Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

This article is about the first game entitled Jedi Knight. For the series as a whole, see Star Wars: Jedi Knight (series).

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
Developer(s)	LucasArts
Publisher(s)	LucasArts
Designer(s)	Justin Chin
Series	Star Wars: Jedi Knight
Engine	Sith Engine
Version	1.01
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	October 9, 1997
Genre(s)	First-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single player, Multiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: T OFLC: MA15+ PEGI: 12+
Media/distribution	CD-ROM (2 discs)
System requirements Windows 95 DirectX compatible computer, PCI Video card, 90 MHz processor, 16MB RAM, Windows 95 compatible 16-bit sound card

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (abbreviated to Jedi Knight and Dark Forces II) is a first person shooter computer game. It was developed and published by LucasArts and released on October 9, 1997. It was made available on Steam on September 16, 2009.^[1] It is based on the Star Wars franchise and is a sequel to Star Wars: Dark Forces. Jedi Knight was received very well by critics, obtaining an 87% aggregate score on Game Rankings and 91% on Metacritic.

The storyline in Jedi Knight follows Kyle Katarn, the protagonist of Dark Forces. Katarn's father has been murdered by a Dark Jedi over the location of The Valley of the Jedi. Katarn follows the Dark Jedi to the valley to confront his father's killers.

Jedi Knight adds some technical and gameplay improvements over its predecessor. It uses a more powerful game engine that supports 3D acceleration using Direct3D 5.0. Jedi Knight also includes a multiplayer mode that allows players to compete over the internet or a local area network. On January 31, 1998, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith was released as an expansion to Jedi Knight. The game was a large success and as a result, the next game in the series was followed in 2002 by Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast.

Gameplay

Single-player

Jedi Knight is primarily a first-person shooter but offers the choice of a third person view.^[2] The game consists of 21 levels with objectives that the player must complete before being able to continue to the next level. There are weapons available in each level and after level three the player has the use of a lightsaber, along with the Force.^[3] In addition to being an effective weapon, the lightsaber is also a useful tool for the player, providing light in dark areas,^[4] deflecting incoming blaster fire and cutting through some obstacles.

A fight with stormtroopers

There are three types of Force powers; light, dark and neutral. Light Force powers provide nonviolent advantages such as being able to restore health or persuade enemies to ignore the player. Dark Force powers are violent and give the ability to throw objects or choke enemies. Neutral powers enhance athletic abilities such as being able to jump higher or run faster.^[5] There are fourteen powers in total, four of each type and a bonus power in each light and dark if the Jedi stays true to that path.^[6] Players earn stars to allocate toward Force powers by completing specific levels. By finding all the secrets in a level, a player can also gain one bonus star to use. Between levels, the player can choose which Force powers to enhance by allocating stars to that power. Stars cannot be reclaimed from powers later on.^[7][8]

Levels contain puzzles that may require use of the Force to overcome, or by locating objects in the level.^[2] There are a variety of hostile and non-hostile non-player characters (NPCs) within each level that the player can interact with. Other enemies include monsters and vehicles.^[2]

There are two endings to Jedi Knight which depend on how the player plays the game. If the player does not harm non-hostile NPCs and focuses on collecting light Force powers then the game will end with the light side ending. Conversely if the player harms non-hostile NPCs and collects dark Force powers then the game will end with the dark side ending.^[9]

Multiplayer

Jedi Knight includes a multiplayer mode that allows up to eight people to compete with each other on a local area network and up to four people online.^[2][3] Online gaming was hosted by the MSN Gaming Zone.^[10]

The player creates an avatar within Jedi Knight and selects a ranking. The higher the ranking the more Force powers will be available to use by the avatar. The player can also edit their avatar's "skin" and lightsaber color. There are two types of game that can be played in Jedi Knight's multiplayer mode, capture the flag and Jedi Training mode, similar to deathmatch. The players can customize the settings to play the deathmatch the way they desire, for example limiting the use of Force powers or playing on teams.^[2]

Story

The story is set one year after the events in Return of the Jedi. The player controls Kyle Katarn, who made his first appearance as a mercenary in Dark Forces. Katarn meets with an information broker droid named 8t88 who tells Katarn that his father, Morgan Katarn, was killed by a Dark Jedi named Jerec, who also intends to rebuild the Empire. Kyle retrieves a disk from the droid that can only be read by a droid belonging to Morgan at his home. The disk's message, coupled with the droid giving Kyle a lightsaber, compel Kyle to undertake a journey to confront his father's murderers and to discover his own latent Force abilities. While on this journey, Kyle learns that seven Dark Jedi are intent on finding the Valley of the Jedi, a focal point for Jedi power and a Jedi burial ground.

Katarn retrieves the Valley's location and travels with Rebel agent and close friend Jan Ors to Ruusan, the planet on which the Valley is located. Jerec captures Ors and offers Katarn the decision to execute her or die. The choice Katarn makes here depends on the player's actions within the game to this point. If Katarn falls to the dark side he kills Ors, but if he remains true to the light path he spares her. With both paths, Katarn has a final confrontation with Jerec in the Valley of the Jedi's core. If the player chose the dark path, the game ends with Katarn becoming the new Emperor; if the player chose the light side, the game concludes with Katarn being reunited with Ors and carving a monument to his dead father.^[11]

Development

Development of Jedi Knight was led by Justin Chin.^[4] The most significant developments for Jedi Knight are the use of The Force and the lightsaber. The Force plays an integral role in how the player plays the game and shapes the way the game is played.^[5] The method of allocating credits to Force powers was designed with an RPG style in mind, allowing the player the choice of which powers to improve. Chin said in an early interview that progress in the game is based upon the abilities the player develops.^[12]

Jedi Knight uses both 3D graphics and sound. It is one of the early games to adopt the use of 3D graphics hardware acceleration using Microsoft Direct3D.^[13] The 3D sound technology was tweaked extensively to give an immersive feel to the game. This was achieved by experimentation using many different sound effects and playback styles.^[14] Between levels Jedi Knight features full motion video cutscenes. The characters are represented by live actors while the backgrounds are pre-rendered graphics.^[15] The cutscenes included the first lightsaber footage filmed since Return of the Jedi in 1983.^[16]

Mysteries of the Sith

Main article: Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith

After the release of Jedi Knight, LucasArts developed Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith as an expansion pack. It was released on January 31, 1998 and received positive reviews from critics.^[17][18] The expansion includes a single-player mode and fifteen multiplayer maps. There are also technical improvements over Jedi Knight, including colored lighting, new textures and models, and developments to the artificial intelligence.^[19]

The single-player story in Mysteries of the Sith is set five years after the events of Jedi Knight. The player once more takes control of Kyle Katarn, but later in the game is given control of Mara Jade, one of the most popular Star Wars Expanded Universe characters according to Star Wars Insider.^[20]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	87%[21]
Metacritic	91%[22]
Review scores
Publication	Score
GameSpot	8.9/10[9]
IGN	9.4/10[4]
PC Zone	9.4/10[7]

Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II was received well.^[22][21] The combination of puzzles and gameplay drew praise from critics, indicating that the game builds upon the good qualities present in Dark Forces.^[5] The user control of the game was praised,^[9] especially control of the lightsaber.^[7]

Jedi Knight was compared positively with Doom, a significant game in the first-person shooter genre.^[9][23] The gameplay did not escape criticism, with Tom Chick reviewing Jedi Knight for IGN criticising the layout of the levels: "The levels can be awfully linear, throwing you up against some frustrating brick walls where you don't know where to go or what you're supposed to do next. There are some bald key hunts."^[4]

The artificial intelligence of hostile NPCs received mixed reactions. GameSpot praised the AI of the enemies in Jedi Knight, saying that they help the suspension of disbelief.^[9] Chi Kong Lui of Gamecritics.com gave the opposite view: "Enemy artificial intelligence is still pretty mindless and blasting them doesn't require much skill."^[23]

Jedi Knight's graphics received mixed reviews. Critics stated the non-3D accelerated version of the game looks poor.^[5][9] Other graphical aspects received praise. The character animations were considered more detailed than similar games.^[9] The design of the levels received specific praise from IGN: "No other first person shooter has come close to Jedi Knight's dizzying sense of scale and its vast levels."^[4] The full-motion video sequences between levels received both praise and criticism.^[7][9]

The use of John Williams' soundtrack from the Star Wars films was met with praise,^[4][9] though one reviewer believed that the music is overused in Star Wars video games.^[23] The sound effects also received praise and provide a good atmosphere to the game,^[4] in particular the lightsaber sound and its implementation.^[9]

The addition of a multiplayer mode to Jedi Knight was met positively,^[3] but questions arose to why there are so few multiplayer maps and why single-player maps cannot be used in the multiplayer mode.^[9] Tom Chick of IGN believes this was corrected with the release of Mysteries of the Sith.^[4]

Due to banning of the prequel, Dark Forces in Germany, the version of Jedi Knight published in Germany had the subtitle "Dark Forces II" removed from both the game logo and the intro textcrawl.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ http://store.steampowered.com/news/?appids=32380
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Boero, Mollie; Yunker, Jason; Gilstrap, Doyle; Tosti, Brett; Gleason, Barbara (1997-10-09). Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Manual. LucasArts. 
3. ^ ^{a b c} Evenson, Laura (1997-12-18). "Video and computer game sequels stay with what works". sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1997/12/18/DD49853.DTL&hw=Home+swapping+network+grows&sn=025&sc=166. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Tom, Chick (2000-10-16). "PC Retroview: Jedi Knight". IGN. http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/086/086427p1.html. Retrieved 2008-12-11. 
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Li, Kenneth (1997-10-26). "Jedi Game A Force to be Reckoned With". New York Daily News. https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/1997/10/26/1997-10-26_jedi_game_a_force_to_be_reck.html. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 
6. ^ St. Jean, Scott (1999-07-12). "Trail's Guide to Jedi Knight - Force Powers". http://www.jediknight.net/trail/force.html. Retrieved 2009-08-26. 
7. ^ ^{a b c d} McCandles, David (2001-08-13). "Reviews PC: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II". PC Zone. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3112. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 
8. ^ St. Jean, Scott (1999-07-12). "Trail's Guide to Jedi Knight - FAQ". http://www.jediknight.net/trail/faq.html. Retrieved 2009-08-26. 
9. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Dulin, Ron (1997-10-09). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Review". GameSpot. http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/jediknightdarkforces2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 
10. ^ "MSN Gaming Zone Fact Sheet" (Press release). Microsoft. 1998-10-29. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/msn/factsheet/gaming.mspx. Retrieved 2008-12-15. 
11. ^ LucasArts. Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II. (LucasArts). (1997-10-09)
12. ^ Dulin, Ron (1996-09-24). "Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Preview". GameSpot. http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/jediknightdarkforces2/news.html?sid=2558806&mode=recent. Retrieved 2008-04-02. 
13. ^ "Microsoft Direct3D Scores Big With Game Developers" (Press release). Microsoft. 1997-04-28. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/1997/apr97/d3dgmspr.mspx. Retrieved 2009-12-14. 
14. ^ "Interview With Sound Designer Dave Levison". GoodDealGames. http://www.gooddealgames.com/interviews/int_Dave_Levison.html. Retrieved 2008-04-02. 
15. ^ Waggoner, Ben (2000-01-03). "The State of the Industry". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20000103/fmv_02.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
16. ^ Emeran, Riyad (2006-09-12). "TrustedReviews Top 5 Games Of All Time". TrustedReviews. http://www.trustedreviews.com/gaming/review/2006/09/12/TrustedReviews-Top-5-Games-Of-All-Time/p15. Retrieved 2008-04-02. 
17. ^ "Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Mysteries of the Sith". Moby Games. http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/star-wars-jedi-knight-mysteries-of-the-sith/mobyrank. Retrieved 2008-12-11. 
18. ^ "Mysteries of the Sith - PC". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/197671.asp. Retrieved 2008-12-11. 
19. ^ Pagliarulo, Emil (1998-02-10). "Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith - PC Review Page 3". The Adrenaline Vault. http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/jedi-knight-mysteries-of-the-sith-pc-review/?page=3. Retrieved 2010-09-18. 
20. ^ "Skywalker, Mara Jade". Star Wars Profile. Lucas Online (starwars.com). http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/marajadeskywalker/?id=eu. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 
21. ^ ^{a b} "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II on GameRankings". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/24354.asp?q=Jedi%20Knight. Retrieved 2008-04-02. 
22. ^ ^{a b} "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II on MetaCritic". MetaCritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/starwarsjediknightdarkforces2?q=Jedi%20Knight. Retrieved 2008-04-02. 
23. ^ ^{a b c} Kong Lui, Chi (1998-02-12). "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II". Gamecritics.com. http://www.gamecritics.com/review/jediknight/main.php. Retrieved 2008-12-14. 

External links

• Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II at the Internet Movie Database