Every Star Wars Dark Forces and Jedi Knight Game, Ranked

Re-canonizing the Chuck Norris of the galaxy far, far away would likely mean printing money, but would or could Disney even dare? First introduced rather unassumingly to audiences with the 1995 Doom clone FPS Dark Forces, Kyle Katarn was the original canon mercenary hero who stole the first Death Star plans before Disney threw out the beloved Expanded Universe and retconned this entire chapter in Star Wars chronology.

A badass, infamously OP human man with the moral complexity and charm of Han Solo and the Force-sensitive wonder of Luke Skywalker, while very much being his own thing, Kyle’s status holds a mythic status amongst the fandom. As for this writer, I’m a lifelong Star Wars fan, and I’ve come to love him as my favorite character in the entire franchise, thanks in large part to his well-conceived, genuinely moving arc over several games and other media. Distinct points in Katarn’s journey, and even the supporting characters around him, would be—let’s say, charitably, echoed— in Disney Star Wars‘ rebellious Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and of course Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). One of these newer characters certainly proved to be far more interesting and fleshed-out than the other, but for many longtime Star Wars fans, there simply is no replacing Kyle Katarn. The following ranks every Kyle Katarn Star Wars game from worst to best.

5

‘Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith’ (1998)

Originally released on Microsoft Windows

Image via LUCASARTS

This Jedi Knight expansion pack is really only for completionists, and yet it’s an essential part of Kyle Katarn’s chronology. This is the moment where, as canon and not just an alternate ending like in Jedi Knight, Kyle truly falls to the dark side, for a finite amount of time. For a majority of Mysteries of the Sith, we actually play as the iconic Expanded Universe character Mara Jade (you know, George Lucas’ favorite).

A former protégé of Emperor Palpatine before defying his final orders, Jade serves as Kyle’s apprentice before eventually saving him from the pull of the dark side. It’s a satisfying ending to a game that’s uneven, occasionally brilliant. Highlights of Mysteries of the Sith include some well-appointed atmosphere and overall fun gameplay. The level design can be obnoxiously confusing at times though, and the difficulty spikes are… unfair.

4

‘Star Wars: Dark Forces’ (1995)

Originally released on PC and Macintosh

Image via LUCASARTS

At this point in the list, pretty early on, we’re dealing entirely with some of the greatest Star Wars games ever made. You might be expecting the OG to rank a little higher on this list, and while it’s easy to admire Dark Forces for its chronological significance, and even for its gameplay a bit, but this thing has aged undeniably. Even after a recent remaster on PS5, this early FPS is fairly inaccessible to the casual gamer. Cry “skill issue” all you want, but who couldn’t get lost multiple times in these maps? And it’s not a fun kind of lost.

There’s so much to admire and enjoy here, though. Kyle beats a dragon to death with his bare fists, and holds his own against Boba Fett. He also steals a portion of the Death Star plans in the opening mission. The central conspiracy concerning the Dark Troopers is interesting enough to propel the action, but frankly, Dark Forces is begging for a full-blown remake beyond a remaster. The same could be said for every game on this list, but it feels most urgent here.

3

‘Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy’ (2003)

Originally released on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and XBox

Image via LUCASARTS

A natural progression of the story from Kyle’s greatest outing, Jedi Academy actually offers minor gameplay upgrades over its immediate predecessor but can’t match the depth of its storytelling. Not that the story is bad; it’s fun, a little macabre and campy, ultimately satisfying, it’s just no match for the games where we truly feel Kyle Katarn’s struggle with anger, grief, the pull of the dark, and finally arriving in the light on his own terms. Kyle is actually a supporting character this time around, though present throughout and very much in top form. Players mold their own protagonist here, an Academy recruit named Jaden Korr. There’s a great deal of replayability to this title in particular, given the modifications you can make to your character, lightsaber fighting style, and even the order in which you complete many of the missions. Many will say this game has the best lightstaber combat in video game history, even in a post-Cal Kestis modern world, and Jedi Academy is just plain fun from start to finish.

2

‘Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II’ (1997)

Released on Microsoft Windows

Image via LUCASARTS

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The time is post-Battle of Yavin, and about a year before Return of the Jedi. The MacGuffin is the Valley of the Jedi. And Dark Forces II is a far superior game to its predecessor in every conceivable way. The live-action cutscenes are about as cheesy as can be, but honestly that adds to the charm, not to mention much-needed emotional connective tissue, even with the emotions a little cartoonish. Unlike its predecessor, Jedi Knight lives up to its title as a Jedi simulator. One of the defining features of this particular, influential and even historic title is the option to choose the path of the dark or light side of the Force. It’s a choice that you don’t explicitly make yourself, rather it’s based on choices you’ve made in response to temptations throughout the game up to the third act. This was incredibly advanced stuff for 1997, and the game is still a treat to play.

1

‘Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast’ (2002)

Originally released on Microsoft Windows

Though its gameplay has some rough edges, and some dated elements, from clunky blaster play to an infamous Nar Shadaa level literally nobody likes, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II – Jedi Outcast is a terrific action game, and something like a masterpiece from a storytelling perspective. This is the version of Kyle Katarn that is forever immortalized in the hearts of fans. Perhaps Jedi Outcast’s greatest claim to fame is lightsaber combat that truly set the bar, along with Force powers from the dark and the light at the same time. I’d argue the best thing about the game, though, is Katarn himself.

Building on emotional stakes first were first hinted at in Jedi Knight, Outcast gives Kyle one of the deepest and most satisfying arcs in Star Wars history, gaming or otherwise. For much of the game’s playtime, Kyle believes his trusted partner and lover, Jan Ors, to be murdered. He flirts once again with the pull of the dark side in his anger, and especially the “easier, more seductive” nature of that path, but none other than Luke Skywalker, in the best take on the character since 1983, helps pull him back to the light. Fighting back-to-back with Skywalker is one of the most pleasurable moments in any Star Wars game, and Jedi Outcast deserves its status as a franchise landmark nearly a quarter-century later.