When I played the sequel the thing that struck me the most was, arriving at the end and being like "That's it?" It lasted about 15% of the original one's length
@@reallyhimongodthe game is three hours long, it doesn’t matter how cool your ending is if the game is a rip off. And I LOVED playing that game. Everything about it was a step above the first and then it just… ends.
It would have been necessary to mix the two "SW: Force Unleashed" in one game. With all the positive sides of both. The Graphics of the second, A mix of the two in terms of Gameplay, as well as the scenario of the First, with the inclusion of the story elements of the second.
Fun fact, in the canceled 3rd game, Boba Fett was going to be hired by the Emperor to shoot down a ship carrying both Darth Vader and Starkiller and they would get marooned on a planet together, where they then had to work together to stop some plan that The Emperor had, so technically Boba was being built up for something. The game was actually gonna be co op and designed for PS4 and Xbone, but it was canceled so early into development there wasn't even concept art made for it
Ah yes, the classic Xbone console. Known for its wide selection of game genres from bone-chilling horror games to humerus comedy games. The only bone I have to pick with it is that its hardware capabilities were not up to the standards of that of the Verta-plaeStation 4, which released around the same time as the Xbone One.
The reason Boba Fett doesn't appear more in the game is because they wanted to tell a story over multiple mediums. The game focused on Starkiller, the book on Juno and the comic on Boba Fett. I personally think it was a cool idea, but I get that it might be strange only experiencing one of those stories and feeling that there's something missing...
I just recently read the comic and you're right, it does show the story from Boba's oersoective. Unfortunately, the only unfortunate parts shown are Boba taking over the Republic cruiser where Juno commanded, bringing her to Vader's clutches, and almost shooting Starkiller before his embrace of Juno convinces him to leave him alone. Even his rescue of Vader is shown offscreen.
Transmedia storytelling is such a stupid concept that I'm glad most don't even think of touching. Really any story broken up for it to be gone through to understand the full picture is just a bad idea. It's neat to think about, but if the bulk of your story depends on your audience having to read, watch, or play something else to understand the narrative as a whole, it's not a worthwhile direction to head towards. It's insane. It's actually crippling writing-wise. Someone else put it best: You had a story to tell, but you told it in the worst way possible.
@@SirMoFoDans4Hated it when 343 Industries decided to do that. The main releases shouldn't contradict previously released canon material (unless it's reallly bad and deserves a retcon), but that doesn't mean we should read books or play Fortnite to understand what's happening... cough'The Rise of Skywalker'cough.
@@SirMoFoDans4Although, a transmedia project where everything can be enjoyed separately can be good if done well. Like a good ARG or The Clone Wars transmedia project of the early 2000s that gave us Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars the video game (2002-2003) and Attack of the Clones.
There was an article several years ago, probably on Kotaku, on the development of this game. Apparently halfway through development leadership changed which ended up causing the rush which characterises the half-baked second half of the game. This aligns with the strong opening segments so likely did happen.
As far as I’m aware, most games aren’t made in chronological order, they usually build out the most important levels first then fill in the gaps which means most games are made out of order. So it doesn’t make sense to me that the reason the last few chapters aren’t good is because of interference halfway through the game’s development.
@@dextergrif as far as I remember, the first level was indeed the first, since it was the earliest shown amd the best, so I wouldn't be surprised if they made each after another, we also have to consider that changes in management could have shortened the time to work on the game, plus crunch and all that
@@dextergrif First level was the most important and it's also the most polished. They would've worked on most of the levels out of chronological order but the mishandled development would have meant most of the game was very rushed in general
One thing that's absolutely positive about TFU2 is it's stunning art direction, I still have some screenshots of that game in 4k just stashed cuz they're hella nice
Development was way too short and the quality of the game shows it but at the same time the ground work was already established by the first game. I have the first game's making of book. The first year alone was about trying to find the right era and characters. The game started as a Jedi Wookie game. George shot the idea right away by saying they shouldn't have a character that can't speak. The team had a couple core concept. One was more bounty hunter/smuggler kind of game. The "Age or Rebellion" is what George liked most. When you consider that all of that doesn't have to be done for a sequel since they already have characters, gameplay and setting done then development can be much faster.
I honestly freaking love this game. Although not nearly as much as the psp version of the original, it's like you said, a bit grindy, a bit convoluted, and a bit rushed. Never the less, I always enjoy my time with this game. The force unleashed really deserves another sequel, especially for those out there that don't like this game.
4:01 Or alternatively they had originally planned to have an actual level on Dagobah but given how rushed the game was didn't have time to actually finish it. Probably the case since it probably would've just been a cutscene otherwise. Why bother creating a playable set piece that you're only going to interact with for 5 seconds? They probably had grander plans but had to cut short and just use this tiny little section instead not wanting the entire level to go to waste. The fact that it's an actual level in the Wii version could indicate as such.
Not going to lie, this game is a guilty pleasure for me. As short and repetitive as it is, I absolutely love how ridiculously overpowered Starkillers lightsabers and force powers are. It feels like I'm causing half the destruction by accident, and this version of mind control is darkly hilarious. It's a nice "I had a bad day and just want to wreck stuff" kind of game to me.
Funny, on Kamino Starkiller (in one of the tie-ins) hitches a ride on a Y-Wing piloted by one Wedge Antilles. Even funnier, he does it from _outside_ the ship.
If I remember correctly, there were a lot of development issues behind the scenes, and there was supposed to be a full fledged level on dagobah, but due to the issues it ended up being cut down to the glorified cutscene it is now
Never played the sequel, but really liked playing the original Force unleashed back in the day! Thanks for making a sequel video flandrew! That mind trick ability seems v useful
The Wii version was a massive downgrade - I even interviewed the devs of the first one and they don't understand why Lucas Arts passed on hiring them again for the sequel, instead hiring RedFly Studios. As for the differences between the two: Dagobah's levels were supposed to be like in the Wii version, but were cut and recycled as the game's Challenge Mode levels. As for the varying quality of each level - I met with a QA tester years ago who confirmed that the whole game was constantly evolving, so it's fair to say that things like the final fight with Vader were simply taking longer to come together. As for the multiplayer - TFU 1 was supposed to have multiplayer based on Jedi Outcast/Academy, with scripts still buried in the PC code, but it got cut during triage when the game's custom sound engine broke (far as I've been able to put together across multiple interviews), and it was never revisited for the sequel's HD version due to time. Also, for some reason, RedFly -insisted- on making their own cutscenes, even though they could've just used the same ones made by Lucas Arts. For some baffling reason, the Wii version would review best, and RedFly almost made a Darth Maul game for Wii-U and then current-gen consoles, but the Disney acquisition put that project on ice. They claimed they'd release it as a free fan game if EA wouldn't take them up on bringing the project back to life, but nothing came of it, and RedFly has since been shuttered for years. They also pitched an X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter 2 for Wii, a demo for which you can find gameplay of on their old studio YT channel. As for the clone plot, despite some internal push to just continue the Infinities DLC as a full game of Starkiller vs. Leia, reusing existing characters and assets won out as it would save them time since the total production time was so short. As for the DS verison shifting genre and dimensions - seemingly as a cost cutting measure, instead of contracting nSpace, Lucas Arts developed the DS version internally. While I'm quite fond of what they did with the stylus and some of the more adventure game-y bits, it IS a bit weird that despite being the more cutting edge brother of the two, it manages to be less ambitious in terms of presentation.
Your content is so nostalgic, heartwarming and entertaining. I always get excited when I see a new upload from you, even on games I didn't play growing up
It would be a mistake for Disney to bring Starkiller back. They'd have no choice but to massively downgrade his power and would probably give him a bland/unimportant story. Dave Filoni briefly considered making him an Inquisitor for Rebels, but I'm glad he didn't end up joining the "Stormtroopers with lightsabers" brigade.
If you only look at the cutscenes for the first game you could have a Starkiller that fits with the rest of Star Wars but I think at this point too much has been retconned by Rebels and other stories. In the end they would just ruin it if they tried to bring him back.
@@chamoo232 Star Wars was already ruined by Starkiller in the first place. Darth Vader did not have a "student" as he himself was the "student" of the Emperor (Palpatine). There always are two, a master and an apprentice. Also, Starkiller is insanely overpowered.
@@EximiusDux EVERYONE is insanely overpowered in the games. It's the whole concept. And if you had paid attention to the story for 5 seconds you would have realized that Vader was using Starkiller from the very beginning. He was not his "student". it was Palpatine's plan all along to use Starkiller to root out the rebels.
I always thought it would be fun if they did a force unleashed reboot and set it between episodes 6 and 7 and made him Snoke's secret apprentice instead, and gave him a rivalry with Kylo Ren.
Starkiller's Master, Rahm Kota was mentioned in the Obi-Wan tv-show. So Starkillers return to canon is not impossible. Kota is also a supporting character in the story mode in PSP and DS versions of Star Wars Battlefront Elite Squadron.
I loved the game, and it sucks that Disney ended up taking the conclusion and other Star Wars projects from us. For those interested, there's a novel-length fan fiction called "TFU3: Severance" by MarshMella that serves as the third entry in the series. (I haven't finished it, but what I have read is great.)
Oh wow I never knew there was a fan fic to finish the story. I did recall the force unleashed 3 was going to feature a team up between Vader and starkiller. It’s a damn shame third games in Star Wars series, like KOTOR 3 battlefront 3 and force unleashed 3 never saw the light of day
I remember seeing the first teaser where it showed Starkiller wrestling with the voices of Yoda and Darth Vader before confronting a huge beast with two lightsabers. Then there was a preview of Starkiller escaping his execution after fighting waves of stormtroopers and a spider like machine. And underneath him were clones in vat tanks. My hype continued to build as I watched web documentaries and watching gameplay videos. Then it was a week or so longer when I learned the original creator of the first game stepped down from Lucasfilm and I put it together that one of the team members is what inspired a sequel. It almost felt like a red herring and made me question the game if it was going to be fun or not. I got a version where I got to read the screenplay of the game and thought it was beautifully written. However when playing the game it felt like playing half a game. Part of the genius of the first game was when you were playing the assassin the worlds were full of light and beauty and then as the assassin was turning good he revisited the worlds being taken over by the Empire and the worlds were choked of light and beauty. There were various enemy types and in the second game you didn't revisit worlds and there was only one enemy type. I wish the game continued after the cliffhanger. The DLC was a mockery compared to the previous DLC of the first game. Apparently there was supposed to be a third game that was co-op where you would play as the former assassin and Darth Vader to stop the Emperor. Overall the second game has a lot of good from it, but it is lackluster in my opinion compared to the predecessor.
The scene in his cell where he hides in darkness by turning his lightsabers on and off as he kill the stormtroopers one by one is amazing. The idea was reused in Kenobi when he rescue Leia in the Inquisitor fortress.
Yes the cinematic was superb sadly the final finished game wasn’t nearly so good and yeah wasn’t a fan of the dlc in force unleashed 2 compared to the dlc of the original
I really appreciate your dragon ball references, I want to make a video like how you do yours about some DB game but they all cover the same story lmao Keep up the great work, been watching since you have a few thousand
4:06 I know it seems that way but consider what we know about Dagobah: it's literally just Yoda there, there is no imperial presence there so no troopers to fight, the only reason anyone goes there is to gain a better understanding of the force. While the level itself isn't the most fun it is accurate
This was such a slog for me. I played it months later when the price had plummeted and still i had to make myself finish it. And i loved the first one.
TFU 2 is one of those "I don't think I will able to play or find a time for it" games for me. Besides, I knida gave up on Platinum for the original TFU, because of grindy trophies like - Kill 500 enemies with x or y ability, only able to be done in one save slot. Meaning, starting new game on harder difficulty will not cary over progress. Also, suggestion for a next video on the topic of multiple versions of the games - Tomb Raider: Legend
i played both games way after their release in in like 2011 back to back i actually thought this game was kinda overhated, it wasnt as good as the first, especially level design wise, but the combat still felt really good theres been worse sequels lol
The developers made a ranged game for the first one. It was all about force powers. When they did the second game they realised they needed to improve the lightsaber combat so in the end I feel the combat is less frustrating in the sequel. Too bad the levels are boring as hell in the sequel.
Boba Fett not being a boss is one thing, but teasing him in the Good Ending where he flies off after Starkiller, possibly setting up a 3rd games that'll never happen just hurts.
I remember when this came out! I was such a star wars nerd but my parents only had a wii. I remember playing the demo on ps3 at best buy and after buying it for the wii and thought I was crazy different! I beat the game and right after I saved my money so I could get a ps3 and play the other version! Such great memories with both
I like the Wii version of TFU2 more because this one does feel more like a complete game compared to the PS3/X360/PC version which was more apparent that it was missing content or the payoff was lackluster (the Dagobah level and Boba Fett's appearance being the most apparent of this), and the progression system for Starkiller's skills and powers is more fleshed out than in the HD version (actually giving you a reason to replay the game, especially on higher difficulties). Plus the Wii version had more hidden items to find and were better hidden compared to the HD version which half of the hidden items were not difficult at all to find (in Dagobah especially they were a joke). Also TFU2's HD version was easy even on the highest difficulty, where as the Wii version is actually pretty challenging even on Normal difficulty (especially before having all the upgrades and increased Health and Force Power bars).
I played tfu2 on PC port and beat it on hard, then I used crystals that would build up the unleashed.meter.quicker. for.unleashed difficulty, I did this to spam mind trick on mobs of stormtroopers and those terror troopers.
I never finished the second one due to some weird bug or issue that happened with my wii, but re-watching this I feel the universe made me dodge a bullet there. In all seriousness, I'd mostly say that I wouldn't want to see starkiller coming back in the new continuity, but that really depends on who's controlling the wheel for that return. If the guys behind the fallen order and the jedi survivor said they were doing something new with the guy i'd 100% be on board with it, however, if it was in a flagship vlad kidneys movie, not so much.
I still don’t know why Disney canceled all the games Lucas arts was working on, not only were there some good ones they were already partially developed.
God dammit man I’m drinking my morning coffee you can’t be making me laugh like this. Great video as always, this is a really good series (both Force Unleashed and you comparing every version of a game).
Man, what I wouldn't give for a sequel. For all the flaws The Force Unleashed II brought upon us, you can't deny the fact that its ending would have been the perfect stepping stone for the story of the third game Fleshing out Starkiller's inner conflict, coming to terms with him being a clone, hell, an epic battle with the dark ending clone with risults in a planet shattering fight to the death and so much more Oh what could have been...
I remember getting this game for Christmas the year it came out. I didn’t ask for it, so it was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. I enjoyed it, and I still look back on the game with fondness. As for the return of Starkiller, Dave Filoni talked about bringing him back in Rebels in some interview or panel QA I saw a few years ago but said that they would have had to have made several changes to the character, so much so that it wouldn’t have really been Starkiller. I actually think that it’s the reason why Maul was used in the show
I will say the reason Yoday probably didn't train Galen is because he isn't who Yoda is waiting for. He's only gonna train the one the Force decided would help bring balance, Luke. Yoda knows Galen isn't evil in nature so he doesn't choose to fight or hide, but he isn't the one destined to fight the Emperor with Vader and bring balance back to the Force. The endings to the game ruin this, of course, but they aren't canon anyways.
FYI in 2009, there was a change of director at Lucasarts and the new director wanted to capitalize on the success of Starkiller by wanting to make a sequel while Haden Blackman, the developer of the first Force Unleashed, was working on other ideas spin off related to the first game like an idea about Yoda or Maris Brood. Except that we forced his hand to make a sequel. Afterwards for my part, I really enjoyed the game and was waiting for the third game but it could have been so much better if the new director had given Blackman and his team more time.
I wonder if Aspyr is going to remaster the Wii version of The Force Unleashed II for the Nintendo Switch like they did with the Wii version of the first game? Can't wait for your next video!
I doubt that because the "Restored Content" false advertising for KOTOR 2 Switch port as well as KOTOR 2's Switch port felt rushed due to unacceptable bug at Day 1 that prevents you form beating the game, graphical downgrades and performance. Kinda like KOTOR 2 itself when it's new on PC and Xbox back in 2004.
I was so excited to play this game. I got to the Darth Vader fight on Kamino like 4 hours into the game thinking "this is a neat fight to end the first act, I wonder what the rest of the game is going to be like!". And then the game just ended there. What a letdown.
The development was clearly rushed and they relied too heavily on being able to make a 3rd game to make a story that hold itself. The first game's story is deep and strong about the birth of the rebellion. The second story is so basic and empty. Vader clone Starkiller. Clone escape. Clone find Kota. Clone find Juno. Clone beat Vader. That's it.
I’m not sure how they’d include Galen in canon. When Rebels was airing, it’d be a slam dunk to just include him as an Inquisitor - but there’s not really anywhere they could place an inquisitor Galen to have it make sense.
One other thing, the _Salvation_ is depicted as a Nebulon-B frigate on every other version of the game save for the Wii's--in which it's an Assault Frigate Mark I instead.
I first played this when I was maybe 8. It didn't register to me just how short or rushed this game was. It was just cool to have two lightsabers and cut stormtroopers' arms off. Now that I'm older and have higher standards, I don't think I'd sit down and replay it in full unless I was getting paid to do so. I'm really sad to say that, but there's just too much repetition and not enough variety. TFU1 (PS2) is still my favorite Star Wars game I've played. Sure, it suffered with gameplay repetition, but it made up for that with all the different environments and boss fights. I do wish TFU2 had a better development, that the writer got ample time to create a good story with strong thematic elements, and that more environments, boss fights, and set pieces could've been made. TFU2 just looks like a pile of wasted potential.
I remember looking forward to this game as a kid. At the time, I loved Force Unleashed 1 on PSP that I was hyped for the second one. Only to find out it was cancelled for that port. Yet somehow the DS got its port. I'll never know
The PSP version of Force Unleashed 1 but with the graphics of FU2’s flagship version, and with the first game’s Dark Side dlc levels would be the perfect FU game
I remember that my brother and i had the PS3 and WII Editions of SWTFU 1 and 2, but i preferred the WII Edition because of the Gameplay Mechanics. Love those Games ❤
Dagobah was supposed to have a much longer sequence, but because of rushed production, they had to basically summarize its intent in a "walk for a few seconds then cutscene" type of level. And there was supposed to be another boss Battle with Boba Fett, but again, was abandoned due to unrealistic development time.
these games remind me of the original god of war games, the overpowered main character, hack and slash gameplay and over the top fights are something they share
At the time I was very impressed by the graphics of the 360 version, although I only had the wii at the time, that version was very fun to me and that game has a place in my heart
Thrawn was such a commandingly popular character that it made sense to bring him into canon. Unfortunately, I don't think Galen will come back, the Rebels formed without his martyrdom. I don't think it's possible D':
I’d love if you gave a bit of insight between the different flagship versions (PS3 and 360) specifically performance wise😂 I use these videos to pick “the best version”
I remember I used to play this game at my buddies house and I thought it was so cool I had played the first one for the wii and thought it was awesome I got my Xbox soon after and my mom got me the game I beat it the day I got it I think that was one of the main things that disappointed me was how short it felt
Though I didn't enjoy this as much. I remember having fun playing this the first time. That was on the Wii, though. Which I believe to be better than the flagship version.
If he does come back, without a doubt they would nerf him, no way this guy is going to deliver the same level of ass-beating to Vader again. Although I could be wrong in that considering how many times Vader almost gets bested in canon.
The thing is that everyone is crazy strong in the FU games. Not just Starkiller. Even Kota is beyond movie Yoda in force powers. It works for gameplay. Live action Starkiller VS Vader would be like what we saw in Kenobi but with some force lightning as well. I think it's too late to bring him back. The ship has sailed.
I loved Force Unleashed 2 on the Wii as a kid. Definitely could have been longer and spent more time in the oven, but the combat was even better then the first and i loved the story for the most part.
This was the first game I ever got into following closely (next was Arkham city). I never finished the gave but I went back a few years ago and found out I was one fight away from the final level lol.
Would bring him back as an Inquisitor with the story of the first one (ps2 version) + cool Things from the second (If you want to) Could possibly showing the end of the Inquisitor programm with him, later killing the last one and Sidious don't need them anymore (could execute Last ones)
My introduction to this game (I owned the first) was one of those demo 360s at a GameStop. For some reason I decided to get the DS version. Words can't express how disappointed I was in this 2.5D nightmare.
IMO, despite being nowhere near as awesome, Force Unleashed 2 did 2 things better than 1st game : - I really liked the mind trick ability, you've gotta admit at least the Kamino Vader boss fight allowed you to mind trick the deranged clones against him - The lightsaber effects on enemies feel more real / fluid. don't take it wrong way, Force Unleashed is a video game so I don't mind Starkillers lightsaber feeling more like an object that knocks enemies back, but there's just something so cool about slicing all the annoying enemies arms and heads off in FU 2 Also, dunno if this is an unpopular opinion, even though FU 2 is visually great I think I prefer the look of the 1st FU game. I know objectively FU 2 is the better looking game, but I guess I prefer the more game-like / less real life-like appearance mainly in the cutscenes. Maybe it's also because (contrary to most campaigns, just look at Doom Eternal or Jedi Fallen Order as examples) but there's more of a contrast between the look of the FU 2's cutscenes and the look of it during gameplay in comparison to the 1st one, where the cutscenes look more similar to when your actually playing, just a thought
With it being brought back on the switch I don’t need it to be in the main continuity I’m fine if it continues to be a legends story I just want them to still make the third game
In the force unleashed 2 for ds i was stuck on this part where you had to run with yhe platform falling behind you. Why did they have to have the worst controlls for a difficult game
