Star Wars: The Clone Wars Preview

By Ricardo Torres, GameSpotPosted May 16, 2002 6:30 pm PT

LucasArts shows off its upcoming GameCube and PlayStation 2 action title.

Following hot on the heels of the release of Episode II, LucasArts has announced its latest game based on the movie franchise for the GameCube and PlayStation 2. The game, called Star Wars: The Clone Wars, is being developed by Pandemic Studios--best known for Dark Reign 2 and the recently released Army Men RTS--and it will focus on mission-based vehicular combat with a liberal dose of strategy.

The fighter tank is one of the most maneuverable ships in the game.

The game's story focuses on the recently introduced Count Dooku, a rogue Jedi leading a separatist movement that threatens the stability of the Galactic Republic. Following the events seen in the film, Dooku sets out to recover the components of an ancient Sith weapon that will give his forces the upper hand in the escalating war. Once Dooku's intentions are discovered by the Jedi order, they head out to stop him before he recovers the weapon. You'll assume the role of Anakin, Obi Wan, and Mace Windu over the course of the game and have opportunity to pilot ships and other modes of transportation in 16 mission-based levels. The story will send you to six worlds that are a mix of familiar locations from the film such as Geonosis and original locations such as Raxes Prime; a moon orbiting Kashykk (Chewbacca's 'hood, for the uninformed); Rhen Var; Thule; and an asteroid orbiting Thule.

In terms of gameplay, Clone Wars' structure is fairly straightforward. Each level is broken up into segments that will have specific missions you'll have to accomplish in order to move on. Your tasks will include everything from engaging enemy forces, destroying specific targets, escorting friendly craft, and racing against time to avoid an explosion. During the course of the game, friendly forces in need of a hand will call in additional mission objectives. Given the title's emphasis on combat and action, the bulk of your time in the game will be spent behind the controls of a vehicle. However, there will also be a few brief segments that find you battling through enemy forces on foot as you attempt to reach your vehicle.

The assault walker looks to be a primitive cousin to the AT-AT.

In terms of vehicles, you will pilot six different craft that are a mix of familiar and original vehicles, as well race about on foot and on the back of an alien creature. Over the course of the game, you'll be given the virtual keys to a Republic gunship, an assault walker, a speeder bike, a fighter tank, a STAAP, and an AAT. Each vehicle will have unique handling and its own complement of weapons. While all vehicles will have primary and secondary weapons, they will also have special abilities unique to them. For example, the assault walker can rotate its turrets while moving, the fighter tanks can quickly strafe from side to side, and the gunship can hover and adjust its flight speed. During segments where you control a lone Jedi on foot, you'll have access to a basic set of force powers and combat moves that will prove invaluable as you wade through waves of enemies. You'll be able to use force push, as well as throw your lightsaber and control its flight path to maximize damage to your enemies. Also, like all good Jedi, you'll be able to use your lightsaber to deflect blaster fire. Finally, you'll have the opportunity to ride a maru, an alien creature that looks like a distant and ugly relative of the tauntauns seen in The Empire Strikes Back.

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1 Comments

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jakeboudville
Posted Sep 29, 2006 11:56 pm PT

sounds cool
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