After playing the home console version of The Collective’s Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, I wasn’t exactly sure of what to expect from its portable counterpart. Well, I can now say that if you were to choose between the home console and handheld instalments of Revenge of the Sith, the DS version in particular would be the best choice. Developed and published by Ubisoft, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith for the Nintendo DS is by far the most enjoyable Episode III-branded Star Wars game to date.
Not knowing much about the game, when I first began to play Revenge of the Sith for the DS, I noticed that its gameplay is very much like that found in its home console brethren, however, this time in 2D form. This means that the game is a hack ’n slash/beat ’em up and one of the better ones I’ve played over the years. This, although, isn’t saying much, since I’ve never been the biggest fan of these types of games.
The difference between the 2D gameplay found in this DS version and the 3D gameplay of the home console versions is that RotS’ hack ’n slash gameplay requires more skill in its 2D form. The home console game
"the most enjoyable Episode III-branded Star Wars game to date"
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features combo attacks that require nothing more to pull off other than button mashing, while the handheld versions make good use of timing and precision. For instance, in order to deflect the laser blasts of enemies, players will have to parry the attack by pressing the "L" trigger the moment before the laser blast reaches you. This game is true to the old school of gaming. You will always have to be aware of what’s going on every second that you play, since not only do enemies attack in groups, but also since each different enemy in the game requires a specific strategy in order to defeat. Additionally, the epic lightsaber battles found in the handheld version of the game are not as flashy as the one’s seen in the home console versions. This is given, due to the limited technical abilities of the hardware, but the real difference is related more to how these fights are played.
Unlike the majority of the game’s hack ’n slash levels, lightsaber battles do not allow players to walk all around the playing field, but instead restrict them to moving only backwards and forwards in a straight line. In order to land some deadly blows on an enemy, players will have to block attacks appropriately by pressing the block button as well as the direction in which an enemy’s saber is directed to. Once an enemy’s attack has been blocked successfully, an opening for your attack surfaces. This blocking system is reminiscent of the reversals system found in Tecmo’s Dead or Alive fighting series, and because of it -- lightsaber battles in the handheld versions of Revenge of the Sith are more strategic than those found in the home console game. In fact, I will go as far as saying that they are a tad bit more rewarding, although, not in the area of presentation and flash, but in the area gameplay that goes deeper than just button mashing.
Now what’s a Star Wars game without Force abilities? Not much of a Star Wars game, that’s for sure. However, we don’t have to worry about that since Revenge of the Sith has its fair share of them. The ability to move objects with the Force, mind trick., etc... they’re all here, but it’s a shame that players won’t really use most of them. I’ve gone throughout the entire game multiple times without having to use more than one or two Force powers. The game makes poor use of this classic Star Wars gimmick. However, I guess you can consider each one of a character’s super attacks a Force Power, since they drain your Force Meter, but
"A handheld platform hasn’t seen a Star Wars game this good in ages, if ever"
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despite the usefulness and coolness of using these super attacks, they don’t constitute as Force Powers in my book.
Once again, like its home console cousin, Revenge of the Sith for the DS is a rather repetitive game. There’s not much more to the bulk of the game other than hacking and slashing your way through enemies, or taking on Separatist tanks and droid fighters. Thankfully, an exclusive addition to this DS version of Revenge of the Sith is a 3D dog-fighting mode that puts players into the cockpits of Jedi Starfighters and other memorable spacecraft from the Star Wars saga (most of which are only playable in multiplayer mode). The 3D dog-fighting isn’t anything too spectacular, but more like half-assed rip of Factor 5’s Rogue Squadron games. They’re mildly enjoyable, yet they make me wonder about how a real Rogue Squadron game would play out on the Nintendo DS, because it’d probably a whole lot better. Although, I must admit that the multiplayer side of this 3D dog-fighting can be really fun if you have other friends with the game. Hopefully, Factor 5 will port an enhanced version of the original Nintendo 64 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron to the Nintendo DS at some point, or maybe even a new instalment, but I wouldn’t count on it.
I’m sure the length of the game will be an issue amongst many potential owners and renters of the the game, and to the dismay of many, it will not be all too pleasing to hear that Revenge of the Sith isn’t a lengthy game at all. The game features two different paths to play, one for Obi-Wan Kenobi and another for Anakin Skywalker. The two playable characters share a few of the same stages but somewhere in the middle of the game, their paths branch and eventually meet again at the game’s end for the climactic battle that ensues between the two and which eventually creates our favorite Sith Lord, Darth Vader. Nevertheless, each path takes a two to three hours to complete and some may not be too pleased about this. However, since this is a portable adventure, it’s not necessarily made to be played in long sittings and can prove to be an adventure that is long enough for many, as it was for me. The length of the game isn’t something that I’ll complain about since this is the type of game which is challenging and enjoyable enough to play through at harder difficulties and collect all the bonus items in order to level up my characters to their maximum potential. Although collecting bonus items isn’t much of a challenge, more like a chore, since they’re not too difficult to find.
Nintendo DS owners should take note that the DS version of Revenge of the Sith is nothing much more than an enhanced version of its Game Boy Advance counterpart, but it’s easily the better version of the two. Not only does it feature a greater gameplay
"the DS version of Revenge of the Sith is nothing much more than an enhanced version of its Game Boy Advance counterpart"
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variety thanks to the inclusion of Star Wars Rogue Squadron-like 3D flying missions, but the game is also displayed at a higher resolution and features a CD quality soundtrack that is by far the best John Williams has ever sounded on a handheld platform. Additionally, some of the super attacks featured in the GBA game have been made so that they’re easier to perform in this DS version, with each one now being able to be performed by simply touching the DS’ touch screen.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith for the Nintendo DS is easily the most enjoyable version of the Episode III game available on any other platform. The game is more enjoyable than the home console version of the game due to the old school beat ’em up/hack ’n slash gameplay that it features. It’s not the very best of 2D action games, but it’s quite possibly the best one currently available for the Nintendo DS. No, it doesn’t make good use of the Nintendo DS’ unique features, however, I don’t believe using these features are needed in order to create an enjoyable gaming experience. Star Wars fans are sure to love Revenge of the Sith for the DS, and as a Star Wars fan myself, I say that this game is worthy of a purchase for the Star Wars fan on the go. A handheld platform hasn’t seen a Star Wars game this good in ages, if ever.
