This game feels more like an expansion pack.
User Rating: 6.9 | Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC
Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast was one of those few licensed games that actually lived up to expectations. The game started off as a seemingly average FPS but essentially became a 3rd person action game once you got your lightsabre. It was definitely a memorable experience as finally you were granted, in a game, the ability to storm through enemies armed with the force. Jedi Academy, the game’s follow-up, strives to build on that gameplay mechanic with varying results. You start the game with customising your character – one can choose the character model (in which they are not many choices) and later choose the lightsabre style. The gameplay has received some improvement with a healthy addition of new moves and combos; however, they are still the assortment of ranged weapons. In JKII, the ranged weapons seemed less useful and inviting once you got your lightsabre and since you basically have a lightsabre right from the beginning of the game, the same remains true for Jedi Academy for the entire game. The missions consist of large areas in which the player must complete certain objectives. The problem is that none of the missions have any relation to each other as they are supposed to be “small tasks” in order to complete your jedi training (since you are supposed to be a student). There is an underlying plot that only really surfaces towards the end, but it almost has a “tacked-on” feel to it. The story is by far the weakest aspect of the game and hinders one in truly becoming immersed in the game. You do have the ability to choose light and dark paths but they change very little in terms of gameplay. Also, the choosing of light or dark force powers has little effect on your character. One a technical note, the graphics and sound are identical to its predecessor. JKII received good marks on those categories, but after a few years, they are not very impressive. It seems that since the only real improvement made was actually in the combat, it would logical to think that the meat of the game would be in its multiplayer. The multiplayer aspect of Jedi Academy seems the only area of the interest since the single-player portion is weak. The game initially seems that it offers a great degree of choice above its predecessor – character customisation, two different endings, choice of lightsabre, light/dark force powers – but none of these choices make any difference due to the story being so uninspired. The missions feel patched together and therefore, resemble an expansion pack rather than a proper sequel. At full price (although now it should be in the bargain bin), this game is not worth it and should only be considered by hardcore fans of the multiplayer. 
