Check out the next entry in our series, where we take a look at the best Star Wars video games ever!
Welcome to the next episode in our series where we take a look at the best Star Wars video games ever. This time we look at Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, and why it remains ever popular to this day. We’ll look at its legendary Lightsaber physics, it’s cool (albeit Legends Canon) plot and why you should give it another go in 2020.
Read our rundown of the best Star Wars video games ever!
Transcript
Hey how’s it going guys! Welcome to the next installment in our rundown of the best Star Wars games ever. We run down a brand new game every week, and we’ve already covered the likes of Republic Commando, The Force Unleashed and The Phantom Menace. So if this sounds like something you’d be interested in then hit the subscribe and the notification bell for more videos like this. And don’t forget to tell us what your favourite Star Wars game is in the comments below.
If The Force Unleashed is the best portrayal of the Force in video games, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is by far the best Lightsaber simulator ever. Taking place in the years after Return of the Jedi, you begin as Padawan Jaden Korr, starting your training at Luke Skywalker’s new Jedi Temple, being taught by Legends Canon heartthrob Kyle Katarn. Not long after you arrive you’re sent on missions to uncover a secret Sith cult known as the Disciples of Ragnos, hellbent on resurrecting the ancient Sith Lord Marka Ragnos.
As a Jedi in training, you can choose which Force abilities you wish to develop – either Light Side (like healing and mind tricks ) or Dark Side (more aggressive methods like force lightning and choke). This, along with the fact you can choose Jaden’s gender, species and appearance, all adds to the roleplaying immersion of the experience.
But as good as the story is, it’s the aforementioned Lightsaber combat in which Jedi Academy really comes into its own. It’s unique in that the lightsaber is always active, meaning even when you’re not swinging, it interacts with surfaces (and enemies) it comes into contact, making it feel like a more realistic, dangerous weapon. What’s more, Jedi Academy’s animations play out freely from other agents in the world.
There’s no kill animations here like you would expect in Assassin’s Creed or the Batman Arkham Trilogy, instead it’s a more holistic, fully dynamic system that can be more chaotic, but is infinitely more satisfying when you land a killing blow. You can also choose from single, double and dual-bladed lightsaber configurations, offering even more choice when it comes to combat.
And this variety has meant Jedi Academy’s online multiplayer community is more active than ever. Given it was built with the Quake III engine, this is hardly surprising; and led to re-releases of the game on PS4 and Nintendo Switch in 2020.
And that’s a wrap on this edition of the best Star Wars video games ever. Do you have fond memories of Jedi Academy? Please let me know in the comments below, I’d love to read them. In the meantime, if you enjoyed this video, please hit subscribe as there’ll be plenty more all about the best Star Wars games coming very soon.
My name has been Tom, and may the force be with you!
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