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Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a game completely based around the star wars movies and the characters that are in them and the shows that air. The game is a fun action adventure type with copious amounts of objectives to hit while in levels and long term objectives that are optional to unlock when not in mission. There are many goals to reach and characters to unlock keeping the player interested in the game. It's a fun game to play solo or split screen for any star wars fan.

 Game Title: Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga            Publisher: Warner Bros.

Year: 2022                                                                           ESRB Rating: Everyone

Platform: Multiple                                                               Genre: Action Adventure Game

Fun Factor: 

9/10, the game in total is fun for those who like adventure with many differing levels, as well as if you want each planet you visit you can go back later and free roam with the different characters and items that you collected over time. The reason it isn't a full 10 on the other hand is that it can get quite grindy for some portions of the game, the main example for this would be having to find data cards hidden in places all over the different worlds in the game and having to find those for something as innocent as making all character heads bigger with no real benefit other than comedy. Other than that the game is phenomenal going from character choice and needing multiple different types of characters to figure out every last puzzle in the level or world that you are on. Finally it is fun to try and get 100% on the game because of the funny cutscenes and using characters from different movies on levels they weren't at in the star wars saga.

Learning Curve:

There is a little bit of a learning curve coming from past Lego star wars games since there are new mechanics that you have to get used to. One of those being able to pick up objects and move them yourself instead of it automatically being done like in the past. This is some what finicky with the controls and how to move it sometimes also your object may not be near where it needs to go making it a little hard to steer it there. Another harder learning curve if you haven't played game like this before is figuring out some of the puzzles because if you are playing solo some of the puzzles require multiple characters to complete it, an example being a character stands on a button as the other goes through to keep the door open to let the others through (this is just an example there are some others that may be harder). Totally the game wasn't hard to get used to and the controls are simple for that aspect as well.

Graphics: 

The graphics are something to be amazed by seeing as this is a Lego game after all but not everything completely looks plastic, anything that would be considered the setting or background was realistic and anything that is like that isn't meant to be interacted with. Even the simple bricks and effects in the game are great for the game, anytime you finish an objective you will get bold lettering or some kind of notification that congratulates you whilst not being to much and over whelming. This aspect was well put together graphically along side the jumping bricks in the game, they don't move a ton just hop every now and then to help the player notice. The overall UI for the game was easy to use and someone could find what they are looking for easily based on the icons for what is there. The graphics get an 8.5/10 because there are some graphical glitches in the game where when you start it up it may have only the weapons there and none of the characters are and when you go into the game it is only the accessories forcing you to restart. As well as some minor details like clipping issues where something may overlap into another than shouldn't be.

Audio:

The audio for the game was high quality in many aspects, it was all timed properly matching what was happening on the screen and all the basics. There were audio cues for unlocking items or characters even secrets when you discovered them. And cues for completing objectives that were finished. One big aspect was being able to change what the characters sounded like during the game, in the old games all characters mumbled instead of speaking which there was an option for to people that liked that then there was normal voice acting for the characters as well. The audio played a big part of the game and the music matched the movies quite well throughout the game. The audio is pretty good to what is now used in games, not terrible quality and each effect is very clear.

Controls:

Controls are very simple for the game moving is the basic controls for all of the platforms then attack with A/B left click and whatever other main attack button for most games, otherwise the controls are the same as many. Very simple to learn and use for those who don't play games often or at all since there are only a few buttons to press. When you play you don't have to change the controls since they makes sense while being comfortable at the same time.

Story:

The story is a 8/10 for me, the last three parts of the game was questionable and felt like a drag when playing, the original movies on the other hand were fun to play and remember the different parts of the movies that they were from. The last movies weren't a big hit which makes sense why the last three parts of the game were not as fun to go through. Totally the game kept me wanting to play until reaching those final parts. Thus the game is a great representation for what the movies have to offer.

Characters:

The characters and character choice in the game is one of the biggest parts of the game since you can play as almost any character you can think of in this universe from any of the movies. There are many different costumes for each of the characters as well allowing for a type of customization for the player. The characters were like those in the movies and you can see the small signs through the missions and cutscenes Anakin's path towards the dark as they get older and the different stages that the game reaches the character's look itself changes. the characters of the game I would give 10/10 since there are many options to play as, with the story behind them all. Even with the inclusion of characters that aren't from the original movies but they are from shows casted of to the side.

Level Design:

9.5/10 for the level design, the puzzle solving kind of levels were a great thing to experience because they gave you options to use when going through the level as to how you wanted to approach something giving it a "pick your path" kind of feel. outside of that some of the levels there were parts that it didn't give you a hint to what you were doing, some of the levels are extremely lengthy without warning. Outside of the occasional confusion and long missions without progress saves the levels are fun and enjoyable since the different parts of them didn't last very long since the objective switched semi quickly it keeps you interested.

Changes:

The one and only change I would make to the game is to add a character customization sections where you can change their look fully and what aspect you want them to use (sith, jedi, etc.). This is one thing they had in the old games that was fun to do but they didn't use it in this game but it was one staple that everyone enjoyed. 

Recommendation:

I would recommend the game to whoever likes the star wars universe as in the shows or movies or more because it gives a very accurate and comical take on the movies. The large character choice allows you to play as whoever you want in those movies making it more fun to play.