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trooper6An Xbox review:
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy -- Raven/Lucas Arts
What the Game Is: 3rd Person action-adventure. It is set after Return of the Jedi as Luke is trying to rebuild the Jedi Order. You play one of the students. This is not an RPG, but here is a bit of character progression (choosing light/dark side powers).
Plot/Level Design: The plot is not super deep...but it is deep enough for an action-adventure game. There are lots of excuses for you to use cool Jedi powers and attack people with your light saber. There was a very neat level on speeder bikes. There are some really nice touches for those who know the extended universe. At one point in time you go to Marko Ragnos' tomb on Korriban...which I recognized from having visited there a few thousand years in the past as part of Knights of the Old Republic. So that was a nice touch. The game is not all fighty-fighty...there are at least a few nods to jumping about and so forth. Good solid fun on the Plot/Level Design.
Audio: The audio is fine. Nothing super outstanding, but good. And they of course have all of the good Lucasarts sound effects.
Graphics: The game is from 2003 and I think the graphics are okay. They are not drop dead gorgeous, but they are good.
Controls: Nothing to complain about here.
Extras: There is an online component that I'm looking forward to trying out when I get myself on live...most specifically, I'm excited about the possibility of dueling folks with lightsabers.
Replay: The game is sort of short. I finished it in three sittings. (Right after my class ended, I celebrated with this video game). I played it light side, and I do think that I'm going to play again as a dark sider. There is An Important Choice at one point in the game and I'd like to see what happens if I choose less boy scout. Also, I'd like to try out the dark side powers. Also, because the game is not too crazy long, I could easily see myself playing it through a second time. I could also see myself playing live with it.
Critical Reception: Doing some cursory searches...it looks like media reviews were mixed while fan response was very good. Complaints seemed to involve not enough story and outdated graphics. I can't say I have much to take issue with...but I will say that, clearly, despite the mixed critical response, fans really, really like it. I think because it is fun...sort of like a blockbuster.
Grade: B
Summation: This game is not the Oscar contender, but it is a good solid summer action flick. And there is value in that. However, I have found that it is hard to find, and I finally found my used copy and paid $45...used (!) for it. People don't seem to want to let this game go. That speaks well of it. I suspect live support might have something to do with it. But I'll be able to comment on that later. This is a good solid game that I had fun while playing and will play again. It is not super innovative, but it is fun.
If You Liked...You'd Love...: Well, Star Wars fans should certainly get this game, no doubt about it. If you are looking for an RPG...then don't get this game. If you've always wanted to run around doing real-time light saber combat and feeling all hardcore...yeah, this is the game for you!
What's next?
Quickie Game: Um...probably back into FIFA 2005 with some Need For Speed thrown in for variety.
Main Feature Game: Kingdom under Fire: The Crusades
On the Horizon: Well, Indigo Prophecy is coming out tomorrow...and I want it bad!
(I have recently finished the main Quest from Morrowind, and I will be writing a review of that soon)
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy -- Raven/Lucas Arts
What the Game Is: 3rd Person action-adventure. It is set after Return of the Jedi as Luke is trying to rebuild the Jedi Order. You play one of the students. This is not an RPG, but here is a bit of character progression (choosing light/dark side powers).
Plot/Level Design: The plot is not super deep...but it is deep enough for an action-adventure game. There are lots of excuses for you to use cool Jedi powers and attack people with your light saber. There was a very neat level on speeder bikes. There are some really nice touches for those who know the extended universe. At one point in time you go to Marko Ragnos' tomb on Korriban...which I recognized from having visited there a few thousand years in the past as part of Knights of the Old Republic. So that was a nice touch. The game is not all fighty-fighty...there are at least a few nods to jumping about and so forth. Good solid fun on the Plot/Level Design.
Audio: The audio is fine. Nothing super outstanding, but good. And they of course have all of the good Lucasarts sound effects.
Graphics: The game is from 2003 and I think the graphics are okay. They are not drop dead gorgeous, but they are good.
Controls: Nothing to complain about here.
Extras: There is an online component that I'm looking forward to trying out when I get myself on live...most specifically, I'm excited about the possibility of dueling folks with lightsabers.
Replay: The game is sort of short. I finished it in three sittings. (Right after my class ended, I celebrated with this video game). I played it light side, and I do think that I'm going to play again as a dark sider. There is An Important Choice at one point in the game and I'd like to see what happens if I choose less boy scout. Also, I'd like to try out the dark side powers. Also, because the game is not too crazy long, I could easily see myself playing it through a second time. I could also see myself playing live with it.
Critical Reception: Doing some cursory searches...it looks like media reviews were mixed while fan response was very good. Complaints seemed to involve not enough story and outdated graphics. I can't say I have much to take issue with...but I will say that, clearly, despite the mixed critical response, fans really, really like it. I think because it is fun...sort of like a blockbuster.
Grade: B
Summation: This game is not the Oscar contender, but it is a good solid summer action flick. And there is value in that. However, I have found that it is hard to find, and I finally found my used copy and paid $45...used (!) for it. People don't seem to want to let this game go. That speaks well of it. I suspect live support might have something to do with it. But I'll be able to comment on that later. This is a good solid game that I had fun while playing and will play again. It is not super innovative, but it is fun.
If You Liked...You'd Love...: Well, Star Wars fans should certainly get this game, no doubt about it. If you are looking for an RPG...then don't get this game. If you've always wanted to run around doing real-time light saber combat and feeling all hardcore...yeah, this is the game for you!
What's next?
Quickie Game: Um...probably back into FIFA 2005 with some Need For Speed thrown in for variety.
Main Feature Game: Kingdom under Fire: The Crusades
On the Horizon: Well, Indigo Prophecy is coming out tomorrow...and I want it bad!
(I have recently finished the main Quest from Morrowind, and I will be writing a review of that soon)
