I guess the first major aspect to notice in
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is the sheer number of possible Jedi that you can make as your avatar. And that would be, let me see here... carry the two...take the sum of the products and 10,260 different avatars (not counting the many different lightsaber combinations, of course)... Like I said, the numbers are impressive enough, but these alone don't make the game.
You play as Jaden, a new recruit at Luke Skywalker's Jedi Academy who is being trained under Kyle Katarn, the main character from the previous Jedi Knight games. While training, you will go on many missions and will eventually learn to use different lightsabers. You will have to choose between the standard single saber, the double-bladed saber or duel sabers, each with their own assortment of specialized attacks and moves. On top of having the option of using the blade of your choice, you will also be given the chance to choose a second style lightsaber combat. The first and standard style is called Medium, it's speed and range are average and all Jedi can use this. When the time comes, you will choose between the Fast (efficient swings, but limited range allowing for many follow-up attacks) and the Strong (powerful attacks that do more damage, but are typically slower) styles.
Don't get me wrong now, the lightsaber may be the coolest weapon in the game and the one that everyone is dying to try out, but there is also a large assortment of other weapons as well. With 12 blasters, detonators and mines at your disposal, you are not, by any means, limited to just your skills with the blade. With the exception of the lightsaber, you see the game in a first-person perspective (with the lightsaber out, it is third-person view).
Along with these weapons, no Jedi can be expected to go into battle without a variety of Force Powers. All the ones you would expect to see are here (Push, Pull, Dark Lightning, Heal etc.) as well as some others. You can use these powers along with the lightsaber to pull off some spectacular feats while locked in battle with your enemies.
There are even several different multiplayer modes that come with Academy. These games include the traditional 'Free For All', 'Duel' and 'Capture the Flag', as well as several new games like 'Siege', where teams attempt to either complete objectives, or prevent the other team from doing so, and 'Power Duel' (this game puts two competitors in a room with a more powerful enemy in a two-on-one death match).
