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We unleash our review of this new Lucasarts Star Wars epic.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is the latest game to explore the well trodden Star Wars universe, picking up the story at a point just before the pivotal events of A New Hope. You play as Galen Marek, the secret apprentice to none other than Darth Vader himself. Recovered by Vader from the ruined shelter of a defeated Jedi Knight, Galen's tutelage in the dark side of the Force has honed him into a vicious killing machine, with abilities and skills in the use of the Force that rival even his master's.

Sent to bizarre and bewildering planets across the galaxy, Galen must seek out and destroy any and all enemies of the fledgling Galactic Empire, using his powers as deadly tools of destruction wielded at the whim of his dark master. Yet beyond his usefulness as an assassin, Vader holds a secret intention for his young apprentice - namely using Galen's incredible mastery of the Force to assist him in overthrowing the evil Emperor Palpatine, and taking all power and control over the galaxy for himself.

What follows is a deadly cat and mouse game, where allegiances are forged and broken, truths are hidden and discovered, and destinies are written and unwritten. Getting help along the way from the likes of his trusty pilot and potential love interest Juno Eclipse, his unpredictable droid sparring partner PROXY, and many other familiar faces from the Star Wars universe, young Galen must unravel the secrets to his forgotten past, and decide for himself where his loyalties, and the loyalties of his master, truly lie. 

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed takes some influence from previous Star Wars action games, most prominently games like 2002's Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2, yet streamlines most of the game play that was experienced in those games, boiling it down to its most basic essence. What results is a gaming experience that, while mostly fun and interesting, is nonetheless missing some of the more subtle nuances of game play one experienced with previous games.

Like in JK2, you play the game from a third person perspective. Unlike those games, there is no mucking about with blasters, which will probably please many. In TFU, your main weapons are your trusty lightsaber and, of course, a battery of Force powers which range from standards like Force Push, Lightning, and saber tosses, to more exotic powers like Force Shields.

Galen also has several special talents such as Force Focus, Vitality, Resistance, Saber Mastery, and Battle Meditation - many of these being familiar to those who have previous experience with Star Wars games. TFU also includes a wide range of Force Combos, mostly involving the lightsaber. These combos, like most fighting games, are achieved by various button combinations that evoke more powerful saber strikes or special force attacks.

All of these powers and abilities are either purchased or upgraded via experience points, (referred to in the game as "Force Points") which you earn according to how nastily and widespread you deliver destruction upon your enemies. Special hidden cubes found in most levels will grant you additional experience points. Once points are earned, players can decide via a separate menu which powers or abilities to purchase or upgrade.