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E3 2010: Hands-on with Clone Wars Adventures
Arriving at the SOE booth at E3, one is assaulted with the shininess of their latest upcoming titles, DC Universe Online and The Agency. But scattered about the booth were demo stations for many of their other upcoming games including the recently announced Clone Wars Adventures. We haven't heard much about this game since it was announced (and our subsequent interview with the lead designer), but we got to sit down at E3 and find out what's involved. As a quick refresher, CWA is less a traditional MMORPG and more a virtual lobby where players can access a number of minigames. There's no leveling or quests or equipment with stats. It's more Free Realms and less EverQuest. It will be free-to-play as a Flash-based browser title when it arrives this fall. But how does all this actually play? Click past the jump for more info.
Exclusive: SOE talks Clone Wars Adventures
Last Tuesday, we gleefully reported on Sony Online Entertainment's brand-new, upcoming Star Wars game: Clone Wars Adventures. We'd heard the rumors, but confirmation sent us into pure fan-frenzy! This kid-friendly virtual world promises a free-to-play romp through the Clone Wars era, allowing players to jump into Star Wars minigames and join the storied heroes of the Republic in the fight against the Separatist armies. That's what we could dig up on the official site, anyway -- but don't you want to know more? Well, Star Wars fans, you're in luck, because we've landed a juicy interview with the Lead Designer of CWA, Matt Higby. Join us after the break as Matt graciously answers all our eager questions about purple lightsabers and parental tools, cartoons and cash shops, and why adult fans (not just kids) will want to check it out!
New Star Wars online game revealed: Clone Wars Adventures [Update]
While we've heard the rumors of a third Star Wars online title coming our way, today it's confirmed: Clone Wars Adventures will launch this fall! Unlike Star Wars Galaxies and Star Wars: The Old Republic, Clone Wars Adventures is aimed at a younger demographic (but may appeal to the older as well), in the vein of what SOE did with Free Realms. Sony is shying away from calling this an "MMO," preferring the term "virtual world" instead as there won't be leveling or quests. Capitalizing on the Clone Wars TV series' popularity, CWA offers a pick of three playable classes (Jedi, Padawan and Clone Trooper) and will be more minigame focused. Players will socialize in hubs, meet iconic Star Wars characters, and head off together or solo for a variety of activities, including spaceship battles, tower defense, card games, droid programming and speeder bike racing. Destructoid is reporting that about 20 minigames will be present at launch. Fun amenities, such as pets and player housing, will be offered as well. Clone Wars Adventures will be free to play with an optional membership, so everyone will be able to sample the goods without worry. The official website is chock-full of info and screenshots, although a lot of the smaller details are obviously forthcoming. We'll be able to get a closer look at this title when we travel to E3 later this month, so stay tuned! [Update: We've gotten our hands on a trailer for the game! Follow along after the break to check it out!]
Rumor: SOE to launch casual browser MMO for Clone Wars
We're chalking this one up as a rumor for now, but word has it that Sony Online Entertainment is developing another Star Wars MMO property, a casual browser game specifically based on the Clone Wars IP. The info comes from Ten Ton Hammer's Cody Bye, who writes: "Ten Ton Hammer has learned from an inside source that Sony Online Entertainment has once again partnered with LucasArts to do another Star Wars MMO. While we have not yet learned the title of the upcoming game, it sounds like SOE is planning to use the browser-based Free Realms engine to power the game, and the game's setting will be the Clone Wars." Massively has not heard anything yet to corroborate this as fact, but let's face it -- this was just too juicy to ignore. If we hear more on this while we're at PAX and Dragon*Con, we'll be sure to let you know. [Via Shacknews]
Not cloned screens of Clone Wars: Republic Heroes
LucasArts has released the first screens of The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes and we have them all for you to enjoy. The company has released screens for the Xbox 360 -- which we presume will be identical to the PS3 release -- Wii and DS versions, so pick your platform of choice from the galleries below and peruse. All of the versions look pretty decent, though we imagine the stylized look of the game helps in that regard.We've also embedded the release trailer above for those of you who couldn't be bothered to click the link in the announcement post last week.%Gallery-63184%
Rumor: Co-op Clone Wars game coming to Xbox 360, PS3
A rumor posted over at Destructoid points to a new Clone Wars game in the works for Xbox 360 and PS3. Titled Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes, the game is described as a third-person action title featuring two-player co-op, with separate "Jedi" and "Clone" storylines featuring Anakin Skywalker and Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano, respectively.The game's focus is supposedly on melee combat, with mention of some form of upgrades available throughout the game. Jedi characters will purportedly have some access to Force powers (gasp!), such as the ability to control droids (Dtoid's post mentions rolling Droideka).Krome Studios has had plenty of experience with the Star Wars franchise. The company handled porting Star Wars: The Force Unleashed to the Wii, PS2, and PSP, and was responsible for the Wii-exclusive Star Wars The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels. Let's hope the third time's the charm here.
Metareview - The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels
We were holding out hope that The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels would be a competent fighter, as we're a fan of the genre (as well as Star Wars). But, you know, the good Star Wars. Which, we suppose, this isn't, based on the reviews below. So, without further delay, let's get to it! GamePro (70/100) says this one is for the younger fans: "The shallow fighting system, the teenage snark and animation won't impress older fans of the series, but it's good fun for younger Jedis in training." GameSpy (60/100) is of the mind that this is a good prequel to the inevitable MotionPlus-enabled sequel: "Lightsaber Duels may not be exactly what fans were clamoring for when Nintendo unveiled the Wii's lightsaber-esque controllers, but it's still quite enjoyable. The single-player experience won't last you long, though, so you might not want to invest in the game unless you plan on playing with a buddy. If nothing else, it's a good sneak preview for the inevitable 1:1 sequel when the MotionPlus is released." Variety (50/100) thinks the game failed in the multiplayer: "The biggest potential for "Lightsaber Duels" lies in multiplayer -- which is also were the game is at it's worst. Fighting a friend in the same room is fun enough, but there are no options besides one-on-one combat until one person gets knocked down for the count. The lack of different competitive modes, as well as any options for online play, keeps "Lightsaber Duels" from becoming the awesome sci-fi fighting game it has the potential to be." %Gallery-27972%
Watch a lightsaber duel go down in Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Okay, we must admit that we're kind of surprised at the clip Entertainment Weekly has for the upcoming The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels game. It looks kind of decent, actually, with all of the stuff going on in the background and the lightsaber battle shown being kind of action-packed. Our first glimpse of the game looked nothing like this. There's some polish now, it would seem. Of course, it is based on that movie that supposedly wasn't very good, but if the gameplay is as fun as this clip would make it seem, we can overlook that. Maybe it doesn't need MotionPlus after all?We'd like to embed the video for you, but EW won't allow it. To see the clip, click here.%Gallery-27972%[Via Go Nintendo]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars gets box art, November 11th release date
Let's face it -- whenever a new Star Wars flick comes out, it's a massive deal. Granted, The Clone Wars didn't make nearly as big of a splash as any of the other non-animated versions, but true fanatics will likely be grappling for this one, regardless. We've just learned that said title will be making its Blu-ray debut day-and-date with the DVD release, and as expected, it'll be presented in 1080p with a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack. Also of note, "The Hologram Memory Challenge" and a "creative conversation" with those instrumental in making the film will appear as BD exclusive bonus features, and a Digital Copy will be included for those who care. Look for this one to crowd shelves on November 11th for $34.99 (MSRP).
Point/Counterpoint: Does Clone Wars need MotionPlus to succeed?
In this edition of Point/Counterpoint, we're tackling the issue of MotionPlus and Lucasarts' upcoming Star Wars game, The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels. Sure, there's a rumor of another game in the works that will utilize the tech, but nothing is confirmed yet. Does a Star Wars game need MotionPlus? Read on for the debate, then cast your vote in our poll. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } %Gallery-27972%
Rumor: A third Wii lightsaber game, with MotionPlus this time
We were a little puzzled when LucasArts introduced Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels before the release of The Force Unleashed on Wii, whose major selling point was ... an exclusive lightsaber duel mode. It seemed as if we were being told to disregard that first game that wasn't out yet, because the real thing was on the way. Well, if this rumor is true, get ready to disregard the second game as well.According to EGM's "Quartermann" gossip column, a grumbling LucasArts is returning to the drawing board for another Wii lightsaber game, this time designed for MotionPlus. This potential game is rumored to be out sometime next year. If this is real, LucasArts would be smart not to talk about it until they've sold at least one copy of the two existing lightsaber games.%Gallery-27972%
KotORO it ain't: There's a third Star Wars MMO out there
Star Wars Galaxies and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Online (or more likely, Star Wars: The Old Republic) apparently aren't the only two Star Wars MMOs out there. We didn't originally mention this because lacking the Star Wars bit it was under the radar of our normal coverage, but McDonald's is including keys to virtual worlds for kids in its Happy Meals.Among the worlds: a Sci-Fi environment based on the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, which hits theaters across the United States and the United Kingdom today. The environment is some kind of space station, and be there Yoda will. (You see what we did there?) So if you're really, really desperate to wander around a Star Wars-based virtual world other than SWG, well ... this is your chance, right? Yeah, okay, it's probably best to wait for KotoRO. We just thought you should know in case you're really hardcore.[Via Raph Koster]
LucasArts mad about MotionPlus?
Despite it being arguably the best thing to come from Nintendo's E3 line-up, everyone isn't happy about MotionPlus. At the top of the list of disgruntled folk is none other than LucasArts. Why? Well, according to a blurb from the latest issue of Game Informer, which was transcribed by a GAFfer (the one with the Arkham Asylum reveal), third parties weren't privy to the info before Nintendo's press conference (if they read us, they would have learned about it a day beforehand). That's old hat to us all, though.The problem is that LucasArts specifically took the time to craft The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels specifically for the Wii. See, everyone wants a 1:1 lightsaber game and it would've been a fantastic way to market the game. We guess that ship has sailed ...%Gallery-27972%[Via CVG]
Looks promising, Clone Wars does
In a galaxy ... right here actually, Lucasarts has a dedicated team working on the DS version of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Splitting development responsibilities in this way seems to be paying dividends -- both the Wii and DS editions, seen here in this Entertainment Weekly video, are looking accomplished.It helps, no doubt, that the games are based on the accompanying animated TV series. The stylized characters from the show may not keep every hardened Star Wars traditionalist happy, but they certainly translate well to the DS, as shown above. There's a brief glimpse of the stylus-driven lightsaber fights, and the developers discuss the importance of teamwork between fellow Jedi. Now all you need are the right styli.%Gallery-27862%
Clone Wars: 'the ultimate lightsaber dueling experience'
That's according to LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez. We imagine the Force Unleashed team's shoulders drooping a little in unison every time LucasArts undersells their game in favor of serving the larger Clone Wars multimedia hype machine.This Entertainment Weekly video interview with Rodriguez, Clone Wars TV series director Dave Filoni and George Lucas, as well as members of both the DS and Wii dev teams, features a little bit of excellent-looking footage of the Wii game. According to Krome's Robert Walsh, the Wii game is designed to allow players to replay experiences from the TV show. LucasArts' goal of a totally convergent game/show experience is cool, but it's kind of a shame that they're spreading those particular character designs across so many screens.%Gallery-27972%
E308: Check out screens from Lightsaber Duels
Never really watched The Clone Wars show, so obviously, the art style for the games is a little, uh, striking. Okay, let's be honest -- if you're not accustomed to it, it's ugly. But now that we're seeing some screens from the game, the look is starting to seem normal. Maybe even sort of okay. By next month, we'll probably be digging it. We're fickle.There's just one thing dampening the ol' enthusiasm, though. Now that we've seen the swordplay in Wii Sports Resort with Wii MotionPlus, it's hard to get excited about a pre-accessory game like this. We want lightsaber duels, and we were told first to look to The Force Unleashed, and then to Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- Lightsaber Duels. Look, it's even in the name. And yet, now it seems somewhat diminished by a dude slicing at a block of wood in a beach-themed mini-game collection.If nothing else, the two (or three) will make for great comparisons when they're all released. But somehow, we think we might not be alone in hoping, for once, for a delay.%Gallery-27972%
E308: Clone Wars: Small screens, long title
... and big ol' character art that actually makes this particular art style a little more endearing. Star Wars: The Clone Wars -- Jedi Alliance has been lying low; even the initial reveal of the (very long) title seemed so casual as to have been possibly accidental. Now, however, we've got a window into the title. albeit a very small one that offers but a glimpse. With the lure of lightsaber duels in the Wii version (conveniently subtitled Lightsaber Duels), the DS version will probably need to be something special. Let's hope the controls come through!%Gallery-27862%[Via press release]
First glimpse at Star Wars Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels
While most debut trailers are full of pre-rendered cutscenes and CG, we're glad to report that the first glimpse at Star Wars Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels actually has quite a bit of gameplay in it. And, based on what we saw, it looks like the action is going to be spot-on. The timing looks good and the speed of combat seems intense enough to warrant our attention. We're still not crazy about the game's look, though.What do you all think? Looking forward to taking out the Sith trash? Going to crush the Jedi order?[Via Joystiq]
See first trailer from Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels
The announcement of Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels had us hopeful that we'd finally get that immersive Wiimote-as-lightsaber game that we'd been hoping for since ... well, since we first saw the Wiimote. But now that we've gotten a look at the above trailer, it seems that our dream, once again, has flitted just out of our grasp.Sure, it looks nice, especially for a Wii game, what with all the fancy lightsaber effects and stylized character models. But it's just not the game we want. Here's hoping that the game will still scratch some itch, even if we don't know we have it yet.
DS Clone Wars project lead talks up the game
We don't have to tell you how promising upcoming Star Wars: The Clone Wars game is. Drop-in anytime wireless co-op play? Awesome! Stylus-driven gameplay akin to Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword? Awesome. We're excited.For the Padawans out there looking for more, know that the game's project lead, Feargus Carroll, recently spoke with IGN. He details the story, which has Count Dooku joining force with the Nightsisters, whom are described as "Sith Witches with Force powers and Lightsaber skills." They have nasty things planned for the Jedi and it's up to the player to stop them with the six available characters, which are Obi-Wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka Tano, Plo Koon and Kit Fisto.Feargus also talks a bit about the stylus-driven controls, stating that just about everything will be controlled with the stylus. Movement, attacks, Force powers and just about anything else you can imagine is utilized through the stylus. It sounds ambitious, but it's been pulled off once already.All in all, we're excited for Lucasarts' DS entry. What say you?
