LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars Review

LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, developed by Traveller’s Tales and published by LucasArts, launched on the Nintendo Wii in 2011. This installment took the beloved LEGO Star Wars formula and injected it with the sprawling action and strategic elements of the animated Clone Wars series. This LEGO Star Wars III Wii review explores how it expanded the gameplay and delivered a fun, brick-built galactic conflict.

Gameplay: Grand Battles and Strategic Elements

LEGO Star Wars III on the Wii retained the core LEGO gameplay of smashing objects, collecting studs, and solving puzzles, but significantly expanded on it. The most notable addition was the introduction of large-scale ground battles, where players could command multiple units and build structures to gain tactical advantages, bringing a new layer of strategy to the series. These sections felt like mini-RTS games within the action-adventure framework.

Players control a vast roster of characters from the Clone Wars era, including Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and various Clone Troopers and Separatist droids. Each character possesses unique abilities crucial for progression and unlocking secrets. The seamless drop-in/drop-out two-player local co-op remains a highlight, making it a perfect family-friendly multiplayer experience. The Wii’s motion controls were utilized for specific Force powers and lightsaber combat, generally feeling intuitive and adding to the immersion.

• Introduction of large-scale ground battles with strategic elements
• Vast roster of Clone Wars characters with unique abilities
• Seamless 2-player local co-op multiplayer
• Classic LEGO smashing, building, and puzzle-solving
• Intuitive Wii motion controls for lightsaber and Force powers

Story and Setting: The Animated Series in Brick Form

The narrative of LEGO Star Wars III directly adapts key storylines and characters from the first two seasons of The Clone Wars animated series. It covers major conflicts between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists, featuring epic battles and character-driven moments.

The game is packed with the signature silent slapstick humor that Traveller’s Tales is known for, providing hilarious interpretations of dramatic moments from the show. The main hub world, the Republic Cruiser Resolute (or a Separatist Dreadnought), allows players to explore, unlock characters, and launch missions to various iconic planets from the series.

Graphics and Sound: Vibrant and Authentic

On the Nintendo Wii, LEGO Star Wars III presented a vibrant and faithful recreation of the animated series’ aesthetic in LEGO form. The character models are distinct, and the environments are colorful and detailed, capturing the look and feel of the Clone Wars. The game runs smoothly, with impressive visual effects for lightsaber clashes and explosions.

The sound design is excellent, featuring faithful renditions of John Williams’ iconic Star Wars music and the distinct sound effects from the animated series. While the game primarily uses mumbles and grunts, key cutscenes feature voice acting, enhancing the narrative.

Replayability and Content: A Galaxy to Explore

LEGO Star Wars III offers a substantial amount of replayability. Beyond the main story levels, players can revisit stages in Free Play mode to uncover hidden areas and collect every minikit, Red Brick, and character token. The large hub world is filled with side quests, challenges, and unlockables, ensuring dozens of hours of content for completionists.

Is LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars on Wii Worth Playing Today?

Absolutely. LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars on Wii is a fantastic action-adventure game, especially for fans of the animated series and LEGO games. Its expanded gameplay, strategic elements, and signature humor make it a highly enjoyable and replayable experience. It’s a solid classic Wii game that offers a unique and engaging way to experience the Clone Wars saga with friends and family.