Written by: Rik
Date posted: August 4, 2005
Okay, so the story isn’t very interesting, and there’s a general lack of authenticity in the air, but one of the most disappointing aspects of Jedi Knight is Kyle Katarn himself. It’s not really down to the fella who plays him – although he won’t win any awards for acting, at least he manages to summon up a bit of enthusiasm for the role – but more the way he seems to have been completely transformed from the hero we knew from Dark Forces.
Now, without accusing LucasArts of anything, it’s fair to say that in DF Katarn was, well, the kind of guy who thought that hokey religions and ancient weapons were no match for a good blaster at your side. He was a mercenary, had a gruff voice and no great love for the Empire – but he wasn’t quite prepared to join the Rebellion, either – sound familiar? Now, we can accept that in time Kyle eventually picks a side in the war – but becoming a Jedi? Unfortunately it all sounds a little too much as if they knew they were developing a DF sequel called Jedi Knight and thought that they may as well use the name of the hero from the first one.
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The transition was kinda explained in tie-in novellas to Jedi Knight – Kyle was a young stormtrooper officer when he first met Jan Ors, his partner/lover. She showed him that the Empire was behind the murder of his father and he defected. So in Dark Forces he’s still kinda shaken and uncomfortable about being a merc on Alliance’s payroll, but he’s adjusted to it by the time of Jedi Knight.
Doesn’t explain the complte redesign though.
January 8, 2015 @ 2:25 am