Amazon.co.uk Review
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (well five years ago in California to be precise), Lucas Arts developed a first-person shooter (and third person lightsabre) adventure starring mercenary and latent Jedi Kyle Katarn. For
Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast, Raven Software (responsible for
Star Trek Elite Force) has taken over development, but rest assured Kyle is back and this time he's defiantly on the right side of the force.
The action takes place nine years after Jedi Knight, Kyle has forsworn his lightsabre and the Force and with his partner Jan Ors now works for the New Republic. You join him as he is sent to investigate remaining Imperial forces (now called the Remnant) on a remote outpost.
From the outset you really know that this is a sequel, if you played Jedi Knight you will nod sagely at the references to its denouement--the valley of the Jedi--in the opening cut sequence of JK2. There is also no training mission, you are thrown straight into stormtrooper-slaying action (you will initially have to manage with a pitifully poor excuse for a weapon the blaster as Kyle has given up carrying a lightsabre.)
But having said that this is classic shooter action, you run around killing things, solving puzzles and gradually unravelling the plot with the single player campaign is split up into eight missions spanning 24 levels on seven worlds including Nar Shaddaa, Yavin and the Cloud City of Bespin.
The thing that makes JK2 different from other shooters is when you get the lightsabre. This aspect of the game is seriously improved from the original, here you can block, smash boxes and even throw your weapon and watch it return to your hand like a Jedi boomerang. The camera automatically changes to a third-person view whenever you activate the lightsabre, which makes it easier to wield. You also get force powers, initially only pull, push, jump and speed, but later missions see you increase this repertoire to Force Lightning, Force Grip and the Jedi Mind Trick.
This isn't an easy game, even without dodging imperial fire there are loads of puzzles to complete and quite often you will spend ages just trying to work out what to do next which will be frustrating. But the lightsabre animations and the atmosphere is fantastic and the music will make you think you are actually in a Star Wars film, you even get a few chance encounters with Mr Skywalker himself.--Seth Joseph
Manufacturer's Description
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.
