Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

"A thrilling, albeit sometimes quizzical masterpiece"

There are many proud Star Wars aficionados who, to the untrained eye, would cast a biased eye towards the latest adventure in the famed series. I am not one of them. I personally find Star Wars only mildly amusing. But the promise of this game is too much to ignore.

The game has an ivory tower of a pedigree to live up to, with stellar luminaries such as Heretic and Soldier Of Fortune coming from its talented developer Raver Software, plus the critically acclaimed Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II being its predecessor. One wonders if this game can fill the monstrous boots of those who came before it. The answer is a resounding ''yes''.

The graphics engine is quite potent, utilizing Quake III technology to provide excellent visuals throughout the game. A little problem lies in the typeface. Games such as Freedom Force have proved that a typeface can enhance an experience and set a tone for a game. JK2's typeface is rather odd. It's sort of disappointing. But a typeface is such a minor quibble that it detracts nothing from the overall experience.

The multiplayer is quite well done, mixing melee combat with long-ranged non-hitscan weapons to create a memorable experience. The force powers and two-man duels add to the experience. Multiplayer AI is excellent, offering five AI levels and customizeable AI opponents.

The control is quite good. Many buttons are used, but they add to the franticity of the experience. The keys for the various Force powers seem a little misplaced.

A vital part of the first-person shooter is the weapons. Jedi Knight's arsenal is strong, with few discrepancies. One little, rather nonsensical bit involves the rocket launcher. A guided rocket uses twice as much ammo as an unguided rocket. I can see why an energy weapon would have a higher energy cost, but a rocket? The lightsaber is implemented quite well, with many attacks and three styles to master. I disliked the fact you couldn't hold a charge shot for very long, which made the pistol and EMP gun rather worthless in multiplayer.

In the end, Jedi Knight provides an engaging and thrilling experience that cannot be ignored. A 9.8 out of 10(it's rounded at the top) is perfect for this game. A solid contender for Game Of The Year by any count.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/10/02, Updated 04/10/02