Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action!

58%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,923 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action! Game Cover
Problems abound in The Force Unleashed 2- it should have been a great game by all means, but it ended up being an absolute mess. Stay away from this one.
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"Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action" is a fast-paced, hardcore aerial beat 'em up game where you play as Ace Wilder, determined to defeat your brother Rex in a tournament full of colluding opponents. Utilize a wide range of offensive and defensive skills, and harness the power of your Wild Meter to increase attack damage and intensity. With smooth frame-by-frame animation, fully voiced characters, and a jammin' soundtrack, team up with friends in local co-op play for an unforgettable experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Nintendo Ds
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

58%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,923 reviews
story391 positive mentions
stability209 negative mentions
  • Improved combat mechanics and smoother gameplay compared to the first game.
  • Visually stunning with great graphics for its time, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Engaging power fantasy that allows players to unleash devastating Force powers and lightsaber combat.
  • Frequent crashes and bugs make the game frustrating and often unplayable on PC.
  • Very short campaign, taking only about 4-6 hours to complete, which feels underwhelming for a full-priced game.
  • Lack of DLC content and a weak story that fails to build on the narrative of the first game.
  • story1,554 mentions

    The story of "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its brevity and lack of depth compared to its predecessor. While some appreciate the continuation of Starkiller's journey and the engaging action, others criticize the plot as shallow, repetitive, and poorly executed, often feeling like an expansion rather than a standalone sequel. Overall, the narrative is seen as a significant step down, lacking the emotional weight and complexity that made the first game memorable.

    • “The narrative builds upon the original Force Unleashed storyline, exploring Starkiller's internal conflict and his quest for redemption amidst the chaos of the Galactic Civil War.”
    • “With its immersive storyline, intense combat, and expanded force abilities, The Force Unleashed II delivers an epic experience that immerses fans and newcomers alike in the power of the Force.”
    • “The story is entertaining enough and the gameplay, though more repetitive than the first, is much more refined.”
    • “The story is short, just plain bad, and it works poorly as a sequel as it undermines the ending of the first game.”
    • “The story is genuinely the worst I've seen in a video game, maybe even worse than the Fear or Condemned series.”
    • “The story is a shell of the first game.”
  • gameplay785 mentions

    The gameplay of "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II" is generally seen as an improvement over its predecessor, featuring smoother mechanics, enhanced lightsaber combat, and more fluid controls. However, many players criticize the game for its repetitive nature, lack of variety in environments and enemies, and a short campaign that can be completed in around four to six hours. While the game offers enjoyable moments and impressive graphics, technical issues such as crashes and bugs detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about its value compared to the first game.

    • “The gameplay is absolutely stunning and it's also a huge upgrade from the first game.”
    • “The gameplay feels much better than the first one, with Starkiller being able to wield two lightsabers instead of one, and he also has access to more force powers than he did in the first game.”
    • “The gameplay is much tighter, with better controls and a much more useful set of abilities and combos.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, the plot is non-existent, and the levels are dull.”
    • “The gameplay follows the same standard as the original; combat sections and the occasional force puzzle with some platforming.”
    • “The gameplay is very average, even for 2010.”
  • graphics497 mentions

    The graphics in "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II" are generally praised for their significant improvement over the first game, showcasing impressive visuals and detailed environments that hold up well for a title released in 2010. However, many players report technical issues, including graphical glitches, crashes, and a frustrating lack of customization options, which detract from the overall experience. While the game features beautiful cutscenes and enhanced lighting effects, the performance on PC, particularly with the port's limitations, has led to mixed reviews regarding its graphical fidelity.

    • “The graphics are extremely detailed and crystal clear!”
    • “The graphics look amazing compared to the first game, and the cutscenes look great.”
    • “The graphics and physics in the game are so much better this time around and the level designs are greatly improved.”
    • “This game crashes on every death, and the graphics are atrocious!”
    • “The graphics are sadly very drab too; the low-quality textures and poor quality models ruin the game’s aesthetic.”
    • “Capped 30fps, non-stop crashing, screen tearing, graphical glitches everywhere.”
  • stability213 mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players have experienced game-breaking bugs that prevent progression, while others note that the game often fails to launch or freezes during gameplay. Despite some acknowledging improvements over the first installment, the consensus remains that the game is a buggy and poorly optimized port, making it difficult to recommend.

    • “In comparison, the first part had 15-20 hours for the same price and all versions were bug free.”
    • “The game itself runs fine, great even, with no glitches or anything, so a refund will probably be out of the question.”
    • “I would recommend this if the game wasn't an unstable buggy mess.”
    • “The majority of the time I've spent on this game has been troubleshooting - with no positive outcomes so far.”
    • “This game is a steaming buggy unoptimized mess.”
  • optimization69 mentions

    The optimization of "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II" on PC has been widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues, including frequent crashes, stuttering, and low frame rates, often rendering the game nearly unplayable. Many players noted that the port appears to be rushed and poorly adapted from console versions, leading to a frustrating experience even on high-end systems. Despite some enjoyment of the gameplay and story, the overwhelming consensus is that the game's optimization is a significant drawback.

    • “While the game is a great addition to Star Wars lore, it is horribly optimized for PC/Steam and requires workarounds for what seem like easy fixes.”
    • “Presently, I decided to purchase on PC and all I can say is the gameplay is still as good as I remember; however, performance is severely lacking. I have a pretty beefy rig, but from the research I have done and from all the other multiple comments about the same topic, it's easy to say that the optimization of this port is pretty poor.”
    • “Unfortunately, The Force Unleashed II is horribly optimized for PC (specifically Windows 10), as it is virtually unplayable.”
    • “This port is horrible, constant crashes, constant audio bugs, horrible optimization.”
    • “Unfortunately, the Force Unleashed II is horribly optimized for PC (specifically Windows 10), as it is virtually unplayable.”
    • “This game has a ridiculous amount of game-breaking glitches and performance issues on even high-end systems.”
  • replayability66 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many players noting its short length and repetitive gameplay as significant drawbacks. While a few mention some replay value through different difficulty settings or collectible challenges, the consensus leans towards a lack of substantial content to encourage multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers express disappointment compared to the original game, highlighting that it feels more like a one-time experience rather than one worth revisiting.

    • “Extremely fun game with a decent amount of replayability, one of my childhood favorites.”
    • “Put it on your wishlist, watch for a sale if you're worried, there's a decent amount of replayability and the difficulty can be whatever you make of it.”
    • “At least there are 4 different difficulty settings and 2 possible endings, which gives you a bit of replay value and outside of the campaign there is a shortly entertaining challenge mode.”
    • “There's no replayability unless you're a hardcore completionist, but as far as I know this game doesn't even have Steam achievements.”
    • “The game is super short and repetitive after a while, so it really doesn't have much replay value.”
    • “This game has zero replayability; yes, you can get all the kyber crystals and that's it.”
  • grinding53 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, often describing boss fights and enemy encounters as long, monotonous, and lacking in excitement. Many reviews highlight the need for significant time investment to progress, with some suggesting that the gameplay feels drawn out and forgettable despite its short length. The combination of tedious mechanics, repetitive level design, and uninspired boss battles contributes to a frustrating experience for many players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “It is both tedious and easily forgettable.”
    • “The boss fights in this game aren't fun, just tedious.”
    • “The final battle against Vader was maybe the most tedious boss battle in history.”
  • music48 mentions

    The music in "The Force Unleashed II" is generally praised for its authentic Star Wars sound effects and iconic themes, with many reviewers noting the impressive sound design and solid voice acting that enhance the experience. While some tracks are recycled from the first game, the overall soundtrack is considered fitting and enjoyable, capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe. However, a few critics pointed out issues with music consistency and appropriateness during gameplay, leading to mixed feelings about its execution.

    • “The game's sound design is impressive, featuring iconic Star Wars sound effects, an epic musical score, and excellent voice acting that brings the characters to life.”
    • “The music is really amazing because we have John Williams' score from episodes 4, 5, and 6, and it was edited perfectly to fit the story.”
    • “Some of the most typical parts of the soundtrack of the classic Star Wars trilogy are part of this game and feel really fitting in every scene.”
    • “The controls feel bad, most of the music is recycled from the first game (and mostly misused - the most epic of battle themes reserved for something like a miniboss or boss can be used for just a few stormtroopers), and the game is exceedingly short in comparison to the first game or most other Star Wars games.”
    • “Not even the typical Star Wars feeling comes up, because the soundtrack was changed from the original sounds, making the music of this game only resemble a Star Wars piece.”
    • “You'll see what I mean when you hear the soundtrack and the fact that it doesn't sound like something from Star Wars at all.”
  • humor47 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as unintentional, stemming from poorly executed dialogue, amusing glitches, and absurd gameplay mechanics, such as characters behaving in comically illogical ways. Players find moments of levity in the game's short length and the ridiculousness of certain scenarios, like characters running around after losing their heads. Overall, while the humor may not be intentional, it adds a layer of entertainment that some players appreciate amidst the game's flaws.

    • “Sometimes you cut off a trooper's head and he runs around until he falls over, and it's funny as hell.”
    • “Although the story is really bad, and at points unintentionally funny, its narrative is so broad that turning your brain off is easy.”
    • “Mind trick makes troopers attack each other or jump to their deaths in a humorous way, lighting will overheat the jet of a trooper, resulting in him flying around without control to an explosive end.”
  • emotional19 mentions

    Reviews highlight a stark contrast in emotional engagement between older and newer Star Wars games, with many feeling that recent titles lack depth and character development, resulting in lifeless narratives. While some players find emotional resonance in the original games, particularly through character connections and dramatic moments, others criticize the current offerings for their clichéd storytelling and lack of genuine emotional investment. Overall, the emotional impact of the games varies significantly, with nostalgia playing a crucial role in how players connect with the narratives.

    • “It was a big part of my childhood, so replaying this game made me feel something that no modern game has been able to replicate, and that's saying something.”
    • “The narrative is richly developed, featuring compelling characters, dramatic twists, and emotional moments that keep players invested in Starkiller's journey.”
    • “It's immersive, emotional, and the action is great.”
    • “Boring hack and slash with a simple, unengaging story.”
    • “Bad features - boring story, very repetitive gameplay, no character development, forces you down one path, only 9 missions, very easy even on the hardest difficulty, and frustrating boss battles that are not challenging but just tedious and drawn out, spawning waves of enemies as filler when nothing is happening.”
  • character development19 mentions

    Overall, character development in the game is widely criticized, with many reviewers noting a lack of depth and meaningful progression for the characters. The protagonist, Starkiller, is described as having a simplistic arc focused primarily on a love interest, while other characters receive little to no development, leading to a flat and unengaging narrative. Despite some praise for character design, the consensus is that the game fails to deliver a compelling story or character growth, making it feel repetitive and tedious compared to its predecessor.

    • “As character development goes, Starkiller has an interesting and nonconventional character arc which I believe helped the overall story.”
    • “In particular, I really enjoyed the character design for Starkiller.”
    • “The voice actor and the character design is made by the same guy who voices Darth Maul; that's amazing.”
    • “Compared to the first one, it's just tedious and repetitive, and the whole plot is that he's less interested in helping people and more interested in reconnecting with the woman whose only character development in the original is that she didn't button her shirt all the way to the top.”
    • “The story is flat and there is absolutely no character development to be had by any of the four characters in it.”
    • “No real story arc or character development, with the only real other character in the game being General Kota from the first game.”
  • monetization14 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" that prioritizes microtransactions over gameplay quality. Reviewers express frustration over how these microtransactions significantly impact the gaming experience, detracting from the enjoyment and authenticity of the original series. Overall, the sentiment is that the game feels rushed and designed primarily for profit rather than player satisfaction.

    • “Microtransactions that do not interfere with gameplay.”
    • “Microtransactions that enhance the experience without being intrusive.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and does not pressure players to spend money.”
    • “This was just a cash grab.”
    • “It's pretty obvious that this game was only ever intended to be a cash grab sequel being sold on flashy gimmicks, to be later used as a platform to sell DLCs.”
    • “Everything about it feels rushed and like it was made as a cash grab.”
  • atmosphere13 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its strong connection to the Star Wars universe, featuring impressive visuals, sound design, and immersive environments that evoke the series' cinematic legacy. While some reviews note issues with repetitive gameplay and level design that detract from the overall experience, the art direction and ambient elements successfully capture the essence of Star Wars, making it a visually and audibly engaging experience.

    • “The familiar hum of lightsabers and the powerful force abilities resonate with the series' cinematic legacy, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “It has good art design, visual and audio are really great; the surroundings have atmosphere.”
    • “Although a relatively short game, the graphics in the game are still fantastic. The atmosphere of the Star Wars universe is captured really well with the storyline and the soundtrack. I really take my hat off to LucasArts for this game.”
    • “While the visuals have been improved immensely, it suffers from a sub-par atmosphere and repetitive level layout.”
    • “Twenty-minute struggle with a boss, doing the same sequence over and over... it ruined the game atmosphere.”
    • “Atmosphere - 1/5”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

58% average critic score

Buy Aces Wild: Manic Brawling Action!

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
5hMain story
12hCompletionist
4-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 51 analyzed playthroughs

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