LucasArts Archive Series: Star Wars Jedi Knight

Your Jedi powers grow as the game progresses, and players are free to commit acts that strengthen their ties to either the Dark or Light side of the Force. Once the commitment to good or evil is made, you lose all your Force powers from the opposing side but gain the ability to add more powerful tricks to your arsenal from the side you chose. All the neat stuff from the movies is there, like the Force pull that lets you disarm enemies, and Vader's sadistic favorite, the Force grip, for choking enemies from a distance. Other powers like Force jump give you greater mobility in the game, and all the Force powers add immensely to Jedi Knight's gameplay.

Graphically, the game holds up well. Resolution can be cranked up to 1,600 x 1,200 if your video card is up to task. Although the environments you move through lack detail the level design is so spectacular, we doubt you'll care. Few games offer environments this massive or varied, and the familiar Star Wars architecture lend a great deal of atmosphere to the game.

The movie tie-in also means that Jedi Knight has some of the best sound effects ever. From the hum of a lightsaber to the roar of a passing TIE bomber, everything is authentic and immediately recognizable. If you missed this game the first time around, don't make the same mistake with this bundle. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• One word: lightsaber
• Massive environments with a familiar theme
• Ability to choose Light or Dark paths with specific powers (such as healing or lightning) for each

• Enemies aren't very intelligent

In every way, JK is a massive leap over Dark Forces. Sound and graphics are improved - with the newer game supporting the expected John Williams-style soundtrack. The graphics are not only richer but more nuanced as well - instead of characters and structures that look like colorform-cutouts, you'll see feel the claustrophobic crush of ventilator shafts or narrow walkways of spaceships, stare in awe at Jerec's towering citadel on Sulon, and feel the earth move under your feet as you navigate catwalks on Nar Shadaa. Though older than Outcast, JK offers force powers and the lightsaber. Your powers increase as you locate secret areas on various levels. There's a consistent reliance on strategy and problem solving rather than mindlessly mashing a fire button. Hidden locales of JK are actually out in the open and rely on the rich scenery as a camouflage - you're so busy marveling at a network of elevators in Nar Shadaa, that you miss a vent-port on the inner shaft of the elevator. The best feature is in the story which allows you to become a jedi knight with all of its mystical powers. This introduces an underused idea: while some games let you play either good or evil characters, JK starts you off as "Kyle" letting your gameplay decide whether you will become a good jedi or the darkest of dark jedi (differences include different force powers, but also results in some different alternate levels towards the end, and different scenes. The evil Kyle gets the best final cut-scene). Many of the levels take nods not only from Star Wars, but from other famous movies: the persecuted town of Baron's Hed on Sulon looks like pre-war Cairo in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (gunless swordsman, not included), and Indiana Jones would look at home in the ancient temple grounds of the valley of the jedi. A more surprising riff has Kyle making his way down from the top floor of Jerec's tower, starting at the top floor (where you evade an overflying tie-fighter), working your way back into the building through ventilators and riding elevator shafts to elude waves of officious sounding stormtroopers faster than you can say "yipeee kayay, you scruffy nerf-herders!" Otherwise, between Williams' score and the faithfully recreated sound effects, Star Wars fans should feel right at home. If you get tired with the levels offered here, the game supports 3rd party levels available for free on the web. I played this game on my WinXP P4 and had no compatibility problems.

Obviously graphics will be noticeably dated - the Jedi duels lack that "Matrix" artistry of Outcast & Academy. On the other hand, level design and overall plotting was not surpassed by the newer games. It's not a long game (though you do start to feel a drag towards the end), but there are fewer Jedis - unlike the evil Jedi from Outcast, who seem to pop out all over the place, Dark Jedis in JK are confined to a small number of characters whom you face in the few boss modes. The enemies are not as fierce, the puzzles not quite as challenging, the levels not as long and apparently insurmountable - but the overall game is at least as satisfying. One caveat - I would suggest against getting this particular ed. Instead, look for the boxed version from 1999 that included the full version of the "Mysteries of the Sith" companion disk originally released separately. Sith had a weaker story, but much more demanding game play. So don't come home w/o that version or I will find your lack of results most disappointing.


Pretty Good   March 22, 2003
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

This game is, like I said, pretty good. However, on my copy, it seems that whenever I move the mouse, my view is locked upward. In Jedi Outcast, that didn't seem to happen. I havent found any way to get rid of that, and that takes a lot from the game. Otherwise, it's pretty good, hence my rating of 3 stars.


I still play it!   March 27, 2002
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

Jedi Knight is one of the best games ever. I would recommend it for anyone who wants long gameplay and who's always wanted to wield a lightsaber and kill some stormtroopers! Graphics are great and gameplay is so cool. Id give it 20 thumbs up! If i had that many. Two words for anyone who doesnt have it: BUY IT!

...


Star Wars fans, First-person shooter fans! Check this out!   December 21, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Jedi knight is a great game. its that simple. the game is agreat first person(or third person, as you can change the view) shooter, and is fun to star wars fan and all video gamers alike. It has many great features and weapons. the weapons go from your fists to the concussion rifle to the lightsaber. Also another feature are the oh-so-fun force powers! In the game you can choose the path of a light or dark jedi, which changes which force powers you can use. Classics like Darth vader's grip, and the emperor's lightning! Also light powers like blinding and healing. There are also a set of neutral powers that can be used on both sides of being a jedi. in the game you face a wide array of creatures, bounty hunters(including Bossk and Greedo, the gamorreans and the tuskens!), imperials, and the seven dark jedi(lightsaber and force duels-- a blast!). there are some problems, sadly...graphics don't really measure up, AI not great... but its still really good! Enough said. Really.Good.Buy.Now.


A landmark in first person shooters.   December 14, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

"Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2" was advanced to say the least when it was released in 1997. Now, it's just as good. 21 missions packed full of Star Wars excitement and intrigue. Many, many different types of enemies, including space pirates, Imperial Troops, and some very nasty animal creatures. Varied weapons, including the awesome green light saber. And one of the best features, movie cut scenes in between the missions. How much did they spend to produce this game? Must have been pretty pricey!

The add on pack, "Mysteries of the Sith", is just as good if not better than the original JK. Even thought it's much shorter (14 missions compared with 21 for JK) the level variation is a bit better as are the graphics. You also get several new force powers, including force push, projection, and my personal favorite force saber throw, on top of having a purple light saber and playing as the famous Mara Jade! And the last few levels of "Mysteries of the Sith" are some of the most frightening experiences any gamer could wish to have!

The price is worth it for "Jedi Knight" alone, but it's even a better deal with "Mysteries of the Sith". Even thought it's dated, this package is a much for any serious gamer or Star Wars fan.