Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - The 2022 Review

[@Gbag34]

The Force Unleashed is the perfect Star Wars power fantasy. If you are a Star Wars fan and have ever watched the Jedi and/or Sith and thought “damn that’s badass”, this game was built so you could BE an absurd level of exactly that.

[@JenericJ_12]

You ever fight the Empire and a star destroyer appears and you're like "damn were not getting off this planet are we?" Starkiller: "hold my beer"

[@NOPerative]

Absolutely.

[@_win3433]

This is spot on, I felt the power playing this. I really think I’m in the minority of being a fan of this game

[@BallinProductionDogs]

This game was so unforgiving at times. Nearly had brain aneurysms on the junk planet. Same with the Palpatine boss battle. It’s crazy how one can love and hate a game so passionately

[@IAmMightyMike]

The junk planet gave me ptsd

[@davimelo9181]

The game is janky

[@allknowingfreddybear9291]

The memories of pain on Felucia and the Palpatine fight still haunt my dreams.

[@IAmMightyMike]

@@OliverKane3582 on the hardest difficulty?

[@IAmMightyMike]

@@OliverKane3582 there isn't?! that's a shame

[@racingguru21]

This WAS canon...before the dark times...before Disney.

[@Kevduit]

I saw that Death Troopers book, that was sheer nightmare fuel

[@bradley8575]

Yeah there re releasing the Book along with the Darth Mail horror Book and a Rogue squadron part 2 Book All with new cover art

[@jason6070]

honestly though. didn’t really like it’s inclusion of Han and Chewie though it felt a little off

[@jakejameslugo]

There are some things in the Wii/PS2 version of this game I wish were in the PS3/360 version. We honestly need a remake/definitive edition of Force Unleashed. I’d be so down for that... (and word up to the Episode 3 game shoutout! Me and you need to discuss Star Wars games sometime!)

[@r3dsnow757]

yes for example at 5:10 what is that force slam he does with that one enemy? I'm replaying The Force Unleashed after years but for the first time on PC, (initially played it on ps2 and psp) I'm pretty sure i can't do that move on the PC version.

[@rorysmiles4979]

Played this game when I was about 8 years old maybe on the Wii when it came out I think. One of my all time favourite Star Wars games. Came back to play the PC version over a decade later I’m 20 now. Still was so good but something was missing from it and I couldn’t figure it out. I then found out that the versions were different and watching this video made me remember what it was like to play the Wii version back then. The memories flooded back and the content that was absent from the PC version, locked away in the back of my mind has come back. This makes me want to go back to replay this version so badly. Thanks for nostalgia trip that made me remember one of my favourite times in gaming.

[@iloveknives75]

I’m with you on the physics! I pretty much played the demo everyday until the game came out, just to fling storm troopers around, and you could hold them before flinging them around, and they would grab other storm troopers, lol

[@inyourgranmaass3605]

For a 2006 game it was ahead of its time imagine a full next gen only ps5/series x remake

[@CommanderCodyChipless]

When I was a kid I lived in a very strict home. But sometimes my dad would let me play games, a one of these games he got me to play was this one, along with some other games. But I'm pretty sure this game is what made me understand star wars. I was hooked from then on.

[@majorgear1021]

until Kathleen Kennedy destroyed it.

[@ChloeCinema]

I love The Force Unleashed. I played it again a couple years ago and it's just such a great experience start to finish. I've never played the Wii version so I'm looking forward to checking it out.

[@TonyfromTO]

Im a HUGE sixth generation and seventh generation gaming advocate. If i had my own video game company it would pump out that era of graphics games with amazing story driven content.

[@ChaseSchleich]

All these years later and we still haven't gotten a better Star Wars game than Force Unleashed. Fallen Order is the closest, but the lack of force abilities put it behind Force Unleashed. Plus you just feel so much more powerful as Starkiller in Force Unleashed than Cal did in Fallen Order. I know that's on purpose, but still... that feeling of power made Force Unleashed so much fun. I hope they give Cal some new abilities and increase his power level for Fallen Order 2. I want to be able to throw Storm Troopers into space lol

[@alexslusher16]

I don't care what people say. The PS2/Wii version of TFU is my absolute favorite version of TFU of all time. The PS2 version was my childhood. My first ever T Rated game. I still play the PS2 version to this day. I always use the Cheats for Invincibility & Unlimited Force. LOL. I love that unlike the PS3/Xbox 360 version, the Costume/Lightsaber change actually show up in cutscenes. I'm so glad they ported this version in HD for the Switch.

[@tgreaperzz1482]

Loved both the force unleashed, really liked the character arc going from a really evil sith learning your power to having a change of heart and doing better while going on to become the most powerful jedi

[@kingofmonsters14]

i prefer the Krome version more then the HD version mostly for cosmetic stuff: your costume and lightsaber changes appear in cutscenes, Rogue Shadow is a mini-hub, you go to a lot more places, and some cutscenes and storybeats are changed to make more sense

[@alexandrusebastianconstant7718]

4:40 you mention the story is not cannon, but it WAS back when the game released (not anymore after Disney's acquisition).

[@Splicer87]

To me personally, I preferred the PSP, PS2, and Wii version so much more than the Xbox 360 and PS3. It has more locations and I think the story is fleshed out just a bit better. The devs poured their hearts and souls into these versions and I commend them greatly for that. They may not look as good graphically, but the meat and potatoes of it all are delicious indeed.

[@D_Abellus]

Recently been playing th PC port, and I immediately recognized how glitchy and janky the physics are. I played the PS2 version when I was a kid and then the wii version of 2 later on. It's crazy if you play both versions how different the feel and control. I really commend the devs for making such a fun game using the limited hardware of the PS2. If they had more time for the ports to be as fleshed out Force Unleashed could have been that much better.

[@thatssomegoodpie]

The PS2/Wii version is so much better than the PS3/Xbox 360 version. I grew up on the PS2 version and always wondered how the PS3 version compared so I recently played it but was shocked just how bad it is compared to the PS2 version. Also nobody ever mentions the DS version, it's a really underrated version of the game.

[@guyman8742]

gotta disagree, the games are great on both versions

[@DaltPlaysGuitar]

My friends and I LOVED the episode III multiplayer, we had whole tournaments with that game mode

[@Ektambo]

Really happy to see this video, I was on the fence about buying the port and this was the push I needed. (Used your link, of course!) I hope more sponsors that you’re passionate about reach out to you!

[@AustinH7]

The 501st clone- stormtrooper hybrid in the Wii version is really sick. I’ve never seen it in any other game or comic

[@basedcrusader8205]

This

[@personman1148]

That was on the ps2 as well if I remember correctly.

[@basedcrusader8205]

@@personman1148 correct

[@MrJIMMYDANUB]

Psp too

[@Texan8005]

“Something told me Starkiller wasn’t the best name.” You could’ve named him Galen

[@Texan8505]

True

[@dylantortosa7678]

Ahhh the Golden Age of Star Wars games, wish we got the 3rd game to get a proper conclusion

[@mathieudeforge9787]

After having played all of them (other than the DS release, and this Switch Port) I can give a pretty good break down of what version is best and where the others stand: Edit after watching more of the video: It looks like in the Switch Port you can play with regular controls like the PS2 version, or with the motion controls from the Wii version improved for joycons. Looks like the Switch version is the best version of the game to get now since it removes the issue with the Wii version. - The PS2 version is the best version of the game. It may not be the definitive version, because of the additional content that didn't make its way to the console from the PSP and it doesn't have the same level of graphics or physics the PS3 version has. But no version is the definitive version anyways and every one of them makes sacrifices for being ported to the console it was ported to. The PS2 versions controls, and gameplay overall are the best by far, and make the most cohesive, best feeling game, all while still containing more content and a more fleshed out story than the PS3 version, even if it doesn't have the PSP versions extra content. - The PSP version has the most content while still being near identical to the PS2 version with the exception of graphics being slightly downgraded, but the fact that this version doesn't have the same number of buttons on the "controller" makes it much harder to recommend gameplay wise than the PS2 version. This WOULD be the definitive version of the game if the PSP itself had another analog stick and L2/R2 buttons. But because of this I think the only reason you should go out of your way to play this one over the PS2 one is if you have to play those extra missions. Granted they are pretty damn fun. - The Ultimate Sith Edition of the PS3 version is okay if you have to play the upgraded PS3 version because it's the only version that comes with a pretty cool 2-part DLC that happens after the main campaign during the events of the Original Trilogy, and also includes one of the Jedi Temple missions from the PS2/PSP/Wii versions of the game as DLC as well, sadly not integrated into the main campaign though like in those games. So, there is some reason to get this version if you want that post game DLC story, but that's pretty much the only reason I would suggest getting this one. - The Base PS3 version has virtually no qualities to it that make it unique or gives reason to play it over any other version of the game other than the DS version. It has the least content, and pretty much all you get for everything you miss out on is slightly better graphics and physics. So really, I think there's no reason to play this one if you have the option to buy any version of the game. - The Wii one is identical to the PS2 version with SLIGHTLY better graphics, but like the PSP version it also has bad controls (in my opinion) but this time it's all because of the need for motion controls, instead of it being because of the missing buttons like the PSP version. And because this one doesn't have the added content that the PSP version has, and still has the worse controls, I think this one is a lot like the base PS3 version. It pretty much has nothing that gives it reason to play this version over any other version of the game than the DS version. I guess unless you REALLY want to play with motion controls lol. - The DS version. Never played it. It genuinely looks like the console can't support the 3D nature of the game so I never even gave this one a chance. I think there's little reason to when it's pretty obvious all other versions will blow it out of the water.

[@yourschosen5868]

Glad to see your back Matty!

[@nicktomlinson6494]

I recently went back and got the 1000G on Xbox and I don't know if it was a glitch or not but the motion blur was absolutely egregious. I didn't remember it being even remotely close how bad it was. Still an absolute banger though.

[@michaelproctor8100]

What I didn't like about the game was at the beginning, you can force grip a tie fighter and throw it across a hangar, but later on you discover you can't do the same thing to the Purge Trooper, which I'm assuming is much lighter than a tie fighter.

[@tannerbollinger5574]

I actually grew up with the Wii version of this game and man... it blew my nine year old mind. I bought it on Xbox one a few years back and I always felt it was missing content from when I was younger. I'm glad to see that Aspyr ported over the FULL experience.

[@billioncash]

Great review Matty. Always loved this game and that you play as the enemy. Was REALLY hoping the Bad Batch were going to end up like this but still enjoyed the direction they went in.

[@Cubs1719]

sponsored by Aspyr? killing it matty!!

[@Jah_Babylon]

this game on pc, the most up to date vesion, continually blows my mind every time i come back to it.. i just love it, up there with kotor for me..

[@drewby7105]

I met the owner of limited run games last week, super cool dude. He has a very interesting path through game development.

[@HoodPodcast]

such a *BADASS* game. I've never played a game that made me want to be as evil as I was in this game.

[@DEVILTAZ35]

This version is rubbish though just play it on Xbox One X or series X

[@Iefg_got_terminated]

@@DEVILTAZ35 would you say the second or first one is better? I trying to see which one I can get while it’s on sale

[@notedsinner3171]

This video has caused me to buy the 360 version for my series x ! Thanks Matty.

[@wrongchampionship615]

Its on sale as well as the second one on xbox for 5 bucks

[@hangingon]

Played this on the PSP back in the day & decided to get it for the Switch. So much easier on the eyes. Best Star Wars game to date still, or most fun.

[@Rollbrand370]

I miss these types of games. I still have Star Wars the force unleashed on PC. One of my favorite star wars and I'm definitely playing the Switch/Wii version.

[@mongooseeyy]

Raxus Prime was actually in an earlier Star Wars game: Clone Wars. Though that was all vehicular combat. And I think that was also where the IG-88 battle takes place in Shadows of the Empire. The combat feels like a spiritual successor to Jedi Academy/Outcast.

[@Lucas-wt2ec]

I never knew the Wii version was different from the xbox 360. I am now willing to buy the switch version as it is a whole new experience.

[@OverlordZeffeero]

Why does Starkiller not hold the lightsaber in the same way as he did on different versions ?

[@huyphan7825]

I don't know... AND IT BUGS THE SHIT OUT OF ME. All they had to do is rotate the saber upside down in his hands. The games have a ton of clipping anyway. so it wouldn't have been a problem!

[@WarDogMadness]

I like how matty is screeming revan at the park when he runs off.

[@mememan3799]

As a Kid who grew up with the Wii version,(I still have fond memories of going to Toys R Us to buy it, RIP Toys r us) I loved this game to death but I never hear anyone talk about this version. Loved the review!

[@capcomman1]

Ah Starkiller...this guy was so hard in Soul Calibur IV...

[@woodyhitya]

I only ever played the ps2 version and I feel like I’m watching a totally different game in this video

[@Kristian179]

fun fact: before we got Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, we had Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy & a whole lot after that, we got Control

[@NOPerative]

I have FUUSE (PC Ultimate Sith Edition) and enjoyed the hell out of it.

[@SonofLynn06]

I getting my series x today and i got this game yesterday complete for $8 and that will be the first game to be put in the next gen experience.

[@thecasualreviewer2148]

I saw the title for HALF-A-SECOND and hit the like button!

[@Maggai]

A good relationship with Aspyre could be a good thing for future access to.....something.... Oh, loved this game on Xbox 360 back in the day.

[@robertworth1185]

Nice one Matty, thanks for the review.

[@jamiefletcher3186]

This should be remastered for PS4/PS5 and Xbox

[@thejustinjustin1233]

Still a fantastic time and is the god of war for Star Wars games. Replaying this on series x was a major treat.

[@Jvirtual97]

Ive never played the force unleashed and I recently got it add to my ps3 collection and I haven’t started it just yet but what’s the best version to play tho 360?/ps3

[@inkedelchapo8819]

Maaaaaan you know what slaps your youtube videos Matty! Another legendary video! I cannot wait to see the starfield review which i know will be the best review out there

[@mrdee2454]

Cheat codes were removed from games when they found out they can sell the solution as added on content and DLC. Cheat codes would also bypass artificial grinds they create to make people buy added on content like far cry and AC

[@Qniverse22]

Really surprised how GOOD it looks!

[@ivanjovanovic7118]

Our dearest first and second, short but the most beautiful with nice animations. We love it much more than jedi fallen order (problems with visual decisions and animations look) but thanks for reminding of those two, we loved KOTOR because of d&d and Baldur's Gate but Force Unleashed 1&2 was really great experience, only beautiful third person single player storydriven games with perfect animations and straight romances we can play, visuals above all!!! Can't count how many times we payed though those two on Xbox 360 and on PS3

[@pauloavellaneda3833]

Hey I got an Xbox Series X and a Nintendo Switch and don't know what game to pick up, what is the best version of this game ?

[@monstapontes2298]

Matty really glad you went through with this man! Great review! Makes me wanna play this again in 2022 your doing your job man! Lol

[@someguy9070]

Grew up with the Wii/ Ps2 version as a kid, and loved it. Played the 360 version recently on the old Xbox One, and liked it but didn’t love it like I do the Wii version. I wish this game would be put on PC, or PlayStation or Xbox as I don’t have a switch and would love to play it. I could get a Wii copy as it’s cheap and I have a WiiU but if it was dropped on any of those other 3 platforms I would immediately bust out the card and buy it.

[@TitusKingdom]

My dude Matty is just going ham on the content creation lately, keep it up 💪

[@michaelschwartz8730]

Steam version of this one all day. I love Force Unleashed, warts and all, and Jedi Survivor is an amazing evolution of a lot of the same ideas

[@SaigonBrit]

Sold

[@stupid90able]

0:30 Reminded me of when i named my cat darth vader back when i was 7 xD

[@brianT8721]

I kinda liked the pre rendered cutscenes in the force unleashed 2 and that they used them mostly throughout the game wish they did this for the force unleashed game, or changed the textures and models.

[@Xxbte96xX]

Ah man, you know I was kinda looking forward to the 360 version of the game. I mean it makes sense that they're using the Wii version, but they look almost completely different.

[@mariuspineda7420]

You should get paid for providing your opinions on products. I'd love it if you'd get more of these opportunities. Next time you get an offer, go for it. While I appreciate the respect you have for your audience and ask for our input, we trust that you'll take these opportunities on good will. Great review. Never played this game unfortunately. Always wanted to. Speaking of physics, nice moves there, Man. Very menacing. Those people that heckle you for your love of Fallout will surely think twice now that they've seen a small portion of your move set. Great video, Man. Take more of these opportunities. Your audience trusts you.

[@onyxosprey]

A shame the PSP scenarios mode isn't included, but oh well. Nice to see this port appear, hopefully we'll get the OG Battlefronts and KOTOR 2 next!

[@grantz9234]

Good vid, subscribed 👍

[@magnenoalex2]

Well the game was canon before 2014 hell Lucas helped with the story

[@magnenoalex2]

The novels which nerfed Galen were more canon then the game but the overall story was apart of the timeline. Cause legends canon

[@reaper67309]

Lucas' Help with the story: "Alright guys I have some names for Vader's apprentice...Darth Insanius or Darth Icky?"

[@AustinH7]

@@reaper67309 Lucas was a visionary. Don’t get it twisted. He made the world of Star Wars Thats got to count for something

[@reaper67309]

@@AustinH7 it's more of a joke on that one line haha I love the guy for his work of course. Should have attached the "/s" lol

[@charleybyrd4299]

They really need to remaster star wars the force unleashed on Xbox one and PS4 Xbox series x and PS5 it's an old game star wars fans should get together and sign a petition to get this game remastered it was one of the best star wars games of it's time

[@DanSutherland]

You are right about the best parts of the game but I definitely can't agree on it being a good game, at least the PS3 version wasn't. I'm definitely in support of the preservation and that side of things, but this really could've use some more work to make it a better release. Textures and character models could've used the PS3 versions to at least not be _as_ ugly. Wii & PS2 era are in the unfortunate era of not being abstract enough to have early polygon charm, but also still made use of how CRTs processed images to blend things a bit. Not as easy to just port and call it a day. Anyway the physics engine was cool, the powers were cool, and the basic gameplay loop was decent. But it was also buggy, the story is actually terrible, and the quicktime garbage was painful. From what I remember lightsaber throwing and the force throw were way over powered, but the actual melee was pretty unsatisfying. The animations were clunky and didn't flow well into each other. The camera was messy and the gimmicks didn't do much to vary the gameplay. I get people like the power fantasy and the Star Wars brand, but that just makes it kinda disappointing for me.

[@polishprince47]

Salutations Mr Matty!! 😉

[@xbox_junkie1718]

I noticed that this version is basically the psp version, but i cant find the order 66 game mode as well as the missions they had centered around events of the main 6 movies. Now im forced to play duel multiplayer instead of having a single player option. The switch version is good, but the psp slaps harder

[@johnathansumner5988]

My ideal re-release of this game would be the ps2 levels and customization with the ps3 dlc graphics and ambiance with the wii dueling mode

[@abstraction6212]

Kinda sad they left out historical missions. ((A feauture from the PSP version.)) I kinda wish Asypr ported the evil ending missions from the HD version into the Krome version and then it feel complete. If only the PC version had a port of the Krome version.

[@wooordwooord4712]

Own this game on back compat with Xbox but I had some gold coins laying around so popped your link and picked it up. Hope you get some support out of it!

[@Gaming-Enthusiast]

Awesome review 👌👌👌

[@Breegullbeak]

I assume by being late to the party someone has already made this correction, but the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions were considered canon prior to the Disney reboot.

[@danielwilliams3161]

playing this on the ps5 with dualsense support would bw crazy

[@KingofCrimsonKings]

Loved the DS version of episode III. I'll join you on that hill.

[@joeortiz5177]

I have some good memories with this game even tho I never played it lol. This game came out a few days after my brother's bday so I bought it for him and the weekend we went to my dad's house I gave him his present, he was so happy and surprised haha I watched him play it that weekend it looked pretty cool. Never played or watched anything star wars related in my life but the game looked cool

[@rosskennedy7620]

It would be great if Aspyr could port over the Monkey Island games and other LucasArts games like some of the Indy games over to Switch and other platforms as well.

[@Gamer1990100]

There's a different version to for ps2 & wii which turned out to be the better version other than graphics of course.

[@ChrisJohannsen]

The Switch version is the Wii version

[@dannyeller4472]

Can you just play againt the AI in duel mode like revenge of the sith?

[@natestaste2074]

WAIT YOUR SPONSERED BY ASPYR?!?! thats so awesome

[@thebestofthebest5724]

We really need a ported version of the PC version. Like, we need that for the PS5 and XB

[@DrierHyperion21]

Man, I wish I still had a PS3. So many games I don't have access to on PS5. I have a PS3 emulator on PC but it's pretty shitty playing on. Half the games crash very frequently.

[@BrotherKnowledge.]

My second-favorite Star Wars video game of all time. Second only to Star Wars: Force Unleashed 2. Good times.

[@Lucifer_isthereal_god]

The Xbox 360 version was the only one I played, IMO it's the definitive version even though the whole story is legends.

[@natestaste2074]

i seriously hope Aspyr ports Battlefront 2 2005 we seriously need that ported just imagine playing a battlefront on the go again i have a psp and its so limited to what they could do with it on the switch.

[@nfmjcn2687]

Try evolution worlds for the GameCube, cool JRPG with unique characters

[@n8doggy733]

i was just playing Bounty Hunter on Swirch the other day, great game 0:20

[@AustinH7]

Wait bounty hunter got ported over??

[@The-Anti-Midas]

Literally hopped on KZbin to see if anyone has reviewd the switch port lol.

[@doddood5516]

Tried to research if theres more ports coming for the series, all i found was an article calling this game bad, which is total horseshit, the controller on the other hand is a different story

[@jeveritt8398]

It does kind of suck they couldn't implement the psp content into this release 😭 as I would've loved the movie missions they did in HD. I'm still going to buying it though

[@ViewtifulJae]

Damn! Another good one!!

[@allknowingfreddybear9291]

You can tell Matty is a KOTOR fanatic by the way he says Kashyyyk.

[@budthecyborg4575]

Modern games definitely need cheat modes, and that's one of the big reasons I'm so hyped for the Perfect Dark reboot.

[@ChrisJohannsen]

I wouldn't be, the developer sounds like they're in big trouble

[@codyreece7080]

Going to pick up a copy from limited run.

[@daYps3]

Sponsored by Aspyr! Matty has got the connectiiiiiooooons

[@thecasualreviewer2148]

"This is the way"