GENRE
	Adventure
	DEVELOPER
	TT Games
	PUBLISHER
	LucasArts
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	no
	WII EXCLUSIVE
	gcn
	EXPECTED RELEASE DATE
	Fall 2006
	BUY NOW AT

If the final level of LEGO Star Wars I aboard the captured Tantive IV didn't whet your appetite for an Original Trilogy sequel, nothing will. LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy promises to bring back all the fun of running around the Star Wars universe as LEGOs while improving on its predecesor at every turn.

media

impressions

Touting more characters, aliens and droids from the Original Trilogy than you can shake a lightsaber at, plus all of those from the Prequel Trilogy (unlockable via save data from the first LEGO Star Wars), plus customizable characters, LEGO Star Wars II may set the record for sheer number of playable characters at over 100.

What could be better than all these playable characters? Improving on the first LEGO Star Wars, each character will have their own unique, characteristic abilities. Old Ben Kenobi can use Jedi Mind Trick, Darth Vader can Force-Choke, Palpatine uses Force-Lightning and Chewbacca rips enemy arms out of sockets (see Media). Now that's disarming, and it's something you'll only find in the LEGO Star Wars universe.

One reason for the wide appeal of the first LEGO Star Wars was its gentle learning curve. Enemies weren't that smart, and vehicle levels proceeded on rails. LEGO Star Wars II will expand the role of vehicles to be more free-ranging and add creatures to ride. As for the difficulty, LEGO Star Wars II will feature an optional difficulty setting that increases with player skill. LucasArts producer, David Perkinson explains below.

word on the street

"When switched on, the game will begin at the base level of difficulty and ramp up as the player succeeds," Perkinson explains. "The opposing AI will become more aggressive, harder to destroy and more accurate with their fire as the user improves." Source: StarWars.com

press release notes

"LEGO Star Wars II follows the Rebel Alliance's battle to dismantle the Galactic Empire and rebuild a galaxy in pieces. From Darth Vader's pursuit of Princess Leia aboard her Blockade Runner to a showdown on the reconstructed Death Star, the game includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles and humor that earned the original LEGO Star Wars such popularity and acclaim."

overall

With these improvements on an already solid idea, set in an even more beloved classic, Original Trilogy universe, this will undoubtedly be among the last hit games of this generation. Though Star Wars fans are used to waiting, this time around we'll get a simultaneous release across all platforms. The Force is with us!