Lucas Arts announces Jedi Starfighter

LucasArts has announced Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter for the Sony PlayStation 2. The game is the sequel to the PS2 shooter Star Wars Starfighter, which was released in March of this year. Jedi Starfighter will be one of the first games to be set in the world of the upcoming film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. As such, the game will feature the new Jedi starfighter from the film, and it will be the first Star Wars flight action game to allow players to use force powers. The various force powers available in the game include the ability to sap the power systems of enemy ships, render pilots unconscious, create an energy barrier that deflects laser blasts, and simulate the enhanced reflexes and perception of the Jedi knight pilot by putting the world in slow motion while the player's ship retains normal maneuvering and shooting abilities.

"Jedi Starfighter presents gamers with their first opportunity to experience the richness of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones,'' said Simon Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "Not only does the game introduce players to locations and craft from the movie, but its gameplay also expands beyond the story line of the film itself and develops characters established in Star Wars Starfighter.''

Jedi Starfighter follows the stories of the Jedi master Adi Gallia and the alien pirate Nym. In the game, the two join forces to battle Captain Cavik Toth of the malicious Sabaoth Squadron and the evil Trade Federation. Although the game's story is original, there are sequences, including the climactic final battle, that tie in with events in the film. The game features 15 missions, some of which are set in the environments presented in Attack of the Clones. Much like the original game, the action takes place on land and in space, as players face off against a variety of enemy craft. At the player's disposal, aside from the Jedi starfighter, are vessels such as the Havoc, the Zoomer, and the Freefall.

Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter will be released in spring 2002 for the Sony PlayStation 2. For more on the game read GameSpot's 2820003interview with the game's creators.