Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

 GameCube
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. MichelleP.
    May 25, 2003
    4
    Well, the graphics are excellent. But the game control and camera...IS UNBEARABLE!
  2. notoco42
    Aug 20, 2016
    4
    This pretender to one of the best games in the Star Wars franchise doesn't deliver after 14 since its premiere. It leaves me scratching my head: has the game aged so badly or is it the fault of a sloppy Gamecube port?

    The JK II undertakes to mingle an FPS with a melee combat oriented game but doesn't implement either mechanic exceptionally well. As a shooter, it's mediocre at best and    This pretender to one of the best games in the Star Wars franchise doesn't deliver after 14 since its premiere. It leaves me scratching my head: has the game aged so badly or is it the fault of a sloppy Gamecube port?

    The JK II undertakes to mingle an FPS with a melee combat oriented game but doesn't implement either mechanic exceptionally well. As a shooter, it's mediocre at best and by the time you get to slash your enemies with the ligthsaber, you start losing your patience with the shortcomings the game is plagued with. There aren't many of those but they are such a nuisance that, matter fact, it's not far-fetched to say they are game-breaking.

    For starters, I take issue with the graphics. As far as they are concerned, it's plain to see this was a console game first. The architecture is simple if not simplistic. The levels seem as if designed with a limited number of objects; they were copied and pasted which shows all too often as you have a hard time getting your bearings since everything looks almost the same. Yet another weakness is the game's optimization. The frame rate drops more frequently than bodies in Syria since the civil war broke out. And I wonder why, given it's painfully obvious that graphically the game had its corners cut for the consoles of that generation to be able to run it, most apparently in vain.

    All of the above aside, the worst offender is the loading time. I actually took the pain and counted that from the moment you die till the moment you are back on track there's an interval of roughly 20 seconds, which is unforgivable. It may not seem like much but, trust me, when you die as frequently, you'll start noticing pacing is more reminiscent of chess rather than an action game.

    On top of that you struggle with the clunky controls, especially aiming, which without the autoaim would have you running to and fro without hitting anything at all. It only goes to show this game was designed for the mouse and keyboard and the Gamecube controller doesn't do it justice. So at the end of the day it's a curious mix which was half designed for consoles (graphics) and half designed for PCs (controls). And it's rather a bad combination.

    Furthermore, the melee combat is disappointing, as it consists in mindless button mashing. Results of duels are up to chance rather than tactics, which only adds to your frustration. Enemy jedis have no health bars, which even further strips such encounters off any tactics. That there is no rhyme or reason to these duels shows only too well during boss battles. Many a time I was critically hit, not knowing how come. The game doesn't explain how you could perform such critical hits yourself. So you end up running all over the place like a retard, hoping this time around you will be lucky enough to win. But there is no satisfaction involved, as your success is coincidental.

    On a more positive note, the music fits the Star Wars universe well and the plot itself is probably what will keep you playing the JK II in spite of its flaws. However, are a catchy soundtrack and interesting story sufficient to make a good game? In my humble opinion no, and that's why I give it 4 out of 10.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best GameCube Game of 2002
28
#28 Most Discussed GameCube Game of 2002
40
#40 Most Shared GameCube Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Media and Games Online Network
    89
    State of the art graphics, stereo sound, and excellent gameplay.
    Read full review
  2. Armchair Empire
    89
    Graphics and sound are, in a word, wonderful.
    Read full review
  3. Game Informer
    88
    A step down from the PC's version, due to the fact that you just can't scroll through the Force Powers fast enough. [Jan 2003, p.101]
See all critic reviews »