Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy is a game released on September 13th 2003 for Windows, Xbox, Gamecube and AmigaOS, developed by Raven Software, published by LucasArts and Activision. It is the sequel to Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast, which was released on March 26th 2002. Unlike its predecessors, the Players are offered to play as Jaden Korr, Kyle Katarn's student.
Plot
Main article about Jedi Academy's story.
Two years passed since the defeat of Desann and his followers on Yavin IV. Kyle Katarn is now a Jedi master at the Academy, established by Luke Skywalker after the fall of the Galactic Empire.
A transport with new students arrive on Yavin, among these are Jaden Korr and Rosh Penin, two young Force sensitive people, hoping to join the Jedi Order. However the ship crash-lands not far from the old temple, where the two students make their way only to encounter a stormtrooper in the jungle, as well as a mysterious warrior with a lightsaber. Jaden then proceeds to explore the ruins, but is struck by a light beam, when an unknown group tries to conduct a ritual nearby.
After these events, Luke assembles all the newcomers in the grand hall of the Academy, assigning them to a master. Both Jaden and Rosh become students to Kyle Katarn and spend the first day training in the special area of the Academy, completing various trials. During one of these Rosh rushes to be the first in the training, activating a saber droid to fight Jaden. Even though the young Jedi proves to be victorious, he is angry with his new friend at first.
After the training all of the Jedi students are sent to various planets to complete different missions both for the Jedi and the Republic. During these Jaden encounters many mercenaries and Imperial Remnant, as well as slowly uncovers the truth behind the activities of the recently established Sith cult of Marka Ragnos. As the cultists are fought on different worlds, be it Tatooine or Coruscant, it is revealed, that an old foe of Katarn – Tavion Axmis is the one to plot against the Jedi.
Development
Jedi Academy continues most of the traditions and game elements, originally introduced by Jedi Outcast with Quake III game engine. The developers improved the game mechanics though and added new options for Players, such as different kind of lightsabers, hilts and movements. A few new Force powers were added, as well as new weapons, and the ability to drive a vehicle, being one of the most praised novices in JK series. The game allowed to complete over a dozens of new missions with some locations, seen in original Star Wars movies, such as Yavin IV, Hoth and Tatooine.
Legacy
Having many similarities with Jedi Outcast, JA sparkled a great interest in making mods, maps, models and other fan-made materials.
Jedi Knight 3
Being the sequel to Jedi Knight 2, Jedi Academy is often called "Jedi Knight 3" by some fans. However, officially Jedi Academy was never referred to as Jedi Knight 3 by Raven, LucasArts or any other companies or developers which were involved in the production of this game.
See also
External links
- [1] - Jedi Academy on wookiepedia.