Star Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast

Kyle Katarn first popped up on the Star Wars scene during "Star Wars: Dark Forces", a rather innovative first person shooter made by Lucasarts some 10 years ago. We learn that it was Kyle Katarn who delivered the Death Star schematics to the rebellion. During his first time in the spotlight, he stopped the Empire's plot to create the next generation of super troopers, called that Dark Trooper project.

Kyle returned two years later in Dark Forces 2 to avenge his father and stop the Dark Jedi Jerec and his acolytes from discovering the hidden Valley of the Jedi. Katarn learned to use the force and confronted the Dark Jedi and his 6 minions and was able to stop them, but Kyle nearly turned to the Dark Side in the process. He turned in his Lightsaber and returned to his mercenary ways with his trusted companion Jan Ors.

Several years passed and Kyle returned in Jedi Outcast. While working on a mission for the New Republic, Kyle stumbles onto a plot which will surely mean the end of the New Jedi Order and the New Republic. To save the galaxy, Kyle must once again relearn to master the force to be able to confront the new Dark Jedi, Desann. But can he wield the force safely without falling to the Dark Side forever? One of the best story driven first person shooters available today. Even if you are not an avid fan of the Star Wars franchise, you will love this game.

I was crazy for this game in 2002, when it came out. I enjoyed with my friends playing the multiplayer. Than I got the game and I tried singleplayer. And I was blown away. It's an excellent story, good characters, very nice plot, very well written. For 2002, graphics were pleasurable, the sound effects also cool, good old from the films. You are Kyle Katarn, a former jedi who becomes jedi again in order to save his partner Jan Ors and stop the plans of evil sith Desann. If you never had a chance to play this game, it's never too late. If you are a Star Wars fan, and you still haven't play this game, do it. You won't regret it.

It's like you're in the movie, and I am just waiting for Hollywood to make a movie adaption. Because story goes somewhere after "Return of the Jedi". Don't take me too seriously, the movie adaption would be dumb, but, who knows.

Even now, in 2017, this game holds up as a fantastic action experience. 'The Force Unleashed' may have been more visually ambitious and 'Battlefront II' may have been a more grandiose idea, but I've rarely found a more exhilarating game experience than the deadly lightsaber duels of 'Jedi Outcast'. In this game, you play as Kyle Katarn. You'll be familiar with him if you've already played earlier 'Jedi Knight' games, but your gaming experience won't be diminished if you haven't. The early scenes of 'Jedi Outcast' show Kyle and his partner Jan attacked by a formidable Dark Jedi called Desann. Desann is one of the most well-designed villains in 'Star Wars' game history, and is certainly one of the most menacing, rivalled only in my opinion by Darth Malgus (SWTOR) and the various Dark Lords of the 'KOTOR' games. Kyle soon realises that he must reawaken his Jedi powers and, as Anakin Skywalker once said, this is where the fun begins. Over the course of 'Jedi Outcast' you'll battle hordes of Imperial Stormtroopers and Dark Jedi whilst closing the distance between you and your ultimate enemy. The levels are very enjoyable, and I don't recall a dull moment in the game. Overall, an excellent title.

I honestly think that the gameplay is the best I've seen in years. What sucks is how when I first got it, I apparently didn't have the right video card. When I got a new one. It worked like a charm, although my Half-Life still freezes the computer. Anyway, I loved the gameplay period. The cutscenes, well, they should be done better. The things I complain about with the scenes is that the characters' lips move like a Japanese game and their noses are pretty 2-D. The plot is pretty basic, and I think that Kyle should have gotten his saber back another way instead of asking a Jedi who normally should have said no. What I can't get is how in 1st person view, the weapons look so well animated, while in 3rd person view, they look pretty crappy, except the saber. If you are at least a fan of action games, get this. 8/10

I pre-ordered this game in January this year and got my copy 2 days before the official release date, and i wasn't disappointed.

I can't credit John Williams and CO enough for the superb sound and music, you really feel like you're in the middle of a Star Wars film, blasting Stormtoopers or Saber Fighting a Sith Lord.

The story is a bit predicable, but if you're a Star Wars fan, you won't care!

The saber fighting is superb in single player mode, fast paced and very Episode I and II like! The force powers are well done, divided into 3 levels, level 1 a basic version of that force power and level 3 the most powerful version of that force power.

You can also live your Darth Vader dream and grip an opponent and throw him off an edge or just crush'em!

The movie cut scenes are a bit blocky but they're well enough done to get jist of it.

Multiplayer Saber physics are changed in the multiplayer mode, the saber fights are slowed down considerably due to the lag factor, you'll find out what I mean when you play it.

But all in all a fantastic game, one which any Star Wars fan should have! It should also appeal to Star Trek Elite Force fans too, with the same game engine and the nice guns you get in the game.

Rating 9 out of 10