"A
Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side."
Inspired by the
success of the Jedi Knight
action game series, LucasArts announced the
long awaited sequel, Star Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II.
The return to one of interactive entertainment's most successful game
series will feature a partnership between LucasArts and Activision,
Inc., through its developer Raven Software, which will result in the
incorporation of the QUAKE III Arena engine in the
development of Jedi Outcast.
Star
Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II is a dynamic single and
multiplayer game that continues the saga of the
once-powerful Jedi Knight, Kyle Katarn, as he struggles with the power-and dangers-of the Force. Through a multitude of complex and
richly detailed Star Wars environments players face a variety
of powerful enemies and once again fight for the Rebel cause. Armed
with the power of the Force and an arsenal of weapons, including the signature lightsaber, players hold the fate of the
Star
Wars galaxy-and the destiny of Kyle Katarn-in their hands.
"In
striking this alliance with Activision's partner Raven Software,
LucasArts is aligning itself with one of interactive entertainment's
foremost developers in the action game genre," says Simon
Jeffery, president of LucasArts. "LucasArts selected Raven to
develop Star Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II because
they're absolutely at the top of their game and have few peers in this
industry."
"Given
the strength of the Quake III engine and Raven's widely recognized
expertise in action games, Star Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi
Knight II will be a very worthy successor to one of gaming's
benchmark titles. Simply put, this title will blow gamers away,"
says Simon Etchells, LucasArts' global marketing manager for Star
Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II.
Star
Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II picks up several years after
Katarn successfully avenged his father and defended the Valley of the
Jedi from powerful Jerec and his group of Dark Jedi. Katarn has since
abandoned his allegiance to the Force for fear that he might fall prey
to the temptations of the dark side. However, as fate would have it,
Katarn learns of a powerful new Dark Jedi who must be prevented from
creating a technology to harness the power of the Force. His destiny and the future of the
Star Wars galaxy once again hang
in the balance as he confronts his dark past to face another overwhelming
evil.
Players
of Star Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II have an
expanded and enhanced use of the Force, including Heal, Jump, Speed,
Force Push, Force Lightning, and Jedi Mind Tricks. Depending on the
situation, whether in combat or stealth, players also have a variety
of weapons-old and new-at their disposal, including the
lightsaber, Bryar blaster pistol, blaster rifle, stun baton, Wookiee
bowcaster, and thermal detonators.
With the modified QUAKE III Arena
engine, Jedi Knight II implements a multitude of enhancements such as more highly
detailed graphics and a greater sense of overall scale. Star Wars Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II features
several locations, including Cloud City, the Jedi Knight Academy on
Yavin 4, Nar Shaddaa, the smugglers' moon, and more.
Al
Wildey |