Using a modified version of the Quake III engine, developer Raven Software has brought the sights and sounds of the Star Wars universe to life with great care. The sound is usually the best part of a Star Wars game, and here it's no exception. The John Williams-inspired soundtrack changes in tone and tempo to suit the level of action, and the weapons' sound effects provide satisfying blasts, hums, and whooshes. The acting during cut-scenes is also very good, with Billy Dee Williams himself on hand to voice Lando Calrissian.
But be aware that the single-player levels are aimed at the hardcore gamer willing to spend hours of trial-and-error to solve a puzzle or at those who don't mind following the step-by-step instructions of a strategy guide in order to proceed. Chances are the majority of players will try some of the single-player game, become frustrated or bored, and then move on to the outstanding multiplayer modes.
Bye then. After cancelling Obi-Wan late last year, the chances of a sequel to Jedi Knight seemed thin. However, while at E3, we found Obi-Wan alive and well and happily living on Xbox. So, rather than Ben Kenobi, we again get to control Kyle Katarn. Powered by the Quake 3 Arena engine, Jedi Outcast is being co-developed by Raven software, maker of Soldier Of Fortune and Elite Force Voyager, and although having only been in development since February, from what we saw at E3, the game looks set to eclipse its four-year-old predecessor.
One new force effect on show was the Force Throw, where our hero can hurl his light saber at his enemies safe in the knowledge that it will come back, boomerang-style. Dan also demonstrated a sniper rifle weapon, zooming into a crowd of Stormtroopers and showing off amazing detail. As was the case with Raven's Elite Force Voyager, the plan is to introduce intelligent allies who will fight alongside you against the Empire.
Asked about the possibility of driveable vehicles Dan remained tight-lipped. Of course, with the latest Quake 3 Team Arena code powering the game, we can expect a wealth of hot and multiplayer options, from straight and team Deathmatch, to Capture The Flag.
We asked that considering the popularity of Counter-Strike, whether there might be a Rebels vs. Stormtroopers equivalent, perhaps where one side must rescue or capture druids. Choosing a good school is tough, especially when you desire classes like Lightsabers and Intro to the Force. Jedi Academy covers these subjects and more, yet the material isn't always presented in the best manner possible. This latest game in the Jedi Knight series thrusts you into the role of a Padawan learner jetsetting across the galaxy to hone your skills.
Luckily, your training offers tons of varied thrills across a multitude of missions--you'll rescue prisoners from a man-eating rancor monster, defuse bombs while evading Boba Fett, and even explore the murky depths of Darth Vader's castle. Since when did Darth Vader have a castle? Sounds like another can't-miss Star Wars game for Xbox, right? Well, not quite. Lightsaber battles now take precedence over first-person shooting, which in turn makes combat a rote, button-mashing experience.
Also, cycling through Force powers via the directional pad while hackin' away at the enemy is a terrible hassle. Unfortunately, the graphics don't do much to help the cause. These visuals are mediocre at best and not up to par with today's Xbox standards. Even the most die-hard fans are better off renting this one for the weekend.
It's got brutal Force powers, tauntauns and speeders to ride, guest appearances by Wars stars Luke, Chewie, and Boba Fett, and stellar mission variety everything from luring Jedi away from the dark side to visiting Casa de Vader. But despite that hell of a syllabus, this Jedi Academy sometimes barely packs the excitement of a business-school mixer.
Blame the lightsaber combat, which although flashy, is clunky and imprecise. A few missions especially a snow-blind trek across Hoth and a crash-and-burn speederbike level nearly push the game to the dark side. Fortunately, addictive online modes will keep you playing if you get sick of the single-player stuff. You can always make a great game But what happens when a bantha takes a big crap on that paper?
You get Academy: all the right ideas, none of the execution. A Jedi-in-train-ing with upgradeable skills, an intriguing story based on the good trilogy, Force powers, lightsabers Let me tell you First off, Academy looks and plays like a first-person shooter from a long, long time ago with flat graphics and zero-IQ enemies. The controls are horrid--why let players mess with speeder bikes and dual lightsabers if the steering isn't worth a damn and all attacks have the same effectiveness?
Multiplayer could've been terrific with its many modes, but button-mashing lightsaber duels and hard-to-aim guns ruin the fun. If you were looking forward to this, do yourself a favor and play Halo again--while humming the Star Wars theme.
What better way to interact with your Padawan classmates than in Jedi Academy's multiplayer modes. The last option is team-based scenario-style play where one group intiltrates a location such as a base on the ice planet ot Hoth or a Sith temple, while the other team defends it by any means necessary.
The official release of the project took place in September The game takes place 2 years after the events shown in Mysteries of the Sith. The main character, Kyle Katarn, does not find the strength to hold the lightsaber anymore and decides to return to the old trade of a mechanic. However, the emergency again forces him to take up the sword and put on the mantle of the Jedi.. The gameplay is built around the actions of the protagonist.
Camera view - from the first person, and from the third person switch between each other right during the game. Kyle Katarn perfectly owns not only a lightsaber, but also various assault rifles, pistols, he is also trained to control special drones, bots, etc. The former is especially valuable, because of the wide variety of control available. As far as the movement and interaction with the environment goes, Jedi offers the standard 3D shooter fare, with a few small and nifty additions, such as:.
There are twelve of these available, four fundamentals and four each on the dark and light sides of the Force. The side you choose has a hand in determining the outcome of the game. It's not real role-playing, but it adds a nice dimension to the game. Now we're talking. Not making this weapon available in the original Dark Forces created something of a disappointment among avid Star Wars fans.
LucasArts has made an attempt to rectify the problem by making it not only available but crucial to completing Jedi Knight. As the game plays out, seven Dark Jedi must be defeated individually, a task that is impossible without a lightsaber.
Some folks might find these duels a little bland -- it's basically you and your opponent slashing at one another. I found them both a refreshing break from normal shoot-'em-up gameplay, and they seemed to add a little more drama to the proceedings. The 3D engine in Jedi is a step ahead of the pack with the possible exception of id's upcoming Quake 2 , with catwalks, conveyors, rooftops, awnings, and other miscellany being put to good use in terms of layout and gameplay. That alone might have been enough, but there are a few moments when the environment goes topsy-turvy, one of which is particularly cool; a "falling spacecraft" level in which you must evacuate the ship before you crash.
Horizontal becomes vertical, visa versa, and so on. It's tough to tell if you've been a particular way before, because it looks so different upside-down. One serious criticism: The game lists the minimum amount of RAM at 16 megs, but playing the low-res option is so tremendously disappointing that I could never recommend it. Unless you always play the low-end versions of everything and are used to graphics that never look like what's on the box, don't play this way.
The music is unbelievably good, having been composed by John Williams and drawn exclusively from 20 years' worth of commissioned work for the Star Wars trilogy. The result is a score that succeeds at covering the entire spectrum of a grand adventure story; it is a lush, suspenseful and heroic body of work.
I suppose it should be pointed out that to some people, especially those who are roughly my age and have had this music burned into their gray matter since their formative years, it simply means adventure the same way a red light means Stop. In any case, and for whatever reason, the music in this game exceeds all others to date, period.
On the other hand, the sound effects, while well-suited and designed, are generally not the focus of much attention. The direct modem option for multiplayer is easily configured and has very little lag. There aren't as many levels as I might like, and the configuration isn't as free as it could be, but these are the usual design complaints -- all in all, I had a fair amount of fun playing. The most unusual caveat is this -- if you set the level to time out after a certain number of minutes, it disconnects the phone line.
That's it. You're done. Go to bed.
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