Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy (PC)

After some initial training, the academy forms a base from which various missions are launched across the galaxy. There are ample opportunities to visit familiar places from the classic Star Wars galaxy and to meet some familiar faces along the way. There are numerous levels and quests, and each one requires a cocktail of action, guile and a bit of common sense--oh, and the occasional Jedi mind trick. These levels are pleasantly challenging and mighty good fun to play.

You can call on a broad arsenal of weapons--with the light sabre available right from the start--and as you progress, you must build up your Force skills, which will ultimately help you out of many a sticky spot.

If you can overlook the very occasional lapse in enemy AI, and just let the sky-high production values soak in, the game proves to be cracking entertainment. Arguably it doesn't move the whole formula forwards a great deal, but you get a thumpingly good game backed up with strong multi-player options. --Simon Brew