During an era when Star Wars properties were few and far between, The Force Unleashed games arrived to shock everyone. Mixing hack-and-slash gameplay with cinematic storytelling, The Force Unleashed became a smash-hit and an instant classic. The sequel was not as well-received. Still, both titles are solid in their own right and rank among some of the better Star Wars games.

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But which is superior out of the two? Many would perhaps lean towards the original, but the sequel does improve on the first in several areas. To give a fair comparison between them, here is what each game does better than the other.

Updated April 21, 2022 By Ben Jessey: The quality of Star Wars games varies. Some are incredible, while plenty of them are average at best. The two Force Unleashed titles are certainly better than most. Both provide interesting characters, fun combat, and some impressive set-pieces.

In the original version of this article, we compared the two titles by pointing out some things they did better than one another. Yet, we felt the list wasn't exhaustive, and there were a few other things that could be added. So, we've now included them among the rest.

12 TFU: Length

The Force Unleashed Screenshot Of Starkiller With Red Lightsaber

The Force Unleashed signature brand of gameplay can get repetitive after several hours. Therefore, it's good that the original game isn't overly long, as it only takes around eight to eleven hours to beat. This gives you enough time to appreciate the game without growing tired of it.

You won't grow tired of the sequel, either, but you will be left wanting more. TFU2 is one of the shorter action games as it's only six or so hours long, and you could possibly beat it in less time if you're good at the game. It's certainly not long enough, as the adventure finishes just as the story is starting to get interesting.

11 TFU2: Endor DLC

The Force Unleashed 2 Screenshot Of Starkiller Picking Up Chewbacca

Both games include some downloadable content, but the second game's Ender DLC stands out. It takes place in a universe where Starkiller has truly embraced the dark side. This eviler protagonist travels to Endor, creating a unique sequence where you get to fight Ewoks.

You also have to deal with several main Star Wars heroes, such as Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia. The battle with the latter is particularly interesting. Some of the original game's DLCs also incorporate movie characters, but the overall missions aren't as exciting as this one.

10 TFU: More Puzzles To Solve

The Force Unleashed - Starkiller On Raxus Prime

While they aren't the hardest challenges ever, The Force Unleashed provides some variety through its puzzles. Many of them are of an environmental nature as you have to use your force powers to move or bend obstacles. There are also plenty of platforming puzzles where you make use of Starkiller's almost supernatural jumping abilities.

They're not much, but it keeps the lightsaber combat from becoming dull. As a plus, a lot of the puzzles are actually fun to solve.

9 TFU2: The Game Is Gorgeous To Look At

The Force Unleashed II - Vader Speaking With Starkiller

Even more than ten years later, The Force Unleashed 2 features some beautiful graphics for the Xbox 360 era. Every level, cutscene, and cinematic is exquisitely animated. Even just Starkiller's movements feel much more fluid.

The Force Unleashed 2 also puts a heavy focus on the color blue and it gives the game a unique look. This is when Star Wars games started to rival the movies in terms of cinematic quality, and the sequel took that to the max.

8 TFU: Memorable Boss Fights

The Force Unleashed - Starkiller VS Darth Vader

Despite being a little over the top even for a Force-Wielder, Starkiller's fights against the many Jedi, Sith, and monsters of the galaxy are very fun. It is very clear that these games are meant to be the Star Wars equivalent to the classic God Of War games.

This is not a bad thing because at least the fights are memorable. Whereas The Force Unleashed 2 only features one memorable fight and that's the final boss encounter against Darth Vader.

7 TFU2: Levels Are Perfectly Designed

The Force Unleashed II - Starkiller Escaping Kamino

The Force Unleashed 2 improves upon its predecessor's level design. That's not to say the first game's levels are bad but there were spots that were clearly designed for gaming purposes. The sequel features a more organic level design.

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Levels always feel straight out of a Star Wars movie while providing platforming and combat challenges. It is just a shame that there are only four levels in the whole game.

6 TFU: Very Fun, Somewhat Challenging

The Force Unleashed - Starkiller Battling A Rancor

The sequel is very fun but it suffers from a problem: It's way too easy. Conversely, the first Force Unleashed features a greater challenge for the player. Starkiller, while being overpowered in many ways, is still able to be killed.

The enemies have much more variety when it comes to weaknesses thus making them harder. Whereas in The Force Unleashed 2, most enemies can be overwhelmed within seconds.

5 TFU2: Sam Witwer's Performance

The Force Unleashed II - Sam Witwer As Starkiller

Before he was Darth Maul, Sam Witwer shined as Galen Marek, AKA Starkiller. His performance was already great throughout the first game; however, since The Force Unleashed 2 is more of a personal story for the powerful Jedi character, Witwer's performance is even better.

From his soft-spoken banter with Kota and Juno to the roaring rage against Darth Vader, Witwer delivers a perfect performance. Between Starkiller, Palpatine, Darth Maul, and more, Witwer is the prime example of a Star Wars legend.

4 TFU: Better Supporting Cast

The Force Unleashed - The Rogue Shadow Crew

The Force Unleashed features a surprising amount of memorable characters. Rahm Kota is a refreshing Jedi, Juno is a great pilot, and Proxy remains one of the best droids in Star Wars games. Add in Bail Organa and Darth Vader, and The Force Unleashed features one of the best casts.

Most of these characters all return in the sequel but The Force Unleashed 2 is more about Starkiller than anything or anyone else.

3 TFU2: Better Customization

The Force Unleashed II - Multicolored Lightsabers

Good customization in Star Wars games is rare. Even Jedi: Fallen Order only excelled in lightsaber customization. The Force Unleashed games weren't exactly the best in this area either, mostly just providing some neat extra skins for Starkiller with the option to change the color of the lightsaber blade.

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The Force Unleashed 2 changed things only slightly by adding the ability to change the color of each blade. One could be blue and the other red, with each crystal providing different effects. It's not much, but it's something to help change things up.

2 TFU: Superior Story

The Force Unleashed - Starkiller Pulling Down A Star Destroyer

In the first Force Unleashed, Starkiller travels around the galaxy while hunting the few remaining Jedis. He does so under the orders of his master Darth Vader. Yet, scattered Jedi aren't their only targets. The duo also have desires to overthrow the Emperor once the apprentice is strong enough.

It makes for a well-paced interactive Star Wars story with strong character arcs, even if the way it attempts to tie into the canon is a little ridiculous at times. The second game's story doesn't hold up as it's basically just a rescue mission and not a particularly interesting one.

1 TFU2: Perfect Combat

The Force Unleashed II - Lightsaber Combat

If there is one thing to play both games for, it's the evolution of the gameplay. The first game's combat is great, but The Force Unleashed 2 has some of the most satisfying Jedi and Sith combat in gaming history.

The sequel's refined lightsaber combat and even more powerful Force abilities are jaw-dropping. Sure, Starkiller might be overpowered but the hack-and-slash nature of the second game can turn any frown upside down. This is especially the case in the final fight against Darth Vader.

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