I really, REALLY, wanted to like this game.
I bought a copy for $9.99 at Office Max, because I was so impressed with Star Wars Battle Front 2, that I just had to have it, although, it was not what I expected.
First of all, it's a 2 player game, intended to be played on Microsoft's "Windows Live" network or something? (whatever that is), and they pretty much try and ram it down your throat to sign up for some kind of online service.
In fact, at first, I didn't think it would be possible to play this game without an internet connection.
Finally, after clicking around the intro screens for about a half an hour, I turned the whole thing off and started it up again.
I was finally given the option to play off-line (Start a new Campaign) which I did.
The second thing that sucked is you cannot assign custom Key Board configuration for this game. Maybe there is a way, but no matter how many times I tried, a menu would pop-up saying "You cannot exit this menu because there are un-set keys remaining". I must have screwed around trying to assign my own Key preferences for an hour before finally giving up, and accept the fact I was FORCED to use their crappy default Key assignments.
Then there was the Play Action itself.
Very clumsy and awkward. This is NOT a first person shooter or even a 2D pov "Tomb Raider" format. It plays like an old fashion "over the shoulder" arcade game, where the background SCROLLS by underneath you.
Movement is clumsy and frustrating. There is no Help menu, instructions or orientation sequence to instruct the player on how to use the controls.
I got through the first level, although I could not say how or why. It was just random chance and pressing as many buttons as possible without really knowing what I was doing.
I finally gave up and returned the Disc to Office Max to get my 10 dollars and 74 cents back.
Somewhere out there, there is a copy of this game with a big fat "RETURN TO VENDOR" sticker plastered on its face.
Too bad. I really LOVED Star Wars the animated series and was genuinely looking forward to this added experience after playing SWBFII for about the hundredth time.
I wish the programmers from Star Wars Battle Front 2 had designed this game. I would probably be playing it right now.
