Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II

(Macintosh)
Reviewed by Mark Isaacson

Aspyr and Westlake continue to pump out ports of PC titles to the Macintosh. Not so long ago they released perfect translations of Deus Ex, Galactic Battlegrounds and Soldier of Fortune II, leaving Mac gamers in very safe hands when it comes to great titles to choose from. Now, the dynamic duo are back once again, and this time Jedi Outcast is the topic of choice.

For those who have been hiding away in the middle of nowhere for the last few months, Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II is the successful sequel to another classic title, Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight. Kyle Katarn is the main character, a man who continues to ponder whether being a Jedi is the right thing for him. Snapping into action mode after a call from the republic, Kyle is back in the thick of things, eventually picking up the trusty lightsabre after a long absence from the Jedi arts. It's up to you to guide the hero through a range of puzzles, battles and scenarios, while meeting up with a collection of familiar characters in the process.

So I knew what was going to happen before I opened the box, but I don't mind. As long as there's some fun to be had, whether old or new, I'll always be there. And thankfully, everything that was found in the PC title is here, right down to the always amazing to watch graphical imagery.
Graphics cards may be slightly less powerful on Mac computers compared to the latest GeForce 4's doing the rounds, but you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference. It's a perfect port graphically, with plenty of flair and a steady frame rate. Lighting is used to great detail in the game, thanks to the shadows made by the lightsabre and the many blaster bolts that fly down through corridors.
Sound is much the same story, a collection of John Williams tracks and plenty of familixar sounds that are wonders to the ears of fans (especially an igniting lightsabre). Make sure you have a high-tech sound system, it improves the enjoyment of this greatly.

As is the case on the PC, most of your time will be taken up by the multiplayer portion of JO. You'll be glad to know that all original options are available here, including a range of game types and both LAN and internet play. How it runs, though, depends on both the speed of your systems and the internet connection (anything less then a 56K modem, and you might be in a spot of trouble).

All Mac gamers should invest in Jedi Outcast. There's plenty of enjoyment to be had, and not just in the multiplayer element either. A collection of some at times tricky puzzles will keep you guessing, and the inclusion of, without a doubt, the best control scheme for lightsabre combat, makes Kyle's latest adventure very much worth playing.

So, that's the PC and Mac out of the way. Will the Xbox and GameCube versions receive similar success? We shall see.

92%

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