For start I must say, I played a pack of other Star Wars themed action games. All of them focused on the cinematic lightsaber fight. Pre-edited moves, combo and chain based movesets, this was all. About the story... either a Jedi or a Sith wanted to change the world. The Jedi Academy was different. It was one of my first Star Wars game I ever played next to Outcast. The Jedi Academy is all about a galactical quest, putting together the clues, and fighting against our old white-armored friends. Unlike the Outcast, this games start with a lightsaber, but on the first missions you can use instead your guns if you want. Either by lightsaber and guns it has that true Star Wars feeling like the first trilogy (IV., V., VI.). The gameplay changed significantly from Outcast. Basically you must learn again even the use of a single saber. There are more option to strike, more to protect yourself, and more to trick your opponents. Now the game has three blade style. The standard single for balanced and tricky style, dual sabers for deffensive and long attack style, and staff for rush-down assault style. You can choose any from them, there are no stronger or better style. But that's not all. The saber is fully controlled by the movement of your character, and the mouse cursor. You can swing your sword in many ways for countering your opponents moves. There are no pre-scripted combos, you must build your own. Of course, you can always use some special katas if you feel yourself cornered The game has a very good multiplayer too. Even with slow net it can be played without any lag. Easily modable for unique gameplay experience, many cool maps can be found anywhere. Gift this awesome game to your friends, and start the never ending saber combat. Or if you prefer, you can use the game as an arena FPS, like the Unreal series.
I never was a fan of the RPG genre for some reason, but when I say one of my favourite games is an RPG... it says everything. I played on all games from the Ys series, and I can say the Ys Origin is the best amongst them. The Ys Origin tells the origin of Ys, this is the concept. It starts 700 years before the other games. Because of this, this game is the only from the series where we can see Reah and Feena as the Goddesses, in their original form. It is different compared to other Ys games, but far more full of emotions. The gameplay as said before is basically a hack 'n slash platformer with RPG elements. It has a smooth combat system with handy amount of abilities and skills. You are not forced to rely only one of your moves like in all other RPGs, all of them are useful. It is not a full featured RPG. There are a level-up system, and a lightsome equipment management. This combined with the superb story is quite enough to call the game an RPG. The musics are excellent, always reflects the current situation. I must mention the main theme of the game, 'Genesis Beyond The Beginning'. It is an award winning game soundtrack, the best main theme for a game. I hope we can see the original album as a bonus for the game on GOG.com.
The Unreal Tournament 2004 never wanted to be an innovative game. Not changed the way of the previous games, just perfected the gameplay within the very same style. Added new elements, added driveable vehicles, and extended the engine's modability. Who want more than that? Maybe there are an Unreal Tournament 3, but that is just too "real" to be Unreal. I wish a long life for this game.
