Zadzooks: Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars review

Superhero and cartoon characters are integral parts of the electronic entertainment industry. With this in mind, I salute the meld of pop-culture character and video game with a look at Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (from LucasArts and Traveller’s Tales, reviewed for PlayStation 3, rated E10+ for players 10 and older, $49.99).

The epic saga of the Skywalker clan once again comes to brick-building life courtesy of the Lego universe in this third-person extravaganza.

Adapting critical scenes from the third “Star Wars” film, “Attack of the Clones,” and episodes from the first two seasons of Cartoon Networks’ “The Clone Wars” animated series, the game features 32 story-based missions and 48 bonus levels to keep Padawans of all ages feeling the Force.

One or two players eventually can select from more than 100 Star Wars’ legends transformed into minifigures as they explore 16 star systems of the famed science fantasy franchise.

What’s the story? From the official website (www.legostarwars.com): With the Republic and Trade Federation at odds over the growing power each was wielding across the galaxy, Nute Gunray of the Trade Federation ordered a blockade of Naboo to gain leverage in political dealings.

This ill-advised move quickly backfired, and Senator Palpatine used the event to rise to power as the supreme chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Unknown to others in the Senate, the chancellor is also Darth Sidious, a powerful Sith Lord with a devious and evil plan for the galaxy.

With Chancellor Palpatine now playing both sides against each other, the Jedi Council and the Separatist army began combat in what would come to be known as the Clone Wars.

Play the role: Players choose from a set group of characters during a mission or can go back and replay the level in “free play” mode where they pick from any minifigure that has been bought or unlocked.

They eventually will appreciate the moves of Jedi, Sith, Clone trooper and droid, including Anakin Skywalker, Padme Amidala, young Jango Fett, young and old Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jar Jar Binks, Captain Rex, Darth Maul, bounty hunter Cad Bane and even Han Solo.

Each offers a selection of cool moves, such as Ahsoka Tano (a star of the animated show) throwing a light saber and special Clone troopers using rocket launchers.

Jedi now can cut through blast doors with their light sabers and use the weapon to help climb walls.

Using a headquarters aboard massive starships engaged in battle (the Resolute versus Malevolence), players easily can access new missions set on planets ranging from the arid Geonosis and rocky Florrum to the colorful industrial metropolis on Christophsis.

Additionally, they can use elevators to explore the cruisers to find more surprises, even gaining access to the Separatist ship using purchased spacecraft.

Get to the action: Those familiar with the Lego Star Wars video game format already know that missions involve combat on the air and ground, solving environmental puzzles, destroying as much stuff as possible and collecting studs, gold bricks (130 to be precise, but who’s counting?), red bricks and minikits, which leads to unlocking extras and characters in the game.

A trio of new features adds to the nonstop action.

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