Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
	Developer Raven Software LucasArts Entertainment Publisher Activision Version Retail w/ v1.03 patch Reviewed by Kevin L. Kitchens [Feedback] [Author Bio] Review Date June 13, 2002

Rating (out of 5.0) 5.0 out of 5.0*

Judge for yourself

Strengths Different Lightsaber modes and styles Finally a good Q3A-based multiplayer game Lots of saber wielding Jedi to battle Familiar locations and characters Force increases scripted vs. point-based Weaknesses Graphics and dialogue so-so Some buttons, switches, and level exits hard to locate

Screenshots MORE SCREENSHOTS

* Notes Gaming Voice ratings are based on the technical and/or gameplay merits of a given product as well as the developer's choice of features and delivery of same. Our rating is not an endorsement of the thematic content of a given title. Gamers and parents are cautioned to determine if such content conflicts or coincides with their values and beliefs.

The force is strong with this game.

In the game, you again play Kyle Katarn, this time the Jedi Outcast of the game’s subtitle. You’ve forsaken the Jedi ways, but not the New Republic, preferring traditional mercenary missions with your partner -- in more ways than one -- Jan Ors. When a rogue Jedi kills Jan, you must forsake your forsaking of the Jedi arts, grab your trusty lightsaber, and once again pursue your enemies across the galaxy on “forceback”.

Old friends are here to help you along the way. Luke Skywalker provides you with sagacious wisdom as you reacquaint yourself with the force and throughout the game. Lando Calrissian helps you midway through your quest as you visit Cloud City and it’s carbon freezing chambers of Bespin. There is even a curiously familiar pair of droids – clearly not C-3PO and R2-D2, but you’d never know that by looking at them. These touches of the familiar from the original Star Wars trilogy add quite a bit of charm to the game. Multiplayer battles allow even more recognizable maps to be used, including the Emperor’s throne room from Return of the Jedi.

Touches of the familiar from the original Star Wars trilogy add quite a bit of charm to the game.

The initial missions set up the trap for Kyle and Jan and then the rest of the game is centered on Kyle seeking vengeance when the evil Desann (aided by the Remnant of the Empire) murders Kyle’s “woman”. Surprises and reversals await throughout the story, but the game still unfolds (as this type of game should) in a completely linear fashion. Games can be saved at any point and even automatic checkpoints alert you that something big is just around the corner.

The weapons included in the game are pretty standard. There is the Bryar pistol, a stun baton, the stormtrooper blaster. Some heavier weapons and explosives are included for some of the larger, mechanical enemies -- you get to battle AT-STs or as my son calls them “Two-Walkers”. In fact, you even get to “drive” an AT-ST in a few later missions.

The main thrill, however, is the lightsaber. With this, JK2 offers a weapon unlike those in any other FPS. Up close and personal, the saber is a defensive as well as offensive device. Its secondary attack (and most fun) is the thrown mode. As this skill progresses, you can control the saber while it is in flight, so if you miss an enemy (they moved, of course), you can guide it back and catch them on the rebound. Added to the game is the ability to select how you wish to use the lightsaber. There are three modes: Medium, Fast, and Strong. Each mode has its advantages as a trade-off between range, speed, and defense.

The force is strong with this game, in that using Kyle’s force powers are pretty much required to complete it. The usual powers: Pull, Push, Lightsaber Throw, Jump, Speed are included as well as Heal, Grip, Lightning, and the Jedi Mind Trick. The mind trick allows you to force the weak-minded to open doors for you or even fight on your side until the effect wears off. It was a bit odd to be a good guy and use the grip and lightning, but several times it was necessary. Lightning seemed to help with opponents who were standing in water – guess they don’t teach basic science principles in the Star Wars universe.

In the previous Jedi Knight, force points were earned and spent over the game to improve your different force powers. In JK2, your powers are pretty much assigned and upgraded at different points in the game. While the first method offered players more flexibility, the system in JK2 works better overall because it removes any doubts that you will have the right skill at the right time. For multiplayer games, servers can set the amount of force points you have and you can customize your Jedi how you like.

The opponents in JK2 were similar to ones seen in previous games with a couple of exceptions. The Remnant forces weren’t that tough – except the unarmored officers for some reason. But Desann and his Jedi henchman were quite a load to deal with. Many times you’d think you were done with a battle, round a corner looking for health and whammo – another saber-wielding Jedi was there to finish you off. Early on, these guys come at you one at a time. In the middle rounds, you might have two working against you simultaneously. Later, you have up to three Jedi after you and a boatload of Remnant forces.

Desann and his Jedi henchman were quite a load to deal with.

About the only thing that I can complain about with JK2 is that some crucial switches and buttons are hard to find. Occasionally, there was a lot of downtime when I’d dispatched all the bad guys, but couldn’t find the way out of the level. The Prima Perfect Guide for Jedi Knight 2 came in very handy for these times. But fortunately, there were only 4-5 times I had to consult this. But the guide is well done and worth getting if you own JK2.

Multiplayer will keep this game on your machine for a long time. There are variations of the standard multiplayer modes (capture-the-flag, etc.) but the game truly shines when playing with lightsabers only. I’m not a big fan of the Quake 3 engine for multiplayer. I’ve just not seen any done well. But playing with sabers only is about as good as it gets.

Beware of the Duel game variation. This involves two of the connected players going head to head with the winner staying in against the next challenger and the loser headed to the bottom of the list. There is a LOT of waiting on these servers and it gets old fast. Free-For-All and Team Free-For-All are the most fun modes that I played – again especially with sabers only. There is a Jedi Master mode which pits on lightsaber player against the rest with conventional weapons, but unless the server filters out explosives, it’s more of an example of chaos and futility.

Overall Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast is one of the best FPS games I’ve played in a long time. I’m looking forward to the inevitable mods and LucasArts expansions that will be released. I may even fire up the single-player game again at a harder level or just try to find all the secrets.