Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D Preview

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

The latest game in the Lego Star Wars Video Game Series, Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D is based upon the currently running Clone Wars animated TV series, and features characters and missions from the television series as well as characters from the original Star Wars saga.

Scheduled to release as a launch title for the Nintendo 3DS, Clone Wars 3D is intended to serve as game that demonstrates the 3D capabilities of the new console, and it does a pretty good job in that respect, though players may find that they need to turn off the 3D feature if they play for extended periods of time due to its causing headaches and eye strain.

The regular versions of the games in the Lego Star Wars series support two player cooperative play, whereas with Clone Wars 3D that support exists in the form of the 2-Player wireless multi-player, which must be enabled in order to be used.

Game Play

The game begins with a cut scene that sets the tone for the adventure -- a rescue mission -- after which you are thrown directly into combat, where the familiar style of brick-smashing melee combat dominates.

Game play is similar to previous titles in the series, with the player able to switch between three characters and movement controls in the game use both the D-Pad and Circle-Pad, while combat is still a combination of button pressing.

There are some new features in the game, like the ability to climb walls using the light saber, special light saber moves, and a plethora of new weapons, along with activities like snowball fights and mini-games that are intended to highlight the 3D effects in the game.

The 3D display occupies the top screen, while the bottom touch screen doubles as both a guide screen and map display, with any game prompts also appearing on the bottom.

As with the previous games, completing levels and obtaining all of the optional collection items requires you to play through the level in story mode, and then repeat it in freeplay mode after you have unlocked all of the characters that are required to to access all areas of the level.

The reason that you need to have unlocked characters has to so with the fact that, as with previous games, each character has its strengths and weaknesses, while key characters have their own unique special abilities -- such as the two versions of the Force.

Clone Wars 3D is well-engineered, and the graphics engine is smooth and fluid, though we noticed that the colors are much brighter and the graphics crisper with the 3D effect turned off than with it on. Still, the game is really designed to be played in 3D mode, and we found that it added zip to the game, particularly when using the force to pull objects.

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D will release for the Nintendo 3DS on March 22nd, 2011.

Official Title: Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars 3D
Developing Studio: Traveller's Tales
Publisher: Traveller's Tales / LucasArts
Release Date: March 22nd, 2011
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
Genre: Action-Adventure / Platform
Ratings: E10+ (for Everyone 10 and Older)

Note: Versions of the game for PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PC and 3DS consoles are being created -- this preview applies only to the version for the Nintendo 3DS.