Lego Star Wars

Since I don't get to play video games like I used to, I was able to "nerd out" on this one while Erin was at a friends place. The following is a description of it so some of you probably won't want to spend the time reading about a video game (although it would make for a great Christmas present).

Lego Star Wars is one of the most enjoyable and creative game I've ever played. It's easy enough so that you don't get too frustrated but has enough "extras" to keep seasoned gamers entertained. It's Episode's I, II, and III in the Star Wars world set as Lego's. Even the characters are the lego versions.

The main location is the diner from Episode II. There you can purchase "extras", tips, and other Star Wars characters. From the diner you will choose which Episode/movie you want to play. You can also head out to the parking garage and see vehicles you have collected through the various stages. Once you have unlocked all of the secrets, you can play one level of the original Star Wars movie (Episode IV) and play as a Stormtrooper, Princess Leia, and best of all, Darth Vader!

One of the most enjoyable parts of the game is after you have completed a level, you can go back in "free play" and choose any two of the characters you have unlocked. My favorite is going through the levels as Darth Vader and Darth Maul. (A great team-up for fellow Star Wars nerds.) You can also go to the parking garage outside of the diner and start a lightsaber battle between fellow Jedi and Sith.

All in all, it's a great game for any age. It's clean (unlike a lot of video games out there now) and extremely fun. Two players can play at the same time which would also add to the enjoyment of it. The game is available on the Playstation 2, X-Box, GameBoy Advance, PC, and Mac. It would make a great Christmas present!

—b