by Aspyr Media
Platform:
Mac
(13)Buy new:
21 used & new from $14.99
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Video games and books such as the popular New Jedi Order series have continued the storyline of Star Wars past the events in Return of the Jedi. According to this "extended universe", Imperial loyalists have been pushed back to a small number of worlds and are now known as the Imperial Remnant, and meanwhile Luke Skywalker has started a training academy to rebuild the once glorious Jedi Order. Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy casts players in the ongoing Star Wars epic as Jaden Corr, a new character in the Star Wars universe who has enrolled at Luke's Jedi Academy. The Imperial Remnant and a group of dark-side Force users have been up to something shady, and it's your job as Jaden to uncover and stop their nefarious plans.
The game is a mix of first-person shooting and third-person lightsaber combat, with a heavy focus of the latter over the former. Players are allowed to customize the basic look of their character by choosing from a list of heads, torsos, and legs. Moreover, players can now customize the look of their lightsaber hilt in addition to the blade color, though all of these customizations are aesthetic only. Answering overwhelming fan demand, players now have the option of fighting with two lightsabers or the double lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul. The flashy new lightsaber combat styles are a lot of fun and make duels twice as entertaining. Players are able to use a set of Force powers such as Push, Pull, and Speed, that should be familiar to anyone who has watched the Star Wars movies. Ironically, players can learn and use Light Side and Dark Side powers like Heal or Lightning interchangably without any real restriction or consequence. The single-player story line is fairly thin but adequately does the job of giving you an excuse to visit a variety of diverse environments and cut through bad guys by the boatload.
The multi-player game features standard action game modes such as Free For All, Team Free For All, Capture the Flag, and Duel. Jedi Academy also features a couple of innovative multiplay experiences. Power Duel pits two slightly weaker players against one slightly stronger player. Siege is a team-based combat mode ala Battlefield 1942, but with a far older kind of Stormtrooper. Players assume the role of Scout, Demolitions, Soldier, Heavy Weapons, or Jedi, and use the strengths of their particular role to help their team accomplish the objective. Objectives typically involve breaching a wall or carrying an object from one place to another. Imagine a dynamic Star Wars battlefield complete with vehicles, Star Wars architecture, and small teams of Scouts, Jedi and Demolitions guys sneaking around while troopers and heavy weapons specialists blast everything in sight, and you've got an idea of Siege.
The game's only major flaw, if you can call it that, is the focus on lightsaber combat; those looking for a dedicated shooting experience may resent the reliance on these elegant weapons. If you're willing to play a Jedi simulator as a Jedi simulator, Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a fun foray into the Star Wars universe that takes players beyond the familiar events of the classic trilogy. - Jon "Safety Monkey" Grover
Pros:
- New lightsabers and lightsaber moves are fun to play with
- Multiplayer Siege mode is excellent
- Force powers and Star Wars setting a refreshing break from standard FPS fare
- Storyline is not terribly interesting
- Lightsaber and character customization--while cool--have no effect on gameplay
Star Wars® Jedi Knight®: Jedi Academy™ is the latest installment of the highly acclaimed Jedi™ series. Take on the role of a new student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.Customize your character and interact with famous Star Wars characters in many unique Star Wars locations where you face powerful enemies. You can build your own lightsaber and use the level selection system to choose your own path through the game.You must now make the ultimate choice: Fight for good and freedom on the light side or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side. Features Customize your character by defining both look and gender before entering the Academy to learn the power and dangers of the Force. Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade. As you progress discover the power of wielding two lightsabers or the ultimate double-bladed lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul. New vehicles weapons Force powers and Star Wars locations. Unique level selection system allows you to choose your own mission and adventures. Six multiplayer modes including team-based siege mode and two-on-one power duel. Fight in 23 multiplayer arenas! System Requirements:Mac OS X 10.2.6 or later PowerPC G3/G4/G5 500 MHz or faster 256MB of RAM 1.3 GB free disk space 3D Graphics Acceleration required (ATI Radeon 7500/nVidia GeForce 2 or better 32MB of VRAM) 4X CD-ROM Multiplayer Requirements: Internet and LAN (TCP/IP) play supported Internet play requires a 56Kbps or faster connection 733 MHz or faster recommended for Multiplayer Format: MAC 10.2.2 OR LATER Genre: ENTERTAINMENT Rating: T - Teen UPC: 618870106106 Manufacturer No: 10610
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