Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Should've Been A Remake, Not A Remaster
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is too old to truly take advantage of a Nintendo Switch port, and would benefit from a full remake for modern consoles.
In the recent February 2022 Nintendo Direct, it was announced that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be remastered for the Nintendo Switch, but due to the game's age, a full remake may have been a better choice. The Force Unleashed follows the story of Darth Vader's secret apprentice Starkiller, with a player wielding a Lightsaber and The Force to deal damage to enemies. The game, though dated, gives a different narrative perspective from other Star Wars titles, detailing the power Vader had over others and the damage it could bring to those who were under his influence.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was originally released in 2008 for the PlayStation 2, and despite exciting gameplay and fast-paced narrative, it struggled with clunky graphics that lacked detail and expression. The game later received ports for the PlayStation 3 and PSP, as well as the Xbox 360, PC, and Wii among several other versions. While the original game was designed for a controller, once ported for the Wii, motion controls for the Wii Remote allowed players to physically engage in battles, swinging their controller like an actual lightsaber.
While a remaster of The Force Unleashed for the Nintendo Switch is exciting news for Star Wars fans, there is already a setback that could impact gameplay. The PlayStation 2, PSP, and Nintendo Wii versions of the game lack the DLC and graphics found in versions for more powerful systems like the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. According to the Nintendo store, the Nintendo Switch version will be a remaster of the Wii version for the game, potentially cutting content and offering a less graphically advanced gameplay experience compared to the versions on the other consoles.
While a portable console, the Nintendo Switch has been able to support enjoyable experiences for games that previously were designed for home systems. Games like the Nintendo ports of Dying Light and Skyrim not only run smoothly on the Switch but don't lose a large amount of resolution while in handheld mode. The recent release of the OLED Switch has only boosted AAA gameplay, allowing players crisp, vibrant saturation and fine details that enhance games with more demanding graphic quality. Additionally, the console can be docked to display content on a player's TV, offering a bigger screen to play on.
However, the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch can make ports of older games less enjoyable to play. Lower resolutions, poor textures, and dated models stand out unpleasantly both in hand-held mode and docked for TV play, and often the control settings from previous consoles don't work seamlessly with the Joy-Con controllers. This can be especially difficult when large portions of the game rely on motion controls. The Force Unleashed, at 14 years old, will likely look blocky, fuzzy, or frustratingly dated on a newer console like the Switch, making it a surprising choice to remaster instead of remake.
While dated, The Force Unleashed did make big leaps for its time. Players had the ability to make narrative choices that affected outcomes, explore large areas without a completely linear map, and journey with the main character as he is manipulated by Darth Vader. However, The Force Unleashed was held back by the timeframe it was released in and could be an even more immersive and exciting game if remade with modern mechanics, gameplay elements, and popular narrative designs in mind. With recent titles in the Star Wars game series making use of character models with hyper-realistic designs and cutscenes at a quality similar to that scene in movies, The Force Unleashed could go from a dated classic to a remake staple for Star Wars fans
In a remake, The Force Unleashed could have new story content added to the original narrative, introducing new worlds to visit, and bigger world maps from original locations. These areas could be fleshed out with side quests to create a more immersive experience, and include cameo appearances from other Star Wars characters that were introduced after the making of The Force Unleashed. This would help better establish the story of Starkiller in the modern storyline while updating the overall game for both modern and long-time fans.
Additionally, an overhaul of the original graphics could give the game a new and fresh appearance. Starkiller's character model could be overhauled for a more original and memorable design, as his original appearance in The Force Unleashed is generic and simple. Lightsaber battles could be enhanced with smooth movements and modern motion tracking, giving players seamless control over impressive moves while taking on enemies. A remake could also overhaul the appearances of droids and ships, giving them the same detailed quality seen in games like Star Wars: Squadrons.
However, one of the biggest changes that could be implemented in a remake instead of a remaster of The Force Unleashed could be the narrative progression. Like Mass Effect or Dragon Age, player choices influence the outcome of the game. A remake could further expand the effects of player choice throughout the story, adding more endings to unlock, or even introducing side content that becomes available based on certain player actions. For example, choosing a "Dark-Side" direction could unlock a sidequest with nefarious purposes, while a "Light-Side" decision could offer a chance to accomplish missions against Vader. This would offer those who have already played The Force Unleashed a new experience while appealing to new players who prefer the modern gameplay and narrative progression of recent Star Wars games.
Unfortunately, while a remake of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed would likely be an exciting announcement for most Star Wars fans, it is unlikely a remake for the game or its sequel will be in the works in the near future. Currently, several other Star Wars game projects have already been announced. Star Wars: Hunters is currently projected to be released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022. Additionally, the recently announced Star Wars: Eclipse, which currently doesn't have a potential release date, will take place during the High Republic era of the Star Wars universe, and there is also KOTOR - Remake underway. Because of this, players will have to settle for the remastered version of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for now, and hope the dated controls and graphics won't make the game an unpleasant experience for the Nintendo Switch.
Source: Nintendo