As the story goes, Luke is working to rebuild the order of the Jedi, bringing in new recruits from all over the galaxy to be trained in the ways of the Force. But just as the first batch of rookies arrive their shuttles are shot out of the sky and everyone's Jedi senses go off. Split up from the rest of the group, you and a fellow recruit work your way through the jungle and stumble onto a strange sight, even in the well documented Star Wars universe. A bunch of sleazy dark side guys are standing around a hot tattooed chick holding what looks like a giant lightsaber. You're soon noticed and knocked unconscious. When you awaken Luke and Kyle tell you and the recruits about a cult of crazed dark side followers who worship the long-dead evil Jedi, Marko Ragnos. While they work to find leads, you're sent off on your first batch of missions, usually with Kyle in tow to bail you out of trouble.

But before all that you've gotta create your Jedi. Unlike Jedi Outcast where you played exclusively as Kyle, Jedi Academy lets you build your own Padawan learner from a pretty diverse buffet of parts. Male and female genders apply to a handful of human and alien races and you'll also be able to pick your outfit, and more importantly, your lightsabers color. It's like Jedi Fashion Academy.

As the game starts your Force powers are understandably limited. A little push and pull here and there and a speed boost that puts you on par with Carl Lewis are all you've got. Fortunately, the universe is filled with guns and in the beginning you'll rely on the game's first-person perspective and long distance firepower to ensure a safe return to the Academy. You've also got your lightsaber for when you get cornered but without your extensive Force powers, melee combat is not advised. But as you progress something magical happens.

Between most missions you'll be given a magical star that upgrades one of eight light or dark force powers. On the light side you've got Absorb, Protection, Mind Trick, and Heal while the dark side offers Drain, Grip, Lightning, and Rage. All have their own advantages and three levels to upgrade to. It's up to you to decide which side you want to play. Personally, I dabbled in both, maxing out Heal, Mind Trick, Grip, and Lightning. Later in the game though, Absorb becomes quite useful as it disperses most Force attacks directed towards you. Protection, which decreases physical damage is also a nice one to keep building up, for obvious reasons. It's also nice that by the end of the game you can't max out all of your skills, forcing you to pick and choose the ones most useful for the way you want to play the game. It's like a sprinkling of RPG elements liberally dusted over this wonderful double layered German Chocolate cake of action.

Learning Curve: Takes a while

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