Almost every character that you can use in the game has some special ability that will be very useful as you play.
Some characters can use the Force to move or open objects, some can hover through the air over long distances, some have special tools or weapons you need, and some have greater jumping abilities to get to higher places.
As you play, you need to use all the special abilities of your team of LEGO characters to complete the game in Freeplay mode.
Ascension Gun
All characters who use some type of blaster weapon also carry an ascension gun. As you travel throughout the game, be on the lookout for red circle swirls on the ground or on the white target builds.
Each swirl has a corresponding hook somewhere nearby. If you see a hook on a level, you know that a red circle swirl is probably hidden somewhere close.
To use this special ability, stand on the red circle swirl and fire your ascension gun to go for a ride to a location that’s otherwise inaccessible.
The ascension gun lets you grapple up to hard-to-reach places, or it can be used to swing across dangerous areas.
Thermal Detonator
One of the bounty hunter’s most powerful special abilities is his thermal detonator. Toss this device at your target, then move away. After a few seconds, the detonator explodes, destroying objects around it.
Although your regular blaster fire just bounces off the shiny metal LEGO objects found around the galaxy, the thermal detonator blasts them to pieces. This weapon helps you uncover hidden goods and get to new places.
Travel Chutes
Throughout the missions, you will find small chutes in some walls. Most characters are too big to use the chutes, but a few are just small enough to fit.
Use a small character, such as a Jawa or Ewok, to jump into the chute and travel to the chute’s end. These chutes lead to places that are otherwise impossible to reach, and can reward you with many valuables.
Hover
A few characters in the game can hover through the air for a certain amount of time. The astromech droid such as R2-D2, and the bounty hunter, Boba Fett, both have this special ability.
They can fly through the air across an area, but cannot ascend any higher than the level where they started. These characters are crucial to finding many hard-to-reach items and areas during your missions.
If you see an object that is floating out in space just out of reach, send one of these characters to fly out and get it.
The hover ability only lasts for a little while, though, so get what you want and return to safety before you drop from the sky.
If you need something destroyed in a hurry, just press the throw button again after you toss it to set if off. For those characters who can wield its power, the Force is a strong weapon and tool in the Star Wars universe.
Those who use this power for good are known as the Jedi, and include characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu. Those who have turned to the dark side and use the Force for evil are known as the Sith.
Darth Vader is a Sith Lord. The power of the Force works the same way, whether it is used for good or evil purposes.
Things or characters that can be influenced by the Force in the LEGO Star Wars universe begin to glow when you get close to them. This glow changes depending on the character who is wielding the Force.
Light glow colors such as green and blue can be influenced using the good side of the Force. Something that is dark and has a red glow can be affected only by using the dark side of the Force.
The Force can be used to activate switches, open compartments, move objects around, disable droids, and stop your enemies.
Objects that are affected by the Force are found all over the game. During some missions in Story mode, you might not have a Jedi by your side to use this special ability.
Be sure to return to these levels later in Freeplay mode with characters who can use both the light and dark sides of the Force to fully explore the level.
Double Jump
As you explore, you find certain objects or areas that might be a little too high or too far away to reach. On these occasions, it’s good to have a teammate who can use the Force.
These characters can channel the Force to double jump to where they want to go. Use the double jump straight up in the air to nab a hard-to-reach blue stud, or double jump across an extra-large break in a walkway to get to the other side.
Super Jump
Sometimes even a double jump is not enough. On those occasions you need to use a super jump character who can jump really high to reach certain items.
Activation Panels
Throughout the game you will see many activation panels on walls and on equipment. Walk up to these panels and you’ll see a picture of the character that you need in order to use it.
Some panels have pictures of droids, such as C-3PO and R2-D2. All they have to do is walk up to the panel to access it. They might not be that good at fighting but these droids are invaluable for exploring entire areas of a map.
Other panels have a picture of a stormtrooper or bounty hunter and have a colored circle on the ground in front of them. Stand on the circle in front of the panel to access the activation panel.
These panels are used frequently in Freeplay mode and can lead to lots of hidden treasure.