It has become so inevitable that almost any motion picture release can induce a stream of new marketing venues so as to drive more consumer interest. The history of movie-to-game releases have for the most part, fared successfully, though over the course of time, I can recall a number of titles which were best left to the big screen. The problem generally lies in the endeavor to soak up as much money based on the namesake of the license alone. For a time, LucasArts developed a plethora of titles based on the Star Wars franchise which spanned the console, PC, and handheld platforms were highly enjoyable to play. Sadly, as with many publishers before them, began to fall into the same trap of blandness, focusing more on profit, and less and gameplay integrity, (Jedi Power Battles anyone?). Even the shimmering efforts of Yoda Stories wasn't enough to demonstrate that things were not well for the allied talent at LucasArts. Then Obi Wan's Adventures stepped into the light, and thus a new hope was born...

Mindful of the living force (or basically the breakdown of the game)

Being an avid fan of the space opera series, I indulged the handheld saga of Episode One - Obi Wan's Adventures with great expectations that THQ would not fall into the trap of offering shallow gameplay in favor of a quick buck. Based upon the motion picture, players will take on the role as young Obi Wan Kenobi who embarks on a perilous journey to liberate the planet of Naboo from the evil Trade Federation. Featuring a total of nine levels, you'll need to hone your skills as a Jedi apprentice with the aid of your lightsaber, blaster and the most potent ability at your disposal - the Force.

What mesa thinks...

For a handheld adventure, Lucasarts makes an exceptional use of the GameBoy Color's graphic potential as you journey throughout the Trade Federation Ship, the planet of Naboo among other key locations which were featured in the film. Each level is adequately detailed with a moderate degree of enemies or deadly terrain which include Trade Federation droids, bounty hunters, electrical fields, murky swamps and gun turrets, to name a few. Even the miniaturized Obi Wan is adequately detailed as you navigate him throughout the level, arms swaying and all (even the lightsaber will animate in accord with his movements). Naturally due to the confined size of the game, it's somewhat difficult to appreciate the level of detail applied to each stage (not to mention the GBC doesnt' even have a back light, so remember to have some ample lighting when you're playing).

The gameplay is very easy to follow as the directional pad navigates Obi Wan in eight-way directional manner. Health is measured in the form of blue blubbles on screen (10 indicate full health and reaching zero results in the loss of a life). The Force, also represented by a guage of 10 circled bubbles highlighted in red, will accumulate upon collecting power-ups found throughout the level. Weapon selection (can't expect to complete the level using the almighty Force all day you know) consists of Obi Wan's hand blaster, lightsaber, or the Force...all which can be chosen by pressing the "Select" button. To aid in your quest...various items deposited throuhout the level can be acquired. These items range from Health (which will restore 3 health bubbles on your life guage), Ammo (restores 10 shots of ammo to your blaster) and Force Power-ups (which will add 1 red energy bubble onto your Force Meter). Finally, an aspect that adds significant challenge to the game lies in the degree of ammo carried by Obi Wan, signified by a box marked "A" to the right of the Health Meter. In the same fashion as the Force, additional ammo power ups can be acquired by locating them throughout the level.

As expressed in the forefront of the review, Obi Wan's Adventures features the vital essentials to help you complete each mission. At times, you'll discover that the use of your lightsaber will prove to be more effective than your blaster; being the fact that you can deflect shots,even counter them in such a manner so as hit the enemies with their own blasters! Overall, using the blaster and rifle are the best choice, but due to the awkward ability to properly position Obi Wan on the screen, you'll discover that deflecting shots is much more of a chore than any aspiring Jedi can endure. Thus, you risk eating blaster fire from the Federation droids and engaging an untimely death. A very minor shortcoming, and its up to every individual gamer if this aspect an element that detracts from their overall enjoyment of the game. One will earnestly like Obi Wan Adventures or subject it to the dark side of the shelf, never to be played again.

On occassion, you will encounter areas that will block your path, thus the need to summon the powers of the Force will be necessary in order to progress. I found this highly effective for moving objects in particular and at times worked to my advantage when I could hurl a series of enemies away with one hand motion. Obi Wan's Adventures also includes a small diversity of puzzles which must be solved in order to advance throughout the rest of the level. Generally, these consist of switches which must be toggled with your lightsaber to deactive each lever, and in turn...will activate a door. Failing to unravel the correct combination will result in Obi Wan incurring damage and if it continues...game over young Jedi. No need to worry though, as one will discover that these puzzles are hardly difficult to the degree that you'd need to seek the aid of a gaming consultant (see, Obi Wan can not help you now).

Obi Wan's boomba (or what we on earth regard as the sound/music...)

While being fond of the talented orchestra of John Williams, this is among one of the areas where I found myself frowning, mainly because the GBC just doesnt' deliver something that's even exceptionally pleasing. Smirks continously ran across my face from the intro screen, to the first level playing a altered version of "Duel of the Fates" (somewhat painful to my areas since the tune was so redundant) among other familiar themes left me to conclude that LucasArts put their best foot forward to offer music that would complement the action. Of course, in the case that you'd rather play throughout the action with the music higher (!), lower, or disabled altogether...one needs only to hop over to the Options screen (where you can also adjust the difficulty of the game from Easy to Hard).

There's not a wide degree of sound excellence that's going to have you opting to perhaps hook this up to your Dolby Surround Pro Logic systems (and no, in case you're wondering...I don't own one), but the fact of the matter is that you'll be able to distinguish the lightsaber sweeps in the air from the various explosion and blaster shots which will ensue as you progress thoughout the game. Notably Lucasarts even went so far as to incorporate an element of realism applied to the Federation fans will increase or decrease in audible levels depending on your distance from them. No company has ever demonstrated this much integrity and distinction of such minute details for a handheld game, ever!

You're not a Jedi yet...but defeating this game isn't a bad start!

Even though the game can be relatively beaten within a mere hour or so, Obi Wan's Adventures offers a password feature to allow you to continue where you left off. Upon the start of each new level (which begins after Level 2), a password will be issued and can be entered later to retrive your game and continue your request to liberate the planet of Naboo and ridicule Jar Jar Binks. Ah yes, of course he's not in the game...so players and fans of the series which were highly against this character will be pleased to know his only cameo appearance is in the intro! Your final battle will place you against the deadly gladiator spawned from the Lord of the Sith - Darth Maul. Determine his weakness and defeat him and then prepare to sit back and enjoy the ending :)

Bottom Line: Great game for younger gamers who enjoy the Star Wars series. Aside from a small degree of awkward play mechanics, it's hardly enough to taint its appeal in comparison to the previous attempts to deliver a entertaining game, though its not perfect. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that Lucasarts will give up on the series...there will be another.

· · · Bahn