Gaming Target - Game Boy: Star Wars: Jedi Power Battles

Written by Matt Swider on January 24, 2002

Review: Star WarrsssssЕnothing but Star Wars, if they ever bar wars, there'd still beeeeee Star Warsss.

Usually I begin Star Wars reviews with the already known fact that the series has captivated many and the force lead to strong victory in the theater. Even though several of the videogames that resulted from the films have been overzealously hyped not all have turned out to be first-rate efforts. Typically, the Game Boy series of titles took the shaft when it came to quality, while PC and varied console counterparts performed on the same level as the movies. With the launch of the Advance system dawned a new hope; an above average Star Wars portable. Following the development of two Color games that lacked in the essence of the force, THQ once again called upon HotGen Studios in an attempt to become a Jedi Master. This time, both companies are able to deliver Jedi Power Battles, which proves itself against falling to the darkside.

You may have already seen this Jedi Power Battles on both Playstation and Dreamcast last year in efforts from LucasArts. Both versions released with little praise, so you'd just assume that the outlook was not very good for the Advance version a year later, huh? Ironically this isn't so. By shrinking down JPB to the portable system, THQ trained the title into something of a young Jedi Knight, good for a couple hours of play.

Jedi Power Battles starts players off with the option to play as one of three characters: Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon Jinn, or Mace Windu. All three Jedi's essentially have the same ability but the fine modeling of each makes them identifiable from one another. To accompany the looks of each Jedi and enemy is an array of animation and fluid movement. In performing different slashes and cuts with the lightsaber, players will begin to mimic the traits of their favorite Jedi during droid battles, acting as though their character were part of the movie.

The ability to reflect shots back at opponents with the lightsaber is a nifty move found in Phantom Menace and plays a key part in the overall game. Not only does this look cool but it also helps defeat bosses as well. Laser beam blasts are always visible even when shot from across a large room and when players start to advance on an opponent it will revert to kicks and using close combat tactics. It's easy enough to finish them off with the assortment of swipes that the lightsaber provides, including a move that pits you up in the air and lands you on the saber, crushing the enemy below. It is true that HotGen was able to really capture the essence of the Jedi.

Nothing in a game can be flawless, however the problems in this game won't hinder the overall fun factor. The isometric viewpoint is more commonly used for Game Boy Advance titles these days, and for good reason. The perspective provides a clean look, remains less choppy, and all at the same time, gives players the sense of 3D exploration and movement. As great as this works for Jedi Power Battles, some fault results from this very aspect.

While generally effective, the isometric view tends to cause characters to fall to their deaths too easily. Jumping from platform to platform remains unpredictable and can prompt the weak willed to move along. Those who turn away from this Dark Side and keep moving in the game will quickly learn to get past these platform perils and find the true value of the game in everything else offered. The controls here may be problematic for some but putting your mind to the task at hand and using a little bit of the force will make things seem manageable.

From the opening title screen throughout the rest of the game, portions of Star Wars tracks like Duel of the Fates will play. Its attempt to inspire the Star Wars legacy by various music themes is pretty successful without reason to turn it off due to agitation or repetition. Effects from laser blasts, saber swipes, and the anguish of fallen enemies are also recreated with reasonable success. Not too shabby, and with John William's music samples, the tracks seem to give this department a push over the top.

The 10 levels featured in the game are quite expansive, and when you finally face and defeat Darth Maul you can use him to reply the game again. With special powers and moves geared toward each character and tons of upgrades available throughout the game, Star Wars Jedi Power Battles attempts to remain more than a thrill title that is good for a day or two. To a point, this is successful. However the lack of a second player option we were expecting to see in the final product limits the game's overall duration.