Important Note: Before starting my review, I'd like to mention that I played Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Ultimate Sith Edition on my Steam Deck, but not at the game's original 30 FPS frame rate. Instead, I adjusted the settings to run at 60 FPS, which proved to be the optimal frame rate for a smooth and problem-free experience, as the game's physics and stability issues become more pronounced at higher frame rates.
As a fan of the Star Wars franchise, I was excited to explore the dark side and unleash my inner Sith Lord in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Ultimate Sith Edition. The game's storyline follows the character of Galen Marek, a young apprentice of Darth Vader, as he navigates the complexities of the Sith Order.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition is the definitive version of the 2008 action-adventure game developed by LucasArts. This edition includes the original game along with all previously released DLC, plus an exclusive mission set in an alternate timeline where Starkiller, Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, becomes the ultimate Sith warrior.
The beginning of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is one of the game’s most impactful moments, as it puts the player in control of Darth Vader, the iconic Sith Lord, on a mission on the planet Kashyyyk (the home of the Wookiees) to eradicate the last remaining Jedi who survived Order 66. You can use lightsaber combat, Force Choke, Force Push and other abilities. From the very start, the player feels the overwhelming power of the Sith Lord, effortlessly cutting through Wookiee defenses and breaking the structures. Imperial troops fight alongside him, but Vader is the dominant force on the battlefield.
The confrontation culminates in a battle against the Jedi Kento Marek, who attempts to protect his son, a child strong in the Force. After a brief fight, Vader easily defeats him. However, before executing Marek, the Sith realizes the child’s immense potential when he instinctively pulls Vader’s lightsaber away using the Force. Instead of killing him, Vader decides to keep the boy hidden and train him in secret as his apprentice, setting the stage for the game’s main story.
This opening sequence is not only spectacular but immediately sets the tone of the game and showcases the power of the Force. It also introduces the combat mechanics that the player will later use as Starkiller, but with a more agile and fluid approach when controlling the Sith apprentice. Is one of the most memorable sections of The Force Unleashed, allowing players to step into the boots of the saga’s most feared villain and "unleash" (pun intended) the full power of the dark side before taking control of his secret apprentice.
The game takes place in an alternate Star Wars universe, where Galen is a central character in the struggle between the Empire and the Republic. The game offers a fast-paced and intense gameplay experience, with a focus on action and exploration. Galen can use his Force abilities to perform various actions, such as lifting objects, throwing enemies to the ground, and performing lightsaber attacks.
The combat system is a key part of the gameplay, allowing players to engage in epic battles with a variety of enemies, including Imperial soldiers, Jedi, and other Star Wars characters. The combat system is based on a combination of melee attacks, Force abilities, and lightsaber combat.
The DLCs in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition
One of the standout features of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition is its additional content, which expands the game’s story with new missions and an alternate What If? timeline where Starkiller fully embraces the dark side. These DLCs offer fresh environments, intense battles, and a reimagined take on the Star Wars universe.
1. Jedi Temple Mission
This mission takes place in the ruins of the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, where Starkiller faces trials that test his connection to the Force. It provides additional insight into his journey and offers a mix of combat and exploration, with enemies that challenge the player in unique ways.
2. Tatooine Mission
In this scenario, Starkiller is sent to the desert planet of Tatooine, where he must track down an important target. The mission features iconic locations and well-known characters, along with intense battles against a variety of enemies. It offers an alternate take on classic Star Wars events, making it a thrilling addition for fans.
3. Hoth Mission
The final DLC mission takes place on the icy battlefield of Hoth. Starkiller is tasked with leading a decisive assault against a major enemy force, pushing his skills to the limit. This mission features large-scale combat, familiar environments, and a climactic duel that changes the fate of the galaxy in this alternate timeline.
Are the DLCs Worth It?
The additional content in the Ultimate Sith Edition doesn’t drastically alter the core gameplay but provides new challenges, fresh locations, and a compelling alternative storyline. While the missions are relatively short, they offer an exciting way to experience Star Wars from a darker perspective, making them a great addition for players who want more out of the game.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition is playable on the Steam Deck, though Valve has marked it as "Unsupported." When launching the game, it is recommended to set the input device to "Xbox 360 Controller" and adjust the resolution to 1280x800 to fit the Steam Deck's screen. The game is designed to run at 30 FPS and maintains that frame rate consistently.
To enhance the experience, players can apply a patch that unlocks the frame rate, allowing it to reach up to 60 FPS. This patch can be found in the Steam community and is installed by replacing the original game executable with the modified version. However, some users have reported that objects lifted with the Force may move faster than intended, due to a physics issue present even in the original 30 FPS version. Additionally, the game may experience occasional instability or crashes when running at 60 FPS.
In summary, while the game runs well on Steam Deck at 30 FPS, using the patch to unlock 60 FPS can improve fluidity but may introduce minor issues. Players should decide whether they prefer a higher frame rate with potential drawbacks or a more stable experience at the original frame cap.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed offers fast-paced combat that blends lightsaber action with powerful Force abilities, creating dynamic and destructive battles. While the targeting can feel imprecise and platforming sections are occasionally frustrating, the game delivers a thrilling power fantasy that makes players feel like an unstoppable Force user.
For its time, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed featured impressive graphics, with detailed character models, dynamic lighting, and destructible environments that enhanced immersion. The use of advanced physics engines made Force powers feel impactful. However, textures and animations show their age, and the game's performance can be inconsistent on modern systems. Despite this, the cinematic presentation and stylish effects still hold up well for fans of Star Wars action.
The story of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an engaging and dramatic exploration of the darker corners of the Star Wars universe. It offers a compelling twist on the iconic saga by focusing on a character caught between loyalty to Darth Vader and the Emperor, and his growing awareness of his true identity and potential. While the plot is a bit predictable at times, it’s full of emotional stakes and moments that feel significant in the Star Wars mythos. The What If? elements provide a refreshing take, allowing for unexpected twists and turning familiar events upside down. Overall, it’s a solid narrative that fits well into the franchise, offering fans a new perspective on the Force and the journey of its characters.
The music in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed expertly blends iconic Star Wars themes with new compositions, enhancing the game's cinematic feel. Sound effects, including lightsabers and Force powers, are immersive, while solid voice acting, particularly from James Earl Jones as Darth Vader, strengthens the connection to the franchise.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed – Ultimate Sith Edition runs smoothly on the Steam Deck at 30 FPS, though it is marked as "unsupported" by Valve. For an improved experience, players can apply a patch that unlocks the frame rate to 60 FPS, though this may cause minor issues like faster object movement or occasional instability. Overall, the game is playable and enjoyable, but using the FPS patch may introduce some trade-offs in performance.
PROS / CONS
- Dynamic Combat.
- Cinematic Experience.
- Engaging Story and character Development.
- Cool Effects, physics and enviromental destruction
- Music of the franchise.
- Combat can feel repetitive after a while.
- The targeting system can be frustrating.
- Some sections of the game’s platforming feel clunky or unintuitive.
- Some textures and animations that feel outdated on modern hardware.
- Occasional Instability on certain systems, including the Steam Deck with unlocked FPS, I recommend 60FPS maximum.
