Being able to create your own Star Wars character at the ArtScience Museum was fascinating

Featuring original props and costumes spread across the first six films as well as a chance to create your own character in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition sure has a lot to live up to.

Fortunately, the force is strong with this exhibition.

Star Wars Identities, which is held at ArtScience Museum and runs till Jun 13, delves into the question of identity through the lives of Luke Skywalker and his father, Anakin Skywalker. Anakin and Luke were born on the same planet and had similar temptations to turn to the dark side, among other similarities, which are explained throughout the exhibition.

Of course, Anakin eventually became Darth Vader, while Luke became the saviour of the galaxy (until the sequel trilogy happened).

There are 10 interactive checkpoints in the exhibition, with each section building up a different aspect of your character’s personality.

You follow the two characters’ journey, making your decisions at each checkpoint, much like how Anakin and Luke’s upbringing influenced their eventual choices.

The choices are made using a wristband given at the entrance of the exhibition.

There are videos that explain what each section is about and what Anakin and Luke did similarly or differently.

The themes of the stations are:

1. Selecting what species your character will be. This ranges from being a Wookiee, a human or even a Gungan like a certain controversial character from the franchise.

2. What you were born with, which is about the skills that you possess. Skills which you can choose for this section include whether you are social or creative for example.

3. How your parents raised you, where you choose whether your parents were more responsive or demanding from four options.

4. What planet were you from, which include choices like Tatooine and Coruscant.

5. Who you look up to. Quotes from Star Wars characters like Boba Fett and Yoda are shown and you choose which suits you the most.

6. What activities you enjoy doing with a friend.

7. Experiences that have marked you. Random events are generated and you get to choose how you would react to the event generated for you.

8. What job you would like to have, including being a senator or farmer.

9. How you behave, where you are given traits like how easily you get stressed for example and you choose whether that sounds a lot like you or not at all.

10. What is important to you, where you are given choices including power and benevolence.

After you complete all the stations, you will be asked the biggest question of all in the Star Wars universe: To join the dark side or not. It is a choice which Anakin and Luke Skywalker chose differently in the franchise:

Once you’ve made your decision, your character’s profile will be complete. You will be able to tap your wristband a final time at the end of the exhibition and the character you have created through all your choices will appear on a large screen.

I chose the dark side because of my physical disability in real life, some people see me as weak. So, when my created character was offered unlimited power through joining the Sith, I leapt at the chance and took it.

Apart from the main draw of making your own unique character, there are props, costumes, artwork and models from episodes one to six (sequel trilogy fans get a pretty neat nod too with a model of fan favourite droid BB-8 and an original First Order stormtrooper outfit on display).

Not having much from the sequels did not bother me because I personally do not think too well of those movies, but I understand some fans could be disappointed by this.

What makes the displays interesting is that they are all original props.

Visitors will also get to see Ralph McQuarrie‘s original concept art for the original Star Wars trilogy.

Seeing all the neat stuff from the original trilogy was enough to put a broad smile on my face.

With a full character profile, in-depth stations to help build that character’s profile, props, costumes, artwork and models, Star Wars Identities is one exhibition fans of that galaxy far, far away will not want to miss. You may also want to budget extra money for the exclusive Star Wars Identities merchandise available at the exhibition’s exit.

Tickets to Star Wars Identities can be bought through the Marina Bay Sands website.