Update: More Info on Wii Exclusives for Star Wars
New details into the fencing mechanics of LucasArts’ highly-anticipated Star Wars: The Force Unleashed were recently revealed by Gamepro. Check out the initial preview of the game by MyWiiNews here.
It has already been reported that the Wii version will attempt the most unique and accurate fencing to date for the console. While games like Red Steel and Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors left gamers feeling let down, the gang at LucasArts are working hard to finally deliver what could be the sword-fighting sim that Wii owners have been salivating for since the console’s launch.
The mechanics in The Force Unleashed will allow players to attack in all five cardinal directions — left, right, up, down and a forward thrust — giving gameplay with the Wiimote an edge over other titles that have featured fencing. Although the controls won’t mimic the player’s motions entirely, gamers should still be able to get a more fulfilling fencing experience when playing The Force Unleashed. Not only will the game allow players to get a closer feel to actual fencing, but the gameplay also lends itself for player-created combos.
Another key component to sword fighting is blocking, which LucasArts have made sure to include. Instead of just pressing a button to block, players will have to raise the Wiimote up into the air, as if they are actually blocking an incoming attack. Raise the Wiimote to shield an attack coming at your character’s head, and your dark apprentice will do the same on screen.
The next step for immersion via the Wii is the use of the nunchuk.
The nunchuk comes into play when players want to use the dark powers of the force. Used in conjunction with the motion-controls of the Wiimote, players will be force pushing their way through enemies with ease.
Just like the fencing mechanics, the gameplay when using the force relies on the gamer making the motion of the desired action. For instance, let’s look at the force push; a Jedi/Sith technique that has the character thrusting his palm towards an enemy and sending them reeling backwards. Just as the avatar will extend his hand out towards the enemy, the player will do the same with the nunchuk. By merely pushing the nunchuk towards the screen, the player will perform a force push.
Simplicity and intuitiveness at its best, perhaps.
Other force moves, such as the force repulse, will allow players to send multiple opponents flying backwards through the air by combining the Wiimote and nunchuk movements. To execute a force repulse, players must hold Z and A and swing the Wiimote and nunchuk in a downward motion at the same time.
The Wii version will also offer an exclusive force technique known as the force maelstrom. By performing the motions for the force repulse, while adding a repeated downward swing of both controllers, players will be able to create a larger radius of destruction for the regular force repulse.
But perhaps the most sparkling difference between the Wii and its Xbox 360 and PS3 counterparts, is the exclusive ability to duel other players.
Players will have a variety of worlds to duel on and a lengthy list of characters to choose from, such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Count Dooku, two different versions of Luke Skywalker, and even Lord Darth Vader himself.
Provided LucasArts is able to provide the depth of online play that Wii owners have been begging for, multi-player duels could be one of the biggest things that comes out of the Nintendo camp this year.
Intuitive controls and Wii exclusives make this port of the game a stand-alone title from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. What the Wii lacks in graphics is being replaced with what Wii owners have wanted all along - innovative gameplay with satisfying results.
It’s been a period of growing pains for sword fighting on the Wii. The gameplay in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess seemed more of a nuisance than anything else, while Red Steel offered movements that were far too scripted. Suda 51’s No More Heroes brought fencing to a new level by actually allowing players to somewhat immerse themselves in the combat control scheme, however the game still failed to provide a truly realistic approach to each and every aspect of combat. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed looks to be the next step in evolution for an authentic fencing simulation for the Wii.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed hits store shelves on Sept. 16. Stay tuned to My Wii News as we continue to preview this exciting title.
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Timothy W. Young | April 4, 2008
