Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a Star Wars first-person shooter computer game released in September 2003. It was developed by Raven Software and published, distributed and marketed by LucasArts in North America and by Activision in the rest of the world.

It's powered by the Quake III Arena graphics engine, with modifications to give a third-person view and new lightsaber effects. Players now have the ability to construct their own lightsaber by choosing the hilt style and color. After completing certain objectives, new saber styles become available including the ability to wield two independent sabers as used by Anakin Skywalker during the closing fight in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, or the double bladed lightsaber introduced by Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Storyline

Players take the role of a new student to Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy on Yavin 4 named Jaden Korr. The story revolves around the sudden appearance of a Dark Jedi cult called "The Disciples of Ragnos". Jaden becomes an apprentice to Jedi Knight's main character Kyle Katarn in the beginning of the game together with another called Rosh Penin. The player follows Jaden and Kyle in investigating various incidents throughout the galaxy and learns more about that cult.

Eventually the player learns that the cult is lead by Tavion, the former disciple of Dessaan. Dessaan was defeated by Kyle Katarn in the "Jedi Knight II" game but Kyle allowed Tavion to escape. The Story has two different endings, depending on which side of the Force the player chose before. After learning about Rosh's betrayal the player can choose between killing him (and thus turning to the dark side) or let him live (and staying on the light side).

If Jaden stays on the light side he has to defeat Tavion and Marka Ragnos (who took over Tavion's body after Jaden defeats her) and the game ends with Kyle, Luke and Jaden leaving the temple of Ragnos, sealing it forever. Jaden becomes a Jedi Knight in the end.

If he decides to follow the dark side of the Force, Jaden has to defeat Tavion and then defeats Kyle with the Force power Tavion originally wanted to use to revive Marka Ragnos. Jaden takes over an imperial star destroyer and leaves the planet while Kyle, who manages to get out, takes a break from the academy to search for him. There has not yet been any story to continue one of this storylines as there hasn't been a sequel to the game yet.

Title screen in Aurabesh

The title screen of Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy shows Aurabesh characters in the background which, when translated, read the following:

"Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy Developed By Raven Software Published By Lucasarts Entertainment Company Features Create Your Own Jedi Tiered Level System New MP Game Siege New Sabers New Force Powers Arioch Terrain System New Enemies And more Coming Summer 2003 And yes this really does say something if you translate it."

Other changes from Jedi Outcast to Jedi Academy

• Your character, Jaden, can be male or female and is customizable. For example, you can choose from several lightsaber and hair colors as well as from several species:

• Twi'lek female
• Kel Dor male
• Human male and female
• Zabrak female
• Rodian male

• New moves including katas, wall griping, and acrobatics.
• Two new weapons: DL-44 Blaster Pistol and concussion rifle.
• New gametype: Powerduel — Players join as an indiviudual or as a team of two. The individual has more health and Force power in exchange for being at a disadvantage in numbers.
• Siege Mode: Players work to complete goals and stop the other team from compleating their goals.
• Enhanced rendering of the Quake 3 Engine.

Other Star Wars Jedi games

• Star Wars: Dark Forces — (1995)
• Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II — (1997)
• Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith — (1998)
• Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast — (2002)

External links

• Official homepage
• JediKnight.net (fan community site)

Mod Links

• Movie Battles II mod
• ForceMod III mod
• JA+ Mod