Star Wars games have had their up's and downs over the years the original Super Star Wars and it's kin were a high...we hit some lows in the years of Obi-Wan and Bounty Hunter..but of late weve been treated to Knights of the Old Republic, Battlefront, and now an unusual combination Star Wars...and Lego...sure they sell Star Wars themed Lego but can it work as a game? ...I tell you what you'd be suprised just how well it does.

First off don't dismiss this title as being much like any other lego game, while this is suitable for kids it has enough character and can provide enough fun for anyone to enjoy.

The game takes the first three Star Wars films....thats the first three in terms of story chronology not the first three made...so Episodes 1, 2 and 3, you play as various characters as relevent to the story going through key scenes in the movies, so you can expect coming up against armies of droids, scrapping with sith lords, Pod racing, Space Combat, and all sorts of other treats.

The play is refreshingly simple and it takes all of a few seconds to get the hang on controles and get a feel for the game and then you can really start having some fun. Action mostly takes form of smashing enemies into their Lego components and some simple puzzle solving usually involving shooting switches or using force powers to manipulate your surroundings...the force bits are always amusing and several jokes are included...there is simple pleasure to be had in making a room full of chairs dance to the cantina music using the magic of the force.

Another great feature you'll find with this game is the fantastic way multiplayer is structured, at any point during the game should a friend turn up and wish to join in the action, they press start on a controller and instantly take control of the nearest friendly character. Should they need to give up and go home...fear not your not going to be left with a immobile liability as a partner they can simply choose to quit and the AI resumes command of their character allowing you to continue as normal.

Another moment worth a mention has to be the cut scenes as they are superb, since lego people don't actually talk it's all in the actions and the facial expressions that really sell it and some of the cut scenes are very funny.

There are lots of characters to play as too, many you unlock by completing levels, as for your enemies you can purchase them with the lego studs you collect throughout the levels allowing you access to a massive roster by the time you are done.

On the negative side, the game is fairly short and with even semi commitment you can finish it in a weekend, there are extras to unlock and some collectables to search for to add a bit of span to the title...however its main attraction lies in it's pick up and play nature, it's always good for a 20 minute blast every so often.

Finally for those of you out there who hated the invention of one Jar Jar Binks take solice in the fact you can smash him into lifeless lego pieces as many times as you like only for him to respawn for you to slay again worth the price of the game alone for some.