STAR WARS™ Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

I recently played this game, and it was phenomenal. The graphics are dated and the default controls are a little clunky, but remap some keys and this game is perfect. The map is enormous, engaging, and riddled with secrets. Puzzles aren't just the same thing over and over but also aren't so complex that you can't figure them out (though occasionally the old graphics make it hard to see there is a tunnel somewhere, so you have to get close to realize). The game play is fun and varied with guns, grenades, lightsaber, and force powers. The story is full but simple (the cut scenes have some bad acting, but it's actually pretty funny to watch, so it doesn't feel tedious. The cut scenes also aren't too long). This is a must play experience. ...I know I'm beating a dead horse here, but I have to go back to the map. I remembered thinking it was big as a kid, but replaying it made me realize that it was every bit as big as I remember. I cannot think of any contemporary game with a map this big, this detailed, and this well laid out. It is excellent, which is why I'd love to pay for an HD remade copy some day. Be warned that the Sith battles are *really* hard, even on easy difficulty.

Jedi Knight/Dark Forces 2 Review: I did not like Dark Forces (the first game in this series). I thought it was extremely difficult and no fun. And the lack of saving mid-level prompted me to not even finish that game. Jedi Knight was completely different. The inclusion of a quick save feature is worth high marks alone. But the game play is quite fun as well! The lightsaber and force powers are a great addition and easy to learn how to use. The live action cutscenes are a staple of this game and totally worth playing just to see them. It's totally campy 90s Star Wars... and I love it! If you did not like Dark Forces never fear, Jedi Knight's level design and gameplay is more fun and interesting. Plus... Quick Save!! Mysteries of the Sith (MotS) Review: I did not like Dark Forces. I loved Jedi Knight. And sadly Mysteries of the Sith is more like Dark Forces than Jedi Knight. The levels are long, tedious, at times boring, and lack a story worth caring about. The cool live action cinematics of Jedi Knight are gone and in it's place is bad voice acting and blocky animations. The frustrating levels leave you googling how to solve them a whole lot and I got to the point where I wasn't even enjoying myself so I decided not to finish MotS period. It is unfortunate that MotS decided to complicate its level design to become frustrating as I thought Jedi Knight had that perfect balance of fun, but sometimes challenging level design and enemies. Plus the characterization of Mara Jade is so off from how she acts in, well, everything else, and that also sucks. Overall: This game purchase is TOTALLY worth the $6 and even more worth whatever GOG discounts it for (they have regular discounts for Star Wars games), If you were meh about Dark Forces, give this game a shot! The addition of a lightsaber is a lot of fun! Don't feel the need to play MotS though, it'll leave a bad taste in your mouth. As a first time player who didn't have nostalgia blinding him, it's worth the buy.

Like many others, I had a huge craving for more Star Wars after The Mandalorian S2. I decided to finally play Jedi Knight and it's add-on Mysteries of the Sith, which I skipped in the 90's. These games hold up great even in 2021. Fun Star Wars action with a decent plot. I love the FMV cinematics in Jedi Knight, too bad MotS doesn't have those. The story beats the new movie trilogy by a long shot. The gameplay is good, shooting and lightsaber combat are just as great as you'd expect. Just be ready for some authentic, cryptic late 90's level design. Save often! JKGFXMod is highly recommended to play these titles nowadays. It makes them run perfectly with modern machines, something that GOG should do but has failed in these games. Easy to install and the games look great afterwards. This was most fun I had in a Star Wars game in years. Highly recommended, just use the mod!

I have played this as a kid in primary school and and was DA BOMB! Apart from an epic storyline in Single-Player there was a HUGE modding community for Multi. Nostalgia is strong for this one. Even if you play it the 1st time, THIS is the REAL, AUTHENTIC story of Star Wars (none of that Disney history falsification) hero Kyle Katarn. And what an epic story and cool character it was. Highly recommended! P.S. It was Kyle Katarn that stole the plans of the first Death Star. REMEMBER THE HEROES! Remember Kyle Katarn!

This game is a landmark. And compared to the steam version, this actually runs perfectly without any "hacks" to get it going. At $12 for DF, DF2 and MotS, this is an incredible deal. Anyone who was my age back in 1997, you will know how great this is, and be ever thankful to GoG for re-releasing it properly.