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. SeanM.
    Sep 16, 2008
    9
    It's exactly what I've been looking for, a real-time Star Wars game that highlights the ability to use force powers in ridiculous combinations. Even though it may become a tad bit repetitive, I just can't get enough of force grip and combos. I just love watching my enemies fly. I really don't understand the low ratings the critics are handing out like hotcakes. It's exactly what I've been looking for, a real-time Star Wars game that highlights the ability to use force powers in ridiculous combinations. Even though it may become a tad bit repetitive, I just can't get enough of force grip and combos. I just love watching my enemies fly. I really don't understand the low ratings the critics are handing out like hotcakes. It's not as bad as to deserve a 40... it has a level of replayability that I love. The graphics are for the most part great, the gameplay is quite entertaining and the storyline is good enough. Hopefully this game is just feeling itself out and the real breakthroughs will come in the sequel (if there will be one).… Expand
  2. TravisC.
    Sep 16, 2008
    8
    I find this game to be quite fun and I feel that everyone just needs to chill out. It seems like anymore, if a game isn't Halo or God of War-like in the end, people just can't handle it. Not every game has to be a 10. What happened to just playing decent games to have a little fun?
  3. FourRSwords
    Sep 17, 2008
    8
    Are there problems with the game yes, but that doesn't mean it is bad. Give it an eight. Graphics great, story rocks.
  4. [Anonymous]
    Sep 17, 2008
    8
    This game is a truly awesome game. Just play around with some of the more fun combos and your force powers to have fun! Also, credit to Naturalmotion with its scarily accurate people realism. But i rated it the way i did because every level is basically the same, and the camera when you fight a jedi is VERY annoying. Also its easy to get lost, even with a minimap. But i do recommend buying it.
  5. AdamR
    Sep 18, 2008
    10
    This is my new favorite game, when I got on metacritic I was so mad when I saw they only gave it a 72, great graphics and controls are easy.
  6. RobertC
    Sep 19, 2008
    8
    Is it short? Yes. Is the Destroyer sequence frustrating? Of course. But once you get the hang of the controls, the game becomes as smooth as butter. I honestly haven't come across any huge glitches (though that seems to be the case with most of my titles). The Force powers are still an experience unlike any I've seen in a game, the story's wonderful, the graphics look Is it short? Yes. Is the Destroyer sequence frustrating? Of course. But once you get the hang of the controls, the game becomes as smooth as butter. I honestly haven't come across any huge glitches (though that seems to be the case with most of my titles). The Force powers are still an experience unlike any I've seen in a game, the story's wonderful, the graphics look gorgeous, and it's ultimately a SATISFYING experience. This doesn't rank with the Action Trinity (Devil May Cry, Ninja Gaiden, and God of War), but the thrill of discovering this side of the Star Wars mythology with the powers you possess is something altogether great.… Expand
  7. Infra
    Sep 21, 2008
    10
    Best SW game ever, and one of the best games ever... only one flaw - way too short.
  8. DMan
    Sep 22, 2008
    9
    Okay, I've heard it all, but any who does realize that this game is a feat in itself, doesn't know anything about the technolgy in the game. The combination between Havoc, Euphoria & DMM make this a unique and refeshing game experience. The story is good and the cinematography is awesome, for the first time I feel like I'm playing in a Star Wars movie of my own. I would Okay, I've heard it all, but any who does realize that this game is a feat in itself, doesn't know anything about the technolgy in the game. The combination between Havoc, Euphoria & DMM make this a unique and refeshing game experience. The story is good and the cinematography is awesome, for the first time I feel like I'm playing in a Star Wars movie of my own. I would give an 8.5 normally, because there are some technical glitches, but the fact of the matter is I'm having too much fun being a Jedi. Also this game has a good combo of playing just as a button masher or if you really want to play the game, you can ADVANCE your gameplay and make some awesome combos.… Expand
  9. RogerK
    Sep 24, 2008
    9
    Ok, all of you who are slamming this game for its "massive faults" are just being overdramatic. There are a few bugs, yes, but they matter very little in the long run, and only hypercritical perfectionists can really be upset by them. And while there are also a few frustrating moments of gameplay, they are vastly outweighed by the non-stop, badass feeling of being a powerful sith lord. Ok, all of you who are slamming this game for its "massive faults" are just being overdramatic. There are a few bugs, yes, but they matter very little in the long run, and only hypercritical perfectionists can really be upset by them. And while there are also a few frustrating moments of gameplay, they are vastly outweighed by the non-stop, badass feeling of being a powerful sith lord. This game has amazing art direction, great level design and sound work, and some truly memorable moments (like when the 8th level boss turns into its final form!). The controls were smooth and intuitive if you knew what you were doing, and I didn't have a problem with the camera the entire way through. I don't know how some of you can be screwing up the controls and camera that badly, its the same setup as GTA IV. The bottom line is: this game delivers heart-pounding action, a satisfying canonical Star Wars story, and the undeniably fun feeling of being a powerful force-wielder. I strongly recommend this game.… Expand
  10. 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.
  11. JackB.
    Sep 28, 2008
    8
    I'm still playing the heck out of this game... yes, there are glitches, but it doesn't completely ruin the game... the way some people are overreacting. Some of you kids need to get off the bandwagon, and just enjoy the game for what it is. It's a fun hack and slash with force powers.
  12. --
    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.
  13. JosephRedEagle
    Jan 31, 2009
    8
    I don't get why this game was rated as low as it was. I had a blast with it. I never ran into any glitches and the story and gameplay were enjoyable. And to Kaminator, did you just go around jumping around to see how many times you would fall off of an edge? It's obvious where you shouldn't jump. You would have to be a moron to miss them.
  14. niconline
    Oct 29, 2012
    7
    The audio is fantastic, and the graphics will impress more often than not. The fun combat system and epic story are moderately spoiled by a poor targeting system, bad enemy AI, and some glitches.
  15. ArkonBlade
    Jan 6, 2011
    6
    the game has some cool things going for it . the start is its set in the original trilogys story line and adds more to the star wars lore. some cool force powers to use . a pretty solid story with some good voice acting . 2 differnt endings which gives you another reason to play it . a pretty decent combat system . what holds this game down is how buggy and glitchy it is . the starthe game has some cool things going for it . the start is its set in the original trilogys story line and adds more to the star wars lore. some cool force powers to use . a pretty solid story with some good voice acting . 2 differnt endings which gives you another reason to play it . a pretty decent combat system . what holds this game down is how buggy and glitchy it is . the star destroyer part especially . i was stuck on that part for 2 hours because of it getting glitched up. the game is pretty simple too they could have done alot more to make it much more exciting . its a ok star wars game which i only paid $15 for so i dont feel to bad about it.… Expand
  16. ochentay4
    Nov 6, 2010
    8
    ochentay4
    Nov 6, 2010
    8 Im not a fan of Star Wars saga, but this game simply grabbed me and finished as fast as I could. I loved it. Great graphics, great sound, great story and good gameplay. The game has glitches but its fun anyway. The 3 addons that are on the second disk of Ultimate Sith Edition have more glitches than the original game but are very fun and a little short. I recommend    ochentay4
    Nov 6, 2010
    8
    Im not a fan of Star Wars saga, but this game simply grabbed me and finished as fast as I could. I loved it. Great graphics, great sound, great story and good gameplay. The game has glitches but its fun anyway. The 3 addons that are on the second disk of Ultimate Sith Edition have more glitches than the original game but are very fun and a little short. I recommend for SW fans and everyone who loves third person beat em ups.â    … Expand
  17. owenking
    Oct 16, 2010
    8
    Ok first off I dont acually have this game I have the psp version . But in the time that I went to play theis game at my freinds house I loved it. I lov eblowing up every storm trooper except one and then playing around with that last one. The story is great but I cant tell you about it because that would be a spoiler. All i can tell you is that this takes place between the time in betweenOk first off I dont acually have this game I have the psp version . But in the time that I went to play theis game at my freinds house I loved it. I lov eblowing up every storm trooper except one and then playing around with that last one. The story is great but I cant tell you about it because that would be a spoiler. All i can tell you is that this takes place between the time in between Epesode 3 and 4 where Darth Vadet is hunting down Every jedi and he comes along to one who has a powerful son you. This guy has every power a jedi/sith lord could ever want. The cinematic finishes on bosses are great I just wish that the buttons werent getting in the way. The reason I gave this game an 8 is because it lacks multyplayer and the enemys arent varied.… Expand
  18. Snipestrifer
    Dec 14, 2010
    7
    Sadly this is not what I thought it would be. The story is awesome but the combat can feel clunky and reptitive sometimes and I only feel substantially powerful when I've maxed everything, because you can't even charge up force push or lightening until the second level, when it should have been immediate. The game ends very quickly as well and here isn't that much replay-value. I hope theSadly this is not what I thought it would be. The story is awesome but the combat can feel clunky and reptitive sometimes and I only feel substantially powerful when I've maxed everything, because you can't even charge up force push or lightening until the second level, when it should have been immediate. The game ends very quickly as well and here isn't that much replay-value. I hope the next installment will be better… Expand
  19. Guivera
    Mar 2, 2011
    7
    I suspect that the people giving this game such poor reviews were expecting a fantastic game rather than a good game. The game has somewhat clunky controls and not so great graphics, but a strong storyline and enjoyable force powers and lightsaber attacks at the players disposal. Certainly not the Star Wars game it could have been, but still an overall good game. It's a shame that thisI suspect that the people giving this game such poor reviews were expecting a fantastic game rather than a good game. The game has somewhat clunky controls and not so great graphics, but a strong storyline and enjoyable force powers and lightsaber attacks at the players disposal. Certainly not the Star Wars game it could have been, but still an overall good game. It's a shame that this game's potential was not reached in the second instalment too.… Expand
  20. HofmanT
    Feb 2, 2012
    7
    This was a great game. It had an amazing story, great characters, and good gameplay. I think it did a great job connecting the prequel movies with the original Star Wars movies (Light Side Ending). It has good replay-ability (I beat it four time :D). However what I didn't like were the Felucia missions and all the bugs and glitches... still a good game though. The 2nd one sucked assThis was a great game. It had an amazing story, great characters, and good gameplay. I think it did a great job connecting the prequel movies with the original Star Wars movies (Light Side Ending). It has good replay-ability (I beat it four time :D). However what I didn't like were the Felucia missions and all the bugs and glitches... still a good game though. The 2nd one sucked ass compared to this one.… Expand
  21. SommiREVIEWER
    Nov 15, 2011
    8
    Despite its flaws, this game delivers an outrageously fun time. I have seldom had as much fun in a video game as throwing, blasting, slicing, shocking, or crushing stormtroopers in this game. Where the game fails is the later levels, when there are several enemies shooting missiles at you. Every time you get hit, you have to lie on the ground for a few seconds while they shoot at you, andDespite its flaws, this game delivers an outrageously fun time. I have seldom had as much fun in a video game as throwing, blasting, slicing, shocking, or crushing stormtroopers in this game. Where the game fails is the later levels, when there are several enemies shooting missiles at you. Every time you get hit, you have to lie on the ground for a few seconds while they shoot at you, and as soon as you get back up, they can shoot you down again. Even on lower difficulties, this game can become extremely frustrating. That is not to say that none of the later levels can be fun; but the game's earlier levels are the most fun. The Art design in this game is THE most fantastic I've ever seen Star wars, and everything looks incredible. The story is also engaging, interesting, and ties into the Star-wars universe quite well. I recommend this game, despite its frustrations to anyone looking to utterly destroy some stormtroopers.… Expand
  22. Manmade3
    Dec 23, 2011
    7
    While it lacks the replayabillity of Jedi Academy or Kotor, it is immensely satisfying for a few hours and gives you a taste of that "UNLIMITED POWEEERRRRR" the Emperor was so excited about. However, it quickly goes down hill the last few levels, and I personally found the ending very disappointing. If you want a good rental id recommend this game, if you can tolerate low graphics, id goWhile it lacks the replayabillity of Jedi Academy or Kotor, it is immensely satisfying for a few hours and gives you a taste of that "UNLIMITED POWEEERRRRR" the Emperor was so excited about. However, it quickly goes down hill the last few levels, and I personally found the ending very disappointing. If you want a good rental id recommend this game, if you can tolerate low graphics, id go pick up a copy of Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy.… Expand
  23. Natedrake1994
    Jan 10, 2012
    8
    FU1 is a great Star Wars game that makes you feel like a Jedi. The variety of Force powers and combos at your disposal is astounding, yet that doesn't mean you're invincible. While the voice acting and story is great, some of the enemies are a bit tedious to fight (such as the purge troopers) and sometimes you have to find out what power an enemy is weakest to e.g. force lightning or yourFU1 is a great Star Wars game that makes you feel like a Jedi. The variety of Force powers and combos at your disposal is astounding, yet that doesn't mean you're invincible. While the voice acting and story is great, some of the enemies are a bit tedious to fight (such as the purge troopers) and sometimes you have to find out what power an enemy is weakest to e.g. force lightning or your lightsaber. The inability to deflect rockets is another niggle and it's annoying when you get struck down by one, get up and before you can do anything another rocket hits you. Yet this doesn't make the game difficult and it is fun to experiment with different powers e.g. electrocuting someone, throwing your saber in them and then throwing them; the men you fight are especially funny when they're not begging for mercy or falling into an abyss. The end fight is fun and even has a light side/dark side ending depending on a choice you make. This is a pretty good game that any Star Wars fan should buy. Plus you get to slaughter a large number of Wookies!!… Expand
  24. ADobbo
    Feb 18, 2012
    5
    Coming from being a big fan of the Star Wars film series and video games I thought this game could be quite good. With many unfamiliar characters I could tell this game was going to be as good as I had hoped. The story only lasts 5 hours and doesn't have much of a replayability factor apart from the 2 endings. The best things in the game are meant to be the 3 DLCs which are 800MSP each.Coming from being a big fan of the Star Wars film series and video games I thought this game could be quite good. With many unfamiliar characters I could tell this game was going to be as good as I had hoped. The story only lasts 5 hours and doesn't have much of a replayability factor apart from the 2 endings. The best things in the game are meant to be the 3 DLCs which are 800MSP each. With no multiplayer and a slightly shabby story I have not and will not be buying the Force Unleashed II.… Expand
  25. Discord
    May 19, 2012
    6
    Quite fun, but suffers from idiotic AI and easy combat, except during boss fights. As for the storyline, some may hate it but I personally find it a decent addition to the SW canon, neatly filling in a bit of the slot between the two trilogies.
  26. Breegullbeak
    Jan 18, 2013
    9
    This is a great game. It's story connects the two Trilogies together while creating an enjoyable experience. The force is a fun tool and the abilities you slowly obtain help as you continue. Having to fight to get health can make the highest difficulty a real pain, but after beating the highest difficulty twice, I can say it's a fun experience that has several difficulty peaks that createThis is a great game. It's story connects the two Trilogies together while creating an enjoyable experience. The force is a fun tool and the abilities you slowly obtain help as you continue. Having to fight to get health can make the highest difficulty a real pain, but after beating the highest difficulty twice, I can say it's a fun experience that has several difficulty peaks that create aggravation. Like I said the story connects the trilogies together. As Darth Vader's secret apprentice you are sent out to kill the last of the Jedi that have been found. The story then moves into territory I consider Spoilers but the adventure reaches an end at an all to familiar location.

    The controls allow you to easily switch between slicing and dicing to smashing foes with the force and smiting them with lightning. Enemies don't attack with the same patterns outside boss fights so you need to learn to use all of your abilities at the slightest moments notice.

    Collectibles range from different light saber Crystals to costumes and exp. They range from in plain site to off the beaten path and past a puzzle, but once you see one you know it's there.

    The game is an enjoyable romp across many popular Star wars locations that delivers across the board.    … Expand
  27. alex007
    Jun 6, 2016
    7
    "The Force Unleashed" is a mix of frustration and fun. Hayden Blackman's hack n' slash creation bridges both the original and prequel trilogies together with a good story that is no longer considered canon (since Disney bought Lucasfilm). In it, Darth Vader assigns his secret apprentice (codenamed Starkiller) to hunt down the last remaining Jedi in the universe. The game's excellent"The Force Unleashed" is a mix of frustration and fun. Hayden Blackman's hack n' slash creation bridges both the original and prequel trilogies together with a good story that is no longer considered canon (since Disney bought Lucasfilm). In it, Darth Vader assigns his secret apprentice (codenamed Starkiller) to hunt down the last remaining Jedi in the universe. The game's excellent presentation and cutscenes are mostly based off George Lucas' beloved original trilogy with a few nods to the prequels. It's got a few surprises and an ending that mirrors the conclusion to "Return of the Jedi". As far as the gameplay is concerned, it plays a lot like "God of War" only much clunkier. The targeting system isn't as smooth as it needs to be and the player will suffer plenty of cheap deaths because of it. Despite this, unleashing havoc with the force and a lightsaber is fun despite the repetitive nature of the battles. Boss fights are particularly terrible with the Star Destroyer segment being downright awful. It's these moments that make the game a slog to play through at times. And pointless QTEs also rear their ugly on occasion. But overall, "The Force Unleashed" is still a worthy "Star Wars" game due to its combination of a good story, excellent presentation and satisfying action. With four difficulty levels, optional challenges, secondary objectives and plenty of collectibles scattered throughout each level, it's a game worth playing through twice.… Expand
  28. Compi24
    Jun 25, 2013
    7
    While story elements may leave you feeling rather cold, most of the gameplay mechanics are pretty solid, and "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" does for the most part hit its intended mark
  29. tomtom4468
    Feb 5, 2013
    8
    Awesome game, but the storyline could be improved. There are also some problems with the basic gameplay. I also enjoyed the idea of choosing between the dark side and the light side. AWESOME!
  30. WyattTheAwesome
    May 30, 2013
    7
    Stars The Force Unleashed is a nice hack and slash that is very entertaining. It's nice to have a non lego star wars game I really like. it wasn't anything special, but it did offer much entertainment and I enjoyed plaything through a second and third time. Don't pass this up.
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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

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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]
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