I want to be very clear: I liked the Clone Wars movie. I like the Clone Wars television show, the original animated Clone Wars show, the Clone Wars comics and the original Clone Wars game. I don't like everything with "Star Wars" in the name -- Star Wars: Bounty Hunter comes to mind -- but for the most part, I like Star Wars.

Which is why, when Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels arrived at Paul Semel's Videogame Emporium & Waffle Hut, I was excited. I was one of the many people who, upon seeing the Nintendo Wii in action for the first time, said to himself, "Wow, I can't wait until they make a lightsaber fighting game for that!"


Sadly, for some, this is not the lightsaber game you've been looking for. This isn't because it doesn't work well, but more because it's set in the Clone Wars era, and not during the time of the original three movies. In other words, it has Anakin, not Vader; a young Obi-Wan, not Old Ben; and middle-aged Yoda, not senior-citizen discount Yoda. If that's what you were hoping for, you might as well stop reading now. Go watch the original movies again; they're probably on Spike TV right now.


If you're like me, though, and you like the new 'toon, Lightsaber Duels is a slashing good romp.

The centerpiece of the game is the Campaign mode, which begins with an in-depth but quick tutorial in which Anakin shows you the ins and outs of attacking, blocking and dodging, as well as Force-ful attacks like tossing objects at your enemies in a much more intuitive way than in The Force Unleashed. Afterwards, the game plays out like the story mode in so many other 3-D fighting games -- you go from one lightsaber battle in a large arena to the next, each with multiple parts and cut scene respites that make them feel like the boss and mini-boss battles of other Star Wars games.


It helps that this isn't just about swinging around your Wii remote like an idiot. There are combo attacks, which you'll need to employ more and more as you face tougher enemies. There are also mini-game moments when your lightsabers lock together, or you try to anticipate your opponent's attack using the Force, or you try to match their attack. All of these keep Lightsaber Duels from being the Wii equivalent of a button-masher (controller-swinger? Wiimote-waggler?).

Completing the Campaign mode won't just give you a smug sense of satisfaction, though. Every battle you've won unlocks that fight in the Free Play mode, which lets you go back and replay them. Beating a battle in Campaign also unlocks that battle's warriors for the Challenge and Battle modes. In the former, you have to complete challenges of increasing difficulty -- such as winning by using a specific move, or beating your opponent within a certain timeframe -- with new clothing, different characters and other fun stuff being your reward. In the latter, you pick a character who then has to fight their way through numerous battles in hopes of becoming the best lightsaber fighter in the galaxy.


Beating characters in Campaign also unlocks them in multiplayer, the heart of this and all fighting games. Armed with all the abilities at your disposal in Campaign, you and a friend -- or better, you and your estranged bastard of a father -- can work out your aggressions without doing anything that will land you in family court. Just be mindful of your surroundings, young Padawan, or else you might accidentally break the lamp you just bought at Lamps Plus. Not that I did that or anything.

Admittedly, not all Jedi wannabes will enjoy this fight. As mentioned earlier, people who didn't like the Clone Wars movie or the new animated show won't be into this either, as they're closely connected. The Campaign mode sets things up with clips from the film -- and not only looks like the movie and has the same voice cast, but even features a battle between Anakin and Asajj Ventress that's based on a scene cut from the film.


But while it's stylistically similar, the game's visuals are decidedly rougher around the edges than those of the original 'toon. It also uses the show's music, and not the classic themes from the film (which would bother me more if the Wii were capable of true surround sound).

It's somewhat true that Lightsaber Duels doesn't really make you feel like you're swinging that lightsaber. It's not just because the Wii isn't as responsive as your Jedi powers -- the Wii remote isn't as long or as hefty-feeling as a lightsaber; doesn't glow green, red or purple; and won't cut and cauterize a wound if you accidentally hit your estranged son's wrist with it. Seriously.


Lightsaber Duels also suffers when compared to other fighting games -- especially the recent, impressive and Star Wars-charactered Soulcalibur IV -- for being comparatively superficial. There's no "Create Your Own Jedi" mode, no different weapons and no variety of multiplayer modes such as "Tag Team." It's also too bad there are no online modes, with voice chat so that you can make all kinds of bad Star Wars jokes.


Lightsaber Duels is a fun fighting game -- not as deep as Soulcalibur IV, but entertaining nonetheless. It's just decidedly meant for people who enjoy the Clone Wars movie and/or TV show. And I cannot stress that clearly enough.

This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.

Want more? Get the first hour in Kyle Orland's Games for Lunch: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Lightsaber Duels.