Review Surfing - Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels (Wii)

The quest for the definitive lightsaber action game for the Wii continues as another Star Wars game is launched for the Nintendo console. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed featured a Jedi protagonist, but the game’s focus was on crazy Force powers—not lightsaber combat as people are clamoring for.

Enter Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels, a game based on the recent Star Wars CGI film. The existence of this lightsaber game raises an important question: are the controls deep enough to have any semblance of dynamic combat? See what the pundits think:

Official Nintendo Magazine UK: (71%) “Ultimately, Lightsaber Duels is only really worth getting for either those who have seen and done everything in The Force Unleashed and crave more Star Wars action or for younger gamers who love the recent Clone Wars cartoons and aren’t that interested in the live-action movies. Otherwise The Force Unleashed is still really the way to go.”

Lightsaber Duels forces players to rely on repetitive attacks.

GameSpot: (65%) “There is no suspension of disbelief due to the simplistic fighting mechanics and imprecise controls, and your dreams of feeling like an all-powerful Jedi remain unrealized. LucasArts gave it a great try, with faithful graphics, sound, and cinematic flair, but for legions of rabid Star Wars fans, it’s do or do not. There is no try.”

Variety: (50%) “It’s the closest a videogame has come to giving players mastery of the ultimate sci-fi weapon, though the controls are so simple, and the story and multiplayer options so lacking, that it will likely appeal only to the same young boys as the film, which hits homevideo this week.”

Based from what we’ve seen, this Star Wars title isn’t quite that lightsaber game that Wii fans are yearning for. Apparently, the weakness doesn’t just lie in the controls—Lightsaber Duels is said to drive players to use the same tactics again and again for victory. Perhaps the Wii MotionPlus would change things when it comes out next year.

Of course, the hardware’s success would still depend on the software available. Here’s to a dynamic lightsaber game for the Nintendo Wii.

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