First launched in 2009, the completely huge Jedi Academy mod Movie Duels (opens in new tab) dropped its sixth main replace initially of January. The challenge goals to recreate iconic lightsaber duels from all through Star Wars historical past with Jedi Academy’s peerless lightsaber fight system.
The Jedi Knight video games have some bizarre DNA that led to their glorious saber fight. The sequence got here from FPS devs, first at LucasArts, then Raven, and approaches saber fight in a different way from most brawler-style takes, with a place to begin nearer to basic FPS melee weapons like Gordon Freeman’s crowbar or the Doomguy’s chainsaw.
As a substitute of a weighty sword and sticky lock-on really feel, the Jedi Knight video games are nearly extra about pure positioning, together with your saber simply ruining no matter it is available in contact with. Add within the video games’ intuitive, computerized parrying, and you have a lightsaber preventing system that simply appears like nothing else—besides possibly the upcoming Fortune’s Run (opens in new tab).
I did not even understand there was anybody making single participant Jedi academy mods like this, and at first look parsed Film Duels as a easy map and mannequin pack. I dusted off my Steam model of Jedi Academy, downloaded the whopping three-file, eight gigabyte mod, and dropped every part within the Recreation Information folder of my Jedi Academy set up (the mod handily runs off its personal .exe in there).
And fairly frankly? This factor rocks. The primary map I loaded into was a recreation of the Star Forge commentary deck, the ultimate boss area from Knights of the Outdated Republic. There’s nothing to do right here for the time being, however it’s going to doubtless function in an upcoming KotOR-themed duel pack hinted at within the mod’s UI.
My first correct duel was a recreation of the edgy, rad, and supremely non canon Obi Wan Kenobi/Darth Maul rematch on Tatooine depicted within the comedian Old Wounds (opens in new tab). Jedi Academy’s fight is as enjoyable as ever, and the modders added some spice right here by having Maul’s arm get lower off in a scripted sequence midway by means of, mirroring the occasions of the comedian. Don’t fret although, I nonetheless obtained that doofy corridor monitor Obi Wan in the long run.
For a last take a look at run, I loaded into Mace Windu vs. Palpatine from Revenge of the Sith because the purple workforce. This one was a bit jankier, with an unskippable cutscene continuing and what looks like a huge well being bar on previous Sheev P. I unintentionally killed Equipment Fisto earlier than getting my melon chopped off by the spritely previous man. Perhaps I will attempt once more one other day.
I’ve undoubtedly solely scratched the floor right here—there’s all this film content material and a few fights from The Pressure Unleashed, in addition to newly-added remastered duels from 1997’s Darkish Forces: Jedi Knight. I’ve additionally uncared for to say essentially the most thrilling inclusion: Film Duels has scooped EA by three months, letting you play as buff, “Punished” Cal Kestis from the upcoming Jedi Survivor. You heard proper Cal Kestis heads, everybody’s favourite Star Wars protagonist is right here!
My man even offers Jaden Korr (opens in new tab) a run for his cash within the charisma division, and the 2 legends can lastly chop one another’s heads off in the identical recreation. You may try Film Duels on ModDB (opens in new tab), and be sure you maintain an eye fixed out for future content material additions and bug fixes.
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