Jason Musgrave @SansChanger
Reviews
Star Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast (Windows)
Dark Forces return to Greatness!
The Good
Following the decent "Jedi Knight" and its expansion, "Jedi Outcast" returns the "Dark Forces" line (if it is indeed part of it- it is referred to as a sequel to "Jedi Knight" instead of "Dark Forces") to greatness!
The graphics in this game blew me away (when they are turned up to maximum). The shadows are exceptional, and the fluidity and life-like motion of the character models is amazing.
The storyline is top-notch and kept me enthralled throughout the entire thing. The level design was truly exceptional with a "Star Wars" feel that surpasses even "Dark Forces". The world feels alive and used, and new in other places.
The cinematics, rendered in-game, are excellent with this engine, and the voice talent is all top-notch. Modelling the principles- Kyle Katarn and Mara Jade, after the actors who played them in the FMV cinematics of "Jedi Knight" was a welcome touch.
Finally- the lightsaber battles in this game are beyond anything accomplished in any game. The original "Jedi Knight" or even "Die by the Sword" have nothing on the excitement and cinematic thrill that comes with each and every lightsaber battle in this game.
The Bad
There are still no speeder levels, walking AT-ATs, or other "massive" vehicles or monsters. Granted, "speeder" missions are generally restricted to other Star Wars games, but a level or two of it would have been nice.
I really thought that Kyle should have the ability to hold onto ledges as well- like "Tomb Raider" and other games. I say this because of the extensive use of that tactic we have seen in Star Wars movies- like Luke Skywalker's ledge-grab and rebound over the Sarlacc Pit in "Return of the Jedi", or Obi-Wan Kenobi's lifesaving grab and Force-jump & flip up to defeat Darth Maul in "The Phantom Menace". Although FULL of "nice little touches", this is one little touch I would have particularly loved.
The Bottom Line
A must-have for Star Wars fans, or anyone interested in the best combination of cinematics and first-person "you are there"-type gaming. The world is alive, and the threats are breathtaking.
By Jason Musgrave on April 9th, 2003
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Mysteries of the Sith (Windows)
Great Expansion for Jedi Knight.
The Good
My biggest complaint about "Jedi Knight" was the lack of seedy, underworld missions and commando-type operations. Playing Mara Jade, you get to go back into the dark belly of the underworld of Star Wars.
In addition, MOTS introduced tons of fun new items and enemies, including the fearsome battle with a Rancor itself, complete with the proper music playing at the proper times.
Other operations opened up new elements of the Star Wars universe. Kyle Katarn's early mission into the Imperial Asteroid Ships was certainly original, and Mara Jade's journey through the Sith Temple is downright creepy.
MOTS also included some graphical enhancements like multi-colored lighting.
The Bad
Mysterious of the Sith was very hard. I don't count that necessarily as a fault, but some people might.
Damaging Kyle Katarn's character wasn't very good, and neither was the ending (didn't Yoda say that once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny?).
Finally, the cinematics in this game were miserable. Although the engine can cut the gameplay okay, the cinematics were terrible compared to the real-life FMV from "Jedi Knight". True, they got away with a lot more in this one (such as Mara Jade crashing through the skylight), but that's not much of a justification for the "Wing Commander" crowd like myself.
The Bottom Line
An excellent expansion brought to us from the same people who created the excellent "Outlaws: Fistful of Missions" for "Outlaws". Highly recommended to any aspiring Jedi.
By Jason Musgrave on April 9th, 2003
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II (Windows)
Decent Follow-up to Dark Forces
The Good
Jedi Knight was more than eagerly anticipated by "Dark Forces" fans- I took the day off when it was released and ended up beating it in around 34 hours. The lightsaber action was new and very fun, and the levels were large and challenging.
The true 3D engine was stable, and the introduction of FMV (done better than it was in "Rebel Assault II") was very cool.
The Bad
Unfortunately, Jedi Knight's art was sorely lacking I thought. Some of the levels are painfully bland, with repeating rock and concrete textures. The designers put in too much lighting as well, defeating the gritty, commando-style of the early levels and of "Dark Forces".
Finally, though lightsaber combat was very cool, it was generally too rushed and frenzied to get any kind of cinematic experience out of it.
The Bottom Line
I actually didn't like this game as much as "Dark Forces". The bland levels really were the killer for me. I was hoping the sequel in the Dark Forces line would be "Stormtrooper" (kind of like "TIE Fighter" following "X-Wing"). But it's still a great action game with a good story, better than average full-motion video, and plenty of replay value online.
By Jason Musgrave on April 9th, 2003
Star Wars: Dark Forces (DOS)
The first and best experience in FPS action.
The Good
I had played other FPS games of the time, but "Dark Forces", like many other reviewers here, was the first I played to completion. The storyline was exciting- keeping me guessing about what was happening next, and where I might be going. The enemies, from stormtroopers to bounty hunters, offered variety in attacks and tactics, and the graphical engine for the time was outstanding- easily surpassing the other non-true 3D engines that were being produced.
Dark Forces came alive with dynamic lighting and rooms that served purposes. I will never forget the various guard rooms I encountered, the pumping stations, control rooms... and once even the head, where stormtroopers and a few seedy types were making use of the urinals.
The Bad
My only complaint about this game isn't really a complaint- just that it didn't include some of the cool places I was hoping to see, like the interior of a sandcrawler, or moving AT-AT walkers.
The lack of multiplayer support did not bother me at all.
Today, my grumbles include the lack of SVGA (the Mac version had that), and a poor control interface. But those are to be expected.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this game to everyone- even modern players, even though this game is now nearly 10 years old as of the writing of this review. It set a new standard for FPS excellence in level design, balance, color and art. Truly the best early first-person shooter to be released.
By Jason Musgrave on April 9th, 2003
Witchaven II: Blood Vengeance (DOS)
Lackluster sequel actually detracts from the original.
The Good
Some very cool environments, the return of a variety of weapons (that can now be enchanted- that's very cool), and the addition of some enemies (and thus, story elements) that are very welcome (including human enemies).
The Bad
The controls in this game are deplorable. You slip and slide everywhere (even on solid surfaces). The hit location is sketchy with ranged weapons, and the story progession is dismal. This game makes the same mistake as the original- offering the storyline only in the manual. As a result, you have no idea why you are fighting various barbarian tribes, why they are aligned with the evil witches, etc.
The Bottom Line
Following the release of "Witchaven", fans were begging for a sequel. When it was announced on a discussion board, we squealed with glee. This game should have corrected many of Witchaven's weak points, but in the end, the only improvement was more enemies, enchanted weapons, and much better multiplayer support. Otherwise, the game ruined the short-lived series and we never heard from Witchaven again.
By Jason Musgrave on April 7th, 2003
Witchaven (DOS)
Early but excellent medieval action.
The Good
This game presented 1st person medieval excitement. The levels were large (for the time), and the engine was quite advanced. The obvious detail in the warring goblin and ogre factions and the variety of monsters, weapons, potions, magic and power-ups made it the best twitch & kill fantasy game of the time. The variety in environments, including rooms that actually serve purposes (torture rooms, libraries, gardens, etc.) make it that much more realistic.
The Bad
The controls were relatively sloppy compared to other games coming out at the time. The game as a whole wasn't always stable, and some of traps were downright too difficult in the darker areas. The lack of an ending cutscene really killed any sense of closure to me.
The Bottom Line
Ultima Underworld with better graphics, absolutely no role-playing, and nonstop slaughter and adventure in a dark and twisted fantasy world, involving "vast" (for the time) outdoor environments and indoor dungeons as well. Definitely a shining example of a great game, but could have been something that could have been so much more with a few added story elements and some tighter controls.
By Jason Musgrave on April 7th, 2003