Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (Xbox)
Publisher: LucasArts
Players: 1-2
Online: No
Rating: T
Overall Score: 8.2
Availability: Out Now

First, let's get the obvious out of the way -- Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is a port from a PC game that's been out for months. There, I said it.

For those of you who haven't played the PC game, JK II follows the story of Kyle Katarn, a gun-for-hire who happens to be working for the New Republic, the government formed by the Rebel Alliance after the Battle of Endor. Kyle is also a Jedi-in-Denial; he learned about his abilities late in life, and after a brush with the Dark Side (a major component in this game's predecessor, Dark Forces II), he's rejected the Force and is continuing on in life. A mission to an outpost of the Imperial Remnant gets the story going, and kicks Kyle's unwilling behind back onto the Jedi track. In order to complete his mission, Kyle has to relearn his Jedi skills and once more accept the Force as his ally.

Like the PC game, JK II is, at its meat, a first-person shooter. But, because it's Star Wars, a lightsaber is included in your arsenal. But, also because it's Star Wars, you can't just pick one up from the get-go and begin hacking. Kyle has to earn the right to wield the saber once more. The first several levels set up Kyle to prepare for a set of trials that allow him to reclaim his lightsaber. Once that is accomplished (accompanied by words of wisdom from Luke Skywalker), the game kicks into high gear and never looks back.

The original game was developed by Raven Software using a modified Quake III engine. Vicarious Visions ported the code to the Xbox, and did a fine job of it. All the fighting, cutscenes and puzzle-solving remained intact. The only beef that I and many others will have is the missing online multiplayer component. While you can play split-screen, the fact that JK II is not Live enabled will hurt. I've recently begun playing JK II online with my PC, and despite having my rear handed to me by my Master, this Padawan will keep trying to get better. Unfortunately, it won't be with the Xbox version.

GRAPHICS:

The excellent textures, lighting and Star Wars scenery are fully realized. From what I've heard, the graphics were amazing on the PC...but only if you have a high-end video card. I don't, and my experience with the PC version suffers as a result. Not so with the Xbox game - everything is crisp and smooth.

The only issue is that the characters still look rather cartoonish. Kyle has this sneer that makes me think he's constantly looking for food in his teeth.

VOICE ACTING:

The dialogue track is taken directly from the PC game, which had been very well done. Both Kyle and his cohort, Jan, sound the way galaxy-weary mercenaries should. The guest appearances by Mon Mothma and Luke Skywalker are high quality from the sound-alikes, and Billy Dee Williams read the lines for Lando.

CONTROLS/CAMERA:

The controls are based on those of the Holy Grail of Xboxdom, Halo. The sticks help you move around and strafe, the right trigger is primary fire and the left trigger is alternate fire. The buttons allow you to use objects (a hand icon appears above your health meter when an object is usable), jump, and eventually, activate your lightsaber and toggle through its different styles of use. The Back button brings up your datapad screen, which keeps track of your mission goals. Even the white and black buttons have uses - you can assign specific Force powers to each one. The D-pad is used to cycle through your Force powers, weapons and item inventory.

An advanced control set-up option is available, allowing you to adjust the thumbstick sensitivity, invert the Y-axis and turn on the auto aim feature. While auto aiming may seem sad to use, it is helpful if you're making the transition from keyboard/mouse to controller.

The camera is standard FPS-view. However, it switches automatically to third-person when your using your lightsaber. And you will be. Heh. You will be...

MUSIC/SOUND:

Always an outstanding feature in Star Wars games, the music and sounds assist in transporting you to that galaxy far, far away. All of the sound effects are accurate to use, blasters and lightsabers are perfect recreations from the films. The music is directly from the John Williams' scores, and sounds great on a surround sound system.

REPLAY VALUE:

Yes...and no. There are several difficulty levels in the single-player mode, so you can replay the game a couple of times that way. And there is a multiplayer mode, but it's not Xbox Live enabled, taking away from what is universally seen as the end all, be all of the PC version. I'm a diaper-wearing Padawan online, but getting my ass kicked by a friend in New Jersey is a hoot. What would have made the Xbox version head and shoulders above the PC would have been a Live component. I could then have told Joisey Boy to bite me using the Communicator instead of having to type it in.

THE SKINNY:

A fantastic use of the Star Wars license, and easily the best Star Wars game on the Xbox. That said, if you already have the PC version and love playing online, you may not want to drop the fifty bones on getting this. If you're like me and your PC can't handle the graphics, then the Xbox version is a good rental for the single-player game. There's nothing like using a lightsaber, and in that aspect, JK II delivers big time.

That which is good:

• Original story and characters in the Star Wars universe.
• A first-person shooter with lightsabers. 'Nuff said.
• Great graphics, especially the Star Wars environments ranging from Nar Shaddaa to Bespin.
• That Star Wars sound.
• Decent conversion from keyboard/mouse to controller.

That which is not good:

• Not on Xbox Live.

(Jody Reeves is known on Xbox Live by the GamerTag of ImpSlave. She finally set down Unreal Championship long enough to do this review.)

(Screenshots from official website used by permission of Lucasfilm.)
(Logo made to dance by demented web designer, not with permission of LucasAnything.)

Purchase Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast for Xbox