Star Wars: Episode I -
The Phantom Menace

Overall: C
Violence: C-
Sexual Content: A
Language: A
Drugs/Alcohol: A

Platform reviewed: Playstation
Publisher: LucasArts
ESRB rating: T

Have you ever wondered what your reaction would be upon meeting Jar Jar Binks? Would it be an honor to fight alongside Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn? How does it feel to wield a lightsaber in the fight for good? A short time ago in a living room far, far away... I found the answers to these and other questions in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace by LucasArts.

If you're a fan of Star Wars, then you'll probably jump at this opportunity to free Naboo from the tyranny of the Trade Federation. At level one of the game, you are assigned the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and find yourself trapped with Qui-Gon in a conference room quickly filling with poisonous gas. If this sounds familiar then you probably already know what lies ahead -- get out of the room, reduce some Trade Federation droids to heaps of rubbish, stow away on a landing ship, and rejoin Qui-Gon on the surface of Naboo... end of first level. Each new level is based on a scene from the movie, but if you're expecting the challenge of a pod-race you've rented the wrong game (try Episode I - Racer). As you proceed, you are assigned the identities of other familiar characters including Qui-Gon, Captain Panaka, and even Queen Amidala (pssst... is that really a cold sore on her lip?). Your toughest opponent will be Darth Maul. Defeating him requires more lives than a Tatooine cat.

Contrary to what Qui-Gon Jinn may think, it doesn't take an overabundance of midi-chlorians to bring balance to the force. All you really need is a game controller. One push of a button brings your lightsaber humming to life... you can even feel the vibrations as your weapon slices the air, deflecting enemy fire. Another button and a seemingly innocent hand motion will emit the dreaded force push. And if you are in a tight situation, with a mere flick of the wrist you can perform combat rolls and back flips that would be the envy of any agile Jedi warrior.

Playing the game from a third-person perspective (with the camera mounted slightly above and behind your character) is a big plus for those who get motion sick by first-person camera movements. The downside of this vantage point is limited vision, requiring potential Jedi to use the force a little more than usual.

Even with its unique storyline, Phantom Menace still resorts to using the industry's basic shooter formula. This may be of concern to some parents, because not only are players required to obliterate the opposition, but the door is also left wide open for indiscriminate killing during moments of frustration or boredom. My trip to the Star Wars fantasy world left two questions unanswered... Since when do Jedi warriors have to rely on health replenishment and rocket launchers? And how long will the game's predictable storyline hold the interest of a Jedi padawan?

Oh, by the way, killing Jar Jar Binks is a no-no... something only a member of the dark side would consider.

Jim Fleming

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