For those of you unfamiliar with the Xbox version of Clone Wars, which debuted on the PS2 and GameCube, the game thrusts players into multiple vehicles from the recent two films to engage in vehicular combat during the wars that occur during and after the end of Episode II. Where the Xbox version differs, though, is in the inclusion of online multiplayer via Xbox Live. Between this addition and several other upgrades, the Xbox version is the definitive Clone Wars experience.

Imagine if you will playing MechAssault, only now Obi-Wan, Anakin or Mace Windu is in the driver’s seat and can use the Force to unleash occasional super attacks. Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? Well, that’s exactly what you get with Clone Wars, all wrapped up in a Star Wars-themed package.

As in MechAssault, Clone Wars features multiple vehicles to take into the massive battles, although your choice of vehicle is determined for you prior to beginning a level. The craft at your disposal are all faithful translations of the vehicles from Episodes I and II: the khaki-colored hovertanks of Naboo fame, the AT-ST precursor walkers shown briefly in Episode II, the flying transports in which Yoda and the clone troopers flew to the front lines, and several other ground-based Separatist craft. Also similar to Microsoft’s Live-enabled title, you’ll occasionally leave your vehicle to make your way through parts of a level, only in this case, you’ll be equipped with a saber and Force powers, meaning that these brief (and only somewhat engaging) interludes actually do serve a purpose other than watching other combatants duke it out online.

The presence of these movie-based vehicles and character-driven interludes is a nice throwback to the films, but it also complements what seems to be the game’s purpose as a bridge between the stories of Episodes II and III. Having played my fair share of Star Wars games, I breathed a sigh of relief after discovering a few levels into Clone Wars that this game is most definitely not a cheap movie tie-in. Rather than the Episode I-based game (titled, cleverly enough, Episode I), which took players directly through the movie’s plot, Clone Wars defies its namesake and expands considerably on the events between the second and third films. Although the first few levels revolve around the end of Episode II, the remainder of the game unveils the Separatists’ plot to harness a powerful weapon known as the Reaper in order to take control of the galaxy. Anakin is up to his usual teeny-bopper hijinks, as any young Padawan is wont to do, and by the end of the game, you’ll start to see how Episodes II and III might be tied together.

I don’t want to reveal any more of the plot for fear of spoiling your experience, but I can happily discuss the non-stop action you’ll encounter along the way. Clone Wars, like Battle Engine Aquila, has massive battles on a scale not often seen outside of a movie theater. Dozens of vehicles will attack you simultaneously, each firing missiles and lasers in your direction. Clone troopers and gun turrets will unload from a distance, and flying vehicles will dive bomb you from all directions. Don’t be surprised if you lose a vehicle on more than one occasion because you were caught up watching the action.

Fortunately, the game uses checkpoints on a regular basis, which is nice given that the massive levels are divided into multiple sub-levels, each with a different set of primary and bonus objectives. If the developers had made you complete an entire world’s worth of objectives with just one life, you’d probably have ended up pulling out enough hair to start looking like Mace Windu. The action is just too frantic, and the enemies are too numerous. As it is, it’s a good balance between punishment and progress.

Similar to the Star Wars: Starfighter games, you’re also able to command a squad of one to three companions in the game’s later stages. The commands at your disposal, which you’ll activate using the D-pad, are attack, defend, break or regroup, and making wise use of your "wingmen" can mean the difference between completing a mission or restarting from your last checkpoint. It can also be nice just to boss Anakin around when he starts throwing a Force-induced tantrum.

The vehicular combat is really quite similar to MechAssault, with easy-to-grasp controls and slight weapon and handling differences among the vehicles. Unfortunately, Clone Wars is also similar in the brevity of its single-player campaign. Clone Wars includes 16 missions on six different worlds, and most gamers will be able to complete the single-player game in a day or two. Clone Wars does have difficulty options, so you’re able to increase the settings and extend its length, but there’s really not much incentive to do so aside from the sheer challenge, because all the bonus objectives and unlockable items remain the same from setting to setting.

You’ll also find that as you increase the difficulty, not only do enemies require more hits to destroy, but they’ll pop up from the middle of nowhere. It’s not a graphics issue, though; it’s a gameplay one. To keep the action as frantic as it is, LucasArts needed to "spawn" enough enemies to drive you mad. I’m up for a challenge, but the popup is annoying. I can recall several levels where I was escorting a transport and went ahead to clear all the enemies in the valley, only to have six more literally appear in front of me the minute I returned to the caravan. In other words: don’t bother clearing an area in advance, because it’s never truly "clear."

Single-player snafus aside, the multiplayer modes are a blast and at least as fun as those in MechAssault. And no, that’s not the Star Wars fan in me talking. For starters, you can play the multiplayer modes on a single Xbox using four-player split screen or on two Xboxes via System Link and support up to eight combatants. There’s not a co-op mode in Clone Wars, but the versus modes include Duel (a deathmatch mode), Control Zone (a king-of-the-hill mode) Conquest (a team-based mode in which capturing the other team’s outpost lets you build AI-controlled units that you can control) and Jedi Academy (a cooperative mode that gamers play cooperatively to defeat waves of enemies in an arena). All of these modes are available online, and not one of them is a stinker. Conquest is particularly fun when discussing battlefield tactics in real time with your allies using the Communicator headset, and Jedi Academy is a fast way to build up your friends list. You might have problems finding a consistently smooth game, though, which often leads to some significant lag and frustrating connection-induced enemy "teleporting."

Any discussion about the graphics in Clone Wars pretty much has to begin with the scale of the battles. These wars are huge, plain and simple. With literally dozens of enemies on screen at once firing lasers, missiles and everything but the kitchen sink directly over your head, you’ll not only feel quite immersed in the Star Wars universe, but you’ll be amazed that this game never drops a frame.

The vehicles in the game are all modeled directly after the corresponding vehicles in the prequel films, so you won’t see anything surprising here. Their models are each animated very well, whether it’s the spinning wheels of the Separatist "hoola-hoop" vehicles or the precise movement of the AT-XT walkers, but their textures can feel somewhat mottled at times.

The environments, as mentioned in the gameplay section, are huge, and even though they’re divided into sub-levels, each division is equally expansive. The problem with this from a graphics standpoint is that with all that terrain to cover, the bump-mapping and high detail found in games of a smaller scale is pretty non-existent in the levels of Clone Wars. Also, although the levels seem wide open, there are definitely invisible walls, and in some cases the game will turn you right around to point you in the right direction.

From a character standpoint, although the third-person, out-of-vehicle scenarios are brief and only marginally enjoyable, the character models look fantastic. If only Obi-Wan for the Xbox, which had fabulous gameplay, had looked this good…. The FMV cutscenes between levels are also quite polished, probably among the best I’ve seen in any Star Wars-based game.

I’m a broken record on this one, but leave it to LucasArts to deliver in the sound department. The sound effects are obviously the same lasers and explosions you’ve grown accustomed to, as is the classic John Williams score, but the dynamic audio that changes with your scenario and the Dolby Digital 5.1 support are out in full Force. The voice acting is also surprisingly good; in some cases I wondered whether the actors had been hired for the game.

With such a brief, albeit fun, single-player campaign, nearly the entirety of Clone Wars’ replayability lies in the multiplayer aspects. Fans of unlockable items will definitely want to re-visit a level to complete its bonus objectives, but even then, the unlockable items are additions to the multiplayer options, so LucasArts obviously knew on its own where the game’s longevity lies.

There isn’t really a stinker among the multiplayer modes, and the online leader boards are a nice touch, as we’ve all found out with MechAssault. You’ll probably find yourself making good use of your friends list, as well, because so many gamers were playing online early on to win a free trip to E3 that there are some pros out there who’ll mop the floor with anyone who gets in their way. Let’s say it together: OptiMatch is your friend.

As a Star Wars fan, I’m extremely pleased with Clone Wars for Xbox, both for the nonstop action and the immersion in such an important series of events in the story’s timeline. As a gamer, I’m still pleased with Clone Wars, though I can say that the Xbox Live functionality is where it’s at.

Clone Wars has an entertaining single-player campaign, but it’s far too brief to feel completely satisfied when all is said and done. The multiplayer modes are clearly the saving grace, and fortunately, they’re strong enough to bump the game up a few notches. Star Wars fan or not, gamers will enjoy Clone Wars’ fast-paced action and the virtually limitless possibilities of online play. I’d still suggest renting it first, particularly if you already own MechAssault, but it’s easily worth the full retail price if you don’t.