Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
© 2008 LucasArts
See Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (November 2010). Easy to play and packed with fighting, drama and strategy, this expensive mostly one-player game is worth the rather high price of admission, but note that features vary by platform (we tested the beautifully illustrated PS3 version). In the story, you become Darth Vader's secret apprentice, in a story that falls between Episode III and IV. The game features "digital molecular matter," "euphoria" and "havok physics" to "bring a new level of realism to the latest game consoles." So wood breaks like wood, glass shatters like glass, and so on. The end result is a realistic-looking game. Note that the PS2 version contains levels that are not included in the next-gen systems. Also, the Wii version lets two players fight against each other in light saber duels. If you're a Star Wars fan looking for a good fight, this beautifully illustrated title won't let you down. More information is at www.theforceunleashed.com.
$50, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, PSP
Teaches: fighting, timing, logic
CTR Rating: 90%