Publisher: LucasArts
Ages: teens & up
Parental
Advisory:
Violence
Immersing players into that famous, far away galaxy, LucasArts' Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy offers a compelling shooter that is as entertaining as the famous Lucas movies. Players get to learn the powers - and dangers - of the Force in an action-packed adventure.
Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy places gamers into the classic Star Wars universe as they take on the role of a student who is learning the ways of the Force from Master Luke Skywalker. Players get to visit classic Star Wars locations and interact with familiar characters while facing the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom on the light side or follow the path of power and evil on the dark side. The game also features new vehicles, weapons and Star Wars environments.
The game serves a variety of good and challenging missions that occur in such familiar places such as Tatooine and more. Players get to wield the all-powerful light saber, as well as use the force in combat using techniques such as pull, push, speed, sense, jump, mind tricks, the Darth Vader choke and more.
Before entering the academy, players get to create their own characters by defining characteristics such as species, gender, clothing and physical attributes. Gamers can also construct their own lightsaber from handle to blade color, and eventually, use two at a time, or even Darth Maul's devastating dual-bladed lightsaber staff.
In its single-player mode, the game offers tiered levels and serves an underlying story that binds the missions together. There are also challenging and entertaining multi-player modes that let gamers battle others. Multi-play games include a team-based siege mode and two-on-one power duel, and there are some 23 arenas.
The graphics are good, but not necessarily cutting edge. Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a shooter that is all about hurting and killing the enemy. There's probably not much in the game that kids haven't already seen in the Star Wars movies.
In all, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is an entertaining shooter that brings the Star Wars universe to life. Just remember, the Force is a powerful ally; use it wisely
10/20/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
