I was really looking forward to this game and so after the UK release date was ridiculously delayed I resorted to an import version from my friendly local games shop. And I'm glad I did. This game is great fun to play. As a Star Wars fan I have tried plenty of the video games only to be bitterly disappointed by most of them. Lego Star Wars 2 is one of the exceptions though.
This game is based around the original three films instead of the not so good, more recent trilogy. I used to have all the toys when I was little, (and wish I still had them. I'd be rich). By the time Lego released the Star Wars range though I was too old to be playing with it. So to be able to play with it now, albeit on a screen, is brilliant.
The game is split into areas that can be accessed from the Mos Eisley Cantina, (where Han Solo was hired). There are the three original films to work through and some extra levels based on sections from the newer films. You can also look around outside the cantina to see which bonus's are yet to be completed. Each of the three films is split into six chapters and each of these can be played in three modes. Once you have completed each chapter in story mode you can also play it in free play and challenge modes. There's also bonus levels once you have completed all six chapters.
Free play allows you to swap between a selection of characters which are needed to reach different areas in the level. And there are loads of areas where this is required. All this hunting around will reward you with extra hidden secrets, some of which are incredibly well hidden.
Challenge mode involves finding specified items within a set time limit. Some of these are relatively easy, but others will have some gamers pulling their hair out in frustration. It certainly feels good when you've finally found that last hidden item though.
All these various ways of playing levels make the replay value of LSW2 really high and most people should take a long time to reach 100% completed. Good job really because it should take most people not very long at all to go through all the levels.
Most levels see you wandering around buildings solving puzzles such as pulling levers to open doors or moving objects into their correct position. Along the way you'll be blasting away at enemies and objects aplenty and even controlling vehicles such as land speeders, AT-ST's and little carts. Other levels involve flying around in space ships such as Snow Speeders, X-Wings and even the Millennium Falcon. Free Play also allows you to control the bad guys although you are still playing for the good guy Rebel Alliance. My personal favourite though is the Snow Speeder on the ice planet Hoth. You fly around getting to trip up AT-AT's with your harpoon gun before blowing them up with bombs, all whilst shooting AT-ST's, Spy Droids and gun turrets. Excellent!
Visually this game is great. Lego isn't exactly the most attractive or detailed of toys but the characters, vehicles and surroundings look very impressive. You can't help but laugh at the chunky little bodies waddling around acting out classic scenes from the films. There are plenty of funny little animations to giggle at such as Chewbacca ripping the arms off enemies or trying on a Storm Trooper helmet that doesn't quite fit on his head, and C3-PO hopping around as his leg gets blown off
There are loads of little movie sections where scenes are played out and they can be really funny. For instance in the Episode IV Luke gets his hands on a lightsabre for the first time and accidentally chops C3-PO's head off. Another sees R2-D2 fall off the back of a land speeder which Luke then crashes into things in Mos Eisley. And the "Luke, I am your Father" scene is a classic but I won't spoil it for you.
The only fault is that sometimes the camera angle can be a bit awkward but generally it is positioned extremely well.
The sound is also great with proper Star Wars music and sound effects. There isn't any speech but I think that would have actually taken away some of the comic value by making it more real than it should be.
This game is FAB. You don't even need to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy it. It's great fun and I can't imagine how anyone would not be charmed by it.
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