Star Wars The Force Unleashed Jedi Temple

Review of the Downloadable Content Mission Pack for 360

Jan 8, 2009

A brief overview of the expansion's rating/details, what is included in the package, how much it costs, and a no spoilers summary.

This Downloadable Content (DLC) mission pack, available through Xbox Live Marketplace and the Playstation Store, is an Add-on to the popular title Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. It proves to be a small diversion that offers modest plot development and little to redeem the $10 price tag.

Game Details

For Your Money

However, keep in mind that the costumes are just that--they do not alter game play in any way other than looking really sweet.

To load this new content, the player must select New Game from the main menu--as this mission is not embedded within the original campaign--and then the player will be prompted to either start a new campaign or the Jedi Temple mission. And so it is important to note that there are no benefits to be transferred from a completed Jedi Temple save into a New Campaign.

A Brief Overview of the Jedi Temple Mission

Once the mission begins, the Secret Apprentice jumps from his ship, the Rogue Shadow, onto a platform swarming with Imperial Stormtroopers of various descriptions. (This DLC, in all fairness, has some grand and cinematic scenes.) This part of the mission should be as thoroughly enjoyed as possible because it is the only moment that offers any hint of danger or difficulty. The rest of the level is spent engaging in simple puzzles and relatively easy skirmishes.

The level can be played through in about 30 minutes on the normal difficulty setting. The more casual gamer could stretch that out to maybe an hour; Force-hardened veterans will lightsaber their way through in much less time.

Xbox Live Marketplace summarizes the story with the following description: "In this mission Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice turns to the Jedi Temple to learn more about his father, and while searching through the rubble of the destroyed building he must confront his inner demons..."

To be fair, and blunt, that is exactly what happens. What the DLC descriptions fails to articulate is the sheer inadequacy of the product to deliver anything meaty to the gamer who has already invested in the base game.

Those who enjoyed the campaign, will enjoy this expansion. But they need to be forewarned, there's nothing spectacular or fresh to be found here--it's more of the same. In other words, this download is not only bare bones--it's more like a soup bone that has slowly had its flavor boiled out of it.

The copyright of the article Star Wars The Force Unleashed Jedi Temple in Action Games is owned by Matthew Klitsch. Permission to republish Star Wars The Force Unleashed Jedi Temple in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.