Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Force Feedback - Star Wars Games Analyzed

Posted by simoniker on from the all-forthcoming-games-vector-monitor-only dept.

Thanks to TotalGames.net for their article discussing the history of Star Wars-based videogames, in which they air the fan-voiced complaint that "LucasArts used to be a seal of quality on a game, but it's become totally devalued by so many third-rate titles." However, the article notes the upsurge in buzz over expansive titles like Knights Of The Old Republic, commenting: "Rather than divide their fanbase into original trilogy and prequel fans, LucasArts seem to want to bring them together", before suggesting some unlikely license uses along the lines of Super Bombad Racing: "Jedi Set Radio and Dance Dance Rebellion, anyone? Maybe Grand Theft Jawa?"

2 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Full Throttle II by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Adventures didn't die. Lucasarts killed them. Sure the press may have loved the new inventive way of controlling them like Monkey Island 4 did or Gabriel Knight 3. The game buying public hated it.

    Don't fix it if it ain't broken.

    But you need 3D to attract the quake crowd you say? Stop talking to customer focus groups. People that say they would buy X if only it had Y are lying. It is like people who say they would use public transport if only XXXXX, or who would run linux/mac if only it had XXXXX. They won't. Ever.

    Perhaps in fit of sanity lucasarts realised that one of the most bitched about parts of the original full throttle was the bike fights. Sure it was original. Sure it was new. Sure it was kinda fun. Until you got hopelessly stuck at that point.

    Hybrid games rarely work. Mixing adventures with anything is sure to fail miserably. I am wrong? Prove it. Adventures are slow by nature. Hell in Lucasarts adventures you usually can't even die. To then suddenly add elements from other games, rarely works. Answer me this. Wich did you thought was more fun. The fights in Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis or the ones in the original Monkey Island? Right thought so.

    The official line anway was that Lucasarts thought Full Throttle 2 was not going to live up to expectation. Make of that what you will. It been discussed on slashdot in its own artice.

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

  2. Ah yes, the good old Star Wars games by fredrikj · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Those I've played which I'd consider memorable:

    - Super Star Wars/Super Empire Strikes Back

    These games were awesome! The controls unfortunately had a few flaws, but nevertheless the gameplay kicked ass due to the variation. One level you'd be platforming through a sandcrawler, the next you'd be flying a Mode 7-based hovercraft. The graphics and sound were amazing for their time too, and those sprites still look great IMO. Extremely crisp, and the bosses look just the way they should :)

    - Dark Forces

    Anyone with me when I say this is one of the most underrated games ever? The atmosphere is incredible and the level design ingenious. I remember it as being way too hard though, but perhaps I'd do better if I played it today.

    - Shadows of the Empire

    This game had really awful controls and some fatally boring levels. But it was revolutionary when it came... first encounter with a real 3D Star Wars game. Some tense moments too, and great use of music (well, how could any Star Wars game NOT feature great music? :)