‘Star Wars: The Force Unleashed’ demo short and sweet

IMAGES COURTESY OF LUCASARTS

The demo for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was released this morning on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network. I’ve played through it three times already and though it’s short, wielding incredible Force powers as Darth Vader’s secret apprentice is a thrill that doesn’t get old.

You play as Starkiller (your code name, real name is Galen Marek) and let’s just say, “the Force is strong with this one.” Having been trained by Vader himself, your goal is to do his bidding by taking out Rebel scum, the remaining Jedi and any Imperial troops that get in your way. The game is set between the Episode III and Episode IV films and explores the aftermath of the Great Jedi Purge as well as the rise of Darth Vader.

The demo gives you a lot of Force powers (grip, push, lightning) right from the start as you make your way through a TIE fighter factory. The action is intense as you fight an ocean of stormtroopers and eventually an AT-ST walker.

Even though the demo is extremely short, it shows off the game’s impressive physics engine. Using the Force, you can grab, move and smash almost any object and everything reacts in a very realistic way. Environments are highly detailed and destructible, making your dark side journey all the more fun.

The game will be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, and portable platforms on Sept. 16. May the Force be with you, always.