The Hardcore Apprentice

Published October 9, 2008

Star Wars™: The Force Unleashed represents a tantalizing prospect for the hardcore gamer. The game's 1,000 Gamerscore appears within reach of anyone ready to bring a healthy helping of skill and dedication to the table. That, and the Apprentice's wrathful approach to Dark Side mayhem is just oh so satisfying.

Can you handle Sith Master?

If you think you can just swagger through The Force Unleashed unmatched by enemy or puzzle, allow me to suggest a few hardcore alternatives for your playthrough, as well as a tip or two on how to survive the Hardcore way.

Sith Lord Second Ending
Whether you indulge your fury or find redemption at the end of Force Unleashed, you will have unlocked the Sith Master difficulty setting. If you consider yourself hardcore and you want to see that second ending, cowboy up and get busy playing all the way through Sith Master instead of just replaying the last level.

It's a whole other ballgame on this hardest difficulty setting, so whatever tricks of the trade you employed your first time through, be prepared to re-evaluate your plan of attack. Here are a few tips to help you through:

Want a challenge? Don't use Force Lightning.

• Back up: Even basic troopers pose a threat on Sith Lord, so try "pulling" groups of enemies back towards you and around a corner rather than charge them. Get close enough to catch their attention, throw an attack or two their way, and then hurry back around cover and wait. It might be slow, but it's safe.
• Block more: Judicious use of blocking with the Left Trigger isn't even terribly necessary on the Sith Lord setting, but on Sith Master you'll need to get real comfy with this technique. This is especially necessary for deflecting blaster bolts from a distance. Yes, you'll deflect some when not blocking, but a great deal more can be parried if you actively block.
• Counter time: Speaking of blocking, if you master the art of countering enemies, it allows you to switch from offense to defense seamlessly with a bit of free extra damage. It takes a little while to master the timing, but try pulling down Left Trigger just as an enemy's blow is about to land.
• Fight it out: When opposing factions are fighting it out, they will thin each other's ranks at least a little bit. This is nice on lesser difficulty settings, but it's downright necessary on Sith Master, so stay patient. Let each faction duke it out with the other while you stand back and enjoy the show.

Holocrons or Bust
The completionist impulse exists in nearly every hardcore gamer, so if you think you can move on to the next level after defeating the previous one, just ask yourself one question. Did you complete all the secondary mission objectives, including finding every Holocron? If not, toggle up that Mission Select screen and replay the level until you've found every last unlockable.

If you're having trouble tracking down Holocrons, use your mini-map to track down every side corridor, alcove, and room. Bash down every barrier you can with Force Push, and remember to think vertically. Always scout out the top of a room before you leave the area. Also, no Holocron location requires any amped up Force Powers to reach, so if you can see it, you can collect it.

Natural Achievements
Force Unleashed sports a number of kill-based achievements (such as Force Grip Mastery which requires 500 kills using Force Grip), but if you're playing the Hardcore way, you can only unlock these achievements naturally.

Hey! What did I just say?

This means there shall be no "reloading" checkpoints for easy Force Push kills or anything remotely similar. Rather, play the game to beat it and let the kill achievements fall where they may. If you miss out on one or two your first time through, pick them up when playing through on Sith Master.

AT-ST Alternatives
Whether it's an AT-ST or Rancor, the easy solution for quick victory involves heroic doses of lightning. Resist this temptation. If you want to feel real good about yourself, use your environment and lightsaber to defeat these enormous mini-bosses. Is it tougher? Undoubtedly, but oh my goodness, is it satisfying.

Instant Training Room
Anyone can strut into the Training Room after beating the game and maxing out their character to best the various tutorials and challenges in order to unlock the Sith Training and Sith Trials achievements. If you want to really prove your Dark Side skills, undertake these challenges the moment they become available, just when your powers are at their lowest ebb.

There's 1,000 Gamerscore waiting to be had in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, but there's just one question. Will you earn it the Hardcore way or take the casual gamer's path? Both may be legit, but only one is truly satisfying and Hardcore.

Article by Hardcore