I
grew up on Star Wars. One of my first—and still best—birthday pres-
ents was the classic Kenner Millennium Falcon, along with a handful of
action figures. I watched and rewatched the CBS broadcast of Star Wars
so many times that I still remember when the commercial breaks started.
The Lego Star Wars games bring me back to that joyous time of my youth.
I was an instant fan of the original Lego Star Wars’ clever combina-
tion of the respective eponymous franchises. And like its predecessor,
Lego Star Wars II offers up another entertaining Lego-centric take on the
events of the Star Wars movies. It’s enjoyable for both adult and child—at
the same time, even, thanks to its kick-ass co-op mode.
All the classic Star Wars settings are in the game, from the Mos
Eisley cantina to the second Death Star, but everything’s treated with
a little more irreverence than is usual in Star Wars games. Whether it’s
the look of shock on Greedo’s face when Han shoots first or the fact that
Chewbacca’s melee attack physically rips the Lego arms off his opponent,
I feel an almost absurd glee when I play this game.
Game-wise, LSWII is virtually identical to the first version. You
can jump back and forth between the various episodes, but within each
episode you need to complete the missions sequentially. You start most
missions with two characters, chosen for you, then gain and lose party
members as the mission progresses. After you complete each mission,
you can go back with any two characters you’ve unlocked to complete the
level 100 percent. Multiplayer consists of same-screen co-op.I have only two complaints: The game’s five-hour duration is too
short, and it requires a gamepad—it just doesn’t play well with a key-
board and mouse. The good news is that it works flawlessly with
the kick-ass Xbox 360 control-
ler for Windows.
—Will SmithLego Star Wars II
Franchise-whoring squared—but it’s still fun
W
hen nuclear deterrence goes horribly wrong in Defcon, make sure
you’re the first to strike. This new strategy game from the makers of
the brilliant Darwinia delivers mutually assured destruction in a stylish and
easy-to-learn package.
The path to plummeting populations is a straightforward progression
through five timed Defcon phases. Taking control of one of six territory plots
on a real-world map, you begin the game by distributing your military assets
across your lands. Missile silos make up the brunt of your arsenal, as they both
launch the game-ending nukes and also act as defense turrets. Airfields house
recon fighters and bombers that also drop “little boys” and “fat men,” while
naval fleets are groups of submarines, carriers, and battleships that strike from
the sea. Placement is all-important in Defcon, as you spend the rest of the
game uncovering your opponent’s deployments.
With each progressing phase, more military offensive capabilities are
unlocked and the bodies start piling. Newbies who only play defensively will
be wiped out by surgical strikes targeting their radar and defenses, but over-
aggressive players will find their arsenals depleted when the big one hits. The
genius in the gameplay lies in scheming with other players in the IRC-based
chat channels and then breaking truces to end up king of the hill.
Standard diplomacy rounds are quick and satisfying to play, though
cubicle strategists will definitely prefer the office mode. These marathon games
run in the system tray while you’re hard at work, alerting you when the action
heats up. This is also the first game we’ve seen in recent memory with a “boss
key” that quickly minimizes the game to hide your activities.Even if you eventually tire of the limited gameplay options, Defcon shines
in its standout visuals. Striking in its simplicity, the glowing nation outlines and
wireframe units are clearly a nod to the movie WarGames. Aspiring nuclear
tacticians take note: Mass destruction is easier to swallow when rendered in
bright neon colors.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to buy Defcon is its rock-bottom
price of 15 dollars. And although we didn’t find the deepest strategy experience
here, the game’s novel take on global annihilation certainly resonates
with us. It’s artistic gaming
that’s worth playing.
—NormaN ChaNDefcon
The little nuclear arsenal that could
2 MAXIMUMPC december 2006
reviewsTes Ted. Reviewed. veRdic Tized
in Lego Star Wars II your enemies don’t die, they just go to
pieces!“You sunk my battleship!” never tires as a defiant war cry. 8
defcon
$15, http://www.everybody-dies.com,
ESRB: NRlego star wars ii
$30, http://www.lucasarts.com/,
ESRB: E9
MAXIMUMPC
KICKASS