If you’re dreaming of re-creating the adventures of Ahsoka Tano, you’re probably about 10 and probably will enjoy "Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes."
The T-rated game — developed by Krome Studios for LucasArts — is based on the animated series that’s in its second season on stateside TV. It features such famous Jedi as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, but it also includes characters familiar from the children’s TV series, such as the sprightly Ahsoka.
The game is designed to accommodate two players and can be a lot of fun if you play with a partner. You play as a variety of Jedi and clone troopers on the trail of yet another plot by the Separatists to undermine the Republic. You spend most of your time blasting Separatist droids. As a Jedi, you use a light saber and a few Jedi powers. You can even hijack droids to turn them against your foes. When playing as a clone, you wield some pretty impressive energy rifles and grenades.
Game play will all seem very familiar to anyone who’s played the "Lego Star Wars" games. The same-screen co-op is practically identical. There’s quite a bit of platforming and puzzle-solving. You run around picking up glowing orbs (instead of Lego studs) that you can trade for upgrades. If you fall from a ledge, you quickly reappear at a nearby spawn point without having to restart the level.
Unfortunately, "Republic Heroes" lacks the oddball humor and whimsy that make the Lego games so fun. In addition, it brings back some of the snags of the Lego games — imprecise controls and bad perspectives that frequently send you to your death.
Finally, the "Republic Heroes" characters and story line just don’t sparkle like those in the movies or some other "Star Wars" games. Kids — and adults — who are fans of the series are likely to look beyond that, but most others are likely to decide the Force is not strong with this one.
Platforms: Xbox 360 (tested), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, PC
On the Web: www.lucasarts.com/games/theclonewars_republicheroes/
