Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (2003) [Steam]

“People are still asking me if I knew Star Wars was going to be that big of a hit. Yes, we all knew. The only one who did not know was George (Lucas).”

-Carrie Fisher

A long, long time ago (circa 1977), 20th Century Fox released a major sci-fi franchise which left the genre irrevocably changed. The plot was fairly rudimentary: a farm boy is whisked away by a wise old sage to rescue a princess from a sinister dark knight. The film was called Star Wars, and it spawned a pop culture mega-giant which continues to this day.

With the recent release of Rise of Skywalker last December, one can assume that the Star Wars franchise can do no wrong. And yet, there was an era of relative obscurity for the sci-fi juggernaut, one in which that lasted from the ’90s to the late 2000s.

For Star Wars fans of my generation, the prequel trilogy had already fleshed out an already familiar story surrounding Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi. But what of the future surrounding Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo? Enter the “Expanded Universe”, where various writers craft unique stories from the Star Wars lore. These stories more often than not took the form of various novels, comics, and video games.

The most famous video game iterations from the Star Wars franchise is Dark Forces. Released in 1995, Dark Forces introduced the character of Kyle Katarn, a former imperial pilot who switches sides to the Rebellion. Subsequent games would show Kyle fully becoming a Jedi, culminating in Katarn’s ascension to the rank of Master at the Jedi Academy. It’s at this point that the 2003 release Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy takes place.

Jedi Academy places you in the role of Jaden Korr, a new arrival at Luke Skywalker’s Massasi temple on Yavin IV (the site of the climactic battle of Star Wars: A New Hope). As a promising new cadet, Jaden becomes the Padawan of Kyle Katarn on the journey towards becoming a Jedi. I remember playing this game on the original XBOX, and was fascinated at the prospect of playing as a custom made Jedi Knight. But does this game still hold up? It’s time to go back to basics with this classic Star Wars title…

Graphics: 6/10

As this game was originally released on the original XBOX, the wear and tear of early 3D environments clearly shows. The brick layered backgrounds offer a plain texture not so dissimilar to Minecraft. Of course, the variety of levels do help portray the overall form and function of the Star Wars franchise.

Unfortunately, I feel as if the character models suffer a great deal as far as showing their age; mouth synchronizing is almost unbearable, with plain expressions devoid of emotion. Still, you’ll be able to recognize who is who from the iconic looks of the movies. Likewise, gamers will reminisce about playing previous installments of the Dark Forces series.

All in all, while dated, the graphics don’t detract from enjoying the overall game. The lightsabers look cool, and you can clearly tell who and what is being depicted in the greater film universe. This meets the criteria for any Star Wars game worth a look.

Audio: 7/10

As a side effect of the graphics being familiar, the music in this game feels all together recycled.
That’s not a bad thing mind you, Jonathon Williams score is still one of the most iconic compilations in cinema history. My major complaint is that they use the exact same track in every level. This makes the experience audibly repetitive.

The sound effects are equally nostalgic of the films, but I find them more enjoyable due to their brevity. The lightsaber sound effects are just as epic as the films, with laser blasts sounding exactly as you would imagine them. I know it sounds simple, but these effects give a grandiose sense of world-building that any sci-fi fan would appreciate.

Jedi Academy’s voice acting is serviceable, but nothing that stands out. Those who are expecting any movie actor cameos will be sorely disappointed; the voice cast do a good job at portraying the characters, and thus adequately convey the plot.

Gameplay: 8/10

I cannot tell you how much this game embodies the ultimate Jedi experience! Having read a good majority of the Junior Jedi Knights series of books, I’ve always wanted to train under Luke Skywalker at the Yavin temple. This game does that, and so much more!

In a similar play style to Dark Forces, you have the option to utilize first-person view for run and gun gameplay. However, I always preferred brandishing my lightsaber in all but one particular level in the game (as you have to recover your equipment). It’s possible most players will opt out of blasters in the long run.

Onto the real meat of the game: Force Powers! At the onset, Jayden comes equipped with basic abilities such as Force Jump, Push, and Sense. These abilities are automatically enhanced by progressing through the game. Unlike the traditional level up system, the player rises through the ranks via Jedi training. You start with the rank of “Padawan” and achieve “Grand Master” by the journey’s end. I prefer this method, as it is once again reflective of the films.

As a promising force user, you have the option of mastering both light and dark powers. I generally mix and match abilities with a combination of Force Lightning, Choke, and Healing. I found it intriguing how your Jedi Masters will comment on your power preferences.

Outside of direct combat, there are also segments of mounted terrain where you ride on speeder bikes and Tantauns (from The Empire Strikes Back world of Hoth). Fans of the original trilogy will surely salivate at the chance to re-explore iconic action scenes from the films.

There is also a multiplayer option of the game, however I was unable to access it via Steam. Hopefully, future versions will bring that component back.

Replayability: 7/10

Although Jedi Academy only features two possible endings (the standard “Jedi” or “Sith” endings), there is merit in replaying. For instance, the sheer multitude of force powers you can experiment with warrants multiple playthroughs.

Of course, lightsaber customization offers the player different avenues of gameplay; combat can range from a single saber, double-blade, or dual-wielding style. For those hoping for a cosmetic change, you can also alter the saber’s color to meet your cosmic crayola chromatic of ‘choice.

Availability: 9/10

Steam has recently bundled Jedi Academy with all the other games in the Dark Forces franchise (entitled the Jedi Knight Collection); Completionists will no doubt want to finish all the games to gain a more panoramic view of the Expanded Universe. I only paid about 20$ for it, so it’s well worth the cost for 5 games from the 90s PC era.

In addition, Nintendo Switch and PS4 have just released a remastered version, so gamers will never find themselves wanting for a copy.

Challenge: 7/10

Difficulty settings come in the standard three intervals of easy, medium, and hard. Perhaps the most unique aspect of Jedi Academy is that the “Dark Side” path is considered a more challenging route. In the final chapter of the game, you not only have to combat your former fellow Jedi, but also the main Sith antagonists in conjunction.

The lightsaber battles are more akin to that of Bushido Blade in that a single sword stroke means instant death for either you or an enemy. One can make the argument that the unpredictability creates a trial that is both frustrating yet empowering for the player.

Narrative: 9/10

As a spin-off of the Expanded Universe, Jedi Academy utilizes the characters, lore, and locales to great effect. The smooth pacing of levels gives you a tantalizing tour in the day of the life of a Jedi.

The fact that you start as a mere Padawan who ascends to the rank of Grand Master feels epic! The climax reflects much of the series lore on par with the likes of Luke Skywalker, Asoka Tano, Rey, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The added bonus of fan-favorites such as Kyle Katarn likewise provides much needed continuity within the Dark Forces franchise.

My Personal Grade: 8/10

The Teal Time Mage as Obi-Wan Kenobi

I consider Star Wars to be one of the most homogeneous science-fiction pieces of all time. The films shaped my love of the genre from an early age. It’s only logical that my love of the films shifted to the various literary and video games of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. I always fantasized about being an up and coming Jedi at Luke Skywalker’s Academy on Yavin IV. By the journey’s end, I would master the ways of the Force.

Lo and Behold, I got my wish with this game: a fully customized character, teaming up with classic heroes, and the ability to choose my own destiny. I encourage any fan past or present of Star Wars to play this game and act out their own force power fantasies. While a dated game this may be, it remains a proverbial diamond in the rough.

And for those curious enough to know more about the Expanded Universe, there are two novels by Paul S. Kemp entitled Crosscurrent and Riptide. Both of these titles serve as sequels to the Jedi Academy game. It is interesting to note that the player-character Jayden Korr becomes adapted to another medium, transitioning into a bigger universe.

Aggregated Score: 7.6

The Teal Time Mage lives at a fixed point in time that is set between 1991 and 1997. Outside of his time vortex of nostalgia, he writes horror short stories, cosplays, and coordinates for various charity groups. Find him on Twitter @ArosElric, on Facebook @ArosElricCosplay, and on Final Fantasy XIV’s Cactuar Server under the name “Aros Erlic”.

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