Overview

Lock, stock, and stormtrooper

Ever since the release of the original Dark Forces way back in 1995, gamers have been looking for a title where they could step into Luke Skywalker's funky black togs from opening cinematics to closing credits. They never quite got it, as both of the two follow-ups began as standard shooters. Both Jedi Knight and Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast didn't really get going until the lightsabers went kashoom and Kyle Katarn gained the ability to Force Push stormtroopers off ledges.

Old friends

Let the Wookiee win

Boomerang saber

That isn't a worry anymore. Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy finally lets players wield a lightsaber from the get-go and take part in every step of Jedi training from neophyte to padawan to knight. Raven Entertainment has provided nothing short of a Jedi training simulation, using the post-Return of the Jedi setting of Luke Skywalker's school on Yavin IV as a backdrop. For the first time, we get to see what it would be like to begin life as a Jedi, complete with training, do-gooder missions scattered across the galaxy, and the usual mysterious evil threatening to bring back the Empire, lock, stock, and stormtrooper.

Jedi in a kilt

Although the storyline is prominent throughout the missions, one of the real pluses of Jedi Academy is a freeform attitude towards telling this tale. You take on the role of Jaden Korr, a training-wheels Jedi with great promise who's somehow been able to craft his own lightsaber without guidance. This protagonist is customizable as well, the gender-neutral name allowing the player to set up Jaden as either male or female. A number of different Star Wars races are also featured as character model options, most notably the Rodians (think Greedo) and the Twi'Leks (one served as Jabba the Hutt's major domo in Return of the Jedi). Even wardrobe is adjustable. You can dress your lead in everything from Han Solo-style togs to a groovy kilt-like number.

Their prices are inn-sane!

Green glow of death

Kaboom

This easygoing nature is also reflected in character advancement. As in Jedi Knight, you gain points that can be used towards specific Force skills like Mind Trick, Heal, Lightning, and the Vader favorite, Grip. They are divided into Light and Dark groupings, although you can freely pick and choose which to specialize in. Luke and Kyle Katarn (back here as your mentor) emphasize early on that it's not the power, it's how you use it. They're none too picky about how you use it, either, as you can blitz through missions like death incarnate killing civilians and droids without losing a hand or getting whiny like Hayden Christiansen--though you do have to make some choices at the end of the game affecting the conclusion. Saber combat is incredibly smooth, featuring lots of acrobatic moves like running up walls along with the ability to specialize in dueling with two sabers or even the double-bladed weapon popularized by Darth Maul.