Xbox 360 Review: LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

rating:4.5

Just when you thought that George Lucas was just about done with the new Star Wars titles, a third Lego tie-in game pops up, full of the usual irresistible charm and a likeability factor that has a lot to do with the appeal of the iconic toy itself. But then this is the most endless of endless franchises, with new projects and releases seemingly announced every four or five hours, so it's not really all that surprising. And the simple fact remains, Lego Star Wars III is no obligatory release. I defy anyone who doesn't get excited by the appearance of those infamous first few bars of music, and the accompanying yellow and black logo, especially when that iconic introduction is announcing the start of a new title. Because, at the end of the day, Star Wars is one of the most iconic film franchises of all time (if not the pinnacle of them all), and no matter how relatively diluted the quality of the later additions. Let's face it, those of us who were left slack-jawed and wide-eyed at THAT "I am your father" revelation, will still at least consider buying every branded item that Lucas sees fit to slap a Star Wars label on. But as I said, this latest addition is in now way obligatory, thanks to the enduring relationship between developers Traveller's Tales and the Lego brand, and their past successes in bringing movie adaptations to the console market. The past two TT/ Star Wars link-ups have long been in semi-regular circulation within my collection of games (and that is saying something- because it's some size) because both, like all of the other Lego titles in fact, were perfectly immersive experiences, combining an enormous likeability factor with an obsession-inducing collection of unlockable features, characters and Achievements. I really don't understand those who claim the Lego games are somehow lacking in the gameplay department, because the games invariably combine the perfect bedfellows of irresistible (yet mostly incomplex) in-game puzzles and unspectacular but still compelling fight sequences to grand effect. In addition, the games introduce an incredibly compelling aesthetic with a cross-title injection of very welcome humour that combine to create the kind of charm that was so conspicuously absent from the second trilogy of films. And number three follows the same trend. Again, as with its Lego movie tie-in predecessors, one of the greatest joys of Lego Star Wars III is in the opportunity to not only relive their favourite moments but also to control them. Clone Wars follows an episodic pattern modelled on the Clone Wars TV series, though not in the same linear progression- the game concentrates on three sections, dedicated to each of the three villains, and groups episodes from the TV series together based on which villain is in focus. Even though the reception to Clone Wars has always been somewhat muted in comparison to the original films, and even the second trilogy, the injection of new characters was always going to add an extra element of excitement. There are also a number of other new additions- the first and most noticeable is the change to the hub world, which this time out impressively takes the form of a pair of battling warships. Again there is a shed-load of unlockable content within the hub world itself, including the ability to create your own characters in the medical bay, trade in studs for vehicles (for use in the hub area), unlock extra characters and do side missions. It's all similar stuff to what's gone before, but everything just feels tighter and grander. Secondly, the visuals have had a further injection of quality: while there is still the same simple aesthetic feel to the game, the animation and graphics are much improved over past Lego games, and the depth and vibrancy are worlds away from the original Lego Star Wars titles. Even despite the design constraints of it being a Lego tie-in game, characters and vehicles are brilliantly designed, and aliens are particularly well done (though they seem to have ignored the Lego rule for some, which feels a little inauthentic). There is also a fair bit of new in-game content, including the ability to pilot starships (on a few separate missions), and the best new addition of all is the Command & Conquer still missions, in which you are tasked with capturing strategic control points on the map, which once captured allow you to call for back-up (troops and vehicles) to help cement your control. But for all of the new elemental additions to this third game in the series, there isn't a great deal of freshness or innovation, and indeed almost every element of the gameplay has been done elsewhere. But, the game applies its charisma and charm to these familiar characteristics, and in doing so makes them feel fresher and somehow more engaging. Overall, this third installment feels a lot more stream-lined: the episodes are markedly shorter than in the past two games, but there are moments within missions where the usually unflinching easiness gives way to a new level of complexity, adding depth to the game-play, and the new Game Modes- including that command & conquer battle mode, which is available with another player or in Galactic Conquest mode in the hub world- add to that depth. The shorter levels add to what is already a huge replay factor, since each mission features a number of unlockable features that aren't achievable until later in the game (when you've unlocked a character with a specific, appropriate ability), and that new sleeker level length means you don't have to get frustrated replaying over-long levels for often quite minimal reward. But let's face it, most of the enjoyment comes out of reliving Star Wars moments, controlling Star Wars characters, and the added humour and fun of teaming that sprawling universe with the irresistible charm of those infamous little coloured blocks. And combined with the frankly huge amount of collectibles, the consequent replay potential and a dialled up overall difficulty makes it a huge winner for me. For all my love of the past games, they were a little too easy, and it is something that Traveller's Tales have definitely gone after, since extra content collectibles like Minikits are now a lot harder to find as a rule, adding a new depth to the challenge of the game that wasn't there before (past games encouraged completist collection as a way to experience and enjoy extra content). It isn't all good though. I still have a bit of a problem with the split-screen function, and it tends to confuse the life out of me during faster paced sequences- especially if one player is riding a vehicle or an animal and the other is plodding along on foot. But at least it offers an opportunity to explore beyond the boundaries of a single screen if whoever you're playing with is infuriatingly prone to pissing about somewhere way away from where you knows there's something interesting. The other, slightly more annoying problem is the unresponsiveness of the combat function, which occasionally seems to have a mind of its own, especially when you're faced with a huge onslaught of enemies to dispatch (as you are in the very first level in fact), meaning your character exploding in a shower of Lego bits becomes as regular an occurence as your enemies doing the same. There is very little finesse to it, and if you're fighting a tide of droids while unable to work out where to go next, it can get a little depressing. But then, you can't die, so it's not all bad, and indeed it isn't really a pure combat game, with focus far more on the puzzle elements. So they're both fairly minor points, considering how much fun I had playing. I just wish there was an online multiplayer option for the Ground Assault mode, but that can't be too far away in the future, since it seems the natural next step for this series. If you need a lasting endorsement from me, then it might be worth knowing that the preview copy of the game that I was kindly sent sadly succumbed yesterday to the twin ravages of Laser Burn and Human Incompetence thanks to a rogue, unsupported shelf giving way on my heavy-laden entertainment unit, and I now fully plan to go out and buy another copy to replace it. That's a real mark of quality- which is more that can be said for the construction work that went into my bloody unit. Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars was released on all formats last month.