Game Overview

Developer: Raven Software
Publisher: LucasArts
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast official home page: http://www.lucasarts.com/products/outcast/

Big shoes

If there’s any game that has a lot to live up to, Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is it. Not only is it a sequel to one of the most popular First-Person/Action games ever made, it’s also the third installment of one of the best Star Wars franchises (right up there with X-Wing and Tie-Fighter). Jedi Outcast even uses the Quake III Arena engine, so it needs to live up not only to Quake III, but all the games that have used the engine, like Alice and Medal of Honor.

A long way up

Batting 1.000

Hands up!

Aside from the gamers, Jedi Outcast needs to meet the expectations of the non-gamers. Just the fact that there’s light saber fighting puts a lot of pressure on this game. With the success of Episode I, and the imminent release of Episode II, you’d have to be hiding in a cave in Afghanistan to not know about light sabers. The excellent fighting scenes in the Phantom Menace has everyone thinking that the light saber fighting in Jedi Outcast better be as cool as it was with Darth Maul. Is it even possible to live up to these expectations?

The Jedi Outcast

The first thing Jedi Outcast needs to live up to is the story. All of the Dark Forces games have taken place after the end of Return of the Jedi. This sets Jedi Outcast nine years after Dark Forces II. Kyle Katarn finds himself turned away from the force after nearly falling to the dark side at the end of Dark Forces II. He and his partner, Jan Ors, now run missions for the New Republic as simple mercenaries.

More deflection fun

Colt 45! Works everytime!

The pimpmobile

I won’t give away any of the plot details, other than Kyle does come around and starts using the force again. I enjoyed the storyline because it really makes you feel like you’re in the Star Wars universe. Gang wars are ever present, the remnants of the empire are still hanging around, and the New Republic is still trying to establish its government. You take direct orders from Luke Skywalker and Mon Mothma, and even run into Lando. Jedi Outcast does a good job at pulling you into its world.