STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

96%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,299 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
STAR WARS Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Game Cover
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"Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy" is a science fiction shooter game with both single-player and multi-player modes. As a Jedi Academy student, you interact with famous Star Wars characters and explore classic locations while learning the ways of the Force. With an intriguing story, sensational gameplay, and wholesome themes, players face the choice between good and evil, with high replayability and some bugs.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Gog Com
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,299 reviews
story713 positive mentions
stability48 negative mentions
  • story2,254 mentions

    The story of "Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy" is generally considered straightforward and somewhat predictable, often serving as a backdrop for the game's engaging lightsaber combat and mission-based gameplay. Players take on the role of Jaden Korr, a Jedi apprentice under the tutelage of Kyle Katarn, navigating through various missions that can be completed in any order, which allows for a degree of customization in gameplay but can lead to a disjointed narrative experience. While the story may not be as compelling as its predecessor, "Jedi Outcast," it still offers enjoyable moments and familiar Star Wars characters, making it a fun experience for fans of the franchise.

    • “The thrill of training under Luke Skywalker himself, combined with the freedom to shape your character’s abilities and choices, makes every mission a unique adventure.”
    • “With its captivating storyline, dynamic lightsaber combat, and unparalleled customization options, Jedi Academy offers an exceptional Jedi training experience that delights fans and newcomers alike.”
    • “The story is great, the characters are well done, and the level design is fantastic.”
    • “The story is unengaging and terrible; it's not told very well and it's disjointed because there really are only like four or five 'real' story missions.”
    • “The actual plot of the game is weaker than Kyle Katarn's story in the previous games, but the strength of combat and mission design more than make up for it.”
    • “The story is pretty standard; your dark and light side endings are affected by a choice in the main story.”
  • gameplay967 mentions

    The gameplay of "Jedi Academy" is widely praised for its exceptional lightsaber mechanics, which many consider the best in any Star Wars game to date. Players appreciate the fluid combat, character customization, and the integration of force powers, which enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques highlight dated graphics and occasional clunkiness in controls, with a few players finding the gameplay repetitive or lacking depth in certain areas. Overall, the game remains a beloved classic, particularly for fans of lightsaber combat and Star Wars lore.

    • “The gameplay is where Jedi Academy truly excels.”
    • “The lightsaber combat remains a highlight, offering fluid and satisfying mechanics that let you truly feel like a Jedi.”
    • “Its captivating narrative, dynamic lightsaber combat, diverse gameplay mechanics, and deep customization options make it a standout title in the Star Wars gaming universe.”
    • “However, the gameplay is just... boring.”
    • “Most of the mechanics, such as the shooting, movement, and lightsaber combat, are simply not enjoyable.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky with guns almost unusable and lightsabers a saving grace but spotty as well.”
  • graphics586 mentions

    The graphics of "Jedi Academy" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, with many players noting that they require some adjustment to appreciate. While the visuals may not meet modern standards, they are often described as acceptable for their time, and the game's engaging gameplay, particularly its lightsaber combat, compensates for the graphical shortcomings. Additionally, the active modding community offers options to enhance the visual experience, making it more palatable for contemporary players.

    • “Loved this game as a kid on my old Xbox; it was easily one of the first games I ever bought on Steam, and the 400 hours is clear proof this game excels all recent and future 'Star Wars' games, with visuals that are still acceptable and the best lightsaber combat system ever created.”
    • “The graphics are dated but the gameplay mechanics hold up extremely well.”
    • “Graphically, the game still holds up pretty well, especially thanks to its great use of lighting and the fact that the art style is just so impeccably 'Star Wars' that you are just instantaneously immersed.”
    • “The graphics are very dated, true, and there were a few gameplay notions that seemed a little dodgy to me.”
    • “The graphics are outdated, but the gameplay makes up for what it lacks in visuals.”
    • “The graphics are dreadful.”
  • music104 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its adherence to the iconic Star Wars soundtrack, featuring classic compositions by John Williams that enhance the immersive experience. However, many reviewers note that the reliance on familiar tracks can lead to repetitiveness, with some moments where the music feels out of place or lacks originality. Overall, while the soundtrack is considered high-quality and nostalgic, there are calls for more variety and new compositions to complement the gameplay.

    • “The game's sound design is exceptional, featuring authentic Star Wars sound effects, an immersive musical score, and spot-on voice acting that brings the characters to life.”
    • “The soundtrack of the movies being in the game only adds to make you feel like you're in the world of Star Wars.”
    • “The soundtrack is amazing as always.”
    • “For music, the mixing is pretty solid and the songs are appropriate for environments or situations, but it relies on Star Wars movie tracks as a crutch at times.”
    • “It uses the same old-time Star Wars movie music as the previous games, and while that works at first, it sort of seems to get old eventually.”
    • “Don't expect to hear a climactic song when you defeat the final boss, just a random throwaway song from the films.”
  • replayability97 mentions

    Overall, the game boasts high replayability, particularly due to its engaging multiplayer mode, character customization, and the ability to choose different force powers and endings. While some players note that the single-player campaign is relatively short and can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs, the extensive modding community and various gameplay options significantly enhance the replay value. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to provide a unique Jedi experience, making it a standout in terms of replayability within its genre.

    • “The multiplayer mode deserves special mention for its depth and replayability.”
    • “This game is seriously underrated and the most fun and replayable Star Wars game of all time.”
    • “The freedom of upgrading certain abilities as you do missions makes for added replay value as you can mix and match how you build yourself throughout the game and different playthroughs.”
    • “Beyond that... well, it doesn't have much replay value and not everything has aged well.”
    • “If you're looking for replayability, this game gets a little tedious around the fourth to sixth playthrough.”
    • “On the negative side, it's a little short, doesn't offer a whole lot of replay value, and it's not like an RPG where you can play it twice and see entirely different content.”
  • humor63 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its absurd and often clumsy moments, such as hilarious death animations and over-the-top character interactions. Many reviews note the comedic value of the voice acting and dialogue, which can be so bad that it becomes funny, alongside the entertaining chaos of multiplayer modes. Overall, the game is described as a fun experience filled with unexpected and laugh-out-loud moments, making it a delightful choice for those who appreciate humor in gaming.

    • “Clunky and hilarious, Star Wars JK-JA has you juggling stormtroopers like a circus clown in order to get through levels. Every force power has its perks, but force grab is outright hilarious.”
    • “The voice acting could be better for some characters, but it's not horrendous, just a little funny.”
    • “You'll be laughing your ass off as your dream of becoming a Sith Lord comes true.”
  • stability52 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experienced game-breaking issues, particularly during cutscenes and mission loading, while others noted that the game could be unplayable at times due to these technical problems. However, a minority of users reported smooth experiences, suggesting that stability may vary depending on the platform and individual setups.

    • “The game runs great and looks good too.”
    • “Both the Windows and Mac versions of the game run great.”
    • “This is a great game; it runs great on newer hardware, especially the Steam version.”
    • “Very buggy, cutscenes aren't playing properly, the game often crashes when you load into missions.”
    • “The game holds up surprisingly well to this day, but does have its fair share of bugs and glitches.”
    • “I'm encountering several game-breaking glitches where you literally can't beat the game several times without using noclip.”
  • grinding27 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in late-game content where combat becomes monotonous and reliant on luck. While the initial gameplay offers some fun and unique elements, many reviewers express that the grind can feel overwhelming, requiring significant time investment without substantial rewards. The enjoyment of lightsaber battles and character customization is often overshadowed by the repetitive nature of missions and combat mechanics.

    • “Great amount of total conversions and character models from every movie as well as the expanded universe (also, installing mods wasn't as tedious as nowadays).”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The game was off to a great start in the beginning, but by late-game it just becomes tedious; I have no nostalgia attached to this game.”
    • “The repetition: it gets so tedious to play after a while; for most of the game, you're just doing boring missions, although every once in a while, there's a cool mission or a story mission, it just gets repetitive.”
  • emotional20 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while it successfully evokes feelings of empowerment and connection to the Star Wars universe, some players feel that character development is lacking, diminishing the overall emotional weight of the story. Moments of genuine surprise and emotional depth are noted, particularly in the struggle between light and dark, but the blandness of certain characters detracts from the narrative impact. Overall, the game elicits strong feelings of nostalgia and excitement, though it struggles with character engagement.

    • “This game is so good I want to cry.”
    • “The story gets emotional at some points and there were a few moments that genuinely shocked me, although I am easily surprised.”
    • “Your interactions with various characters and factions have consequences, and the struggle between the light and dark side adds an emotional depth to the narrative.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its authentic Star Wars feel, evoking nostalgia and excitement among players. Many reviewers highlight the effective map design, engaging lightsaber combat, and the emotional depth that immerses players in the experience, demonstrating that a game's atmosphere can transcend graphics and technical prowess. Overall, it is regarded as one of the best in capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe, making it memorable and enjoyable.

    • “The atmosphere and the setting are just right; you can tell that back then, fans put their heart and soul into it.”
    • “The aesthetic and atmosphere of this game alone are enough to leave me in awe, but it's the gameplay that really hits home.”
    • “In my opinion, games are not only for spending time; they are good when they entertain you, but they're unforgettable when they immerse you in the atmosphere.”
    • “Honestly, while other games may be better (not many), this one has the most classic Star Wars feel and atmosphere of the whole series.”
    • “Personally, I feel JK2 does a better job of capturing the Star Wars atmosphere, but I'm having a hard time putting my finger on exactly why I feel that way.”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the customization options and the ability to choose light or dark side abilities, while others feel that the depth of character progression is lacking and not fully fleshed out. The character designs are praised for their quality and appeal, but some critics argue that the focus on customization may have come at the expense of more meaningful character development. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable mechanics and aesthetics, the character development aspect seems to be a point of contention among players.

    • “It really is a fun game and while it can be challenging, it's the character development like getting to choose what light or dark side force ability you get next and how freely you get to use them that keep me coming back.”
    • “The character designs are also very well done, especially for the time, and makes watching combat quite fun.”
    • “Customization extends a bit more, where you can select from pre-made character designs and your lightsaber hilts/color.”
    • “Though I think the character development into the dark side option could be done better, it didn't feel fleshed out enough.”
    • “I think that, in order to do all these customizations, character development was sacrificed.”
    • “Many 'core' powers (like jump) are still on a predefined upgrade path, so the lazy level designers would not have to code additional path choices for varied character development.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The optimization of the game is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance and effective controls, particularly in lightsaber combat, others experience significant issues, especially on newer PCs or lower-end systems. Many users recommend applying patches and tweaks to improve performance, but the need for these adjustments can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's optimization varies widely depending on the system and setup used.

    • “This great game, but like games of its time, you can easily get stuck not knowing where to go. Some enemies are frustrating, so make sure you use quick save and also look at PCGamingWiki for some tweaks to improve the performance and gameplay.”
    • “Lightsaber combat is some of the best in the galaxy, controls are smooth and responsive, it's optimized for modern computers (Windows 10) and comes with one of the best mods in the whole galaxy (Movie Battles II).”
    • “Riddled with performance issues, this old classic is a monument to bad ports.”
    • “I think it's aged quite poorly, and not just because of the terrible performance issues.”
    • “Unoptimized for newer PCs, requires some patches and tweaks, but it won't be a problem since it's really easy to do that.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received positive feedback for its absence of microtransactions, with players appreciating the return to a classic model that allows for cheats and mods instead. Many users express relief at not being subjected to cash grab tactics commonly seen in other franchises, particularly EA, and recommend supporting the game for its fun and straightforward approach.

    • “I highly recommend supporting this game because it's fun and doesn't require microtransactions for everything.”
    • “Nice classic game with cheats and mods instead of microtransactions.”
    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “Should've known it was an obvious cash grab attempt.”
    • “If EA's smart they'll bring this series back... but then again if they did they'd have microtransactions to unlock stuff they gave you in the old ones for free.”
    • “Tired of microtransactions from EA?”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

18hMedian play time
166hAverage play time
10hMain story
14hCompletionist
10-100hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 27 analyzed playthroughs

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