Lego Star Wars II Mobile

Lego Star Wars II Mobile
Cover art for Lego Star Wars II Mobile
Developer(s)	Universomo
Publisher(s)	THQ Wireless
Series	Lego Star Wars
Platform(s)	J2ME
Release date(s)	WW: 19 December 2006
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Lego Star Wars II Mobile is a mobile phone adaptation of Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, released on 19 December 2006. It was developed by Universomo and published by THQ. Several gameplay features—such as two-dimensional graphics, limited character selection, and coverage only of the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope—distinguish this version of the game from the versions for other platforms.

Gameplay

A screenshot of one of the game's levels.

Lego Star Wars II is based on the console, handheld, and PC game of the same name. However, several gameplay differences exist due to the translation to the mobile phone format. The game is rendered in two dimensions as opposed to the versions for other platforms which are rendered in three dimensions.^[1] As opposed to the large cast of playable characters of the versions for other platforms, this version's only playable characters are Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and R2-D2, and the player cannot pilot vehicles. The game features 18 levels, based exclusively on the film A New Hope; the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi are omitted.^[2]

Lego Star Wars II is an action-adventure game whose gameplay consists primarily of shooting enemy Stormtroopers and ensuring that all teammates reach the end of each level. Teammates are often stranded from each other; pushing blocks and operating consoles allows the team to be reunited, adding an element of puzzle gameplay. The object of the game is to escape the Death Star. The player initially controls Luke, who is armed with a blaster. The player soon rescues R2-D2, and later Leia, and can switch between the three at will. Once Leia is rescued, Luke gives her his blaster; pushing blocks, shooting, and operating consoles are handled by Luke, Leia, and R2-D2 respectively.^[2]

Development and release

The versions for other platforms were developed by the Cheshire, England, video game developer Traveller's Tales, and published by LucasArts and TT Games.^[3] However, this version was developed by the Finnish video game developer Universomo, and published by THQ. THQ formed an alliance with TT Games to distribute the game.^[4] The game was released on 19 December 2006, later than the versions for other platforms.^[1]

Reception

The game has a GameRankings score of 65%.^[5] IGN staff writer Levi Buchanan gave the game a 6.5 out of 10, calling it "a decent little adventure with some good puzzle play but decidedly boring action elements" and also criticizing its non-"LEGO-y" aesthetic.^[1] Pocket Gamer's Rob Hearn gave an overall positive review, although he criticized the "primitive" combat system and the possibility of rendering a level unwinnable by blocking an exit.^[2]

References