You ever have a really fun idea for something, and then have a really busy Sunday and forget to write a blog post and have to put off your cool and relevant idea for the next week, which makes it slightly less relevant?
Yeah, that’s always a sucky situation. But it’s definitely the situation I find myself in this week. Have you guys seen the new Rogue One trailer?! Well, I guess it’s not so “new” anymore, but it was when I had this idea, so bear with me! That trailer was so good! It built up so much hype for that film. I started to see more of the love for Star Wars mythology that director Gareth Edwards clearly has, as well as more of the genre elements that are going into making this basically a war movie set in the Star Wars universe. This got me thinking about all of the other incredible Star Wars-related media that has come out over the years, and added to the deep and every-growing mythology of the franchise. And yes, when Disney bought the rights most of what was considered ‘canon’ was thrown out. However, I feel like that just gives more value to the term “mythology” when referring to the Star Wars lore.
Let’s get boosting!
BOOST #1: CLONE WARS
This is not the six season CGI cartoon that explored the Clone Wars (although I do love that show); I am talking about the 2003 Clone Wars cartoon, one of the first forays into the major event that started in Attack of the Clones. Created by Genndy Tartakovsky, of Dexter’s Laboratory and Samurai Jack fame, this show explored the early conflicts in the war. Introducing fan favorite characters such as Asajj Ventress and the bounty hunter Durge, this show is also known for featuring the first appearance of a rather big Star Wars character: the fearsome droid warrior General Grievous. This show’s sleek animation, fast pacing, and awesome short episodes helps it leave it’s mark in the Star Wars mythos. You can find both seasons on DVD through Amazon!
BOOST #2: THE FORCE UNLEASHED
Taking place between episodes three and four, The Force Unleashed tells the story of Vader’s Secret Apprentice, a Force-user that Vader was training to overthrow the Emperor. This game is fast-paced, action-packed, and just plain fun. There are tons of different Force powers and lightsaber upgrades available that let you interact with the environments in incredible ways. I never realized how fun it would be to pick up a Stormtrooper and just slam him around into everything! The plot is really captivating, and the Secret Apprentice plays a part in some major Star Wars events., basically helping to shape the world for the Original Trilogy. The game was released on Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, and others, and can still be found on Amazon (Affiliate Link) or at your local used-game store!
BOOST #3: KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC
Oh boy. Here it is, my absolute favorite Star Wars video game of all time! Knights of the Old Republic is an RPG set in the Old Republic, a time long before the events of Episode I. In it, you take on the role of an amnesiac Republic soldier, who gets swept up in a mission to recover maps that lead to an ancient Sith superweapon known as the Star Forge. The game offers several different classes to play as, each with their own specializations and abilities. As you progress, the player unlocks the ability to learn Force powers, adding a whole new lair of strategy. The story of this game is incredible, taking you to classic locales such as Tatooine, as well as previously unexplored planets such as Manaan. This game introduced a particularly enduring fan-favorite character in the form of Darth Revan, a fallen Jedi who led the Sith army after the Mandolorian Wars. This game goes extremely in-depth with some of the lore, making it a must for hardcore Star Wars fans! I own the game for original Xbox, though I know it is also available for PC and even a port to mobile devices! You can find physical copies of the game on Amazon, or at your friendly local (used) game store!
Well, there you have it. Some of my personal picks for Expanded Universe Star Wars media. There is tons more out there, and just because most of it doesn’t count as canon anymore doesn’t mean it should be ignored!
Now, on to waiting for Rogue One to come out. Seriously, that new trailer is great.
Leave a Reply