Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

"Dark Forces lives on in this excellent sequel."

Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight is one of Lucasarts' greatest games of all time. You'll have to choose between the light side and dark side as you control your character's destiny and face seven enemy Jedi for control of an ancient valley...

Gameplay 10/10:
The gameplay is just like it was in Dark Forces, start out with a weak gun, get better ones (Including ones from the original Dark Forces, and brand new ones.) However, besides your enemies, now there are civillians, that if you kill them brings you closer to the dark side. Another new feature in this sequel is the introduction of the lightsaber in the Dark Forces series, chopping up Stormtroopers has never been funner. In addition to new guns, old guns from Dark Forces, and the lightsaber you also get force powers, as you progress through the game you'll earn 'Stars' that you can insert into certain force powers enhancing your strength with that power. There are three categories of force, Neutral, light, and dark.

Storyline 10/10:
You'll once again take up Kyle Katarn's blaster in this sequel. It's been a while (Star Wars time) since Kyle Katarn's stomping of the Empire's Dark Trooper project which was between Episode's IV and V, now it is post Episode VI and Kyle finds out that a certain droid knows who killed his father. The betrayal of 8t88 and the spirit of a powerful Jedi Master named Rahn sends Kyle off on an adventure to become a Jedi, avenge his father, and free the galaxy (Or perhaps enslave it) from a Dark Jedi named Jerec who wishes to become the new Emporer by harnessing the power of an ancient Jedi burial ground.

Graphics 8/10:
I've seen better certainly, but they are also certainly superior to the original Dark Forces' graphics. The character textures are quite good, the gun textures and models are excellent, most textures are good, but the stone and grass textures are quite laughable. Also, however good the textures may be, the character models are blocky and strange looking. However, the fact that this is a game from 1997 is enough to exscuse this.

Sound 10/10:
Just like it's predecessor, the sound sounds like it's right out of the movies. From the blasters, to the doors swishing open, to the calls of the stormtroopers, Star Wars fans will feel right at home in their favorite universe.

Controls 9/10:
The controls are confusing at first, like most shooters, but once you master them they are simple to use. Most of the controls are from the original Dark Forces, but now there are keys for selecting inventory items, selecting force powers, and using a selected force power.

Overall 10/10:
A true unforgettable classic, this game belongs in the collection of any Star Wars gamer, even non-Star Wars fans have liked this game very much, though multiplayer is not as good as it once was with the introduction of Jedi Outcast, Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II is one classic that will never die in my, and many other's books.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/05/03, Updated 04/05/03