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Review : Lego Star Wars The Video Game for PS2 and Xbox
Pretty much the only non PSP game that I have been playing the last week or so is Lego Star Wars : The Video Game for the PS2. This looks like a stupid kids game based on a movie license designed to make quick money but it is in fact a very good fun game that was really well done. Lego has been licensing Star Wars and making lots of assembly block toy version of characters and vehicles and so this is a video game based on the Lego versions of Star Wars Episodes 1,2 and 3. I know that sounds insane or stupid but you know what? It work and it is cute, fun and action packed.
The game is a sort of a 2-player co-operative side scrolling action game. Well it is not side scrolling but the courses are extremely linear so you mostly have to go from point A to Point B and rarely do you go outside the predestined path. The graphics are really cute and well done. It sort of feels like an Anime Super Deformed version of Star Wars but all the settings are recognizable but with a simplified and rather comical view.
For most of the game you play as a Jedi or a blaster wielding character like Padme. The control is pretty simple. You can shoot or swing your light saber, jump, use the force or special tools and switch and take over other friendly characters. There is some puzzles that involve you to switch between Jedi and droids. There is Lego coins and collectible items all over the place. You have unlimited lives but you loose money every time you die. The left over cash from a level can be used to unlock more characters. I am not sure of the exact number but there is over forty playable Star Wars characters. It is just plain cool to use to force to put together bridges and platforms made out of Lego blocks. For the two player parts the computer will take over the other Jedi but I could see how the puzzles and fights would be much more fun with another player.
It is pretty cool to play through Lego version of all three prequel episodes including the un-released Revenge of the Sith. I loved the end of Phantom Menace when Lego Darth Maul came apart at the Lego waist as he bit it. There is some fights and stuff in the movies that is not in the game but a lot of it is there.
The game can be pretty easy but taking out hundreds of Lego droids by reflecting their blasters back at them with your Lego Jedi is lots of fun. This is a perfect game for kids but I see no reason why any Star Wars fan of any age would not have a blast with this game. This sort of has the feel of a arcade game and the two player co-operative gameplay will be a big hit with kids. It is a little weird to see Lego Luke and Leia born at the end of the game and Lego Darth Vader come to being when I have over a month until the movie comes out but this is one of the rare very cool video games that is based on a movie license. This game is going to be a best seller and I seriously hope they make a equal with Start Wars Episodes 4,5 and 6. It is too damn bad that you can't kill Lego Jar Jar Brinks in more creative ways but it is a rated E game. It is not the hardest game in the world and it is not the most complex game but it is lots of fun. And that is the point of playing video games.
Jake at April 11, 2005 
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Comments
wheee! I like the idea.
Posted by: Jim at April 12, 2005 1:08 AM
Agreed. I've been playing the GBA version. :)
Posted by: Chris Pirillo at April 12, 2005 7:54 PM
I've read quite a bit about this game. I'll have to pick it up sometime soon - supposed to be great.
On a different note, is that really Chris Pirillo? If so, I just wanted to say that Call For Help really went downhill after you left.
Posted by: snortin_php at April 13, 2005 10:49 AM
Yes it really is Chris Pirillo. I met him at one of the Seattle Blog Meetup.
It is a pretty simple fun game. It would be a good rental unless you are a Star Wars freak because you can get through it in a couple days.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at April 13, 2005 11:00 AM
simplistic? mostly. to unlock the minikits, you have to revisit levels with newly unlocked minifigs.
this game in completely fun and suited for the entire family. gameplay loosely follows the movies, but fans will appreciate the humoristic lego-style cg scenes
choose your fav console and go buy this game.
Posted by: kap0w at June 10, 2005 8:48 AM
