Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

"Good game, Feels like a large expansion pack"

Anticipation: I have played every Jedi knight game thus far so I was very excited for this one. Dual sabers and Staff.

Graphics: The graphics are but a small improvement over the JK2 counter-part of this game. The developers have slightly evolved and offered better textures detailed models and great effects. But, the Quake engine is showing its age. The next JK should really have a more advanced engine and graphics. The graphics aren't that bad and environments change allot to keep you compelled into the experience through and through.

Graphics: 7/10 Quake engine is ageing but the developers pulled it off.

Game play: Wow this game feels just like quake but it has really accurate models of the guns you've seen in the movies. For those who didn't play jk2 (shame on you!) You can also wield a single light saber with 3 styles: Medium, Light and Strong. Light style is for quick weak attacks that catch your opponent off guard, Strong is for powerful attacks that can hatch through any defense but moves are slow to pull off. Last is Medium, this style is fast and slow sporting moves that do medium damage and light damage. All three styles mixed together used in duels against other players online is very fun. Now in the new jk3 you can wield a single saber, dual sabers and a staff (double sided saber). The dual sabers are quick slant motions that stop and are very jerky. But the staff flows and every move links together.

Each saber has its advantage. In the multiplayer the staff is called the "noob stick" but it is easily defeatable by the single saber. Single saber can beat any type of saber if strong style is used. But if the attack misses then you are left open for an attack. All this come into consideration during a duel. There really aren't gameplay problems that I really have a hangover with, the saber duels against 6 other saber wielding enemies at a time is compelling and leaves you excited to the end. It's also very fun messing around with storm troopers slamming them into walls with grip to zapping them to death with lightning.

This time around, you create your own character. From a Twi'lek to a black human its there. But all around the system is extremely limited and doesn't leave you with much to do.

There are 4 light side powers and 4 dark side powers and 4 neutral powers you get on either side. You gain these powers through completing missions the powers you choose doesn't affect going towards the light or dark side, ill get to that in the story section.

Single player is average, occasional saber duels, waves of storm troopers, and vehicle rides on Taun-tauns and speeder bikes (the speeder bike level is amazingly fun). But, there are tons of versatile and different enemy types. The enemies are incredibly smart. For example, I forced pulled a weapon from a storm trooper then he ran over to a fallen comrade, then picked up his weapon and blasted me, very smart.

The ability to play the game on harder modes makes this game very replayable. The matrix slowdowns that happen when you kill a saber wielding opponent are cool but are mostly cheesy spin-offs of the matrix. When you first start the game you do a standard level or two. Then, you get to a menu that lets you select which level to go to you have a selection of 5. Complete 2 of these missions to move along the story and do a single level.

Multiplayer is entirely different, The modes include: Free For All, Dueling, Capture the Flag, Team Free For All, Power Duel and Siege. Power duel is 2v1 saber dueling where 1 person basically has more health than 2 others. Siege is like a full out assault against another team ranging from blowing up the central command center on Hoth to rescuing a droid on Tatooine. It's like counter strike, except every time you die you respawn within 5-30 seconds. You select your class (scout, soldier etc.) overall it's a fun experience that will keep you glued to the PC.

Gameplay: 7/10 Repetitive if you played JK2 but additions of new enemies and new sabers bring the gameplay way up.

Story: Jaden (you, your always named Jaden) begins the game flying on a Jedi transporter flying to "the Jedi Academy" to receive training from Kyle. I'm not going to give away the game, all I can say is *minor spoiler* Tavion is traveling throughout the galaxy collecting dark side powers from emperors tombs to make her stronger. It's your job to stop her with the accompany of kyle in some missions. You also have a friend, Rosh Penin, he betrays you later then you have the decision to kill him (if you don't light side, if you do dark side).

Story: 8/10 Overall, I enjoyed the story

Replayability: Beat it on easy, Jedi, Jedi knight, Jedi master! There are tons of levels you certainly didn't try your first time around, they are uniquely different and have different enemies and allies. If you're into it do Multiplayer that will last you awhile.

Replayability: 9/10 Fun game keeping you happy time and time again

Sound: You can expect the great Star Wars songs you've heard time and time again (but hey who's complaining). The voice acting in this game is...ok. Seeing Kyle's face in a box not moving at all while he talks to you about your mission and gives out really cheesy jokes makes him look like a loser who missed the cut for the Brady Bunch intro. The lips don't move too well with the voices but overall it's passable.

Sound: 7/10 expect the goldie oldie Star Wars songs but ok/laughable voice acting brings it down.

Overall: This is a great game, pick it up buy it, just please don't buy the console versions. The replayability will keep you on your PC for months and months.

8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/18/04