In a not too distant galaxy (the one we're in) a long, long time ago, the Star Wars series was one that could do nothing wrong. Unfortunately Episode I was released and nothing in the Star Wars series has been the same since. Will Star Wars: The Force Unleashed be as boring as the dialogue from The Clone Wars, or will it be as explosive as The Death Star?

The prologue is perhaps one of the greatest opening levels in any video game. Which self-respecting gamer wouldn't want to stroll through beautifully rendered forest scenery as Darth Vader, effortlessly crushing anything and everything that stands in the way. Trees are uprooted, boulders are propelled and lives are taken whilst Darth doesn't even break a sweet. Darth is the ultimately cool bad guy everybody wants to play as, and this prologue is enough to prove that to anybody.

The prologue is tantalising. It gets players both excited and ready to play what looks like it's going to be a fantastic game - then the game actually begins.

You start off in a spaceship that looks incredibly dull compared to the lush forest surroundings from the prologue. Playing as Darth's Secret Apprentice instead of Darth means that the moves available are minimal at first with new abilities introduced as the game progresses. Because of this progression, the game does get better and better the further it progresses, and because of the initial dramatics of the epilogue it really helps to keep players hooked, longing to get the powers back again.

Although it is generally not as gripping or as well polished, an instant comparison would be God of War. If you're like me and millions of other gamers out there, and can't wait for God of War III, this could be the game to bridge the gap.

Join us (the Star Wars: Force Unleashed community and myself) - Join the dark side.

SCORE: 8.5 / 10