Everyone knows what the Star Wars Jedi Knight games are all about: saber-slinging. We’re always measuring ourselves up against the other Jedi. Color, length, shape—do you have that great bend in your pommel? It all matters. And, in Star Wars® Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy™, the latest cooperative effort between LucasArts and Raven Software, it’s never been so apparent. You are offered more choices for your lightsaber than you are for character races.
And that’s just fine.
Word of advice: Grab it where itdoesn’t glow.
While Jedi Outcast followed the wonderful misadventures of Kyle Katarn, this time around, you get to start fresh as an academy recruit ready to take on the galaxy. Following the well-established tradition found among many action-adventure games, you do get some quick options for character customization. Choose your character from Kel Dors, Zabraks, Rhodians, Twi-leks, and Humans of either gender. Different facial skins and clothing also help you slip into the role. And, then, it’s time for the all-important decision. You are one of those few novices who already carry a lightsaber-and not just any old lightsaber, either. Your choices range from classic designs to neo-modern handgrips and come in a variety of colors.
With the preliminaries out of the way, the story kicks off faster than a Hutt after spice. You are on a shuttle heading to Academy grounds on Yavin when you are mysteriously shot from the sky. Following the crash, you and fellow novice Rosh Pennen go through a short get-a-feel-for-the-game introduction. Rosh is a bit wearying, but you might get an idea that he’s destined for something more than idle competition if you pay attention to his attitude. Regardless, as you make your way to the old temples, you’ll get your shot at a couple of Imperials and a Dark Side Jedi slinging some light of his own. What more could a novice ask for?
It’s all about the tool.
After you make it to the temple, you witness some dark individuals putting on a big whammy with some kind of arcane staff. It’s all intentionally vague, and the next thing you know, you’re waking up, as Luke Skywalker and Kyle Katarn (our hero fromJedi Outcast) rush in to start you on the big story line adventure.
Kyle hasn’t changed much. He still has the bad-boy attitude. He’s also your master. (He’s also Rosh Pennen’s master, so you aren’t free of him quite yet). Force-use-for-dummies is an easy walk-through if you’ve played Jedi Outcast. If you haven’t, it quickly teaches what you need to know, so you can get on with some real missions. Throwing your lightsaber and a Force-strengthened Jump are integrated into your character right from the start. With Speed, Force Push, Force Pull, and a kind of special “sight” to choose from right away, you’re in good with the meta-chlorians. Make certain you are comfortable with the fast-switching, and build up that left thumb muscle.
The life you save may be your own.
Get ready to throw down.
With new Force powers available at the end of each mission, things just keep getting better. And, Jedi Academy offers something a bit new from the last game: You can customize your character in the way you wish to develop as a Jedi. A touch of the Light, a touch of the Dark … it’s all in your hands. Want that old Darth Vader choking grip? Take a walk on the Dark Side, but don’t expect to shake Luke’s hand over it. You’ll also get more lightsaber options the further into the game you go, with dual lightsabers and the double-headed lightsaber staff high on the wish-list of any up-and-coming Jedi. The missions are cool, and the story line is just short of explosive, but you see, we all know what it’s about.
