Product Reviews

If you took your family to see Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith at the cinema recently and it left you or your progeny in need of more Jedi-based antics, this game could be just the thing for you.

Lego Star Wars takes the Lego toys and makes an action adventure game out of them. On the surface it sounds like another tired marketing ploy to sell more Lego, but don't judge too quickly. This game has been built with so much care, attention to detail and overall polish that's it guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

It covers all the best bits from the new

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films, which basically means all the cool lightsaber scenes and none of the romantic stuff. Each segment is introduced by a memorable scene from the film, but rendered entirely in Lego with added comic touches. The exquisite presentation is supported by the full majesty of the Star Wars soundtrack.

Gameplay is a balance of combat, platforms and puzzles. There are around 50 characters to unlock and play, and at least two are always available. You can switch between available characters at any time, and their special abilities allow the player to solve puzzles. For example, R2 astromech droids can open locked doors, while the Jedi can use the force to manipulate distant objects. A second player can join or leave at any time, encouraging cooperative play. Two players can progress through the game more quickly and smoothly than one, and it's twice the fun.

The only downsides are the need for a USB joypad and the short time it takes to complete the game. Still, there is a lot of replay value; using different characters allows access to other areas.

A great game for children between the ages of five and 12, and Star Wars fans of any age.