STAR WARS™: The Force Unleashed™ II

"how long this time?" *crash to desktop*

As I literally just finished writing a review for Force Unleashed 1, I want to get this out while having just finished the game and things are fresh in my mind. Once again, I would like to preface this review by being up front about the fact that I did [i]not[/i] have the typical experience others would have when playing this game for two reasons: [list] [*] I was using a modified executable in order to play at 60FPS. [*] I was playing on Linux. [/list] The Force Unleashed 2 is a hack-and-slash action title that feels more like a refinement of the first game. [b]Major[/b] spoiler here: you are once again playing as a powerful Force user but possibly [spoiler]not as the original Starkiller[/spoiler]. TFU2 goes by the good ending of the first game so hope you opted or seen that before playing. Although this was released two years after the first Force Unleashed, it's a shorter game. Half as long than the first. Because of that, things feel rushed and the story doesn't develop as well. We're playing as [spoiler]a potentially cloned[/spoiler] Starkiller, which should be an intriguing setup but nothing really interesting happens with him. Basically, [spoiler]the clone has Starkiller's memories and that apparently compels him to do what he does so he goes along with it the whole game. He's aware of the situation he's in, despite these memories not belonging to him. Regardless, he doesn't do anything to make himself be unique from the original Starkiller.[/spoiler] Regarding gameplay, it's basically the same as the first game but Starkiller controls smoother. All you do this time is upgrade Force Powers but you actually have all combo moves from the first game unlocked. Also, the game looks much nicer. Cato Neimoidia and Kamino look pretty good and fans of the Rebels are probably going to get a kick out of going around the Salvation. Unfortunately, this is where all the good stuff ends because this is a botched port: [list] [*] Needlessly locked to 30FPS and once again remedied by using a modded executable. The Force Grab bug associated with this from the last game is apparently addressed with a launch option parameter at least. [*] Numerous reports of the game crashing frequently, even at startup. With that in mind, I must be [i]very[/i] lucky because I did not crash a single time playing this on Linux. I did nothing in particular to address this. Game might be just as stable on Steam Deck but I am speculating. [*] Certain options screens are not interactable with the controller! You need to use the mouse to change things like graphical settings. [*] Another widely reported issue is Force Grip not targeting the nearest object. You'll end up grabbing something you don't mean to. This is unfortunately true. [*] [b]Console exclusive DLC was purposefully made inaccessible to the PC version DESPITE BEING IN THE GAME FILES.[/b] You know what's required to make it available? Just removing text that comments out code. I kid you not about this absurdity. Look up a guide. [*] A major failing of this port is that the prerendered videos do not play. This is a codec issue so your Windows or Linux likely do not have what's needed. More ridiculous inconvenience. [/list] Though this is not a technical issue, the whole game only really takes place across THREE levels. Kamino gets reused. Dagobah is relegated to nothing more than a walk to activate a cutscene. Although I could complete the game okay, bad ports are not acceptable so I will say to avoid TFU2. If you MUST play this, get it as cheap as possible and stick to playing it on Linux.

Fajna Gra

I love this game but unfortunately I can only get halfway through it before it keeps crashing to the point I can not even continue through it. No vsync and the dlc was never added to the game. Terrible port with zero effort

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II improves a lot on the gameplay side. The graphics are much better, the combat feels smoother, and lightsaber fights are way more satisfying and realistic this time around. Overall, it’s a big step up from the first game in terms of how it plays. Unfortunately, I can’t really recommend it in its current state on Windows. The game barely runs properly. I was getting crashes every 10-15 minutes and only managed to get through about half of it. Ironically, it runs much better through Proton, which says a lot about how old PC ports are being handled lately. Feels like Windows is slowly becoming the worse platform for some older games.

Altough part 2 is a huge improvement over part 1, having better graphics and gameplay. It still suffers from being a bad port and having stability issues.

This version for Steam is extremely unstable. I can't get past the first cutscene in the first mission, so I can't even begin to play the game. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

Injouable crash a chaque lancement, les cinématiques ne marche pas non plus, à fuir