LEGO Star Wars

NGC rebuilds the unholy trilogy, brick by brick...

You should have seen the new Star Wars films by now, if not to be entertained, then at least for the sense of closure you get from seeing Anakin have that helmet slapped on his head.

Of course, listening to his woeful cry of "noooooooooo" as he sees what he's become, we're suddenly reminded that Lucasfilm should have called it a day right before the Ewok Caravan of 'Hate' and quit while it was ahead.

The cutscenes from Lego Star Wars, similarly, give the definite impression that the pimpled CGI character on screen has done a better acting job than Hayden Christensen did in the films, which is especially intriguing given that all the Lego men are mute.

You won't get more intensity and emotion out of a man anywhere, Lego or otherwise, than you will in the snappy Episodes 1-3 highlights.

Fortunately, the magical cutscenes aren't the only things worth playing Lego Star Wars for, as this simple co-op action game is bouncy enough to charm the pants off any jaded Star Wars fan.

The game takes us through Episodes One, Two and Three, allowing you to play as all of the major characters and take part in every set-piece.

The action is mainly blasting or slicing droids and double jumping over platforms, but swapping between cast members gives the game more depth as you're forced to combine their various skills.

R2 can open doors, Anakin can squeeze through holes and even Jar Jar Binks comes in useful with his huge leaps. Consequently, the game manages to stay interesting.

Lego Star Wars' real success, though, lies in the fact that, while obviously targeted at kids, it's entirely unlike turgid, fiddly efforts such as The Incredibles, and is instead immensely playable and impeccably put together.

It'll never reach Metroid Prime difficulty or Zelda depth - but it's not meant to. It's simple, almost effortless to play and all the better for it.

You'll love
  • The simplicity of play
  • Great visual humor
  • Mace Windu's head
You'll hate
  • Loads of pointless busy work
  • No original trilogy stuff
  • Needing to play as Mr. Binks
The Knowledge
LEGO Star Wars
LEGO Star Wars

Release date: Oct 25, 2005
Published by: LucasArts
Developed by: Traveller's Tales
8 GREAT
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