STAR WARS Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,542 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
STAR WARS Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast Game Cover
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"STAR WARS Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast" is a single-player and multi-player science fiction shooter game with an intriguing story and excellent gameplay, set in the Star Wars universe. As Kyle Katarn, agent of the New Republic, players can use Lightsabers, wield over 8 Force abilities, and choose from 13 weapons. The game features interactions with legendary Star Wars characters, and offers 24 single-player missions and 6 multiplayer game types. Despite some bugs and grinding, it boasts good graphics, a splendid soundtrack, and plenty of humor, creating a fabulous atmosphere for players.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Nintendo Gamecube
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,542 reviews
story338 positive mentions
grinding21 negative mentions
  • The lightsaber combat is considered the best in any Star Wars game, providing a satisfying and immersive experience.
  • The game features a compelling story with familiar characters from the Star Wars universe, enhancing the overall experience.
  • Despite its age, the game still holds up well in terms of gameplay mechanics and offers a nostalgic trip for fans.
  • The level design can be confusing and frustrating, often requiring players to rely on walkthroughs to progress.
  • The shooting mechanics are considered poor, with slow projectiles and inaccurate aiming making combat less enjoyable.
  • Players often experience difficulty in navigating the game, leading to a tedious and sometimes frustrating gameplay experience.
  • story733 mentions

    The story of "Jedi Outcast" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative centered around Kyle Katarn's journey of redemption and his struggle against dark forces. While some find the plot straightforward and occasionally cliché, it effectively incorporates familiar Star Wars elements and characters, providing a nostalgic experience for fans. However, the pacing can be slow at times, particularly in the early missions, and some players feel that the gameplay mechanics overshadow the story's depth. Overall, it is considered a solid continuation of the Star Wars lore, particularly for those invested in the expanded universe.

    • “The story is amazing, and I love the interactions between all the characters. Everything in this story is well thought out, and it's just good seeing Luke be Luke again.”
    • “With its gripping storyline, intense lightsaber combat, and diverse gameplay, Jedi Outcast delivers an unforgettable journey that captures the essence of being a Jedi.”
    • “The storyline is rich and immersive, taking players on a gripping journey filled with betrayal, redemption, and the eternal struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force.”
    • “The story is thin and boring, same as all the characters.”
    • “The game is too dark for me to see important areas that I need to get to in order to advance the mission I'm on.”
    • “The story is pretty forgettable.”
  • gameplay387 mentions

    The gameplay of "Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast" is a mix of engaging lightsaber combat and first-person shooting mechanics, praised for its depth and variety, though it shows its age with some clunky controls and level design issues. Players appreciate the evolution of gameplay as they progress, with many highlighting the satisfaction of mastering lightsaber mechanics and force powers, despite frustrations with puzzles and navigation. Overall, while the game has dated elements, it remains a beloved classic for its immersive experience and nostalgic value.

    • “The gameplay in Jedi Outcast is a perfect blend of action and strategy.”
    • “With its gripping storyline, intense lightsaber combat, and diverse gameplay, Jedi Outcast delivers an unforgettable journey that captures the essence of being a Jedi.”
    • “The combat mechanics are responsive and satisfying, capturing the weight and elegance of lightsaber combat, and making players feel like true Jedi warriors.”
    • “The gameplay is outdated and janky as hell.”
    • “I gave this game so much time to get better by playing it on the easiest difficulty while spamming the quicksave button, reading tips and guides online, watching walkthrough videos and it still spit in my face with the worst FPS gameplay and puzzles I've ever seen in a game.”
    • “The game has horrible shooting mechanics, confusing and obtuse puzzles, slow and awkward movement, giant and empty areas with 69 insta-kill traps at every turn, and your nostalgia can't change the fact that this is a mechanically, functionally, and poorly-made game.”
  • graphics234 mentions

    The graphics of "Jedi Outcast" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2002 release, yet many players find them charming and still serviceable for the game's nostalgic appeal. While some reviews note that the visuals do not hold up to modern standards, others appreciate the game's aesthetic and suggest that it captures the essence of the Star Wars universe effectively. Overall, despite the outdated graphics, the gameplay and story remain compelling, making it a classic worth experiencing for fans of the franchise.

    • “The graphics in Jedi Outcast are stunningly realistic for a game released in 2002.”
    • “Despite the old graphics, this is still the best Star Wars game on the planet in my opinion.”
    • “The graphics hold up pretty well for the game's age on max settings too.”
    • “The graphics are definitely a representation of its time.”
    • “The graphics are really bad.”
    • “The graphics are outdated for sure but it's still pretty fun and the beautiful Star Wars soundtrack.”
  • music85 mentions

    The music in the game is predominantly composed of iconic tracks by John Williams, directly lifted from the original Star Wars films, which enhances the nostalgic experience for players. While the integration of these familiar scores into gameplay is generally well-executed, some reviewers noted that the reliance on existing soundtracks can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, the sound design, including sound effects and voice acting, complements the music, creating an immersive Star Wars atmosphere.

    • “The game's sound design is top-notch, featuring authentic Star Wars sound effects and a memorable musical score that heightens the epic atmosphere.”
    • “The music is all from the films, composed by John Williams, but the game masterfully integrates clips and tracks into the gameplay, making it so that you'll be associating the soundtracks with the games instead of the films before too long!”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing, making this feel like a legitimate Star Wars entry.”
    • “The soundtrack is in fact ripped straight from the movies, which means this game doesn't have its own original soundtrack, but it also means you get to kill Imperials to the sound of John Williams.”
    • “Repetitive and sometimes inappropriate given the situation, the music tends to make traversing through empty sections of a level a dull experience.”
    • “It's the Star Wars music you all know and love, but the problem is that's all there is.”
  • atmosphere30 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its authenticity and immersive qualities, effectively transporting players into the Star Wars universe through exceptional sound design, lighting, and visuals. Reviewers highlight the engaging narrative and intense lightsaber combat as key elements that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout title for fans. Despite some criticisms regarding the story, the atmospheric elements remain a significant strength, contributing to its status as one of the best representations of the Star Wars franchise in gaming.

    • “It feels like you're right there in the original movies; not a lot of games can boast that level of atmosphere and authenticity.”
    • “The game's sound design is top-notch, featuring authentic Star Wars sound effects and a memorable musical score that heightens the epic atmosphere.”
    • “An incredibly fun game, but also probably the best representation of the atmosphere of the true Star Wars universe.”
    • “Despite its somewhat thin story, the game is unmatched in terms of atmosphere.”
    • “The general atmosphere of the game is very Star Wars.”
    • “+dark and foreboding atmosphere, similar to that of KOTOR 2.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is consistently highlighted as a major draw, with players finding joy in the absurdity of combat mechanics, such as dismembering stormtroopers and the comedic timing of death screams. The interactions between background characters and the presence of funny voiceovers and easter eggs contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making even the game's bugs and glitches a source of amusement. Overall, the blend of intentional and unintentional humor creates a uniquely entertaining experience that keeps players engaged and laughing throughout their journey.

    • “Being able to cut stormtroopers in half just by walking up to them with your saber out will never not be funny.”
    • “The way the stormtroopers shoot, the way they die, the way they fall is hilariously fun.”
    • “As you progress through the game, you gain increasingly stronger and useful force powers which are hilarious to use on enemies.”
  • grinding21 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite tedious, especially in the early stages where missions feel repetitive and frustrating. While some levels and combat sequences can be engaging, many reviewers note that the lack of variety in environments and enemy encounters leads to a monotonous experience. Despite some enjoyable moments, the game often feels like a slog, requiring players to push through tedious sections to reach more rewarding gameplay.

    • “Before that, you'll have to survive two awfully tedious shooter missions with horrible weapon design and mechanics.”
    • “The game is decent by 2003 standards, but by modern day standards it's quite tedious, cheap, and frustrating.”
    • “Some of the levels are downright annoying and tedious.”
  • stability20 mentions

    The game's stability is notably affected by various glitches and bugs, particularly due to its status as a port, which can lead to issues like unresponsive controls and graphical anomalies. While some players report minor bugs that can be resolved with tweaks, others experience more significant problems, especially on certain platforms like Mac. Overall, despite these stability concerns, many users still find the game enjoyable and recommend it, especially for fans of the franchise.

    • “Once I surmounted that obstacle, the game runs great and is still quite enjoyable.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs.”
    • “Overall, the game maintains a smooth performance, allowing for an immersive experience without interruptions.”
    • “Also, the game being a port opened some glitches and bugs, like at one point, my brightness slider stopped working, so I had to play the game dark.”
    • “Awesome game but too buggy.”
    • “There are some glitches with multiplayer, such as freezing within 15-20 seconds of a match.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered high due to various difficulty levels, unlockable content, and engaging gameplay elements like lightsaber combat. While some players find it offers immense replay value, particularly through mods and multiplayer, others note that certain aspects, such as the single-player campaign's length and design, limit its replayability compared to similar titles. The multiplayer component, although currently lacking a community, is highlighted as a significant factor for replay value.

    • “The replay value is high due to the various difficulty levels and unlockable content.”
    • “It's an amazing experience with tons of replayability that you don't want to skip out on.”
    • “Awesome story, great gameplay, and replay value.”
    • “However, Outcast is not as replayable as Jedi Academy, and you have no stunts list to learn (at least I didn't find it in Outcast).”
    • “The downside, however, is the game offers little in terms of replay value and only took me about 11 hours to win, so I’d try and get it on sale.”
    • “Replay value: average.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with players noting it runs well even on low-end systems, though some experience stuttering issues and suboptimal shooting mechanics. While the melee combat is the focus, the improved force powers add to the gameplay experience, making it enjoyable despite minor performance hiccups.

    • “This game has really good gameplay and performance for an old game.”
    • “No bias here, definitely worth a go again or for the first time, if you can get the game to run smoothly, which is 100% possible.”
    • “Should run smoothly on a potato as well.”
    • “The shooting mechanic isn't really optimized; the game was made around the melee lightsaber combat.”
    • “That level is full of stuttering and annoying enemies.”
    • “The force powers are an improvement over Dark Forces 2 because you get most of them in waves, while in the last game you were supposed to improve them progressively depending on your performance within each level and the power orb upgrades you would get as a result.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to "Jedi Outcast," feeling empowered and immersed in the role of Kyle Katarn as a Jedi. The nostalgia for its multiplayer experience evokes sadness over its emptiness today, while the game's ability to foster genuine emotional engagement with characters, even enemies, highlights its impact on players' experiences. Overall, it is celebrated for capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe and providing a heartfelt adventure that resonates long after playing.

    • “For an innocent 12-year-old gamer-in-the-making, who was a Star Wars fan since the age of 5, this game made me feel like a true Jedi, and to be honest, it still does to this day.”
    • “Jedi Outcast was one of the titles that helped change public perception of Star Wars games from cheap cash-ins to heartfelt, fan-made adventures.”
    • “More than 12 years later, this game made me feel sorry about next-gen gaming, which will never give me this kind of fun and involvement.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised, particularly for the main character, whose journey as a Jedi outcast is compelling and integral to the story. Reviewers rate it exceptionally, with one noting it as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's overall excellence.

    • “Good story, and character development for the main character.”
    • “I won't say much more about his character development; you'll have to play this yourself to find out who the Jedi outcast is and why he's an outcast.”
    • “One of (if not) the best Star Wars games ever, deserves a strong recommendation for its gameplay, story, character design, and character development, especially for holding up in its advanced age.”
    • “I won't say much more on his character development; you'll have to play this yourself to find out who the Jedi outcast is and why he's an outcast.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed with how the characters evolved throughout the game; their arcs felt rushed and unfulfilling.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of Jedi Outcast faced skepticism due to LucasArts' previous titles, which were perceived as lazy cash grabs or failures, leading to a tarnished reputation by the time the game was released in 2002.

    • “By the time Jedi Outcast hit the market in 2002, LucasArts' cachet had taken some major hits, thanks to post-Episode I Star Wars titles that were lazy cash grabs at worst (Jedi Power Battles) or disappointing failures at best (*cough* Force Commander *cough*).”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy STAR WARS Jedi Knight II Jedi Outcast

Play time

21hMedian play time
84hAverage play time
13hMain story
18hCompletionist
4-300hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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