Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Dark Forces was my favorite first-person shooter (FPS) for a long time. I still play it occasionally, and was upset about LucasArts not porting the first Jedi Knight game to Mac. My bitterness is at an end however, having longed for, rushed-to-buy and now completed Jedi Knight II -- a terrific game with loads of great weapons and Force powers. I haven't played the multiplayer game yet, but here is my evaluation of single player mode:
Good things: (1) First and foremost, as with Dark Forces, there is an actual STORY with mission objectives that tie in to a larger purpose. Unlike most FPS's, where you just kill everything in sight and push whatever buttons present themselves, there is a plot here that makes sense. (2) The settings are terrific -- 24 levels that take place on ships, planets, city streets, the Jedi Academy, swamps and more -- filled with lovely graphics and extraordinary detail. (3) Humor. One reason I can't wait to play again is that I was so anxious to get through the game the first time that I sometimes didn't wait to hear the often funny conversations between Storm Troopers or their dressing down by officers. (4) The weapons and tools are great, with primary and secondary functions that have you changing tactics just for the joy of trying different modes of attack. Seeker drones and assault sentries are fun to use, but they are nothing compared to the great Force powers, which have three levels of power that are upped as you make progress through the levels -- Force Push, Pull, Grip, Lightning, Speed and Mind Trick are a blast to use, and add dimension to your strategy. The light sabre is great fun and you can become as adept as you want to with the magnificent number of moves and saber styles available. (5) Many of the same bad guys as in Dark Forces, but in better graphics and with more challenging moves. Great new villains include the camouflaged Swamp Troopers and Admiral Fyyar. (6) The ability to choose between first- or third-person perspective is awesome. (7) The game is very stable. Running on a PowerMac G4, I never had one crash. (8) The cut scenes added dimension and moved the story along, and they integrated seamlessly with gameplay. (9) John Williams music makes you feel like you're in the Star Wars universe, and sounds in general are used to good effect. (10) Billy Dee Williams voicing Lando Calrissian! (11) Enemy death throes.
Bad things: (1) Unlike Dark Forces, there is no map function, and I found I really missed that. Levels are sometimes HUGE, and I'd have liked to have had some reference. (2) The secret areas were not very exciting, usually just containing a few supplies. (3) Sometimes voices were garbled or masked by the music and there was no way to hear what Kyle was muttering to himself or repeat what message had come over an intercom, for example. Unlike cutscene dialogues they were not subtitled. (4) The climactic battle with Evil Lord Dessan was less interesting than an earlier encounter with Fyyar. (5) I found it was difficult to maneuver when I used Force Speed.
But these are minor quibbles. The game is wonderful. I'm ecstatic that it was ported to Macintosh. I've made it through one time and look forward to playing it again. And again .... and again ....
Click Here to see more reviews about: Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
In the tradition of the multi-award-winning Star Wars: Jedi Knight, Star Wars: Jedi Knight 2, Jedi Outcast features rebel agent Kyle Katarn in exhilarating first-person action. Several years have passed since Kyle avenged his father's death and saved the Valley of the Jedi from Jerec and his band of Dark Jedi. Allowing his Force powers to languish for fear of falling to the dark side, Kyle entrusted his lightsaber to Luke Skywalker, vowing never to use it again. But when a new and menacing threat to the galaxy emerges, Kyle knows he must reclaim his past in order to save his future.
LucasArts is developing Jedi Outcast in partnership with Activision's critically acclaimed Raven Software. Players assume the role of Kyle as they employ a unique mix of weapons, Force powers, and the lightsaber in both single- and multiplayer modes. Jedi Outcast features expanded and enhanced use of the lightsaber, with new attack and defense moves. Tap into the powers of the Force, including jump, push, Jedi mind tricks, and more. Employ combat or stealth, depending on the situation. When a fight is necessary, be at the ready with an arsenal of weapons: stun baton, Bryar blast pistol, and blaster rifle to name but a few.
Explore breathtaking Star Wars locales such as Cloud City, the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, Nar Shaddaa, the smugglers' moon--plus some never-before-seen locations. Multiplayer options include deathmatch, saber-only deathmatch, and team capture the flag.
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