Jedi Starfighter (PS2/Xbox)
Rating: T
Availability: PS2-Out Now; Xbox-May 2002

Jedi Starfighter is the second game in the series started by the Episode I Starfighter, which was part of the PlayStation 2 launch in the fall of 2000. Following the timeline set by the films, Jedi Starfighter takes place ten years after Episode I, and follows the adventures of Jedi Master Adi Gallia and space pirate Nym. Gamers will remember Nym as one of the playable characters from the first Starfighter. He's back, more ticked off then ever at the Trade Federation; and his ship, the Havoc, is more pimped up than before.

A new feature, and only available when Gallia flies the prototype Jedi Starfighter, is the use of the ship as a channel for your Force abilities. Right off the bat, you can use Force shield and lightning. I found Force lightning to be a major plus - when facing multiple targets, Gallia can use Force lightning to take down as many as five enemy ships at once. However, there is a time lapse while your Force power regenerates before you can use it again.

The menu interface is fantastic, and it allows you to custom configure your controller, enter in a player name, enter in cheat codes and adjust the screen and sound. Two modes of play are available in the game: single-player mission and cooperative, where you and a buddy can act as wingmen throughout the fifteen or so missions.

The first five missions are training levels, allowing the player to get used to flying the Starfighter and the Havoc. You learn how to use the weapons systems, Force powers, wingman commands and more.

Graphics:

The graphics in Jedi Starfighter are much sharper and better-defined than from the first game, indicating the developers now have a better understanding of the PS2's hardware. The cutscenes are done in-game, are used to great effect in stringing the story together, and look fantastic. An independent observer who happened into the room thought I'd scored a bootleg DVD of Episode II. If only...

Voice Acting:

Very well done. Nym and Reti sound just like they did in the first game, Adi Gallia does not sound like an Eastern European tour guide (you'll have to have played Obi-Wan to know what I mean) and Mace Windu sounds like the badass he is. The dialogue is well-scripted and inane chatter when in battle doesn't occur here.

I have to score some extra points for how much I like Nym - his in-flight comments are hysterical, he is the Lord God King of smacktalk.

However, a couple of those points have to be returned because the Nemoidians sound even more like cheap anime samurai.

Camera/Controls:

The camera allows for cockpit first-person and outside third-person views. Improvements over the original Starfighter can be noticed right away as I found the camera tended to stay more closely to the battle. In the original game, I sometimes found myself drifting to parts unknown as I couldn't locate the dogfight I was supposed to be in!

The controls for the PS2 pad are the same as the first game: left stick for direction, right stick for roll, shoulder buttons control brake, boost and target zoom. The directional pad cycles through your secondary weapons when playing as Nym and your Force powers when playing as Gallia. The pad buttons control your wingman commands and fire the laser cannons. As much as I like the PS2 pad, I find that the oft-maligned Xbox controller, with triggers instead of shoulder buttons, works more efficiently as a flight pad. The Xbox version of Jedi Starfighter is due out in May.

Music/Sound:

Plenty of music from Episode I, and dare I venture to say, some tracks from Episode II. Music is put to good effect here, and as always, the effects of laser cannons and explosions are very well done.

Replay Value:

There does appear to be more of a replay scheme here than in the first Starfighter. Getting higher rankings in missions, by completing bonus and hidden objectives, means players can unlock hidden missions and ships. Prove that you're the best and you can eventually play the game using a X-Wing, TIE fighter and even Slave I.

Light Side features:

• Improved graphics, better use of the PlayStation 2 hardware
• Simliar controls to the first game, intuitive and easy to figure
• Great storyline, meshes very well with the Episode II film
• Great cutscenes
• Two words: Force lightning
• Xbox version in May

Dark Side features:

• The Nemoidians seemed destined to sound like dorks in every game they are in

Overall Grade: B

Purchase Jedi Starfighter for PlayStation 2
Purchase Jedi Starfighter for Xbox