Unleash the Force with ‘Star Wars’ game sequel

You're probably familiar with the "Star Wars" line that goes, "These aren't the droids you're looking for." Obi-Wan Kenobi says that to brainwash a Stormtrooper, who hypnotically repeats the line, and then lets Obi-Wan's droids go party at a bar.

In "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2," you portray a Jedi, using such mind power in more sinister ways. You point a hand at any poor sap of a Stormtrooper and say things like, "Your life is a lie," and "Your squad are all traitors," and "You WILL shoot your friends."

Stormtroopers then echo these lines in very dweeby voices ("my life is a lie") before they either jump off a bridge to their deaths or attack fellow Stormtroopers. Yes, this is a comical turn of events, despite the seriousness of instant-karma suicide.

This game is set between the "Star Wars" films subtitled "III" and "IV." In 2009's "Force Unleashed," you portrayed a Jedi named Starkiller who was Darth Vader's apprentice, but you broke away, accepted the light side of the Force, fell in love with a blonde, and died to save the Rebel Alliance.

This sequel begins with your portraying the late, young Starkiller again. How is this possible? Well, Darth Vader tells you you're a clone of Starkiller. You say to Darth something to the effect of: Oh no, I'm not. Darth says something to the effect of: Oh yes, you are. This goes on for a bit: Oh no, I'm not; oh yes, you are.

Very quickly, you break away from Darth's confines to go looking for your blond crush, named Juno. However, I don't understand why Starkiller must flee so far away from Darth since Starkiller knows that Juno is in Darth's custody.

It should be said "Force Unleashed 2" doesn't spend a lot of time on storylines or dialogue. The climax at the end is absolutely absurd in its tidiness.

Most of "Unleashed 2" is concerned with the game play, which is all about killing like a Jedi. You kill by using your lightsaber, by Force-pushing people to their deaths, by grabbing them with telekinesis and tossing them over cliffs, by electrocuting them, and by causing explosions.

Many critics have come to similar conclusions, that the game is quite good, with a most excellent visual presentation, yet the killing becomes somewhat routine, and there isn't much replay once you're done (and I finished it in just eight hours).

I mostly agree. Although, I think the killing isn't just boring. No, the problem is it's too easy to kill Stormtroopers, certain Siths and most Mech droids, yet it's too stupidly hard to kill two Mech jerks that litter the second half. It needs more moderate killings to flesh out the scope of the game play.

I also agree with Darth Vader when he tells Starkiller to stop worrying about that blond girl. "She's holding you back," Darth tells Starkiller. Darth is not wrong about that. Darth Vader may be evil, but he's a wise curmudgeon.

("Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2" by LucasArts retails for $60 for Xbox 360 and PS 3, $40 for PC; $30 for DS -- Plays pretty fun. Looks very good. Moderately difficult. Rated "T" for violence. Three out of four stars.)

Contact Doug Elfman at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.