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You'll talk to dozens of characters and visit different worlds and environments. |
Dean Sharpe, who, with Mike Ebert, heads The Phantom Menace developer, Big Ape, admits that working within the constraints of the movie's storyline can be a challenge. Since they're working with Jedi, the developers have to make sure that all the Jedi tricks are in the game - when you're playing a Jedi, you can use the mind trick on people (the text is different-colored on your screen) and use your force powers to push objects. Remember too that a Jedi can choke enemies (we've seen Vader do it dozens of times), which would be a great power to give all the Jedi in the game. But, as Sharpe points out, "When was the last time a good Jedi choked somebody with their force power?"
The graphics are full 3D and come together for some dazzling visual displays. |
When you're playing a Jedi, you'll have the aforementioned powers, plus you'll be a better warrior than when you're the Queen or the Captain. Jedi can jump from higher distances without injury; they have more cool moves, and, of course, the lightsaber, which can be used both to attack and to deflect incoming blasts - one of the more fun features in the game. (The Captain and the Queen have their weapons - and, in fact, there are numerous weapons in addition to the light saber, in the game.) Altogether there are about eleven levels in the game, but many of them have side missions and secondary and tertiary objectives for you - should you choose to accept them.
You can play as one of four characters. Here, Captain Panaka shoots some STAP droids. |
For example, when you're wandering through the town of Espa, you can look for the hyperdrive (the main goal), but you can also stop and help a woman find her son. If you choose to help her, she might return the favor by helping you with the hyperdrive later. If you're in a hurry, though, you can find it on your own - it just may be a little bit harder. The same sort of thing happens in the jail - you can rescue Bob and he'll then help you and give you weapons, or you can attempt to accomplish your objective on your own - it can be done, but it's just a little harder. And if you kill innocent people, other characters are going to react and make your objective awfully difficult to accomplish - Jedi should not be killing villagers, as everyone worth his salt knows.
Next: Mass market appeal?
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