Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II December 1997 Publisher: LucasArts Developer: LucasArts Required: Double-speed CD-ROM drive; Pentium 90; 16MB RAM We Recommend: Quad-speed CD-ROM drive; Pentium 133 or higher; 32MB RAM; 3D accelerator card Multi-player Options:

When Dark Forces debuted in 1995, naysayers chose to see it as an example of a cynical LucasArts business model -- basically, to launch a game in the genre du jour with the ever-lucrative Star Wars license grafted on, then sit back and watch the big bucks roll in. The slightly less sinister reality is that LucasArts has proved itself to be darned good (not to mention innovative) at whatever genre it turns its hand to, and Dark Forces was no mere cash-in. It was, in fact, just what a genre ruled by the mostly mindless blasting of Doom and its countless unimaginative clones needed -- an injection of smarts. Dark Forces challenged the player with thoughtful puzzles and deviously-constructed environments rather than simply piling on wave after wave of bloodthirsty enemies to shoot, and itís this mind-over-splatter approach that won it a loyal army of fans, despite a few nagging flaws. The inevitable sequel has been a long time coming, and in that time, many wondered quite what to expect, especially in the wake of some consumer mumblings that LucasArts might be "losing it" after releasing two less-than-awesome games (the good-but-not-great Outlaws and, more importantly, the disappointing X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter). Nobody need have worried -- Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II is a triumph, and one that stamps LucasArtsí authority on the world of PC gaming strong er than ever before. Much has changed since the original Dark Forces, and much has stayed the same. Youíre still Kyle Katarn, edgy hero on the fringes of the Star Wars universe, but this time itís personal. Youíre out to find the man who murdered your father who, unluckily for you, turns out to be the powerful leader of a band of villainous Dark Jedi out to capture and twist the power of the Force for their own unsavory ends. So, as in Dark Forces, youíll infiltrate Imperial bases and shoot it up with stormtroopers, officers, and bounty hunters, but now youíll also, gradually, learn the mystic ways of the Jedi and benefit from the powers that learning gives you. By the gameís epic climax, youíll be a fully-fledged Jedi Knight -- although your alliegance, to the light side of the Force or the dark is for you to decide along the way. The acquisition and use of Force powers is more than just a tie-in to the Star Wars world -- much of the game design is built around your ability to use them. Without Force Jump and Force Pull, for example, many of the areas and objects you need to get to would be out of your reach. And letís not forget that lightsaber, a feature sorely missed from Dark Forces, and a revelation here. More than just an offensive weapon, it can also be used to light dark rooms, cut through grates and walls to reveal new areas, and deflect incoming blaster fire. And without it, youíd have no chance against each of the seven Dark Jedi you must defeat in one-on-one combat at the end of critical levels. Even more impressive than all this, however, is the skill and imagination with which the gameís 20-plus levels have been crafted. Each one is as intricately designed as it is beautiful and immense, packed almost wall-to-wall with devious puzzles, tricks, and surprises. This is almost as much a graphic adventure as it is an action game, so cleverly and deviously have these challenging environments been designed. Thereís plenty of call for dexterity, too, with much precision jumping and perfectly-timed runs required to succeed -- or even just survive -- in many of the gameís more taxing sections, where the newly-added Quicksave feature is an oft-used Godsend (just hit F9). Bottom line: if your idea of 3D fun is to blast your way through to the exit, forget it -- youíll stand next to no chance here. Thatís not to say Jedi Knight is short on action. Thereís plenty of stormtroopers and other miscreants to blow holes in, but the game doesnít throw them at you wholesale -- it ambushes you at opportune moments, sometimes with just one or two baddies, other times with entire garrisons, where the resultant bloodshed is, for a moment, reminiscent of more visceral shooters like Quake. There are some great boss-type enemies too, such as the occassional AT-ST scout walker and even a TIE Bomber that, yes, does actually try to bomb you. This is where some of the gameís bigger weapons, such as the railgun, rocket launcher, and repeater rifle come in handy. Ammo for these big babies is precious, but if you need more, you can always use your Force Pull power to yank a fresh weapon right out of an enemyís hands! The game is perhaps at its most atmospheric during the cataclysmic duels against the Dark Jedi. Each of the seven has its own particular style (one uses twin lightsabers, another can fly, another is two separate entities) and to defeat each requires mastery of the all-powerful lightsaber. There are only a few actual attacks at your disposal, but knowing which to use, and when, and how, is vital. These close-up battles are admirably reminiscent of Luke and Vaderís duels in the Star Wars movies, where combat is frantic, most attacks are parried, and every successful strike is vital. Learning the intricacies of lightsaber fencing is vital for survival in the gameís multi-player mode too, where projectile weapons are often useless, since any Jedi with Force Pull will just suck them right out of your hands. Whether its standard DeathMatch or Capture The Flag, most kills are scored by the lightsaber in face-to-face duels that can be chillingly fast or exhiliratingly long and drawn-out. Again, your standard Quake skills will be of little value here -- youíre going to have to learn a whole new way to DeathMatch. Thereís so much more to commend -- the glorious cutscenes, the impressive customizability, the gorgeous graphics (particularly when boosted by 3D hardware), the redbook audio soundtrack dripping with Star Wars atmosphere -- but space is short. Itís amazing that an action game could be so detailed and feature-laden that itís impossible to do it all justice in a two-page review, but Jedi Knight is just that -- the richest, most surprising, and certainly the most absorbing game Iíve played all year. LucasArts has pushed the boundaries of 3D gaming way back with this one, and set new standards in atmosphere, level design, and originality that all the upcoming 3D action games will be hard-pressed to meet. In the meantime, this is an instant classic. -- Gary Whitta - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gorc and Pic are two of the toughest Dark Jedis youíll have to fight, facing you both at once in a coordinated attack. Donít be fooled by Picís diminutive size -- heís a formidable adversary.

Yes, lightsabers do work underwater! There are shades of Tomb Raider in these underwater sequences -- but just as in that game, you canít stay under for too long without running out of air.

Just as in the movies, the lightsaber can be used to deflect blaster fire, even sending it back the way it came to kill the enemy who fired it!

The Force Pull power is great for relieving Imperial officers of their blaster rifles -- once disarmed, you can use them for target practice at your leisure!

Leave your character alone for a few moments, and the game goes into idle mode, allowing Kyle to pose for the external camera.

Donít waste time admiring that Imperial shuttle in the background -- those probe droids need to be taken out, and fast.

FINAL VERDICT 94% HIGHS:

Exemplary designed; beautifully presented; incredibly fun to play. LOWS:

It's over too quickly; those 20 levels leave you begging for more. BOTTOM LINE:

All-round, the best 3D action game to date, and LucasArts' best game since the excellent TIE Fighter.