Soapbox features allow our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random things they’ve been chewing on. Today, Jim celebrates Revenge of the Fifth with the return of the DS…
You felt it, didn’t you? Disorder in the Force. On Coruscant, Darth Sidious has called for the execution of Order 66, but perhaps more urgently, I’ve finally found an opportunity to start waxing lyrical about Star Wars’ predecessors. It’s happening, folks. Fasten the strap.
If yesterday (May 4th) was Star Wars Day, then that makes today (Revenge of the Fifth) perfect — and, let’s face it, only — an opportunity to talk about episode III the best The movie Star Wars. Yes, I said.
Now I’m for the Republic, for democracyso I won’t hold it against you if you don’t think the same (hell, you wouldn’t be alone), but where I have to be high is about all things Revenge of the Sith DS , such a sweet connection that, after almost 20 years, I still completely unbiased opinion that it could be the pinnacle of all Star Wars games.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, movie games were as numerous as Anakin’s midichlorian count. It seemed that in the age of the GBA and DS, no big movie could make it to theaters without being accompanied by a fast-paced 2D platformer. There were a dozen of them and they have long since been lost in the sands of (rough and coarse and irritating) time. But not Revenge of the Sith. Here is an example of a proper join.
Released on Game Boy Advance and DS, this Ubisoft Montpellier-led project is a 2D belt-scroller that in general it follows the same narrative threads as the 2005 film. There was also a 3D action version released elsewhere, but those aren’t the consoles you’re looking for. For the systems relevant to us at Nintendo Life, you choose to play as Obi-Wan or Anakin and fight your way through 13 levels of lightsaber-swinging, beat-’em-up action. There are a handful of minibosses, and the dual-screen version even comes with some 3D space battle sequences.
Thinking about it ahead of this Star Wars weekend, I started to worry that maybe it was just as standard as all the other relationships of the time. Could it be that my rosy nostalgia for the game was born out of my unabashed love for the movie? It was a very real possibility that could only be tested through a period of intense scientific research (buying a copy online and staying up all night playing it through).
The results are in, and this Padawan was right on the money. The game is still slapping.
This may look like your standard Poodoo stuff from the outside, but there’s a surprising amount of depth under the hood. The controls are clean and snappy, the combat is surprisingly deep with plenty of special attacks to learn along the way, and there’s a neat ability upgrade menu at the end of each level — one that would inevitably inspire a ‘But is it an RPG?’ ‘-induced headache if it were to be released today.
I surprise at the way the game plays was one thing, but how it looks brought me even more joy. Judging by Qui-Gon’s beard, I didn’t expect how well the cartoon aesthetic would hold up! Ghosts look stunning — something that cannot be said for the game 3D PS2/Xbox 360 counterpart — and every swing of the lightsaber is packed with such personality that it puts some modern animations to shame. Really, when can I play this on my OLED?
As I raced through Anakin’s story, memories of my first playthrough came flooding back. A tank that can only be defeated by bouncing Trooper blasters at it, bonus goodies hidden in destructible parts of the stage, my inability to control any ship with the Y-axis controls reversed (yes, I definitely I haven’t bothered with it yet…).
The only thing missing was the game’s absence of brilliant multiplayer — a natural product of playing a 20-year-old DS game in one evening as an adult, I suppose. It should come as no surprise that I soaked up this replay like I was Mladic all over again, but it left me thirsty for 3D fight sequences with my friends. Singleplayer flights are still fraught with peril, but nothing as sweaty as threatening to pass your DS on to someone else if you die, in order to meet the winner-takes-all home tournament rules. Wow, I used to put real planning into my game nights.
Obi-Wan’s side of things is… well, pretty much the same, with some obvious story changes to fit the plot of the movie. But those are still two stories! The changes could only mean, ‘Will I be fighting General Grevious or Mace Windu?’ but that’s okay. It’s more Star Wars. And good Star Wars!
Look, the prequels have their problems, even I can accept that, but this tie-in is not one of them. If you’re a fan of their character traits and ultimate lightsaber fights, then a DS comeback like this will welcome you with open arms. If, on the other hand, the cheesy dialogue and wooden acting have left you longing for a world without Jar-Jar, then a well-crafted retelling like this might be enough to see the film’s merits.
I’m not saying hits with links should come back (although I would buy Dina: The second part beat them in no time), but if you’re ever going to play just one, it should be this one. To this day, Revenge of the Sith on the DS is a Must(by far) game.
Have you ever played this one? Can you try to pick it up now? Let us know in the comments.
