Star Wars: The Force Unleashed [X360]

Blackman gets a little more detailed. "In one mission, Vader has ordered you to do something that could potentially draw attention to yourself, and so you're given the order to wipe out all witnesses," he describes. "Everybody becomes an enemy. This allows us to create really exciting environments and lets you fight characters that you normally wouldn't if you were strictly an Imperial or a Rebel guy."

Force Unleashed's combat system focuses on using traditional powers from the movies and other games, like Force Push and Force Lightning, in combination with each other and with lightsaber moves. "We've never really seen this type of character before," says Blackman, whose Star Wars experience includes a sideline writing Jango Fett comic books for Dark Horse Publishing. "Vader was trained as Anakin, as a Jedi. He's incredibly powerful, but he also knows the ins and outs of the Dark Side. He's able to teach you his own unique manipulations of the Force -- and then you meet other characters that can teach you about the Force on your journey."

That journey will take you to locations familiar from the classic trilogy, the prequels, other Star Wars video games, and some that are entirely new. Blackman reels off some examples. "Kashyyk, the Wookie homeworld from Episode III. Felucia, the fungus world from Episode III. A junkyard world called Raxus Prime that's been in other Star Wars games. And then we've created some new locations that feel very Imperial, including a TIE Fighter construction facility where brand-new TIE Fighters are being built. You have to go on an adventure through that facility."

What about Episodes IV, V and VI? "We will be featuring recognizable locations from the classic trilogy. We just haven't announced them yet," stonewalls Blackman. With the game still nearly a year from its planned release timeframe, Blackman's keeping some cards close to his chest.

Although you play the apprentice of an evil character, like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the new Force Unleashed will allow you the freedom to make some decisions for yourself. "We wanted a strong storyline, but also the opportunity to make some key choices along the way," Blackman says. Among them will be the opportunity to redeem yourself, presumably at the end of the game.

Two new technologies headline Force Unleashed's impressive graphical credentials: Euphoria, a "biomechanical AI" system that provides on-screen characters with realistic reflex responses, and Digital Molecular Matter, which simulates the way different materials shatter and deform under impact and stress. Blackman's team is working with Lucas's celebrated special effects house, Industrial Light and Magic.