An astounding experience, ahead of its time, and endlessly replayable
IGN described it as "not the prequels' proudest moment." Gamespot gives it a measly 4.3 out of 10. Movies 2 Video Games Review gives it a '5.0 AVERAGE' rating. Yet, when played with a keen eye for detail, this game meets a near-Herculean standard of scope, depth and replay lifespan.
Forgive me for the adulation given to this game, but it is very deserving of the rating. While I respect the insightful reviews given to both TPM film and this game adaptation, most of which pin both as "average" at best, my own view on this game simply cannot give it anything less that 5 stars, certainly no less than 85% if granted a comprehensive review system.
Released in 1999 around the same time as the titular film, the game keeps in pace with the film's events with some creative license in mostly the right places. It is clear that the game was made during the film's production and access to the exact character dialogue was not possible, hence the divergences made by in-game character speech from the film. Though initially trying for those who have seen and enjoyed the film (as I have), they become insignificant compared to the power of the Force. That is, the Force Push. Did I mention that this was one of the first Star Wars games to employ the use of Force powers?
This review draws on professional analysis and personal experience. I will declare bias now; this was the first PS1 game I ever played, as a birthday present in 1999. From thence onwards, I believe I have spent more time playing it than any other game of the format. Every few years, as consoles have come and gone, I bring it out of the old PS1 game box and within a minute, I am back on the Trade Federation Ship, or in the Swamps of Naboo, or the sprawling marketplaces of Mos Espa.
An impressionable Star Wars fan I was, but I always cast a considered eye over game adaptations, which were frequently mediocre. This one never failed to meet hopes and expectations, and it still exceeds them in 2012.
Put into context, this game produces a stunning amount of free-roaming activity within the framework of an objective-based structure. On several levels, flights of fancy are not merely tolerated but encouraged. The Tatooine levels testify most to this. I have still not discovered all the possible lines of dialogue and combinations of trading to satisfy the level's objectives, which are a joy to complete. Although frustrating at times, especially to the inexperienced youth, the game delivers challenging and richly textured levels.
For a 1999 release, the game contains a level of RPG elements that would not be properly seen realised to their potential until the release of the KOTOR games from 2003 onwards. Trading, NPC dialogue interactions, multiple dialogue options, diplomacy, min-games and a wide variety of weapons beyond the humble lightsaber, as well as four playable characters make the game huge in breadth compared to its contemporaries of late-1990s adventure titles. Of film-to-game adaptations, I firmly believe it reaches the peaks of achievement, and puts many others to shame.
A knowledge of the Star Wars galaxy helps before playing this, but it is not essential. The game will make you want to re-watch the film, and vice versa is true to no limits. Perhaps the best accomplishment of the game is to allow for a greater appreciation of the film's better points. While watching a TPM documentary on the film's DVD extras, everything reminded me of happy days with the game. I play it still.Read full review
