Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy | |
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Release | |
Genre(s) | |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a
Jedi Academy uses the same game engine as Jedi Outcast, the id Tech 3, but features several technical improvements. Like Jedi Outcast, the game combines shooter elements with hack and slash combat, allowing players to wield blasters, lightsabers and a variety of Force powers. The lightsaber combat has been slightly improved and both the player and enemies can now wield standard, double-bladed or dual lightsabers. In addition to customizing their lightsaber and Force powers, players can also modify Jaden's appearance, choosing their species, gender and clothing. Jedi Academy also features a multiplayer mode that allows players to compete in several different game modes online or over a local area network.
Jedi Academy received positive reviews upon release. In September 2009, the game was re-released onto Steam and Direct2Drive alongside the rest of the Jedi Knight series. A Nintendo Switch[7] and PlayStation 4 port was announced in September 2019 and published by Aspyr in March 2020.
Gameplay
As a
In both single-player and multiplayer, the player character is a Force-user, who has access to a variety of Force powers in addition to their lightsaber(s). Powers include Push, Pull, Jump, Heal, Lightning and other abilities from the Star Wars universe. Force powers are categorized into core, Light Side and Dark Side, and each Force power has three ranks, with the power increasing in effectiveness with each rank. In both single-player and multiplayer, players choose how to rank up their powers, adding a layer of customization. During gameplay, the player has a "force meter" which is depleted when powers are used and recharges when no powers are in use.
Jedi Academy places a heavy emphasis on lightsaber combat. The player can create a custom lightsaber by selecting a hilt and one of five blade colors.[8] After the first few missions, the player is allowed to choose a new lightsaber fighting style ("fast" or "strong") and can switch between that style and the original "medium" style at any time. Later in the game, the player can choose to learn the third fighting style, or wield one saber in each hand, or wield a "saber staff" similar to the double ended lightsaber Darth Maul used in The Phantom Menace[9] which also adds a kicking ability unavailable with any other lightsaber. The different sabers and fighting styles each have unique strengths, weaknesses and special moves. If using dual sabers, the player can switch off the second saber and use the "Fast"-style single-saber stance, or if using a saber staff, the player can switch one of the blades off and use it as a single-bladed saber in the "Medium"-style stance.
Single-player
The player initially chooses the character's species and gender, and begins the game with a single lightsaber. Most of the game is divided into three batches of five missions each. Out of each batch, the player may skip one mission and do the other four in any order, or may do all five in any order. These batches of missions are preceded by a mandatory training course and connected by mandatory missions: Acts 1 and 2 are connected by missions set on Hoth while Acts 2 and 3 are connected by missions set in Bast castle on the planet V'jun. At the end of the Hoth missions, the player may choose a new single-bladed lightsaber fighting style, and at the end of the V'jun/Bast missions, the player is allowed access to dual-wielding or to a saber staff.[10] At the beginning of each optional mission, the player can choose one of their Force skills to upgrade. This will increase the impact of that Force power, thus making the character more powerful as the game progresses. This also encourages players to skip as few missions as possible.[11] The game also introduces player-controllable vehicles and a single vehicle-based level.[12] After the last batch of optional missions, there is a final string of missions which are mandatory, but which give the player a choice to turn to the Dark Side or not, and which feature important differences depending on which choice the player makes.
Multiplayer
In multiplayer mode, one can play online or via a local area network (LAN) with other players, as well as computer-controlled bots. The player can create their avatar using a series of options, similar to the character creation in single-player. Alternatively the player can choose to play as one of almost all of the characters from Jedi Outcast and Jedi Academy. Before a match begins, the server specifies the Force ranking to be used; this controls how many points the players have to invest in different Force powers. Players can then customize their powers for the match. The server can also disable normal weapons to create a lightsaber-only game. There are different multiplayer modes such as "Capture the flag", "Power Duel" and "Siege". Depending on the mode, players can play on their own or as part of a team. In comparison with the single-player gameplay, multiplayer requires a high level of skill and can have a steep learning curve, as stated by many. There are six multiplayer modes in total, but the most popular and most willingly modified is the "Free For All".[13][14]
Since 2011 the online community has started to slowly decline. As of May 2019, there were around 250 active players, with less than a third online at one time. A number of multiplayer modifications have been released, some of the most popular being Movie Battles II, JA+ and Lugormod.
Plot
Jedi Academy is set in 14 ABY, a decade after
After several successful missions, Luke calls the students back to the Academy to tell them he has identified the
After Jaden completes more missions and has several run-ins with the Disciples, they and Kyle travel to Darth Vader's abandoned fortress on Vjun—one of the few places strong with the Force supposedly unvisited by the Disciples—and find it crawling with stormtroopers and Dark Jedi. The pair fight them, but are eventually separated. Jaden encounters Rosh, who has fallen to the dark side and joined the Disciples to avoid being killed after they had captured him. Jaden defeats Rosh as Kyle arrives, but both are incapacitated by Tavion Axmis (Kath Soucie), the Disciples' leader and Rosh's new master.[c] Tavion uses the Scepter of Ragnos, which can absorb and release Force energy, to trap Jaden and Kyle under debris, but the pair manage to escape, though the former's lightsaber is destroyed in the process. At the Academy, Jaden and Kyle inform Luke of their findings, and the former is honored for their actions by being promoted to the rank of Jedi Knight.
After building a new lightsaber, Jaden begins dismantling the Disciples' operations as they complete more missions, while Luke discovers that Tavion plans to use the stolen Force energy to resurrect the ancient Sith Lord Marka Ragnos (
Jaden fights their way to Ragnos' tomb, where they confront Tavion and defeat her. If Jaden is light-sided, they spare Tavion, who completes the resurrection process, causing Ragnos' spirit to possess her. Jaden destroys the Scepter and defeats Ragnos, who leaves Tavion's lifeless body and returns to his tomb. At the Academy, Jaden reunites with Rosh, who has been outfitted with a prosthetic arm, and is honored by Luke, Kyle and the other Jedi. If Jaden is dark-sided, they kill Tavion and claim the Scepter as Kyle arrives to confront them, but Jaden defeats him and buries him under debris. They later take command of Tavion's Star Destroyer, while Kyle is rescued by Luke and vows to hunt Jaden down, though Luke assures him that there is still good in their fallen apprentice.[15]
History
Development
After Jedi Outcast was completed, LucasArts immediately approached Raven Software to develop a sequel. Production began and Raven was given a one-year development cycle.[16] Like Jedi Outcast, Jedi Academy uses a heavily modified Quake III: Team Arena game engine, and the development team was made up of people who worked on Jedi Outcast, as well as Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force.[17]
An early decision made during development was whether or not to have Kyle Katarn as the playable character. This was due to the character already being a powerful Jedi Knight, and, as such, starting off with the Force skills would affect the gameplay.[16] To resolve this issue, Raven chose to make the playable character a student in the Jedi Academy. By using a completely new character, the developers were able to insert features that allowed the player to customize the character, including race and gender, as well as the lightsaber color, hilt and type. The Kyle Katarn character was then made an instructor in the academy so as to remain integral to the plot, to ensure Jedi Academy built upon the existing Jedi Knight series storyline.[16] Raven extended the customization further as the game progresses by allowing the player to choose specific Force powers to train upon completion of missions. This was done with the intention of giving freedom to choose the way and style the game is played.[18]
Another decision made early on was to include locations and aspects from the
The mission based format of Jedi Academy was used by Raven to reduce the linearity of the game, allowing the players to progress through levels mostly in the order they desire. The reduction in linearity was also achieved by requiring 80% of levels to be completed before the plot can move on.
Release
The game was published and distributed within North America by LucasArts.
In September 2009, the game was re-released with the other
The original Xbox version of Jedi Academy was one of the six
On September 19, 2019, it was announced that Jedi Academy would be rereleased on PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch in "early" 2020, to follow the rerelease of Jedi Outcast for the same platforms in December 2019.[5] On March 26, 2020, Jedi Academy was released on PlayStation 4 and the Nintendo Switch with updated controls for modern hardware and a fully functional multiplayer component directly mirroring the original's.[28]
Source-code release
Following
Critical reception
Aggregator | Score | |
---|---|---|
1Up.com B−[37] | | |
Eurogamer | 7/10[38] | 6/10[39] |
Game Informer | 8.5/10[40] | 8/10[41] |
GameSpot | 8.4/10[42] | 8.1/10[43] |
GameZone | 9/10[44] | 8.2/10[45] |
IGN | 8.8/10[46] | 8/10[47] |
Official Xbox Magazine (UK) | 7.7./10[41] | |
Official Xbox Magazine (US) | 7/10[41] | |
PC Gamer (UK) | 70/100[48] | |
PC Gamer (US) | 86/100[40] | |
PC Zone | 89/100[40] | |
TeamXbox | [41] |
Both the PC and Xbox versions of the game were well received. The PC version holds an aggregate score of 81 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 34 reviews,[35] and 80% on GameRankings based on 51 reviews.[33] The Xbox version holds aggregate scores of 76 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 30 reviews,[36] and 75% on GameRankings based on 45 reviews.[34]
PC
Positive reviews praised the fact that, unlike in Dark Forces II and Jedi Outcast, players could use a lightsaber from the beginning. Game Over Online scored the game 92% and commented that "You start instantly with your lightsaber, rather than wading through six painfully bland FPS levels to get your lightsaber as you did in Jedi Outcast".[49] Critics lauded the lightsaber interface and player customization options. Ernie Halal of Gaming Age gave the game an A−, writing, "You choose not only the gender and race of your character, but also which powers and fighting styles to develop [...] Third person adventure games rarely offer that much customization."[50]
Critics noted that, despite its age, the Quake III engine was used well.[44] PC Gamer UK, which scored the game 70 out of 100, wrote "the engine, which although hardly groundbreaking any more, perfectly evokes the glow of the lightsaber and the grimy, metallic backgrounds of the films."[48] Some critics did, however, note that the engine was starting to look dated.[44][49][50]
The multiplayer, in particular the objective-based Siege mode, was well received.[42][46] The music,[48] sound effects[46] and voice acting[44] also received acclaim, although some critics found it odd that all aliens spoke English.[45][46]
The story and level design received mixed reactions. Some critics commended the levels as varied (both in terms of length and content). GameZone scored the game 9 out of 10, writing "Some are a fast blast that can be beat in ten or so minutes. Others [...] can take as long as hours [...] The change of pace is very refreshing."[44][50] The story was described as "great" by GameZone[45] and as "strong" by Gaming Age.[50] IGN's Steve Butts, however, disliked the plot, feeling that "Jedi Outcast was more satisfying in terms of involvement with the story. Jedi Academy dishes out more action sooner but fails to put it in as solid a context as the previous game."[46]
Game Over Online was critical of the mission structure, writing "This kind of free-form mission assignment [...] only serves to weaken the plotline. It also leads to a disjointedness to the missions [...] it seems more like roaming than any actual story advancement."[49] GameSpot's Craig Beers, however, praised the mission structure; "Jedi Academy does an excellent job of balancing its missions."[42] IGN also defended the system; "It's nice that the game offers a series of fairly short, relatively unconnected missions at the start. It's a great way to get your feet wet and ease you in to the environments and the saber fighting before the challenge level ramps up."[46]
The AI was criticized by PC Gamer UK as "laughable"; "Every encounter you have is filled with people too stupid to realise that running away or taking some sort of cover would be the best option. [Jedi Academy] requires little to no skill to play through."[48] This opinion was echoed by GameSpot: "Stormtroopers usually just stand there shooting away at you [...] Dark Jedi rush at you, even after watching four of their brethren plummet to a horrible death. Occasionally, you'll see an enemy accidentally commit suicide by falling off a cliff or falling into lava, enemies will not even dive for cover or try and throw it back if you throw an uncooked thermal detonator at them."[42]
Despite his criticism of the AI, GameSpot's Craig Beers scored the game 8.4 out of 10, writing "It manages to take all the fun parts from its predecessor and greatly expands them to create an engaging, new action game in its own right."[42] IGN's Steve Butts scored the game 8.8 out of 10, giving it an "Editor's Choice Award" and writing "If you like Star Wars and think flipping around chopping up Stormtroopers and flinging Dark Jedi off of conveniently placed precipices is fun, then this game is definitely for you."[46] Eurogamer's Kristan Reed was less impressed, scoring the game 7 out of 10, writing "The harsh reality is, for all the plentiful additions, there's much work to be done before LucasArts can boast it has created the ultimate Star Wars FPS. Sure, it's the best one yet, but with some often laughable AI and creaking tech underpinning it, the flaws are there for all to see."[38]
Xbox
Kevin Gifford of
See also
- List of formerly proprietary software
- List of open source games
Notes
- Vicarious Visions developed the Xbox version, while Aspyrdeveloped the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions.
- ^ Aspyr published the Mac OS X, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 versions. THQ Nordic published the retail Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 versions.[6]
- Desann, whom Kyle defeated and spared, leading her to swear revenge on him for humiliating her.
References
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- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
- ^ "Aspyr ships Raven Shield, Jedi Academy". Macworld. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Coming to Nintendo Switch". Star Wars. September 4, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight Collection". THQ Nordic. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ "Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy For Switch Might Launch Around March 26, 2020 – NintendoHill". nintendohill.com. March 22, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
- ^ Ham, Tom (September 21, 2003). "The Bat 2.0; Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy; Cabela's Deer Hunt: 2004 Season". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
- Wired.com. November 26, 2003. Retrieved November 14, 2008.
- ^ a b Bevins, Tal (May 15, 2003). "E3 2003: Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy". IGN. Archived from the original on May 27, 2003. Retrieved April 29, 2008.
- ^ Miles, Stuart (December 16, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy - PC. Full Review". Pocket-Lint.co.uk. Archived from the original on December 27, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
- ^ Baker, Eric T. (October 27, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy". scifi.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy". Xbox.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
- ^ Morrison, Bruce (August 29, 2003). "Same Ole' Game, Brand New Title". thetigernews.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved September 29, 2013.
- LucasArts.
- ^ a b c d "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Designer Diary #1". GameSpot. August 25, 2003. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ Sulic, Ivan (March 30, 2003). "Jedi Knight III Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on August 3, 2003. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b "Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Developer Interview". GameSpot. August 5, 2003. Archived from the original (WMV) on January 23, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2008.
- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Designer Diary #2". GameSpot. September 4, 2003. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Designer Diary #3". GameSpot. September 12, 2003. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ Bailey, Kat (May 4, 2020). "The 35 year quest for the perfect video game lightsaber". US Gamer. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
- ^ Keller, Matt (April 3, 2003). "LucasArts announce Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy". palgn.com.au. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
- 1UP.com. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ^ "Star Wars Jedi Knight Collection". Steam. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- 1UP.com. Archived from the originalon July 19, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ Warren, Tom (April 10, 2018). "Microsoft is bringing 19 more original Xbox games to the Xbox One, including Star Wars classics". Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Xbox Live Games With Gold For February 2019". January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
- ^ Moon, Mariella (March 26, 2020). "'Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy' is now available on Switch and PS4". Engadget. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ "Jedi Academy Source Code". SourceForge. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (April 3, 2013). "Lucasarts' Closure Convinces Developers To Release Awesome Star Wars Source Code". Kotaku. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
In the wake of LucasArts' closure today, Raven - the developers of the thoroughly excellent Jedi Outcast - have decided to release the source code for the game. Oh, and the code for its sequel, Jedi Academy, as well.
- ^ Booker, Logan (April 13, 2013). "Just Like That, Jedi Knight Code Has Been Removed From SourceForge". Kotaku. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ "Community effort to maintain and improve Jedi Academy + Jedi Outcast released by Raven Software". GitHub. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for PC". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for Xbox". GameRankings. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ a b "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ 1UP.com. Archived from the originalon July 11, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
- ^ a b Reed, Kristan (October 2, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC review". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ a b Reed, Kristan (December 16, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Xbox review". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (PC) Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (Xbox) Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Beers, Craig (September 15, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC review". GameSpot. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ a b Beers, Craig (November 20, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Xbox review". GameSpot. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Rgerbino (September 23, 2003). "Jedi Academy PC review". GameZone. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Valentino, Nick (November 28, 2003). "Jedi Academy Xbox review". GameZone. Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g Butts, Steve (September 15, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC Review". IGN. Archived from the original on September 19, 2003. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b Butts, Steve (November 19, 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Xbox review". IGN. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Pearson, Craig (October 2003). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy review". PC Gamer UK. pp. 88–90.
- ^ a b c Rorschach (September 26, 2003). "Jedi Academy PC review". Game Over Online. Retrieved April 26, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Halal, Ernie (September 17, 2003). "Jedi Academy PC review". Gaming Age. Archived from the original on October 10, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
External links
- Official site via Internet Archive
- Jedi Academy source code mirror at GitHub
- Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy at MobyGames