Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

"Unleash the Power of the Force!"

Game Play: 9
In this game you control Kyle Katarn, a retired Jedi knight. In the first couple of level you do a couple of recon missions for the republic. The beginning is pretty boring but is some good FPS action. The puzzles in the beginning are pretty strait forward and there really isn't to many hard bad guys. The Game gets a big jump when Kyle runs into a Dark Jedi Master. Being defeated quite easily, Kyle turns to the valley of the jedi to 'become one with the force'. This is where the game play really picks up. After you pick up your light saber and obtain some basic force power you are ready to beat the dark side. Here the puzzles get harder and most require the use of at least one force power. The bad guys get harder and harder until you come face to face with the Dark Master for the final show down.

Graphics: 9
This game has great graphics. I personally have not noticed any slips or slow downs in the frame rate at any time. The cut scenes are a little fuzzy but it shouldn't change the game play value at all.

Sound: 10
The sound is great. The laser blasts and the many guns sound great. The light saber is awesome. Every sound has been perfectly remade from the movies, even the hum sound exactly like the movie sound.

Force Powers: 10
This game does such a good job of putting you right in the middle of it. I don't know any other Star Wars game that lets you use such a variety of force powers. Along with the classic push and pull, you also get some new ones like the Jedi Mind Trick, and Force lightning. The force powers are so in depth that it seams that you are almost in the game!

Light saber: 10
This is such a crucial part of the game. This is the weapon of chose for close and medium range combat. Personally this weapon is so well done that I don't use any other weapon unless I have to. The controls for the light saber are great. The R Button lets you swing and the control stick and C stick simply lets you change direction, Forward for a vertical attack and strafe left or right for a horizontal attack. There is almost and endless number of combos you can string together. I can't mention all the attacks but there are a lot. This is the make or break section of the game. Honestly if you don't think you will like battling with a light saber then this game is probably not for you.

Difficulty: 8
Some of the puzzles will get frustrating and the game can be down right hard at times but I think any one can get thought them. Like I said before as the game progresses the bad guys do get harder.

Bottom Line: 10
The bottom Line is, this is a great game with some very minor flaws. The game play starts off a little slow but picks up quickly. RENT OR BUY? BUY! BUY! you can not go wrong with this game even if you don't like the light saber this is a above average FPS and the light saber can be used very rarely. Some battles will REQUIRE you to use a light saber so make sure you become a master. This game is most defiantly worth the 39.99 to 49.99 buck you would pay for it. May the Force be with you!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 04/07/03, Updated 04/07/03