View source for Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II

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{{Video_game
|image=[[File:Sw-jk_box_art.jpg]]
|title=''Star Wars: Jedi Knight:<br />Dark Forces II''
|developer=[[LucasArts]]
|publisher=LucasArts
|released=[[October 9]], [[1997]]<ref name="MC">{{Cite_web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/star-wars-jedi-knight-dark-forces-ii|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II for PC Reviews|publisher=[http://www.metacritic.com Metacritic]|archivedate=20200409213403}}</ref><ref name="GR">{{Cite_web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/24354-star-wars-jedi-knight-dark-forces-ii/index.html|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II for PC|publisher=[http://www.gamerankings.com GameRankings]|archivedate=20191209015004}}</ref>
|closed=
|upc=
|engine=[[Sith Engine]]
|genre=[[Wikipedia:First-Person Shooter|First-Person Shooter]]
|modes=[[Wikipedia:Single player|Single player]], [[Wikipedia:Multiplayer|Multiplayer]]
|ratings=[[Wikipedia:ESRB|ESRB]]: Teen (T)
|platforms=[[Personal computer]]
|series=
|basegame=
|expansions=
|director=
|producer=
|designer=
|programmer=
|artist=
|writer=
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|timeline=[[5 ABY/Legends|5 ABY]]<ref>The opening crawl of [[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith]], set in 10 ABY, establishes that it takes place five years after this game.</ref>
|prev=''[[Star Wars: Dark Forces]]''
|next=''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast]]''}}
'''''Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II''''' is a first-person shooter [[Personal computer|computer]] [[Video game|game]] released on [[October 9]], [[1997]],<ref name="GS">{{Cite_web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/jedi-knight-dark-forces-ii-review/1900-2535572|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Review|author=Dulin, Ron|date=1997-10-09|publisher=[http://www.gamespot.com/ GameSpot]|archivedate=20190725202043}}</ref> by [[LucasArts]]. This was the first game in the series to include multiplayer capabilities over the Internet or over a LAN. It was also the first computer game to allow players to take control of a [[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]] character using both [[The Force/Legends|the Force]] and [[Lightsaber/Legends|lightsabers]] in a multiplayer setting.

The similarly titled novella ''[[Dark Forces: Jedi Knight]]'' is somewhat a companion piece to the game.
==Plot summary==
''Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II'' takes place a year after the [[Death Star II/Legends|second Death Star]] has been [[Battle of Endor/Legends|destroyed]]. In their search for the map to the [[Valley of the Jedi]], the [[Seven Dark Jedi]] led by [[Inquisitorius/Legends|Imperial Inquisitor]] [[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]] capture and kill [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]] [[Qu Rahn]]. Meanwhile, the [[Mercenary/Legends|mercenary]] [[Kyle Katarn]] chases the informant [[Droid/Legends|droid]] [[8t88/Legends|8t88]] for a [[Holodisc|data holodisc]] that belonged to his late father, [[Morgan Katarn]]. After retrieving the holodisc, Katarn returns to his home on [[Sulon]], where he is able to read the holodisc's contents with the help of his droid [[WeeGee]]. He receives a [[Lightsaber/Legends|lightsaber]] and a quest to protect the Valley of the Jedi after watching a [[Hologram/Legends|hologram]] of his father in the holodisc. Throughout his quest, Katarn receives help from his trusted partner and [[Pilot/Legends|pilot]] [[Jan Ors]], as well as guidance in the ways of the Force from Qu Rahn's [[Force ghost|spirit]]. He encounters the Dark Jedi and eventually locates the Valley of the Jedi on [[Ruusan/Legends|Ruusan]]. At the Valley, Jerec plans to absorb the ancient Force power contained there. His plans are, however, stopped by Katarn, who arrives and defeats him in a lightsaber duel.

==Opening crawl==
{{Opening crawl
|name=Dark Forces II<br />JEDI KNIGHT
|text=Since the destruction of
the second DEATH STAR, the
Rebel Alliance has begun the
difficult process of building
the New Republic.

Seizing the opportunity for
control of the galaxy, new
rival armies arise. The most
dangerous of these are the
DARK JEDI. Their leader,
JEREC, seeks the legendary
VALLEY OF THE JEDI.

Within this lost battleground
he will find untold power to
destroy peace and justice in
the galaxy....}}

==Main characters==
[[File:Katarn_portrait.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Kyle Katarn]]
===Kyle Katarn===
{{Main|Kyle Katarn}}

Kyle Katarn of ''[[Star Wars: Dark Forces]]'' returns as the protagonist in ''Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II''. At the start of the game, he arranged to meet the droid informant 8t88 on [[Nar Shaddaa/Legends|Nar Shaddaa]] to collect a data holodisk belonging to his late father, [[Morgan Katarn]]. However, 8t88 double-crossed him and fled with the holodisk. Katarn eventually retrieved it and learnt that his father and Jedi Master [[Qu Rahn]] had given their lives to prevent the location of the [[Valley of the Jedi]] from falling into the hands of the [[Seven Dark Jedi]] led by [[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]]. Guided by Rahn's [[Force ghost]], Katarn learnt the ways of [[The Force/Legends|the Force]] and became a [[Jedi Knight/Legends|Jedi Knight]] in his quest to stop the Dark Jedi. He was accompanied by his partner [[Jan Ors]], who piloted their ship, the ''[[Moldy Crow/Legends|Moldy Crow]]''. At one point, Ors was captured by the Dark Jedi and taken to the Valley, where Jerec was trying to siphon the Valley's power for himself. Katarn tracked them down to the Valley and eventually defeated all the Dark Jedi and saved Ors, freeing all the spirits of the Jedi who had been trapped in the Valley.
{{Clear}}
[[File:JerecScreenCap.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Jerec]]

===Jerec===
{{Main|Jerec (Inquisitor)}}
Jerec is the main antagonist in ''Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II.'' A fallen [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]] and former [[Inquisitorius/Legends|Imperial Inquisitor]], Jerec led the [[Seven Dark Jedi]] who sought the power of the Valley of the Jedi. At the start of the game, he killed Qu Rahn, whom he had captured and tried to obtain the Valley's location from. He was eventually defeated and slain by Kyle Katarn in a climatic lightsaber duel in the Valley.
{{Clear}}
[[File:JanOrs.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Jan Ors]]

===Jan Ors===
{{Main|Jan Ors}}

Jan Ors was Kyle Katarn's trusted partner and the pilot of their ship, the ''[[Moldy Crow/Legends|Moldy Crow]]''. She flew him to wherever his missions took him and bailed him out of trouble when he needed an escape. During the quest for the Valley of the Jedi, she was taken hostage on [[Ruusan/Legends|Ruusan]] by Jerec, who tried to use her to turn Katarn to the [[Dark side of the Force/Legends|dark side of the Force]], but Katarn rejected the dark side. Ors was then taken to the Valley of the Jedi and held captive until Katarn showed up and saved her.
{{Clear}}
[[File:Qurahn.png|thumb|left|100px|Qu Rahn]]

===Qu Rahn===
{{Main|Qu Rahn}}

Qu Rahn was a [[Jedi Master/Legends|Jedi Master]] trying to prevent the [[Valley of the Jedi]] on [[Ruusan/Legends|Ruusan]] from falling into the Dark Jedi's hands. At the start of the game, he was captured by the [[Seven Dark Jedi]] and interrogated by Jerec, who used the Force to probe his mind and find information on the Valley. Attempting to make a last stand, Rahn used [[Telekinesis/Legends|telekinesis]] to seize Yun's lightsaber and attacked the Dark Jedi, but was ultimately immobilized and slain by Jerec. After his death, he continued to live on as a [[Force ghost]] and appeared in visions to guide Kyle Katarn on his quest to find the Valley and train him to become a Jedi Knight.
{{Clear}}
[[File:Sariss.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Sariss]]

===Sariss===
{{Main|Sariss}}

Sariss was one of the Seven Dark Jedi and Jerec's second-in-command. Along with Yun and Boc, she retrieved the map to the Valley of the Jedi from the Katarn family compound on [[Sulon]]. She then accompanied Jerec to the Valley on Ruusan, where she stood by her master in the confrontation with Kyle Katarn. After Katarn barely escaped alive from the crashing [[Sulon Star|''Sulon Star'']], Sariss attempted to strike him down but Yun intervened and Sariss accidentally killed Yun in a reflex move. Katarn managed to get up and used Yun's lightsaber to defeat and kill Sariss in a duel.
{{Clear}}
[[File:BocAseca-SWI31.png|thumb|left|100px|Boc]]

===Boc===
{{Main|Boc Aseca}}

Boc was a [[Twi'lek/Legends|Twi'lek]] and the maddest and most sadistic among the Seven Dark Jedi. He was also the only one to wield a pair of lightsabers in combat. Along with Sariss and Yun, he retrieved the map to the Valley of the Jedi from the Katarn family compound on Sulon. On Ruusan, when Kyle Katarn escaped from the exploding ''Sulon Star'' and was temporarily incapacitated after crash-landing during the escape, Boc found Katarn's lightsaber and crushed it with a rock, all the while taunting and laughing at him. He then left to join Jerec in the Valley. Katarn eventually made his way to the Valley and used Yun's lightsaber to defeat and kill Boc.
{{Clear}}
[[File:Maw-JKDFII.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Maw]]

===Maw===
{{Main|Maw (Dark Jedi)}}

Maw was a [[Boltrunian/Legends|Boltrunian]] and one of the Seven Dark Jedi. After his legs were cut off by Qu Rahn, he started using a [[Repulsorlift/Legends|repulsorlift]] carriage and [[Telekinesis/Legends|Force flight]] to move about. On Ruusan, he attacked Kyle Katarn on a landing pad near the ''Sulon Star'' but was defeated by the Jedi Knight. Immobilized and defenseless, he taunted Katarn with remarks of his father's death in an attempt to goad Katarn into the dark side. Although Katarn succumbed to his anger and killed Maw, he was ultimately able to resist the lure of the dark side and remain in the light.
{{Clear}}
[[File:GorcAndPic-JKDFII.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Pic (left) and Gorc]]

===Gorc and Pic===
{{Main|Gorc|Picaroon C. Boodle}}

Collectively known as the "[[Brothers of the Sith]]", Gorc was a [[Gamorrean/Legends|Gamorrean]] and Pic was a [[Kowakian monkey-lizard/Legends|Kowakian monkey-lizard]] who had both been mutated into [[Sithspawn/Legends|Sithspawn]] through an experiment. As a result, they shared a symbiotic connection through the Force and eventually became part of the Seven Dark Jedi. Jerec sent them to meet and destroy 8t88 on the ''Sulon Star'', where the droid expected to collect his payment for helping Jerec find the map to the Valley of the Jedi. Kyle Katarn, who had been tracking 8t88, encountered the two Dark Jedi shortly after they had decapitated the droid, and eventually defeated and slew both of them in a duel.
{{Clear}}
[[File:Yun.jpg|thumb|left|100px|Yun]]

===Yun===
{{Main|Yun}}

Yun was the newest member of the Seven Dark Jedi. After accompanying Sariss and Boc to retrieve the map to the Valley of the Jedi from the Katarn family compound, he remained in the [[Government House (Sulon)|Dark Palace]] on Sulon and encountered Kyle Katarn when the latter showed up while tracking down 8t88. Katarn defeated Yun in a duel but spared Yun's life, much to Yun's surprise. Later on Ruusan, while Sariss was about to kill Katarn when he was down, Yun intervened by blocking Sariss's lightsaber blow, but lost his life in the process when Sariss struck him with a reflex blow. Before dying, Yun told Sariss that Katarn was a Jedi and deserved a fight. Katarn managed to get up and eventually used Yun's lightsaber to defeat and slay Sariss, Boc and Jerec.

==Synopsis==
===Chase on Nar Shaddaa===
[[File:Holodiscc.png|thumb|180px|8t88 holding the disc]]
[[Kyle Katarn]] arranged to meet the droid informant [[8t88/Legends|8t88]] in the [[Rimmer's Rest/Legends|Smuggler's Bar]] on [[Nar Shaddaa/Legends|Nar Shaddaa]], where he learnt that his father, [[Morgan Katarn]], had been murdered by [[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]], a [[Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]]. When 8t88 tried to force Katarn to decipher a [[Holodisc|data holodisc]], Katarn refused and fought against 8t88's hired thugs. 8t88 then escaped with the holodisc, forcing Katarn to chase him over the Nar Shaddaa cargo docks and take down several hired thugs. Katarn caught up with 8t88 just as the droid was boarding a [[Shuttle/Legends|shuttle]], and managed to shoot off the droid's arm holding the holodisc. Shortly after 8t88's shuttle took off, a [[TIE/sa bomber/Legends|TIE bomber]] appeared and started firing at Katarn, but Katarn's partner [[Jan Ors]] showed up in their ship, the [[Moldy Crow|''Moldy Crow'']], and shot down the TIE bomber.

Katarn then went below the landing pad and retrieved the holodisc after arranging with Ors to pick him up at the top of the building. He made his way across cargo storages, conveyor belts, and other areas, all the while fending off attacks by 8t88's hired thugs. By the time he reached the top and Ors picked him up, he was so badly injured that he had to spend the night recuperating in a [[EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate/Legends|medical frigate]]. While resting, he had a [[Force vision/Legends|Force vision]] of Jedi Master [[Qu Rahn]], who told him about the [[Valley of the Jedi]] and how he was destined to become a [[Jedi Knight/Legends|Jedi Knight]].

===Returning Home to Sulon===
[[File:Lookingbackoveryourshoulder.png|thumb|left|180px|Katarn on Sulon]]
Upon returning to the old [[Katarn family compound]] on [[Sulon]], Katarn noticed three Dark Jedi - [[Sariss]], [[Boc Aseca|Boc]] and [[Yun]] - loading pieces of the stone ceiling into an [[Lambda-class T-4a shuttle/Legends|Imperial shuttle]]. Once the shuttle had left, Katarn sneaked into his old home and found it overrun by [[Grave Tuskens]]. He fought them as he made his way through the compound and entered his father's workshop, where he found his family's old droid, [[WeeGee]].

Switching on WeeGee, Katarn inserted the holodisk and watched a recording of his father telling him that he had left behind two items for him. The first was [[Qu Rahn's lightsaber|a green-bladed lightsaber]] which previously belonged to Qu Rahn. The second was a map to the Valley of the Jedi embedded in the stone ceiling. The ceiling had been taken away by the Dark Jedi so Katarn needed to find an alternative means to locate the Valley. Since the exit was blocked, Katarn had to find a way out of the house via the irrigation channels. Along the way, he defeated several Grave Tuskens and other creatures such as [[Drugon|Drugons]] and [[Mailoc|Mailocs]] until he reached the rendezvous point, where Ors picked him up in the ''Moldy Crow''.

===Barons Hed===
{{Quote|The Empire sure knows how to ruin a perfectly good city.|[[Kyle Katarn]]|Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II}}
[[File:Barons_hed.jpg|thumb|180px|Barons Hed]]
Katarn and Ors set off to find the map, which led them to the city of [[Barons Hed]] on [[Sulon]]. The city had been occupied by the [[Imperial Remnant]], which had constructed a fortress known as the [[Government House (Sulon)|Dark Palace]] in the middle of the city. Believing that he could find 8t88 in the Dark Palace, Katarn infiltrated the city via the irrigation channels and eventually made his way into the heavily guarded fortress.

Katarn managed to track down 8t88 just as the droid had finished sending the deciphered map to Jerec. When he confronted 8t88 and demanded the map, Yun suddenly appeared and used a [[Force blast]] to knock him back. Katarn defeated Yun in a lightsaber duel but spared his life, much to Yun's surprise and confusion.

After Yun escaped through the roof, Katarn continued his pursuit of 8t88 and made his way across the top levels of the fortress, fighting off a [[Kell dragon/Legends|Kell dragon]] and several Imperial forces along the way. He reached his destination too late, however, as 8t88 had just flown away in his shuttle. Shortly after that, Ors showed up in the ''Moldy Crow'' and picked him up.

===The ''Sulon Star''===
[[File:Pic.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Pic and Gorc]]
Katarn and Ors followed 8t88's shuttle to a [[Fuel City|fuel station]] where the ''[[Sulon Star]]'', a freighter owned by Jerec, was docked. To avoid alerting the Imperial Remnant to their presence, Katarn sneaked on board the freighter by going through the station's giant fuel lines. He emptied the fuel lines so that he could pass through them, and defeated Imperial forces and [[Trandoshan/Legends|Trandoshan]] mercenaries along the way.

Once he had boarded the ''Sulon Star'', he traversed down to the docking bays on the lower deck and cleared out Imperial forces. Eventually, he came to 8t88's shuttle and found the droid standing in front of him. When he pointed his [[Bryar pistol]] at 8t88, the droid's head fell off. [[Gorc]] and [[Picaroon C. Boodle|Pic]], the two Dark Jedi known as the "[[Brothers of the Sith]]", appeared and attacked him. Katarn managed to defeat them and claimed 8t88's head. Then, he returned to the upper deck of the ''Sulon Star'', where Ors picked him up in the ''Moldy Crow''. Using 8t88's head, they found out that the Valley of the Jedi was on Ruusan and made their way there.

===Ruusan===
[[File:SulonStarRuusan.jpg|thumb|180px|The ''Sulon Star'' over Ruusan]]
Upon arriving at Ruusan, the ''Moldy Crow'' landed in a mountainous area to avoid detection by the Imperial Remnant. Katarn then made his way across the mountainous terrain, clearing out Imperial forces and other hostile creatures such as [[Mailoc|Mailocs]] and [[Drugon|Drugons]] until he reached an elevator that would take him to the landing platform where the ''Sulon Star'' was.

As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he was attacked by [[Maw (Dark Jedi)|Maw]], a Dark Jedi who had to use the Force and a [[Repulsorlift/Legends|repulsorlift]] carriage to move about after losing his legs. Katarn dueled Maw and eventually defeated him. Maw then tried to provoke and goad Katarn to the dark side by telling him how Morgan Katarn died. Shortly after Katarn gave in to his anger and killed Maw, Jerec and the Dark Jedi showed up with a captured Ors. Jerec made Katarn an offer to join him and kill Ors to prove his loyalty, but Katarn managed to calm himself and rejected the dark side.

Disappointed, Jerec used a [[Force blast]] to knock back Katarn. However, the Force blast was strong that it damaged the ''Sulon Star'' too and caused it to start collapsing. Katarn got on board the falling freighter and, in a desperate race against time, managed to reach the docking bay where the ''Moldy Crow'' was held, and flew out of the ''Sulon Star'' before it crashed and exploded.

The impact of the explosion caused the ''Moldy Crow'' to crash too. Shortly after that, Sariss, Boc and Yun came to the wreckage and pulled out an incapacitated Katarn. Boc taunted Katarn and destroyed his lightsaber with a rock before leaving to join Jerec in the Valley. Sariss then drew her lightsaber and prepared to finish off Katarn, but Yun intervened and was accidentally killed by Sariss with a reflex blow. Before dying, Yun said that Katarn was a Jedi and deserved a battle. By then, Katarn had regained his strength and he claimed [[Yun's lightsaber|Yun's orange-bladed lightsaber]] as his, using it to defeat and slay Sariss.

===The Valley of the Jedi===
[[File:Kylejanweegee.png|thumb|left|180px|Katarn carved statues of his father and Rahn while Ors and WeeGee watched.]]
Katarn then used a cargo conveying system to reach the Valley's outer perimeter before navigating his way through the airflows of the mining exhaust ports until he reached the Imperial excavation site leading into the Valley. He made his way through underground tunnels until he reached the ancient ruins of the Valley, clearing out all the Imperial forces along the way and taking out two [[Kell dragon/Legends|Kell dragons]] in the tunnels. In the Valley, he found Ors tied to a pole and saved her. Just then, Boc, who had been disguising himself as a statue, revealed himself and attacked Katarn with his two lightsabers.

As soon as Katarn had defeated Boc, Jerec, who had been basking in the Valley's power, awoke from his meditation and engaged Katarn in a lightsaber duel. As they dueled, Jerec set in motion the ancient machinery that would grant him the Valley's full power, but Katarn stopped him at every turn and ultimately defeated him. Disarmed and at Katarn's mercy, Jerec tried to tempt Katarn to the dark side by reminding him that he was the one who killed Morgan Katarn. However, Katarn replied that he had not forgotten, and then picked up Jerec's lightsaber and threw it back to him. Jerec then activated his lightsaber and charged at Katarn, but was cut down and his physical form faded away.

With Jerec's defeat, Katarn fulfilled [[Poem of Ages|an old prophecy]] and freed the spirits of the Jedi who had been trapped in the Valley since the [[Seventh Battle of Ruusan]]. To honor his father and Qu Rahn for their sacrifices, Katarn carved statues of them in the Valley while Ors and WeeGee watched him as he finished his work.

==Media==
===Editions===
*UPC 023272952426; [[April 30]], [[2001]]; [[LucasArts|LucasArts Entertainment Company]]; [[LucasArts Archive Series]] edition<ref name="LucasArts Archive Series">''[[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II]]'', [[LucasArts Archive Series]] edition</ref><ref name="Amazon-LucasArts Archive Series">{{Amazon|url=LucasArts-Archive-Star-Knight-Forces-pc/dp/B00005B440|text=LucasArts Archive Series: Star Wars Jedi Knight Dark Forces 2|archiveurl=https://archive.is/doSEH}}</ref>

===Cover gallery===
<gallery>
File:Sw-jk box art.jpg|Front cover
File:JediKnight-DarkForcesII-LucasArtsArchiveSeries.png|LucasArts Archive Series edition
</gallery>

==Gameplay==
===Single player===
''Jedi Knight'' is noted for the ethical decisions integrated into the gameplay. Katarn is a neutral character for most of the game, neither fully light nor dark. Actions against unarmed civilians throughout the game, as well as what Force powers a player chooses throughout the game, will sway Katarn towards the light or the dark sides. Eventually, the character Katarn must choose between light and dark; how he chooses depends on the player's actions throughout the game. This feature would later be greatly expanded upon in games such as ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic]]'' and its sequel, ''[[Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords]]''.

Katarn starts the game with no knowledge of the Force. As the player progresses through the game, Katarn gains Jedi abilities, known as "[[Force power/Legends|Force Powers]]." These powers fall in three general categories: Neutral, Light, and Dark. The game awards one "Force point" upon the completion of each level, and an additional point if the player finds all of the secret areas. These skill points can be allocated towards any Force power, boosting that power's effects.

===Multiplayer===
Another part of ''Jedi Knight''{{'s}} gameplay was explored in online, multiplayer arenas. Plot and Force alignment became irrelevant as players were able to forego the game's [[Artificial intelligence/Legends|Artificial intelligence]] and instead engage in multiplayer combat. It was also online that the unique aspects of ''Jedi Knight'' distanced it from other, otherwise apparently similar first-person shooters. Single player mode did not significantly benefit from Force powers, agility, and large weapons, whereas online play demanded attention to these attributes.

The game lacked a dedicated server and was hosted by the [[MSN Gaming Zone]], although several "IP boards" were hosted on fan sites such as [http://jediknight.net/ JediKnight.net] and Ron Mercer's [http://www.qtracker.com Qtracker] (formerly hosted at stomped.com). Most games were confined to the Nar Shaddaa (Nar) game room which became a refuge for clan wars, recruitment, and challenge. Four game types were used almost exclusively: '''Full Force (FF)''' Battle Ground Jedi (BGJ), Canyon Oasis (CO), '''No Force (NF)''' Battle Ground Jedi, and JI Oasis (an add-on level created by the Jedi Infantry clan). Games varied from two-player to four-player, allowing free-for-all, teams, and head-to-head combat. Another popular game type was Capture the Flag (CTF).

The lack of dedicated servers created difficulties in lag time for online play. Messages sent were never centrally processed, and so a "hit" in one person's frame nearly never guaranteed an actual event. Players compensated for lag by shooting ''ahead'' of the opponent so as to register a hit on their computer.

Canyon Oasis was a commonly played map due to its variety of weapons/pickups and varied terrain (including water tunnels and ramps). It was also brightly lit, meaning stealth was a less viable tactic as it was in many of the darker maps favored by the development team and mod makers (such as Blades of Death). Despite its huge popularity, there was a movement against its overuse as well, to the point where a player group was formed with the slogan "Because we're sick of Canyon Oasis." [http://www.jediknight.net/jkmag/]

At times the game suffered from extensive cheating, until the third-party program known as [http://www.jediknight.net/kicker/ "Kicker Helper"] was released to combat the cheating. ''Jedi Knight''{{'s}} permissive checksum system allowed most of the "hacks" or "cogs" (as the cheats were commonly called) to work. The physics engine and Force system of the game, however, were so permissive that some normal actions were construed as cheating. "Hypergrip," or "Supergrip," referred to using Force grip on an opponent at a faster-than-normal rate to kill the opponent in seconds. This is performed simply by targeting an opponent with Force grip and then repeatedly pressing the assigned ''Use Force Power'' key. Each iteration sends another pulse of grip, eventually killing the opponent. The same procedure can be used with Force pull to repeatedly draw a weapon, often creating multiple copies within the level due to lag.

To this day, [[GameSpy Arcade]] and QTracker support ''Jedi Knight'' and [[Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith|''Mysteries of the Sith'']] online play. However, a more populated place to play is at [http://www.igzones.com/ IG Zone], which is a spiritual successor to MSN Gaming Zone's CD game section. A few groups also meet up for games on IRC. One dedicated server is at [http://jkdf2.net NarShaddaa.net] for its remaining devoted fans, and many mod projects keep interest alive.

==Credits==
{{Scroll_box|content=
===Cast===
*[[Daniel Bloom]]—[[Unidentified bounty hunter (Rimmer's Rest)|Bounty hunter]] 1<ref name="manual">''Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II'' instruction manual</ref>
*[[Jason Court]]—[[Kyle Katarn]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Denny Delk]]—[[8t88/Legends|8t88]] (voice),<ref name="manual" /> [[Picaroon C. Boodle]] (voice)<ref name="manual" />
*[[Bennet Guillory]]—[[Qu Rahn]]<ref name="manual" /><ref>Credited as Bennett Gilory</ref>
*[[Dylan Haggerty]]—[[Unidentified Gran (Rimmer's Rest)|Bounty hunter]] 2<ref name="manual" />
*[[Angela Harry]]—[[Jan Ors]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Morgan Hunter]]—[[Maw (Dark Jedi)|Maw]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Roger Jackson]]—[[Computer/Legends|Computer]] voice,<ref name="manual" /> [[Rodian/Legends|Rodian]] (voice)<ref name="manual" />
*[[Christopher Neame]]—[[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Rafer Weigel]]—[[Yun]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Valerie Wildman]]—[[Sariss]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Time Winters]]—[[Boc Aseca]]<ref name="manual" />
*[[Jacob Witkin]]—[[Morgan Katarn]]<ref name="manual" />

===Crew===
*Project Leader, Writer, Game Design&mdash;[[Justin Chin]]
*Lead Conceptual Designer and storyboards&mdash;[[Peter Chan]]
*Production Manager&mdash;[[Brett Tosti]]
*Production Coordinator&mdash;[[Lori Beck]]

===Game Programming===
*Additional Story Editing&mdash;[[Garry M. Gaber]]
*Lead Programmer&mdash;[[Ray Gresko]]
*Simulation Engine Programmer&mdash;[[Robert Huebner]]
*Level Editor, Gameplay Programming&mdash;[[Che-Yuan Wang]]
*Level Editor, User Interface, Tools&mdash;[[Winston Wolff]]
*COG Programming&mdash;[[Yves Borckmans]]
*Additional Ul Programming&mdash;[[Aaron Giles]]
*Installer&mdash;[[Darren Johnson]]
*Additional Tools Programming&mdash;[[Bret Mogilefsky]],[[Matt Russel]],[[Hwei-Li Tsao]]

===3D Level Design===
*Lead Level Designer&mdash;[[Ingar Shu]]
*Level Design&mdash;[[Duncan Brown]],[[Matthew Tateishi]], [[Reed Knight Derleth]], [[Steven Chen]], [[Jacob Stephens]], [[Doug Shannon]], Yves Borckmans, [[Serge Debroeyer]]
*Game Tuning/Enemy Placement&mdash;[[Christopher Ross]], Brett Tosti, [[Jim Current]]
*Level Texture Artwork&mdash;[[Chris Hockabout]], [[Martin Yee]], [[Kevin Evans]], [[Bill Stoneham]]

===3D SImulation===
*Lead Character Animator&mdash;[[Leonard Robel]]
*Character Animation&mdash;[[Jim Rice]], [[Jone Knoles]], [[Lea Mai Nguyen]]
*3D Models&mdash;[[Clint Young]], Lea Mai Nguyen, Leonard Robel, [[Andrew Holdun]]
*3D Art Technician&mdash;[[Anthony Chiang]]
*Industrial Light and Magic Animation Supervisor&mdash;[[Miguel Fuertes]]
*Industrial Light and Magic Animation Team&mdash;[[Trish Schutz]], [[Julija Learie]], [[Jenn Emberly]], [[William R. Wright]], [[Neil Michka]], [[David Parsons]], [[Victoria Livingstone]]
*Industrial Light and Magic Production Manager&mdash;[[Suzie Tooley]]
*Mgr. Digital Animation & Creature Development Industrial Light and Magic&mdash;[[Ken Maruyama]]
*Additional 3D Work&mdash;[[Steven Baker]]
*SoftImage Technical Assistance&mdash;[[Craig Rundels]]

===Cutscenes===
*Lead 3D Artist&mdash;[[Ralph M. Girth IV]]
*3D Art&mdash;Garry M. Gaber, Lea Mai Nguyen, Bill Stoneham, Andrew Holdun, Clint Young
*Creature Sculpting&mdash;Bill Stoneham
*Lead Effects Compositing Artist/Video Editor&mdash;[[Michael Levine]]
*Video Effects & Compositing&mdash;[[C. Andrew Nelson]]
*Scene Compression & Color Reduction&mdash;Cristopher Ross

===Sound and Audio===
*Original Music&mdash;[[John Williams]]
*Music Editing and Sound Quality Control&mdash;[[Peter McConnell]]
*Cutscene Sound Design&mdash;[[Larry the O]], [[Clint Bajakian]]
*Interactive Sound Effects&mdash;[[David Levison]]
*Voice Directors&mdash;[[Tamlynn Niglio]], [[Darragh O'Farrell]], [[Khris Brown]]
*Senior Voice Editor&mdash;Khris Brown
*Assistant Voice Editor&mdash;[[Coya Elliot]]
*Specialized Dialog Editing&mdash;Larry the O
*Video Production Coordinator&mdash;[[Peggy Bartlett]]
*Special Thanks&mdash;Russian Hill Recording. San Fransisco. CA, ScreenMusic. Studio City. CA

===Testing & Quality Assurance===
*Lead Tester&mdash;[[John Hannon]]
*Assistant Lead Testers&mdash;[[Tim Miller]], [[Geoff Jones]]
*Testers&mdash;[[Jo Ashburn]], [[Matthew Azeveda]], [[John Buzolich]], [[Joe Chiang]], [[Albert Chen]], [[Tim Chen]], [[Leyton Chew]], [[Michael Dillon]], [[John Drake]], [[Derek Flippo]], [[Morgan Gray]], [[Buddy Hannon]], [[Brent Jalipa]], [[Ari Kanter]], [[John Kathrein]], [[Greg Land]], [[Tim Longo]], [[Stuart Malkin]], [[Jesse Moore]], [[Colin Munson]], [[June Park]], [[Dan Pettit]], [[Jeff Sanders]], [[Charlie W. Smith]], [[Christopher John Snyder]], [[Todd Stritter]], [[Leon Susen]], [[Randy Tudor]], [[Trey Turner]], [[Aaron Young]], [[Jason Yunker]]
*Senior Compatibility Technician&mdash;[[Chip Hinnenberg]]
*Lead Network Compatibility&mdash;[[Doyle Gilstrap]]
*Compatibility Tecnicians&mdash;[[Jim Davison]], [[Lynn Selk]], [[Kevin Von Aspern]], [[Dan Mihoerck]], [[Jason Lauborough]]
*Burning Goddess&mdash;[[Wendy Cuplan|Wendy 'Cupcake' Cuplan]]
*Burning Assistant&mdash;[[Kellie Walker|Kellie 'Twinky' Walker]]

===Video Production Crew===
*Director/DP&mdash;[[Scott Ewers]]
*Producer/AD&mdash;[[George Young]]
*Production Manager&mdash;[[Beth George]]
*Production Coord/2ND AD&mdash;[[Jeff Fisher]]
*Fight Director&mdash;[[Rick Sordelet]]
*Gaffer&mdash;[[Bob Krebsbach]]
*Best Boy&mdash;[[Jack Guberman]]
*Key Grip&mdash;[[John Brunold]]
*2nd Grip&mdash;[[Joel Prescott]]
*Swing&mdash;[[Don Chong]]
*Video Tech/Ultimatte&mdash;[[Jim Rolin]]
*Script Supervisor&mdash;[[Lisa Gainsburg]]
*Sound&mdash;[[Greg Von Buchau]]
*Boom Op&mdash;[[Steve Klinghoffer]]
*Make-Up&mdash;[[Michael Burnett]]<ref>{{InsiderCite|31|Building a Better Jedi: Justin Chin on Dark Forces II}}</ref>
*SF Stylist&mdash;[[Anna Bies]]
*LA Stylist&mdash;[[Marie Burk]]
*Seamstress&mdash;[[Carol Williams]]
*Prop Construction&mdash;[[Don Bies]]
*Production Assistant&mdash;[[Joel Friedman]]
*P.A/Video Assist&mdash;[[Lee Cuellar]]
*P.A/Props&mdash;[[Carin Bougie]]
*Craft Service&mdash;[[Laura Bagano]]
*Intern&mdash;[[Nick Friend]]
*Caterer&mdash;What's Cookin Good Lookin

===Marketing===
*Marketing Manager&mdash;[[Barbara Gleason]]
*Manual&mdash;[[Mollie Boero]], Jason Yunker, Doyle Gilstrap, Brett Tosti, Barbara Gleason, Jo 'Captain Tripps' Ashburn
*Technical Writing&mdash;Lynn Selk, Chip Hinnenberg, Doyle Gilstrap
*Manual Design&mdash;[[Mark Shepard]]
*Package Design&mdash;[[Terri Soo Hoo]]
*Package Art&mdash;Lea Mai Nguyen

===International Group===
*International Production Manager&mdash;[[Cindy Leung]]
*Lead Programmer International&mdash;[[Judith Lucero]]
*Lead International Tester&mdash;[[Adam Pasztory]]
*Assistant International Developer&mdash;[[Mark Cooke]]

===Lucasarts Entertainment Company===
*President&mdash;[[Jack Sorenson]]
*Director of production&mdash;[[Steve Dauterman]]
*Director of Marketing&mdash;[[Mary Bihr]]
*Director of the Art Department&mdash;[[Judy Rosenfeld]]
*Manager of International Business&mdash;[[Lisa Star]]
*Manager of Quality Assurance&mdash;[[Mark Cartwright]]
*Supervisor of Quality Assurance&mdash;[[Dan Connors]]
*Manager of Sound Development&mdash;[[Michael Land]]
*Tools Manager&mdash;[[Aric Willmunder]]
*National Sales Manager&mdash;[[Meredith Cahill]]
*Finance Manager&mdash;[[Tom McCarthy]]
*Business Affairs&mdash;[[Jeremy Salesin]]
*Senior Manager, Sales operations&mdash;[[Jason Horstman]]
*Public Relations Manager&mdash;[[Tom Sarris]]
*Public Relations Associate&mdash;[[Heather Twist]]
*WEB Specialist&mdash;[[Jason Deadrich]]
*Brooding Morale Coordinator&mdash;[[Tim Schafer]]

===Additional Thanks===
*Additional Thanks&mdash;Joy, Colin Maloy and Bruce, The Kittleson Family, Thuyen Tang, Cathy Wauters, Melissa Gaber and Peepers, Kevy and Ren-Ren, Joseph R. Hummel and D.P. and P.P, Chuck (Cat) 1976-1995, Mrs. Veronica Loud-Nelson, Sarah Fiene, Karin Volz, Susan Lyn McKinley, The Ross Family, Collette Michaud, The Posse...Alyxandra, Drache, Teddy and Travis Lee, Colette Chew, Scott Taylor, Baby Blair Hinnenberg, Erin Wise, Caroline 'LloraC' Liu, Oden, Sun Tzu, Da Weasel, Miyamoto Musashi, Caffeine, Chris Miles, Hundred Aker Wood, John Loose, Dolby Laboratories. Inc.
*Special Thanks&mdash;[[George Lucas]]
}}

==Appearances==
{{App
|characters=
*[[8t88/Legends|8t88]] {{1st}}
*[[Admiral (soldier)|Admiral]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Boc Aseca]] {{1st}}
*[[Picaroon C. Boodle]] {{1st}}
*[[Cybot]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Duno Dree]] {{1st}} {{Corpse}}
*[[Gorc]] {{1st}}
*[[Jerec (Inquisitor)|Jerec]]
*[[Kyle Katarn]]
*[[Morgan Katarn]] {{1stID|Morgan Katarn}} {{Hologram}}
*[[Patricia Katarn]] {{Mo}}
*[[Krugon]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Max (bunny)|Max]] {{1st}}
*[[Max's companion]] {{1st}}
*[[Maw (Dark Jedi)|Maw]] {{1st}}
*[[One-Eye]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Jan Ors]]
*[[Qu Rahn]] {{1st}}
*[[Rugar]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Santiago]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Sariss]] {{C|First appearance as Sariss}}
*[[Shmorg]] {{1st}}
*[[Timmy]] {{1st}}
*[[Trainer]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[Unidentified Barons Hed bartender]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified Barons Hed storeowner]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified bounty hunter (Rimmer's Rest)]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified Gran (Rimmer's Rest)]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified pilot (Furious)]] {{1st}} {{C|Ship only}}
*[[Unidentified Rebel sympathizer (Nar Shaddaa)]] {{1st}}
*[[Unidentified Rodian bounty hunter (Nar Shaddaa)]] {{1st}}
*[[Veamon]] {{1st}} {{C|Multiplayer only}}
*[[WeeGee]] {{1st}}
*[[Yun]] {{1st}}
|creatures=
*[[Drugon]] {{1st}}
*[[Kell dragon/Legends|Kell dragon]]
*[[Mailoc]] {{1st}}
*[[Water cyc]] {{1st}}
|droids=
*[[GNK power droid|Gonk]]
*[[Mark IV sentry droid]]
*[[Medical droid/Legends|Medical droid]]
*[[MSE-series|Mouse droid]]
*[[JMM assassin droid]] {{C|head only}}
*[[R5-series astromech droid]]
*[[Remote/Legends|Remote]]
*[[Viper probe droid/Legends|Viper probe droid]]
|events=
*[[Mission to Ruusan]] {{1st}}
*[[Mission to Sulon]] {{1st}}
*[[Mission to Nar Shaddaa (5 ABY)|Mission to Nar Shaddaa]] {{1st}}
|locations=
*[[Danuta]] {{Ncm}}
*[[Dorlo]] {{1st}}
*[[Imperial Academy/Legends|Imperial Academy]] {{Mo}}
*[[Nar Shaddaa/Legends|Nar Shaddaa]]
**[[Smuggler's Bar]] {{1st}}
*[[Ruusan/Legends|Ruusan]] {{1st}}
**[[Valley of the Jedi]] {{1st}}
*[[Sullust/Legends|Sullust]]
*[[Sulon]] {{1st}}
**[[Barons Hed]] {{1st}}
***[[Government House (Sulon)|Government House]] {{1st}}
***[[Fuel City]] {{1st}}
**[[Katarn Family Compound]] {{1st}}
**[[Sulon Star]] {{1st}}
|organizations=
*[[Dark Jedi/Legends|Dark Jedi]]
*[[Jedi/Legends|Jedi]]
*[[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]]
**[[Field stormtrooper|Field Trooper]]
**[[Imperial commando/Legends|Imperial commando]]
**[[Imperial officer/Legends|Imperial officer]]
**[[Stormtrooper/Legends|Stormtrooper]]
*[[Mercenary/Legends|Mercenary]]
*[[Swoop gang/Legends|Swoop gang]]
|species=
*[[Boltrunian/Legends|Boltrunian]]
*[[Epicanthix]]
*[[Gamorrean/Legends|Gamorrean]]
*[[Gran/Legends|Gran]]
*[[Grave Tuskens|Grave Tusken]] {{1st}}
*[[Human/Legends|Human]]
*[[Kowakian monkey-lizard/Legends|Kowakian monkey-lizard]]
*[[Miraluka/Legends|Miraluka]]
*[[Rodian/Legends|Rodian]]
*[[Trandoshan/Legends|Trandoshan]]
*[[Twi'lek/Legends|Twi'lek]]
*[[Ugnaught/Legends|Ugnaught]]
|vehicles=
*[[BFF-1 bulk freighter/Legends|BFF-1 bulk freighter]]
*[[CR90 corvette/Legends|CR90 corvette]]
*[[Delta-class DX-9 stormtrooper transport]]
*[[EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate/Legends|EF76 Nebulon-B escort frigate]]
*[[GR-75 medium transport/Legends|GR-75 medium transport]]
*[[Hoversled/Legends|Hoversled]]
*[[Lambda-class T-4a shuttle/Legends|''Lambda''-class T-4a shuttle]]
*[[Star Destroyer/Legends|Star Destroyer]]
**[[Super Star Destroyer/Legends|Super Star Destroyer]]
***[[Vengeance (Vengeance-class)|''Vengeance'']] {{1st}}
*[[HWK-290 light freighter/Legends|HWK-290 light freighter]]
**''[[Moldy Crow/Legends|Moldy Crow]]''
*[[T-4 (vehicle)|T-4]]
*[[Starfighter/Legends|Starfighter]]
**[[TIE/IN interceptor/Legends|TIE/IN interceptor]]
**[[TIE/LN starfighter]]
**[[TIE/sa bomber/Legends|TIE/sa bomber]]
*''[[Sulon Star]]'' {{1st}}
*[[Walker/Legends|Walker]]
**[[All Terrain Armored Transport/Legends|AT-AT]]
**[[All Terrain Scout Transport/Legends|AT-ST]]
|technology=
*[[Armor/Legends|Armor]]
**[[Armor/Legends|Armor vest]]
**[[Armor/Legends|Super Shield]]
**[[Stormtrooper armor/Legends|Stormtrooper armor]]
*[[Backpack/Legends|Backpack]]
**[[Backpack/Legends|Smugglers backpack]]
**[[Backpack/Legends|Stormtrooper backpack]]
*[[Bacta/Legends|Bacta]]
**[[Bio-Bacta]]
*[[Battery/Legends|Battery]]
*[[Blaster/Legends|Blaster]]
*[[Blaster pistol/Legends|Blaster pistol]]
**[[Bryar pistol]]
**[[DH-17 blaster pistol/Legends|DH-17 blaster pistol]]
**[[Heavy blaster pistol/Legends|Heavy blaster pistol]]
***[[DL-44 heavy blaster pistol/Legends|DL-44 heavy blaster pistol]]
**[[Blaster rifle/Legends|Blaster rifle]]
***[[E-11 blaster rifle/Legends|E-11 blaster rifle]]
**[[Bowcaster/Legends|Bowcaster]]
*[[Concussion rifle/Legends|Concussion rifle]]
*[[Datacard/Legends|Datacard]]
*[[Deflector shield/Legends|Deflector shield]]
*[[Energy cell/Legends|Energy cell]]
*[[Goggles/Legends|Goggles]]
**[[Goggles/Legends|IR Goggles]]
*[[Medpac/Legends|Health pack]]
**[[Revive backpack]]
*[[Imperial repeater rifle]]
*[[Lightsaber/Legends|Lightsaber]]
*[[Power boost]]
*[[Power pack|Power cell]]
*[[Rail charge]] {{1st}}
*[[Rail detonator]] {{1st}}
*[[Sequencer charge]] {{1st}}
*[[Thermal detonator/Legends|Thermal detonator]]
|miscellanea=
*[[Cargo container/Legends|Cargo container]]
*[[Map to the Valley of the Jedi]]
*[[Currency/Legends|Money]]
*[[The Force/Legends|The Force]]
**[[Deadly Sight]] {{1st}}
**[[Tutaminis|Force absorb]]
**[[Force blinding]] {{1st}}
**[[Force Destruction]] {{1st}}
**[[Telekinesis/Legends#Basic_Applications|Force grip]]
**[[Force healing/Legends|Force healing]]
**[[Force Jump]]
**[[Force lightning/Legends|Force lightning bolt]] {{1st}}
**[[Mind trick/Legends#Force_persuasion|Force persuasion]]
**[[Force barrier/Legends|Force protection]]
**[[Telekinesis/Legends#Basic_Applications|Force pull]]
**[[Force sight]]
**[[Force speed]]
**[[Telekinesis/Legends#Basic_Applications|Force throw]]
**[[Telekinesis/Legends|Telekinesis]]
*[[Tree/Legends|Tree]]
*[[Water/Legends|Water]]
}}
{{Clear}}

==Behind the scenes==
[[File:DarkforcesIIwithmots.jpg|thumb|200px|The cover of the game with a depiction of [[Anakin Skywalker/Legends|Darth Vader]], who does not appear in either game]]
Although the game was marketed as ''Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II'' on the game box, the jewel case, the instruction manual, the official strategy guide, and the official web page at LucasArts.com, the game's opening crawl displays the title as ''Star Wars: Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight''.

The cover of the version that is packed with ''Mysteries of the Sith'' depicts Darth Vader fighting the Jedi protagonist. However, Darth Vader does not appear at all in ''Jedi Knight'' nor in ''Mysteries of the Sith'' (his role in the Bespin secret level in the latter is taken by [[Dark Mara]] and [[Kyle Katarn|Dark Kyle]]).

===Alternative ending===
If the player chooses the dark side, the alternate ending is triggered after Katarn defeats Maw. Katarn kills Ors and becomes Jerec's rival as he now wants the power of the Valley for himself. After Jerec knocks him back with a Force blast, Katarn races against time in the ''Sulon Star'' to reach the ''Moldy Crow'' and escapes the exploding freighter. However, the ''Moldy Crow'' does not crash-land. Katarn gets out and duels Yun again, this time to the death. After killing Yun, he makes his way to the Valley and eventually defeats Boc and Jerec, becoming the new [[Emperor/Legends|Emperor]] of the [[Galactic Empire/Legends|Galactic Empire]]. In the ending cutscene, he takes the throne and tells Sariss, who now serves him, to deal with some rebels. Then, he watches the hologram of his father one last time before crushing it under his foot.

===Production===
Similar to the previous game ''[[Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire]]'', it uses live-action videos, but with over twice the amount of scenes. The actors took six days to film the scenes in front of a blue screen, with several of them being added with computer graphics later.

[[Michael Burnett]] did the makeup for the creatures, while [[Justin Chin]] wrote the story.

===Game manual===
The accompanying game manual is notable for providing the first name "Qu" for the Jedi Master Rahn. It also had descriptions of various enemies and Force powers, presented as quotes from Qu Rahn's journal.

===Pathways to the Force===
The demo disc for ''Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II'' is notable for having a subtitle, ''Pathways to the Force''. It contains three levels from the full game and was sold as an OEM. The disc's image is the same as Disc 1 for the full game, but there is also a version that has a yellow layer over the image.

===''Mysteries of the Sith''===
{{Main|Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith}}
Just four months after ''Jedi Knight''{{'s}} initial release, LucasArts released ''Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith'', an official expansion pack, created by the LucasArts team that worked on ''Outlaws'' (a spaghetti-western-themed first-person shooter) which features the opportunity to play as [[Mara Jade Skywalker|Mara Jade]] for a significant portion of the game. This expansion significantly improved the original ''Jedi Knight'' engine by adding aesthetic features such as colored lighting, new enemies and Force powers (and more controversially, doing away with the Dark/Light side duality). There were several under-the-hood changes as well, the most significant being that ''COG'', the programming language that ''Jedi Knight'' uses to create scripted in-game events and interactivity (doors, elevators, weapons, in-game cutscenes, enemy behavior, and many other things in ''Jedi Knight'' are controlled by COG scripts) was expanded with new functions and capabilities, which the [[Sith Engine]] took full advantage of. In addition, while enemies in ''Jedi Knight'' would run away if stripped of their weapons, in ''Mysteries of the Sith'' they would attempt to fight with their fists. ''Mysteries of the Sith'' also featured new types of multiplayer action such as the gamemode KFY ("Kill the Fool with the Ysalamiri") based on KFC, and included several new weapons. A few Force powers such as Throw and Lightning were replaced as well.

===Legacy===
Since the release of ''Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II'', all sequent games, comics and books have used the appearance of the characters first seen in this game.

The appearance of the [[Holodisc]] was used in the episodes "[[Empire Day (episode)|Empire Day]]" and "[[Gathering Forces]]" of the animated series ''[[Star Wars Rebels]]'', which also [[canon]]ized the appearance of the disc.

Jan Ors' ship, the ''Moldy Crow'', was the basis for the [[HWK-290 light freighter/Legends|HWK-290 light freighter]] ship type, which appeared in the canon [[Kanan 12|''Kanan'' 12]] comic. This version was painted black and lacked an underside blaster turret.<ref name="The Ties That Bind">[[Kanan 12|''Kanan'' 12]]</ref>

===Reception===
*In [[March]] [[2004]], [[Wikipedia:GMR (magazine)|GMR Magazine]] rated ''Jedi Knight'' the fourth-best ''Star Wars'' game of all time.{{Fact}}
*PC Gamer Magazine rated ''Jedi Knight'' the "Best Game Ever" of 1997 on its list of their 50 greatest games for the PC. In 1998, ''Jedi Knight'' was still on the list, but it was dethroned by Half-Life.{{Fact}}
*The gaming website gamespot.com gives ''Dark Forces II'' a rating of 8.9 out of 10 and a user rating of 8.7,<ref name="GS 2">{{Cite_web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/star-wars-jedi-knight-dark-forces-ii/reviews|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II|work=Gamespot|archivedate=20190725202050}}</ref> while the IGN community has given it a rating of 8.6.<ref name="IGN">{{Cite_web|url=http://www.ign.com/games/star-wars-jedi-knight-dark-forces-ii/pc-25|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II|work=IGN|archivedate=20160321230145}}</ref>

==Sources==
{{Mediacat|soundcat=Audio files from Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II|imagecat=Images from Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II}}
*{{InsiderCite|31|Building a Better Jedi: Justin Chin on Dark Forces II}}
*{{InsiderCite|36|Be the Jedi in Three New LucasArts Games}}
*{{GalaxyCite|8|Game Room|Playing with the Dark Side}}
*{{GalaxyCite|11|Game Room|Lord Vader's Plenty Game}}
*{{GalaxyCite|13|Game Room|Game Room: Game Knights}}
*{{CollectorCite|7|Around the Galaxy}}
*{{SW|url=news/the-best-star-wars-games-of-the-64-bit-era|text=The Best ''Star Wars'' Games of the 64-Bit Era}}

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Cite_web|url=https://archive.org/details/star-wars-jedi-knight-dark-forces-ii-pc-windows-manual|title=Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Instruction Manual|work=The Internet Archive|nobackup=1}}
*{{LucasArtsCite|url=static/jk/default.htm|text=''Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II'' Official Website|archivedate=19990429074435}}
*{{WP|Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II}}
*{{Gamespot|url=pc/action/jediknightdarkforces2/index.html|text=Game review - 8.9 out of 10|archivedate=20111026162310}}
*{{Imdb|title/tt0160910|{{PAGENAME}}}}
*[http://www.massassi.net The Massassi Temple] fan/mod website
*[https://jkdf2.fandom.com/wiki/Jedi_Knight:_Dark_Forces_2_Wiki Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 Wiki | Fandom] .  The Fandom Wiki for the game

{{Darkforces}}

{{Interlang
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|es=Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
|pl=Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight
|pt=Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
|ru=Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II
|zh=星球大战：绝地武士-黑暗力量II
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II}}
[[Category:1997 computer and video games]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Jedi Knight games]]
[[Category:LucasArts Archive Series]]