Controls and Graphics

As this version of LSW utilizes the Nintendo's Wii remote and nunchuck, one would assume that LSW would be a blast. Again, many level designs have something to be desired, yet the Wii's unique control scheme helps ease the pain (granted the remote doesn't end up in someone's eye). The controller is quite enjoyable in light saber attacks although it is unnecessary to utilize the motion-controlled abilities. In fact, the "B" button can be use exclusively throughout the game, although it proves to be not quite as fun. At the same time, steering the Snowspeeder, Millennium Falcon and Endor Speederbikes can grow somewhat annoying when the camera renders one direction and the controller clearly wants to go somewhere else. Moreover, gamers might find their ships flipping like pancakes, but with some practice, this can be reduced to a minimum.

On the Wii Remote, the aforementioned Jedi controls are quite entertaining. To perform the Jedi Slam, simply double-jump hitting "A," and then slam the remote downwards while the character is still in midair. To activate the Jedi Lunge, jump only once and then slam down the Wii remote. Players can also build with the remote by approaching the blocks and then move both the Wii Nunchuck and the remote up and down; the quicker you move, the faster the character builds. Otherwise, basic movement requires the control stick on the nunchuck, attacking, defending by swinging the remote or hitting the "B" button. As always, the Wii control scheme is comfortable - even more so than the standard gamepad - and with the added sensory implementation, this Wii version stands out over the other next-generation versions in the fun factor department if not visually.

Graphically Lego Star Wars is a mixed bag. On one hand, the characters and animations are cute and hilarious: your favorite heroes are in (naturally) block formation yet retain an amazing amount of character. Don't expect high-resolution characters here: LSW is cartoonish in nature (they're LEGOs, duh) and geared for a younger audience. When the camera zooms in close, they truly resemble plastic in their smooth, reflective surfaces. Even the architecture is impressive, especially during scenarios such as nuking the second death star, taking on a fleet of Imperial Destroyers, playing on top of a Jawa Sandcrawler and so on. Special effects dazzle with clearer reflections than before, and textures are sharp and crisp. Despite the low resolution, the scenery looks great.

On the other hand, the game doesn't scream "next generation" visually. Surprisingly enough, the Wii chokes when trying to render a decent frame rate in many places, most notably in the Mos Eisley cantina. The game also suffers from awkward camera angles, making some platforms maneuvers difficult to manage, the player's depth of perception knocked out of whack (looks like we're hitting the gameplay flaws anyway). With superior-looking titles like Super Mario Galaxy rendering amazingly detailed environments at blazing speeds, one has to wonder if the developer optimized the LEGO Star Wars engine for Nintendo's hardware. At such a low resolution, gamers expect more; "jaggies" are becoming a thing of the past. At the same time, dogfights in outer space featuring the massive Imperial ships seem to flow seamlessly. Again, the visuals are a mixed bag, and the coolness factor varies from chapter to chapter.

Darth Maul remains a favorite character even in LEGO form.

Despite the average graphics and the sometimes annoyingly gameplay, there's something about LSW that pulls you into the game and glues your eyes to its virtual LEGO world. The series has character, oozing with good, light humor. While the games do stick to the cannon storyline, the events play out as a parody rather than anything too serious. It's amusing to watch the Storm Troopers giggle at Princess Leia after she witnessed the devastating destruction of Alderaan. You won't hear anyone talking, but their movements, actions and reactions are reminiscent of silent comedies. Traveller's Tales did an awesome job of retaining the soul of the Star Wars saga while seasoning the franchise with its own blend of humor.

The developer also did an excellent job transferring the infamous Star Wars characters into LEGO figures without losing their individualisms. Yoda is simply an awesome force to recon with, bouncing around like a balled-up, manic troll. Darth Maul is simply the best Sith ever created (and he dies too quickly, but let's not go there) with his duel blades of death cutting through the air and Jedi opponents like nuclear Ginsu knives. Threepio is one of the funniest in the roster, seemingly always without a limb but managing to traverse each chapter nonetheless, hopping along happily. Throw in the Wii's awesome control system, and you have LEGO characters that come alive and feel like they've just stepped out of the movies. Although gamers unlock these characters by completing chapters, purchasing them at the Cantina bar opens up a whole new world in Free Play Mode.

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