"One of the better Star Wars games that everyone will tell you its not."

Its amazes me how every website and everyone I talk to says that they don't like this game. Well guess what, I enjoyed Star Wars Jedi Power Battles despite its flaws. To me, if I enjoy the game, the flaws don't matter much. OK, its sad that I play this over my incompelete games of Resident Evil:CV and MDK2 but I don't care. I guess theres a game everyone likes that nobody else does, this is mine.

Graphics The cg intro is pretty cheesy graphics wise, but the action is cool. The in game graphics vary quality wise. Some areas look bad some look good. Textures are pixally and theres clipping too. Character models are actually well done in my opinion, especially since this IS a Playstation game. The animations are very cool too. Yes, you can't stop your player from finishing an animated combo, but I didn't really notice. They aren't exactly long. The level design is actually really good. I felt that Lucasarts pulled off the Episode 1 feeling really well. Some Jedi moves give off nice special effects that compliment the game well.

Sound The best part of the game is the music and the sound effects. John Williams music from Ep1 is all here. Smash droids, Sand People, Jawas and even Darth Maul to some of the best music on the PS. The sound effects are all very nice, taken right from the movies. The voice acting is even ok!

Gameplay 1or2 players! JOY! The control is ok at best. Once you get used to what all the buttons do you'll be fine. Give it 15mins of game time to come to grips with the layout. Now my biggest gripe in the whole game that made me beat my brother and swear like a drunken sailer many a times. The game can and will screw you when playing 2 players. Instead of the game placing a player coming back from death right next to the other player all the time it likes to place you off screen or just burn you continues!
This makes your rage factor increase by 10 when trying to get to another level. But you get around it somehow and all will be well, or your bro will be beat like a red headed stepchild. The blocking in the game is good, but great when you do it at the right moment to deflect laser shots back at the enemies. Its even hilarious at times to take on a load of incoming shots just to bounce them back to where they came.

Replay There are some hidden modes. I won't spoil anything for you. Hidden players too! AHhhem a Darth M to play as. Its also interesting that while playing you actually earn points to level up you Jedi for more health, force moves and combos. I suggest going for health when you can choose between that and force power extentions.

Overall Jedi Power Battles may not be the greatest game on earth but its definetly not a 3.0 or a 62% game.
Some may like it, some may hate it.This game feels like the old SNES Star Wars games, a plus. I like it..maybe more than I should. Rent it if you enjoy Star Wars or buy if you love a ''fun'' game with an Episode 1 theme. Despite all the flaws, I overcame them and found a great new game. Jedi Power Battles is the most enjoyable game I've played on the PS in a year.
I give the game a 82%

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/07/00, Updated 04/07/00