The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes. [...]]]>

Multiplayer deathmatches with the Force is something new

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is a first- and third-person action game powered by the Quake III: Team Arena game engine. The game primarily revolves around ranged and melee combat. The player can wield classic Star Wars weapons such as blasters, lightsabers and Force powers.

The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes. The story-driven single-player is set in the Star Wars universe two years after the events of Mysteries of the Sith, Jedi Outcast’s predecessor. It follows the protagonist Kyle Katarn as he fights against the Dark Jedi Desann and his followers. The game was critically well-received on all platforms, with scores between 75 and 89/100 according to Metacritic’s composite averages.

Gameplay

The player moves through the single-player in a linear manner, meeting friendly and hostile NPCs. Friendly NPCs will occasionally assist the player in combat. In addition to combat, the campaign features a variety of puzzles.

The game starts as a shooter only, as Kyle has forsaken The Force after the events of the previous game. However, after a few missions, the player gains access to the lightsaber and some Force powers. As the single-player game progresses, the number of powers available and their level increase. Progression of Force abilities is fixed, and cannot be customized unlike the sequel, where the player chooses which powers to “level up”.

Kyle is joined by other characters throughout the game. Three of the most prominent are Jan Ors, a fellow mercenary and love interest; Lando Calrissian (voiced by Billy Dee Williams), the sophisticated baron-administrator of Cloud City seen in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi; and Luke Skywalker, protagonist of the original film trilogy and leader of the Jedi Academy on Yavin IV. The player also receives help from Jedi and other New Republic soldiers. Mon Mothma, Chief-of-State of the New Republic, gives Kyle and Jan objectives during the game.

There are four main antagonists: Desann, a former Jedi who killed a fellow student before leaving the Jedi Order: Tavion, Desann’s apprentice; Galak Fyyar, one of the leaders of the Imperial Remnant; and Reelo Baruk, a crime lord posing as a “respectable garbage collector” on Nar Shaddaa. They are supported by Imperial stormtroopers, numerous thugs and Dark Jedi.

Performance On a Netbook

You won’t need the Force to play this game on a netbook, nor will you need a optical drive as the game can be gotten off Direct2Drive or Steam.

Straight off the net, JK2 plays extremely well with occasional slowdowns in areas where you have a lot of objects and massive fights. Other than that, there are no modifications you need to do to play it well, even if you have a weak Intel Atom and only 1GB of RAM.

Like

Lengthy single-player

Great use of Star Wars concepts

Good storyline

Bang-for-buck ($10 for a classic)

Runs great on a netbook

Dislike

Poor integration of single and multiplayer

Sometimes, I’d rather not have the puzzles.

Verdict

A great game that offers great value with great integration of what you like from Star Wars. You’d be amazed for what your next $10 purchase can do to cut the boredom on long commutes or flights.

Description adapted from Wikipedia