A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away...a Quake 3 clone was created...
User Rating: 7.5 | Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC
A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away the game Jedi Knight-Jedi Academy was created.A game great for the Star Wars fans but not for me.It has both Single Player & Multi Player & sometimes you feel like you're playing Quake 3 or Unreal Tournament 'cause it uses the Quake 3 engine-the game looks good, especially the FMV's which are impressive.The format of the Single Player is similar with Quake 3-there are 3 Tiers of Missions to complete, each with 5 Missions & intermissions in between, bringing the total number to 21-this game is neither long or short it's just right.After the first 5 missions you become a Jedi, after another 5 you become a Jedi Knight & when you finish the game you become a Jedi Master but you don't have the opportunity to play the game when you're a master...unfotunately.The game is unbalanced, like in Mortal Kombat 3 for example:the first opponent is easy to defeat but after that the game becomes nearly impossible.Here, the first missions are too easy while the last ones are too hard-the last ones are literally "lightsaber boss fests", something like that.Way too many lightsaber duels, it's ridiculous, it's overwhelming.The difficulty doesn't increase gradually it's just sudden.The first 5 or 7 missions are hilariously short-the completion time ranging from 10 to 20 minutes, they are over in a flash.The last ones are a little bit longer, somehwere between 30-45 minutes.The good thing about this game is that you begin from the start with the lightsaber, you already have it in your inventory, you're not forced to reach for it or to complete a set of missions or objectives in order to obtain it, it's a gift.At the begining of each mission, you have to choose your weapons from a restrained inventory but after each tier of missions, new weapons are added to choose from.There are always 3 sections:1 that shows you the weapons that you have all the time:the lightsaber & the pistol, the 2nd one where you have to choose 2 weapons from a total number of 4(at the first 5 missions) & then 2/6 & 2/8, & the 3rd section with throwable devices(thermal detonators, trip mines & detonator packs), 1/3-here it's always unchanged.There is also a screen with force powers to choose from, again with 3 categories but this time you have only 1 choice to make, not 3 like at the weapons screen.
The game is customizable, you can choose your character from 6 different races, the colour of his skin & clothes & the style of your lightsaber.
You play the role of Jaden Korr, an aprentice, a jedi initiate that is en route to the Jedi Academy but unfortunatelly the ship crash lands in the jungle & you are forced to make your way to the temple, academy whatever.You are accompanied by another initiate named Rosh Penin.When you arrive at the academy, you begin training with Master Kyle Katarn & then you are given the first set of 5 missions.After the 4th one, Luke Skywalker gives you the option to return to the academy or to complete the last mission.After that you are promoted & begin the intermission after which comes another set of 5 missions, you can play them in any order you want.Your ultimate goal is to stop the cult, the disciples of Ragnos which plan to conquer the galaxy.The leader of this cult, a woman named Tavion plans to ressurect Marka Ragnos by going to his tomb, a "boogeyman" which died hundres, thousands, hundreds of thousands of years ago.(SPOILER)Later in the game, Tavion corrupts Rosh & makes him join the Dark Side.At some point, you have the option to kill Rosh but by doing so you will join the Dark Side, or to save him.After each time you are promoted, Skywalker analyses your force power distribution & he tells you whether your destiny is clouded or you have a balanced spirit.He's afraid that his students someday might join the Dark Force, just like Rosh did.At the final battle you confront Tavion in the tomb of Ragnos.After you defeat her, the spirit of Marka Ragnos ressurects her, making her more powerfull than ever- the 2nd part of the final battle begins.At the last cinematics, Kyle tells you that you are one of his best students he ever had at the academy & names you Jedi Master(SPOILER ENDS).
The music & sound effects are good but what this game truly lacks is the replay value.The game burns out like a candle,it gets boring very fast & it's very frustrating & repetitive.The gameplay is imprecise & glitchy & the enemy AI is poor often hilarious.Overall it feels like a fairly good Quake 3/Unreal Tournament clone.This game is great only for the Star Wars fans.
...
A long time ago, in a Galaxy far, far away...("insert music here")
