Mysteries of the Sith

Reviewed Single Player Levels Reviewed Multiplayer Levels

Reviewed Single Player Levels

Boba Fett Trilogy 1: Arca Tera ****˝

I bet that the fact that this level gives you the chance to play as the infamous Boba Fett means that you will probably have downloaded it right away. Well, this is a fact that authors can easily take advantage of, churning out a drab substandard level but throwing in a quick-fix novelty that will make people download it on first sight. In other words this level didn't have to be fantastic, so the fact that it is will come as a great surprise to the more sceptical among us.

Nebula

Harjassk Diplomacy ****

If you were given the chance to name the things which all 'first levels' lack then I suppose that it would include the following: new cogs, new 3dos, objectives, an interesting story, a decent difficulty level and detailed, irregular-shaped sectors. I suppose this next passage may be a bit obvious, but Harjassk Diplomacy is also one of these infamous 'first-levels'. The similarities come to an abrupt halt though when you realise that it is, infact, pretty good. It has a really deep story, with certain plot-threads which will remain unanswered until the next instalment (yes, it's the beginning of yet another trilogy). The problem with Warzone and Jedi Search is that each of the levels could easily be totally separate and there is a distinct lack of continuity between them (mainly, for the Warzone trilogy at least, due to them all being created by different authors). There is none of that here though, and the level closes with a cool cliff-hanger ending.

Matthew Pate

Emperor's Purges ****

Firstly, Emperor's Purges is an extremely original level. Instead of playing Kyle or Mara, you are Vader, sent on a mission to a space station to destroy the remaining two light Jedi's that have been hiding on board. There is also a squad (or ten) of Stormtroopers to help you. In this way it's not too dissimilar to the first MOTS level in the rebel base: here the Stormtroopers help you fight against the rebels. This is very well implemented and provides a great atmosphere: you are the Dark Lord! The one problem is that the troopers are either a) very thick or b) very loyal: you can go around killing them without consequence. I'd have liked to see a new cog where killing one of them removes your force power for a few seconds, like in that MOTS level. Here, however, being short of ammo isn't a problem as you can just chop up a few of your allies and grab theirs…

Patch

Reviewed Multiplayer Levels

Vodran Staging Point *****

This zip file contains two .goo files, one for a lightsabers only version, and one with guns. The level was a combined effort that produces a fun level to play in. The architecture in this level is more complex than any other user-created level I have played. Both versions of the level have a pair of Dionogas swimming in the pool in front of the level. While they are highly effective in the lightsaber level, they can easily be killed with a few shots of the bryar or any other gun in the gun version. Should you download the level? Yes. The level is a lot of fun to play, and will likely become a favorite of many people. I can't imagine what they will put in an updated version (if they do one), since almost everyone will agree that it is one of the best-constructed levels to be released. Get the level; you won't regret the download.

Dan Rubado and Mike Toles

Jabba's Palace *****

Jabba's Palace was originally conceived on the J/K engine and was just recently converted for MotS. Dan's style of architecture continues to grow with each new level that he creates, though on Jabba's Palace, he took a sort of sidestep and produced a recreation of the classic scenes from the cinematic masterpiece: "Return of the Jedi." There are quite a number of these recreations available, but Dan's choice is the first of Jabba's Palace on Tatooine. Jabba's Palace is a multistoried complex that is mainly contained on the upper floors which is comprised of the throne room and a couple of side ante chambers. There is a hallway that leads to a small outer area in the original, but until the latest MotS release, they were not very elaborate. But with the release of the MotS version, they have grown in size and have been significantly altered, with the creation of a third story and a ramp which descends from the top of the Palace to a cliff face which in turn will lead you to the valley floor. There you can find a large open area and a small building with a security camera to keep all your opponents in check. But let's not forget the lower level of the palace that contains the Rancor pit, a storage area, and a lovely little "body masher" that eats health like your little brother eats Count Chocula. (Taste's like chicken!) One item of note is that in the MotS release, much to my overwhelming joy...a rancor has been added for some deathmatch made in heaven. Just for laughs, drop your opponent through the trap door and move to the glass section just in front of the throne....Watch them get fragged by the beast...Great Fun!

Dan "Zaphrod" Rubado

Dark Towers ****˝

This level shouldn't be called Dark Towers. I think a better name would be Quake Too. Actually that's a pretty stupid name, but it accurately describes the level. There are a few areas in the level that are very similar to Quake 2 (mostly the later levels in the game). Not that imitating the levels of the (second) most popular MP game ever is a bad thing. For those of you that haven't had the Quake experience, I will sum it up for you. A couple of large rooms connected by a set of hallways. Stuff the hallways with large air vents that cross overhead without cutting the head room. When you have the chance, allow the player to look out windows and see that there is an outside world (something I wish was in more JK levels). Another big part of the Quake experience is to flood the level with colored lighting. Not intrusive lighting, but kind of a soft ambient lighting that permeates the level (but a lightsaber or headlight cuts right through). And the final, most important, aspect of successfully creating a JK Quake clone is to add weapons of a similar sort near ammo, so that when someone makes it to one of the few weapon spots, they are instantly a force to be reckoned with. Jason didn't clone weapon placement all that well (he did include 2 seeker ammos right next to a railgun pickup), but generally the placement is pretty good. With 2 exceptions, the aforementioned rails (but that's Quake style) and the fact that the Concussion Rifle is right next to the Carbonite Gun (the second and third most powerful guns in the game).

Jason Burton

Hoth Beta 2 *****

This multiplayer levels name by itself captures your attention. Could someone actually make a Hoth and make it good? No it took a team of people to do it, the Skinners, who by looking at the read me spent a long time on it. The level is a medium sized level with around 6 rooms, one Rebel hanger bay, and one battle field. The downfall of this level is the wide open spaces which cause way too much lag. The secrets are hard to find and even harder to use to your advantage. The level is too big in some areas and not big enough in other areas. I would recommend this level for four players who all have allot of ram. The level is great for gun fights but with the Force it slows down the gameplay. A well thought out level that obviously took some time to make.

Kevin Enser / The Skinners

JK.Net Files Directory Armage's JediFinger .plan