Getting caught on something invisible while trying to run over a bridge is pretty unacceptable in this day and age. Almost seems like it wasn't play tested. The digital molecular matter that has been boasted about for the past few months isn't up to scratch yet on some objects, namely wood. The story is enough to keep you going but just doesn't quite seem like star wars to me. If ever there was a game to rent rather than buy then this is it.… Expand
  13. KhristianR.
    Oct 1, 2008
    7
    Its decent, but its too linear and doesn't allow for as much freedom as you'd hoped. The little touches are nice, and while it lasts its a bit of fun, but it doesn't last to long. SCORE : 73%
  14. jason
    Oct 4, 2008
    5
    Graphics are good but not up to par in the faces (the main character looks like he has down syndrome) Fighting is very static, you dont move while attacking you can only jump straight up you cant break a combo to dodge or block, skills take a large amount of energy and can be very difficult to aim. Grabbing and throwing doesnt lock on so almost impossible to direct hit. Targeting will on Graphics are good but not up to par in the faces (the main character looks like he has down syndrome) Fighting is very static, you dont move while attacking you can only jump straight up you cant break a combo to dodge or block, skills take a large amount of energy and can be very difficult to aim. Grabbing and throwing doesnt lock on so almost impossible to direct hit. Targeting will on target enemy directly in front of you. Glitches are everywhere, causing you to get stuck or the enemies get stuck on things. Excessive quick time events although they don't punish you for messing up. Verdict : if you love stars wars to death rent it , if you are looking for a good deep action game much much better can be found elsewhere (devil may cry , ninja gaiden, or god of war if you like quick time events).… Expand
  15. chenry
    Oct 8, 2008
    6
    Impressive graphics barely make up for sloppy controls and extremely irritating auto-targeting systems. The game itself attempts to mesh the new and original prequels together, and it comes off as trying to force the (bad) new trilogy down our throats. Many non-canon elements make the game seem more like Star Wars Fanfic than legitimate Star Wars mythos. Control wise, the game is buggy. Impressive graphics barely make up for sloppy controls and extremely irritating auto-targeting systems. The game itself attempts to mesh the new and original prequels together, and it comes off as trying to force the (bad) new trilogy down our throats. Many non-canon elements make the game seem more like Star Wars Fanfic than legitimate Star Wars mythos. Control wise, the game is buggy. Movement is rapid and spastic, like a hyperactive rabbit. The auto-targeting will leave you throwing lighting at non-threatening inanimate objects while a Stormtrooper is busy lining a shot up on your stupid face. Enemies tend to swarm you and come from now where. Boss Fights usually end with a bloody Quick-Time button mashing sequence, which is just irritating and totally unnecessary. I hate quick time button sequences, they're awful and pointless. I just beat this boss into submission, there's no reason to force me to play bloody Simon Says!!! The game is full of cheap deaths and irritating fight sequences. You're constantly under assault by guys with laser guns and you've got a sword. It'd be nice if you had some more ranged attacks, or even a blaster pistol, but no. You can throw lightning, or your light saber, but hoo-bloody-ray, here's the awful targeting system back to haunt you. Calling this the best Star Wars game isn't a stretch though, since LucasArts has almost never delivered a good Star Wars game. Only when someone else makes the game is it any good. KOTOR from Bioware, or even Lego Star Wars from Traveler's Tales are better games.… Expand
  16. TrevorG
    Aug 22, 2008
    6
    While it's cool to be able to weild a light sabre and use force powers, the gameplay itself is pretty week. Honestly it's like a cheap God of War rip off dressed up in Star Wars outfits. The graphics are almost last gen and the textures are bland. The enemies are stupid and the character models look like something out of Battlefront II. The gameplay seems very linear, only one While it's cool to be able to weild a light sabre and use force powers, the gameplay itself is pretty week. Honestly it's like a cheap God of War rip off dressed up in Star Wars outfits. The graphics are almost last gen and the textures are bland. The enemies are stupid and the character models look like something out of Battlefront II. The gameplay seems very linear, only one way to go and one thing to do. Which would be alright if that one way was very interesting. I think a lot of people are going to be disappointed in this game. I know I for one expected more.… Expand
  17. IulianM.
    Sep 15, 2008
    6
    The ligthsaber is nerfed beyond my comprehension. Ever since Jedi Knight 2 it's been a known and proven fact that a lightsaber will cut trough anything not made of chortosis. Sormtropers loose their heads, litteraly, at a touch of the glowing plasma sword. Here you're just bashing them. This would be ok if this was Devil May Cry, but it's Star Wars and you have what should The ligthsaber is nerfed beyond my comprehension. Ever since Jedi Knight 2 it's been a known and proven fact that a lightsaber will cut trough anything not made of chortosis. Sormtropers loose their heads, litteraly, at a touch of the glowing plasma sword. Here you're just bashing them. This would be ok if this was Devil May Cry, but it's Star Wars and you have what should be a very deadly Lightsaber. Another thing I saw is that for all his "scaryness", half a foot unarmed oponents aren't shy of attaking him, wheras an unarmed storptrooper woulr run like hell from Kyle Katarn or his aprentice Jaden Korr. The game may have the advantages of Euphoria and DMM but gameplay wise it's as much of a Star Wars game as Legacy of Kane Defiance.… Expand
  18. Orindlt
    Sep 18, 2008
    5
    Uneven controls and idiosyncratic camera angles mar what might have been an otherwise excellent game.
  19. xeroman
    Sep 19, 2008
    5
    Did anybody even playtest this game before it went out to the public? Every possible glitch and bug from missing animation to getting stuck on objects and out of sync and even missing audio, it's all here! Terrible gameplay mechanics towards the later levels (why do I have the The Force powers if I can't use it on anybody!). In what should be one of the greatest moments in Did anybody even playtest this game before it went out to the public? Every possible glitch and bug from missing animation to getting stuck on objects and out of sync and even missing audio, it's all here! Terrible gameplay mechanics towards the later levels (why do I have the The Force powers if I can't use it on anybody!). In what should be one of the greatest moments in gaming, bringing down a Star Destroyer, ends up being the worst part of this shovel ware. Yet another cash in on the already dried up Star Wars franchise. If you're smart you'll be returning your copy for a refund just like I did.… Expand
  20. Anonyous
    Sep 28, 2008
    7
    Matt M, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Obviously, they all played the game. Anyways, I felt the game was fun, but is only worthy of a rent--doesn't seem like the kind of game with high re-playability.
  21. AlexC.
    Sep 18, 2008
    5
    This game had such promise, but at the end of the day, all I am going to remember are the glitches and failures that developers were suppost to fix during the testing stage of the game.
  22. mrpeatie
    Sep 21, 2008
    7
    As an action game fan and a Star Wars fan, I enjoyed this game. All the flaws mentioned in the reviews above are there. How much they detract from the overall experience just depends on how much you like the genre and the Star Wars universe.
  23. Nikolai
    Sep 20, 2008
    6
    This game has a completely linear storyline and there are glitches everywhere. You would think that any game associated with LucasArts would be a top quality game. All signs point to the arrogance of George Lucas believing that because he created one of the greatest sci-fi genres that he can never make an inferior product. I'm pretty disappointed in the game overall. On a positive This game has a completely linear storyline and there are glitches everywhere. You would think that any game associated with LucasArts would be a top quality game. All signs point to the arrogance of George Lucas believing that because he created one of the greatest sci-fi genres that he can never make an inferior product. I'm pretty disappointed in the game overall. On a positive side, the force powers are fantastic and the combat combos are amazing. To contrast with the negatives, the combos are very hard to learn and remember. The storyline was pretty original as it leads to some questions of Darth Vader's overall role in the rebellion but I would have to say I was pretty disappointed. This game will definitely be traded in once it's exploited. I hope that any future products from LucasArts will be far superior.… Expand
  24. TheExile
    Sep 23, 2008
    6
    I enjoyed this up until the Star Destroyer. This has to be the most badly designed level in all gaming. Nearly threw the game against the wall in a rage. That aside, you cant help feeling that they would have been better off creating the engine and mechanics then giving it over to BioWare for them to use as KoToR 3.
  25. HassanRab
    Sep 25, 2008
    6
    Has lots of problems. Don't even really bother renting it unless you're okay with lots of glitches.
  26. BlandyB.
    Sep 27, 2008
    7
    I haven't really experienced any of the glitches that I'm reading about. The only really bad part is pulling down the Star Destroyer. It should have been the most awesome part of the game, but instead it's tedious and frustrating. Whoever programmed the gameplay for that part dropped the ball big time.
  27. Brackynews
    Sep 28, 2008
    7
    Very Good: Story, voices and art. Lots of bonuses and upgrading, mix of Jedi Knight and KOTOR. Change difficulty anytime. Satisfying combat, more dependent on lightsaber than trailers led to believe.. Very Bad: Lock-on entirely dependent on where your character is facing. Camera viewfield too narrow and behaves badly. Uneven checkpoints.
  28. ADrew
    Oct 18, 2008
    7
    This game would have got a much higher score if only they'd given it a little more time to be bug tested and balanced. The only major flaws with the game are the targetting system and collision detection, you'll die more often from a "cheap" death caused by an inability to target what you intended or being hit by something that missed you by miles than you will from having a This game would have got a much higher score if only they'd given it a little more time to be bug tested and balanced. The only major flaws with the game are the targetting system and collision detection, you'll die more often from a "cheap" death caused by an inability to target what you intended or being hit by something that missed you by miles than you will from having a lack of skill. That said the games levelling system makes it worth playing twice, collectibles actually have a good reason to be found and the story with its 2 endings is both well written and compelling. This game was obviously rushed to hit shelves before the other titles being released for the primary gifting periods of thanksgiving and christmas. The quality of the end product is reflected in this decision made by the marketting people and not by the developers. Without the bugs this game would have been given a 9. (i'm taking away 1 point for 2 ridiculous scenes in the otherwise great story).… Expand
  29. GarethS.
    Sep 27, 2008
    5
    A 5 and thats me being generous. Ive played it through on all difficulties and got all the gamerpoints but this game is not worth a purchase no matter how much of a star wars fan you are, rent this game if you must but you may be disappointed.
  30. --
    Dec 29, 2009
    7
    360 version is full of glitches which quite frequently end in you losing the last bit of your health. Good storyline, but lacks the ability to have a fair fight, as the enemy mostly croud around your body as u lay on the ground and let them take turns beating the crap through u. Good game, but ALOT more testing is required for next time.
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Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2008
12
#12 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2008
8
#8 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 74 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 33 out of 74
  3. Negative: 1 out of 74
  1. Official Xbox Magazine
    75
    With its non-branching storyline and no multiplayer, Force Unleashed is certainly less ambitious than the classic "Jedi Knight" games - and ultimately, its design makes it feel more videogame-y and less of an all-engrossing Star Wars experience than Xbox entries like "Jedi Knight II" or "Jedi Academy." But when the game is on, it's on. [Oct 2008, p.70]
    Read full review
  2. GamePro
    70
    Make no mistake: you can have a lot of fun with The Force Unleashed. [Oct 2008, p.88]
    Read full review
  3. games(TM)
    70
    By even allowing the choice between simple hack-and-slash gameplay and the more complex mix-up combos, LucusArrts has ensured that many will never view the title’s full potential. [Oct 2008, p.104]
See all critic reviews »