Jedi Knight series

LokeLoke Join Date: 2003-02-25 Member: 13988Members
Thought it would be interesting to hear what you guys think about the whole Jedi Knight series, the worst or your favorite.

I've been a fan of JK2 and JK3 since they first came out but haven't actually played the first 3 games so I though I would give them a chance (I have yet to try Dark Forces though).
Dark Forces II or Jedi Knight, which I went through a while ago, were pretty damn good even though its 10 years old. The live-action cut scenes, even to this day, are just awesome. Of course they are somewhat corny, hey even C&C were corny as hell, but they are really good looking combined with the surprisingly nice CGI effects.

Currently I'm playing through Mysteries of the Sith, the expansion pack to Dark Forces II. So far it's pretty okay, what I don't really like about it is the unforgiving difficulty and sub-par level design compared to DF2.

Still, Jedi Academy is my personal favorite mainly because of the insane saber combat. It's quite interesting really, the jump between Dark Forces 2/MotS's combat compared to JK2 and JK3 is comparable to the saber combat between Star Wars: A New Hope and Phantom Menace. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

Comments

  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Dark Forces 2 is my favorite in the series, but I love all of them a ton, from the original Dark Forces to Dark Forces 4: Jedi Knight 3: Jedi Outcast 2: Jedi Academy. The first one was one of the best first person shooters in its day, the sequel was simply awesome considering the level design, music, lightsaber combat, and the Force, the third one I liked a ton even though most people thought it was boring until you got your saber, and the fourth really did the "crazy saber combat lol" stuff really well.

    A great series, all in all. Epic in scope. Some of my best multiplayer memories are from that canyon level in Dark Forces 2, lightsaber fighting with other live human beings over the Internet! Back then it was a huge deal.
  • TheGuyTheGuy Join Date: 2003-08-09 Member: 19295Members, Constellation
    Dark Forces 2 was the first online FPS game I ever played. I was a member of JKMAG(Jedi Knight Multiplayer Addon Group)(Because we're sick of canyon oasis)..<img src="http://webpages.charter.net/theguy/JKMAG.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" /> Cliffe of the now famous Counter-Strike was the founder of it.

    You should definitely try out Dark Forces 1. It really brought a lot to the FPS genre. Jumping puzzles, good storyline complete with voiced cutscenes were just some of the features. There's some great logic puzzles as well. Look past the old graphics of DF and you have a classic game that's really worth playing.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    I never played any of these games - sounds like I missed out...

    only star wars games I've played were x-wing (and tie fighter), kotor 1 + 2, SWG... I think that may be all. oh, and the demo for lego star wars <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/nerd-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::nerdy::" border="0" alt="nerd-fix.gif" />
  • LokeLoke Join Date: 2003-02-25 Member: 13988Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1648030:date=Sep 7 2007, 07:34 PM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Sep 7 2007, 07:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1648030"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->...the third one I liked a ton even though most people thought it was boring until you got your saber...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I never understood why people didn't like the early parts of Outcast, personally I think they were some of the better areas of the entire game. The developers, in my opinion, developed a great early game while building up the suspension until you got hold of the lightsaber for the first time. In Jedi Academy a little of that were destroyed when you started the game with the lightsaber right from the beginning.

    <b>@TheGuy:</b> I might do that, the graphics doesn't bother me at all because I'm a fan of the old skool stuff and like to look back at classic games that I never tried out during my childhood. <3 Nostalgia. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />

    <!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I never played any of these games - sounds like I missed out...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If you like the Star Wars universe combined with a good storytelling, puzzle solving and lot of action you should definitely check them out. Probably the best Star Wars series that I've played.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    The really sucky part in JK2 was that right after you got your lightsaber, the next level was crawling with snipers whose shots you couldn't block and who had to be killed at range most of the time, thus making your lightsaber useless. LAME.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1648126:date=Sep 8 2007, 09:38 AM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Sep 8 2007, 09:38 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1648126"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The really sucky part in JK2 was that right after you got your lightsaber, the next level was crawling with snipers whose shots you couldn't block and who had to be killed at range most of the time, thus making your lightsaber useless. LAME.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Wasn't that the same level where you jumped down from a roof through a glass ceiling using the Force, landing in a room full of enemies who you then procede to slaughter with a lightsaber while they try to figure out what just happened?
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    edited September 2007
    Possibly. I think that happened in many levels, actually. Only sometimes it was a ventilation shaft or something instead of a window. Yes, there were times when the lightsaber was of use, but why put the level in which it is LEAST useful right after getting it? That's just poor. They give me a toy, then take it away again immediately promising to return it later. Woohoo.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    that's like the entire premise of Hitman <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" /> if you beat a level without killing anyone, your reward is a more powerful weapon unlocked...
  • SurgeSurge asda4a3sklflkgh Join Date: 2002-07-14 Member: 944Members
    edited September 2007
    Eh. Jedi Academy had a laughably awful story (LOL SUCK THE FORCE POWER OUT OF THE AIR!), but it was JK2+, basically. The only thing is, the saber combat near the beginning was better than near the end, because it all boiled down to flicking on protect, absorb, and speed, then wailing on enemies over and over. It was like deathmatch. Also, the single saber was severely underpowered.

    So really, JK2 was probably a better game. Plus, JA locked saberrealisticcombat! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad-fix.gif" /> JK2's story was better, as well. It wasn't about some weird super device (well, sort-of, but it fit in JK series), it was about Kyle for the most part.

    Dark Forces is great, too. Story isn't too bad (Dark Troopers are canon) and the puzzles are great; the level design is good too. I never finished DF2, personally, but I have it.

    BTW, my big star wars nerd friend never knew that Katarn was Mara Jade's master.

    edit: Also, Kyle looked the coolest in DF1. Kind of reminded me of Dennis Quaid. Screw the beard.
  • LokeLoke Join Date: 2003-02-25 Member: 13988Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1648153:date=Sep 8 2007, 12:58 PM:name=Surge)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Surge @ Sep 8 2007, 12:58 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1648153"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->edit: Also, Kyle looked the coolest in DF1. Kind of reminded me of Dennis Quaid. Screw the beard.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I disagree, Katarn looked the most awesome in DF2 especially in the cut scenes. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I always thought it was kinda lame how he looked exactly the same in JA as he did in JO with the same freakin' clothes. Jeez, give the man some new pair of trousers.
  • PogoPPogoP Environment Artist Join Date: 2004-01-31 Member: 25827Members, NS2 Developer, Constellation
    The original Jedi Knight: Dark Forces will always have a special place in my heart, I remember playing that as a kid and being amazed.

    Never played the others.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1648373:date=Sep 9 2007, 06:51 PM:name=PogoP)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PogoP @ Sep 9 2007, 06:51 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1648373"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The original Jedi Knight: Dark Forces will always have a special place in my heart, I remember playing that as a kid and being amazed.

    Never played the others.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Dark Forces, or Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II?
  • locallyunscenelocallyunscene Feeder of Trolls Join Date: 2002-12-25 Member: 11528Members, Constellation
    The Jedi Academy game was fun. Although lightsaber battles were kind of a joke in MP because the best way to kill people was to fight them near a pit and force push/lightening them in. Made for interesting gameplay though when your goal it to jump around and push people into a pit while not getting pushed yourself.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    That's why you play on maps without pits. ns_machina, for instance, would be a no-go <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    edited September 2007
    I had a decent amount of fun with Jedi Academy at a LAN party. Went around force pushing everyone into pits or just force lightning spamming them to death... until everyone started going almost exclusively for me, at which point I picked an elusive skill set and had fun running away for extended periods of time giving them no chance to catch me. Then I hid somewhere up high and vaporized people with the sniper rifle until they got wise to THAT and started backstabbing me up on my perch. Etc. etc. etc.

    Seriously, just killing people with your lightsaber seems so lame and bland when compared to the hilarity of someone shouting 'nooooooooooooo' on their way into a lava pool.
  • ConfusedConfused Wait. What? Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12904Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester
    see the post about not playing Rocket crowbar with lf. apparently it applies to jedi knight too:)
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    See, certain games, I just BREAK them. I do all the stuff you're not supposed to do, because the incentives don't work on me.
    "You're not supposed to use massively explosive weapons in close combat."
    "Why not?"
    "Because then you take damage."
    "But I kill the enemy and make big explosions, right?"
    "Yeah, but you get killed as well!"
    "So?"

    Frankly, I don't see how I can be the only one. But for some reason it takes people by surprise. I really don't see how.

    But the scimines were probably the best. "Ah, it's good to see you!" *rotate* "Damn you lolfighter!" *mushroom cloud*
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1648562:date=Sep 10 2007, 04:41 PM:name=lolfighter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lolfighter @ Sep 10 2007, 04:41 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1648562"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->See, certain games, I just BREAK them. I do all the stuff you're not supposed to do, because the incentives don't work on me.
    "You're not supposed to use massively explosive weapons in close combat."
    "Why not?"
    "Because then you take damage."
    "But I kill the enemy and make big explosions, right?"
    "Yeah, but you get killed as well!"
    "So?"

    Frankly, I don't see how I can be the only one. But for some reason it takes people by surprise. I really don't see how.

    But the scimines were probably the best. "Ah, it's good to see you!" *rotate* "Damn you lolfighter!" *mushroom cloud*<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I'm similar, although on a more macro scale, I guess. Back when I played a lot of BF2 my average Kills Per Round and average Points Per Round were from 10-50% higher than most people, but so were my average Deaths Per Round. Whereas most people played a little safe (stay back from the point before you know if there's a tank in there, toss a grenade inside before you storm a building, don't charge straight at a bunch of enemies behind cover, wait for teammates to cap the flag), I would just run straight at wherever I was going as fast as I could, shooting whoever got in my way. Way more adrenaline, way more objectives capped, way more fun. I might not have been better than everyone (although frankly I was pretty good) but I just played it a lot harder than was expected.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    I had like a 3:1 K/D ratio in BF2, mostly because all I did was tank and heli ###### =p a good heli pilot + gunner is practically unbeatable if you both know where all the AA rockets are. getting pretty off topic now though.

    <a href="http://bf2s.com/player/43916450/" target="_blank">http://bf2s.com/player/43916450/</a>
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