Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy

[Coolskin]

Review:

LEGO STAR WARS II: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY

Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Activision
Players: 1-2 (AD Hoc)
Online play: No
Firmware: 2.71

Video:
Windows Media Player: Lego Star Wars II - Trailer 2
QuickTime Player: Lego Star Wars II - Trailer 2

So who would have thought a Star Wars world of Lego on our PSP would work so well?! Similar Lego Star Wars titles have featured as console versions, but this game really does work tremendously well with the PSP, unlike so many other PSP games that are too complex and almost impossible to navigate. Instead this game looks great and feels just as good for any gamer.



The story line of the game is all based upon the classic Star Wars movies, and all our favourite characters are available to unlock as we progress through the game (in Lego form of course)! Better still, you’ll be able to switch between 2-6 different characters during each level, to be able to open particular doors, avoid unseen obstacles and to unlock hidden collectables. Building vehicles, bridges and pathways from loose pieces of Lego blocks also creates an extra moment’s thought and challenge to your route through each level.



The simplicity of the controls is a huge success to the ‘pick-up-and-go’ style of the game. However, although there is only one route through to the end of each level, we are challenged with various mini puzzles along the way to keep us hard at work, as well as eliminating the often clumsy Stormtroopers. Vehicles can also be used across a number of totally free-roam levels, either for attacking or transporting purposes.

Each level is related to real scenes in the movie, so Star Wars fans will feel right at home as they dash through all kinds of detailed and attractive environments. The sound is also very appropriate, not only the Star Wars soundtracks playing in the background, but also the shuffles, shots and shouts of the characters have been given some good attention.



Multiplayer widens our experience of the game even further with an enjoyable co-op mode, including all the vehicle based levels too. However, when a player moves into a different screen of a level, the other player is auto-transported to that location no matter what he might be in the middle of doing, which can be a little annoying.

Unfortunately, the AI isn’t a big strong point of the game. The AI is pretty basic and doesn’t become any more accurate or challenging as you progress through the game. Instead, you are just confronted with a larger number of enemies to deal with as you approach the last few missions. On the other hand, this game was probably designed this way on purpose, so that everyone would actually be able to reach the end of the game.



Lego Star Wars II is definitely another strong title amongst the growing list of PSP games, and chances are you’re more likely to like this game than not. The presentation is very bright and the controls are very easy to handle without any frustration. Everything Star Wars is here, to offer a fun and humorous portable gaming experience. Sure it’s not the hardest game, but you won’t put this game down just because you’ve completed the missions.

The verdict:

Uppers:
- Fun and bright visual
- Comfortable controls
- Multiplayer co-op mode

Downers:
- Not the most sophisticated AI
- No online play
- No voice-over cutscenes

Overall score: 80%







Henry

23/02/2007