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How Metascores Are Calculated
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As a new student of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy, follow an ancient tradition and learn the powers - and dangers - of the Force. The Force is a powerful ally; use it wisely. Immerse yourself in the classic Star Wars universe as you take on the role of a student eager to learn the ways of the Force from Master Luke Skywalker. Interact with famous classic Star Wars locations and characters while facing the ultimate choice: fight for good and freedom in the light side or follow the path of power and evil to the dark side. Create your own characters by defining various characteristics, such as species, gender, clothing and physical attributes allowing for a more personal experience before entering the academy to learn the powers - and dangers - of the Force. Construct your own lightsaber from handle to blade color. Utilize two if you prefer or try the ultimate dual-bladed lightsaber made famous by Darth Maul. Unique tiered level selection allows you to choose you adventure and the missions you take based on the skills you need to become the ultimate Jedi Knight. [LucasArts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 92
VGPub
There are some things that are a bit rough around the edges, like the lip synching and the bland terrain, but the game succeeds where it counts the most and effectively negates the problem areas of the game when you are in the heat of battle.
 91
Gaming Age
Jedi Academy continues the strong stories and challenging gameplay of past games in the series, while making improvements, big and small, along the way.
90
Cheat Code Central
There is virtually no difference between the PC and Xbox version. The Xbox Live feature lets you play others worldwide in a series of modes that gives the game good replay value.
88
Next Level Gaming
Unlike its predecessor, Jedi Academy is action-packed from the very beginning where Jedi Outcast was a little sluggish to start. You don't need to worry about waiting to earn a lightsaber because you've built one from the beginning.
85
GameSpy
The saber play is great fun, particularly in multiplayer, and the variety in the single-player game keeps it entertaining as well. Next time we'll hope for a new graphics engine, but for now, the Force is definitely with the Academy.
84
Game Chronicles
Despite the graphical flaws, poor mission design, and lack of a compelling story I still have to admit I had "fun" playing this game, actually more fun than I did on the PC.
82
GameZone
I recommend this game for its great story, wonderfully intense battles and a killer multiplayer mode that takes the action online.
82
XboxAddict
An overall gaming experience that should last most players somewhere between 12-18 hours. While the overall experience is fairly short, because of many of the unique features, and furious action; I'd have a hard time not recommending this title to both Star Wars fans and action fans alike.
82
Game Over Online
It lacks the depth to engross and absorb but the action will prove to be satisfying to most fans of the genre. The piece de resistance of the whole package has to go to the comprehensive multiplayer component.
81
GameSpot
A nonstop action ride that starts out on a high point and manages to remain there for the entire game. Gameplay elements that can be tedious, like jumping puzzles, are limited, while the use of Force powers is accentuated.
80
Deeko
The controls are a bit unusual and take a bit of getting used to, the storyline is a bit on the dull side and the graphics are really, really dated and should be reconsidered at this point. However, the gameplay is still rock solid.
80
Game Informer
With its faults, this title is a good hack-fest with a high body count (which makes for an awesome multiplayer component), but still leaves it short of what it wants to achieve. [Jan 2004, p.148]
80
Gamezilla!
A solid game that will appeal to those who wanted more from Jedi Outcast. It isn’t going to blaze any new trails however so make sure you align your expectations before purchasing.
80
GamePro
Academy focuses on the best elements of Jedi Outcast (fast-paced lightsaber combat and wicked Force abilities), discards the worst (jump puzzles, confusing levels, and long durations armed only with blasters), and lets you choose missions, Force powers, and whether or not you’ll become an agent for good or for evil.
80
IGN
If you like Star Wars and think flipping around chopping up Stormtroopers and flinging Dark Jedi off of conveniently placed precipices is fun, then this game will satisfy. Just don't expect your battles with your inner demons to be as compelling.
79
TotalGames.net
It lacks the smooth edges and convincing action sequences of its Star Wars predecessors; KOTOR is still in a different galaxy.
79
Armchair Empire
JA is a good-looking game. It may not be the most beautiful game ever, but it moves at a good clip and the lightsaber duels look very cool, especially when you’re on a roll.
76
GameShark
The only real problem that stood out, other than the horrible speeder bike level, is that the visuals were still the same old graphics and being a year and a half after JO was released, it shows how dated the graphics are.
72
netjak
I just wish George would stop flooding us with mediocrity and take a break from new releases to give us a helping of something special.
70
1UP
Decent enough while it lasts, but not exceptional in any way. It's the sort of game you play through once and never pick up again -- in fact, the default difficulty is easy enough that this cycle can complete itself in a weekend if you give it some effort.
70
Official Xbox Magazine
Jedi Academy was a solid game on PC, but sadly, the Xbox version falls far short in nearly every regard. [Holiday 2003, p.85]
70
Worth Playing
A slight disappointment. While it continues on the storyline, and brings back some familiar characters, it just fails to improve on an existing idea. All of the new ideas which were created specifically for this game just don't really cut it.
70
Gamenikki
Translation problems occur in the flight from PC to Xbox, and the smooth style that made Jedi Academy irresistible fun on the PC is now clumsy and awkward.
70
Thunderbolt
I get the feeling that Raven Software rested a bit too much on their laurels instead of giving gamers a refreshing new Jedi Knight experience.
70
Team Xbox
Does a great job recreating the epic lightsaber duels that most of us have come to love, but the big question is will gamers be willing to play through the first few mundane missions in order to get to that point? Initially I would have said no, but I was drawn to keep playing regardless of how bad I felt the visuals were, and even as the framerate chugged along at a snail’s pace.
60
Eurogamer
We're even less inclined to accept the messy control system, the often dreadful AI, the questionable animation, the less than stellar visuals, the fact that following the dark side makes no real difference to the game, and the overall feeling that it's just not that exciting.
58
Play Magazine
This game experiences such highs and lows, it's as if three separate teams worked on it. [Dec 2003, p.60]
53
XGP Gaming
Jedi Academy is exactly what it claims to be at bare minimum; the latest installment of the Jedi Knight series; nothing more.
52
Electronic Gaming Monthly
These visuals are mediocre at best and not up to par with today's Xbox standards. [Jan 2004, p.156]
50
Xbox Nation Magazine
Academy isn't so much a first-person shooter (although there are nifty rayguns) as it is a third-person lightsaber hack-em-up, and the laser sword combat here is about as graceful as that tubby Star Wars kid (Google hime for a preview). [Mar 2004, p.98]
J R gave it a9: Chris P. gave it a9: Scott G. gave it an 8: Matt Z. gave it a 9: Matt O. gave it a 9: Zack W. gave it a 10: Stephen P. gave it a 9: |
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