Now, I have to admit, for some reason, I wasn't happy with the prequel to Academy, Jedi Outcast. I liked it, sure, but didn't think it was anything special, unlike Knight Knight. Let's face it, we play these games to have lightsaber fights and use the Force powers, otherwise it's pretty much just an FPS. And I don't know why, Jedi Outcast just didn't get me very excited.
Weird thing is, Academy does. It shouldn't, it's the same engine as Outcast. It just seems, slicker somehow. Outcast seemed cobbled together, like a beta test, for the real game which is Academy.
And Academy is all about the saber combat baby. Oh yeah, it's amazing
Unlike the previous games, where you switched between the weapons most of the time, in Academy, you very rarely use anything other than the saber. It's just to beautiful watching the saber in action. Kicking in force speed, igniting the saber and carving your way through a corridor full of stormtroopers, a dance of death until you reach the end of the corridor, extinguish your saber blade, turn around just in time for the Force speed to end and see all the bodies crash to the floor behind you, all taken place in less time than it took the first body to hit the floor. It's just gorgeousness given form. And then you can build and use either a Saber Staff (Like Darth Maul from Episode 1), or dual wielded sabers (Like Anakin from Episode 2).
It's not the longest game in the world, I think I beat it in something like 8 hours. But it's just so beautiful, I play it again and again. I really recommend this game. To me, it's less of an FPS, and more of a lightsaber simulator. And the force powers are really really nice. Throwing enemies around with telekinetic grip, blasting them off ledges with pushes, pulls and force lightning. Quick, frenetic saber duels. I don't see what's wrong with this game.
Final Comment: If you like Star Wars, this game is great. Although ostensibly a FPS, it does not play at all like one, so you'll like it even if you don't like FPS.
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