There is no doubt, that the best thing to come out from 1999's 'Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace' was the epic lightsaber fights. However, the same, can't not be said with this standard hack and slash video game based that movie. Published for Sony PlayStation, Sega Dreamcast & much later, the Game Boy Advance. This LucasArts game follows, nearly the same path of the movie, only this time, five primary prequel era characters including Obi Won Kenobi, Mace Windu, and Qui Gon Jinn are available for players to use throughout the adventures on multiply planets. However, two of the Jedis, Adi Gallia & Plo Koon were not available in the Game Boy Advance version. Despite that, each of them has their own unique powers, fighting techniques & sets of strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of this and level difference, you choose in the ugly opening menu, the gameplay from 2000's 'Star Wars: Episode 1: Jedi Powers Battles' was very frustrating to play, from start to finish, due to its high difficult, unforgivable control issues, bad load times, jarring cut scenes & horribly camera angles. It's not fun. While, there are additional health bars that the gamer can pick up, throughout the game to make it easier to play; the jumping platform parts are really unforgiven. One fall, will killed you, instantly. To add on that, it much worst when the fall is not your fault. The collision detection is so bad in this game, that it sometimes appears that your character have landed on solid ground, when in truth, they didn't. Polygons overlap often, giving the environments a sloppy, glitches look. On top of that, every single time you die, all the poorly polygon model enemies in the level return as well. That means you have to chop you way through the same repetitive types of enemies droids all over again just to get the same point where you died, while the same background music & voice acting cut scenes loops all over all. There is no auto save. Plus, the gameplay get pretty tiresome after a while. While, you might control crafts in some levels, most of the stages, has hardly any variety, besides moving forward, slicing droids. While, it's true, that many objects in the backgrounds can be destroyed and some will give you points for doing so. It's not as fun as it sounds. Just wait until you start playing the game with a second player. Cooperative mode with a second player is a nightmare. The intense fire power from the enemies increase ten forms & jumping has to perfectly timed, especially in the leap of faith moments. If not, you and your partner will lost all the limited lives, pretty early; as each level is split into multiply sections. Despite that, I kinda like how each character has several preset combos. It's just sad, that most of them, are not that useful as it should had been. The character animations, honestly actually hinder your attacks. If you strike and miss, you won't be swinging again until the previous combo has been completed. It cannot be interrupted. This is extremely annoying when you're trying to chop down a huge enemy group. In truth, most of the lightsaber combat is rather simplified, once you get used to it, as the player can lock on to the nearest enemy using the R1 button. However, this feature can also get loose and inconsistent at times. Sometimes you lock onto an enemy, and other times, you lock onto the air next to him, giving the enemy an excellent chance to kill you. Despite that, you do have the ability to reflect laser blasts back to their target with your light saber. If you time, and aim, a block perfectly, the blast will ricochet back to the enemies, sometimes destroying them in one hit. While, repetitive hammering on the attack button with any of the characters will get you through most of the game's repetitive ten droid filled levels. The best value & most fun has to be with, Adi Gallia. Both in PlayStation & Dreamcast version, her special moves are vastly superior to the others & entertaining to do. Regardless, it's still sad, that you can only play as one of those force-users, throughout the campaign mode, as the game will not allow the player to switch it up. However, once you beat it, you're able to replay the levels with other characters to unlocked additional new playable ones like Captain Panaka, Padme Amidala, Darth Maul, and others depending on which console you're playing, even if it's awkwardly doesn't match the story of the movie. For example, Qui Gon surviving in the end of the mission or Darth Maul fighting himself. Regardless, completing the campaign with a specific task can earn you up to four levels, which offer unique mini quests, however, these also vary on which version of the game, you might had. While, items like Ultimate Saber AKA 'One Slash Kills' can also be earn in the end of the game, by doing a specific task. I felt that it's not really that valuable; seeing how you beat the game in its hardest settling. There is little to no challenge by getting that. In truth, besides lame extras, this game doesn't have, much replay value. If you even think of playing through this game more than once, then something is very wrong with you. It's not fun to play; especially on PlayStation. If you do decide to go, at it, again. Try the Dreamcast version. It's graphically, audibly, and even mechanically, looks and plays better, plus it as additional training mode and a two player dual mode. However, it's like, choosing if you want to rack or wheel. Both are torturous. Harsh as that may be, it's the truth. I can't recommend playing this game.
Star Wars: Episode I - Jedi Power Battles
(2000 Video Game)
May the force be with you! You will truly need it, if you're going to play this platform, beat them up game.
17 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers