Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy

Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a Star Wars first-person shooter computer game part of the Jedi Knight series, although it's the first one where Kyle Katarn is a NPC. Released September 16, 2003 (PC) and November 18, 2003 (Xbox). It was developed by Raven Software and published, distributed and marketed by LucasArts in North America and by Activision in the rest of the world.

It's powered by the Quake III Arena graphics engine, with modifications to give a third-person view and new lightsaber effects. Players now have the ability to construct their own lightsaber by choosing the hilt style and color. After completing certain objectives, new saber styles become available including the ability to wield two independent sabers as used by Anakin Skywalker during the closing fight in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, or the double bladed lightsaber introduced by Darth Maul in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Storyline
Players take the role of a new student to Luke Skywalker's Jedi academy on Yavin 4 named Jaden Korr. The story revolves around the sudden appearance of a Dark Jedi cult called the "Disciples of Ragnos". Jaden becomes an apprentice to Jedi Knight's main character Kyle Katarn and battles with turning to the dark side.

At one point in the game the player can actually choose to turn to the dark side, therefore giving the game two different possible endings.

If the player chooses the light side, by defending a fellow Jedi from a Dark Jedi named Alora, the player will go on to travel to Korriban to stop the Dark Jedi Tavion from resurrecting Marka Ragnos, an ancient Dark Lord of the Sith. The player will have to fight his/her way though many Dark Jedi in the tombs of Korriban, until they get to Marka Ragnos' tomb, where they will duel Tavion, and then Marka Ragnos in Tavion's body. When you defeat Ragnos, he shouts that he will return.

If the player chooses the Dark Side, he/she will kill fellow Jedi Rosh Penin, and then kill Alora. Kyle feels Jaden's fall to the dark side, and follows him/her to Korriban. The player will have to fight his/her way through the tombs of Korriban, not only encountering hostile Dark Jedi, but also hostile Jedi. This proves for much harder gameplay. In the end, Jaden will fight Tavion in Marka Ragnos' tomb, like in the light side branch, but will kill her at the end, and take Ragnos' scepter. Then Kyle Katarn will come in to duel Jaden, and the player must defeat him. Once Kyle is defeated, Jaden leaves the tomb. Luke Skywalker then enters and helps save Kyle from some rubble. Kyle makes the decision to leave his Jedi responsibilities until he can hunt down Jaden. We then see Jaden commandeer an entire Star Destroyer, and jump out of system with Ragnos' scepter in hand.

Title screen in Aurebesh
The title screen of Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy shows Aurebesh characters in the background which, when translated, read the following:


 * "Star Wars Jedi Knight Jedi Academy Developed By Raven Software Published By Lucasarts Entertainment Company Features Create Your Own Jedi Tiered Level System New MP Game Siege New Sabers New Force Powers Arioch Terrain System New Enemies And more Coming Summer 2003 And yes this really does say something if you translate it."


 * Also, in the mission to Tatooine, when you release the Raven's Claw and the Millennium Falcon from the beams, Chewbacca shows up from the exit to tell you to follow. The door reads SALIDA (Spanish for 'EXIT') in reversed Aurebesh.
 * Outside Lannik Racto's office, the inscription on the gate reads 'OFFICE'

Other changes from Jedi Outcast to Jedi Academy

 * Your character, Jaden, can be male or female and is customizable. For example, you can choose from several lightsaber and hair colors as well as from several species:
 * Twi'lek female
 * Kel Dor male
 * Human male and female
 * Zabrak female
 * Rodian male


 * New moves including katas, wall gripping, and acrobatics.
 * Two new weapons: DL-44 heavy blaster pistol and Stouker Concussion Rifle.
 * New gametype: Powerduel &mdash; Players join as an individual or as a team of two. The individual has more health and Force power in exchange for being at a disadvantage in numbers.
 * Siege Mode: Players work to complete goals and stop the other team from completing their goals.
 * Enhanced rendering of the Quake 3 Engine.

Locations
Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy features a variety of locations from the Star Wars universe, both from the movies and the Expanded Universe:
 * Jedi Praxeum, Yavin 4
 * Mos Eisley, Tatooine
 * Tatooine
 * Bakura
 * Blenjeel
 * Corellia
 * Echo Base, Hoth
 * Nar Kreeta
 * Zoronhed, Zonju V
 * Kril'dor
 * Coruscant
 * Dosuun
 * Bast Castle, Vjun
 * Chandrila
 * Taanab
 * Yalara
 * Byss
 * Ord Mantell
 * Taspir III
 * Marka Ragnos' Tomb, Korriban

Game mods

 * Movie Battles II