Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

"Oh its good, Very good."

As a very avid player of Jedi Outcast and most other Star Wars games. I can honestly say that there have be some improvements and some new material added. Not perfect, But what it does right greatly overshadows what is wrong.

Gameplay 10/10: This is where the game really stacks up its points. The lightsaber combat is simply breathtaking. Of course they have guns added. But since you get your lightsaber right in the beginning you will probably use your lightsaber through the whole game. One of the very much appreciated new add-ons is the addition of the staff and dual lightsabers. Definitely add a whole new element to the classic gameplay. Force powers still look and work great. The game is a little short. the levels can take anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour. There are only 3 tiers of levels and then branch off levels. There is a story but they don not really get into it to much.

Graphics 8/10: The game does lose a few points in this category but if your playing this game simply for graphics your better off renting then buying. The character models are pretty good but could have been better (KOTOR). The environment models are OK, The levels do not seem as big as the levels in Outcast. They also seem a little bland and missing some texture. The upside is the way the lightsabers look. They leave ''trails'', And glow very nicely in darker areas.

Sound 7/10 : The sound is once again simply OK, There is of course the classic Star Wars soundtrack. The music repeats often but you will probaly me so immersed in the gameplay that you will hardly even notice. The voice acting is not very good and the lip synching is very very basic. Very flap jawed. Could have been better.

Multiplayer 10/10 : This is wear the game really shines. If your lucky enough to be an XBox Live subscriber. You are treated to a great online game. I have spent hours and hours playing in the one of many game types. There can be some lag if someone with a bad connection comes into a already heavy loaded game. But in my experience there has been very little lag. But when it does lag it can be absolutely horrible. Voice chat makes the Live games even better. Being able to express rules or simple emotion.

Overall 9/10

Rent or Buy : Buy if your a fan of outcast. Rent if you want amazing graphics and do not care about great gameplay. A little short but multiplayer adds infinite replay value.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/10/03