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Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II

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Revision as of 01:43, 17 March 2019 by Baronsmoki (talk | contribs) (Added Origin, removed GMG (no longer available))
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II cover
Developers
LucasArts
Publishers
LucasArts
Disney Interactive Studios
Engines
Sith
Release dates
Windows September 30, 1997
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II guide on StrategyWiki
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II on Wikipedia
Star Wars: Jedi Knight
Subseries of Star Wars
Star Wars: Dark Forces 1995
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II 1997
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Mysteries of the Sith 1998
Star Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast 2002
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy 2003
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster 2024

Key points

Running the game on modern Windows may require multiple steps and workarounds. See Essential improvements and Issues fixed.
Installer is 16-bit only. Use the Alternate installer for 64-bit versions of Windows.
Shares many similarities with standalone expansion Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith in terms of its engine and performance. Fixes for one may work for the other.

General information

Wookieepedia - A huge wiki dedicated to the Star Wars universe
JKDF2.COM - Former extensive troubleshooting guide for Jedi Knight and Mysteries of the Sith (Defunct)
JK Hub - Editing Hub for Jedi Knight and Mysteries of the Sith
JKDF2.NET - Active modding an multiplayer community.
Mod DB - Archive of modifications for Jedi Knight
GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Disc check can be skipped with this
Windows
GamersGate
Icon overlay.png
Windows
GOG.com
DRM-free
v1.01, includes Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Mysteries of the Sith
Windows
Humble Store
Icon overlay.png
Windows
Origin
Origin
Included with EA Play
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Windows

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
Mysteries of the Sith Retail requires base game; digital distribution version is a standalone title.[1][2]
Windows

Version differences

The GOG.com and Steam versions have been patched for compatibility and include working music.[3][4]

Essential improvements

In-game gameplay settings.
In-game gameplay settings.

Alternate installer

Allows the game to be installed from the original CD on 64-bit systems.

Patches

Latest official patch

Updates the game to version 1.01 and fixes some joystick and lockup issues.
Included in digital re-releases.

Unofficial patch

Includes patch v1.01 and adds compatibility for modern Windows, mod support and team chat in multiplayer.
The pre-patched version linked above works with both the original CD and digital releases of the game.
Alternately, the original (non-pre-patched) Unofficial Patch may be used, but it requires the original, installed-from-CD executable.[5]

Remove CD check

Copy JK_.CD[6]
  1. Download this or copy Gamedata\Resource\JK_.CD from the CD to <path-to-game>\Resource.
  2. Navigate regedit to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\LucasArts Entertainment Company\JediKnight\v1.0 and modify SourceDir to reflect your installation directory.
  3. Optionally copy Gamedata\Resource\VIDEO from the CD to <path-to-game>\VIDEO to preserve video playback.

Skip intro videos

Delete/rename 01-02A.SMK[7]
  1. Go to <path-to-game>\Resource\VIDEO\
  2. Delete or rename 01-02A.SMK.

Higher quality music

Replace the music tracks with higher quality ones ripped from the original CD.

Replace .ogg files[8]
  1. Download the .ogg track files.
  2. Copy the *.ogg files to <path-to-game>\MUSIC\, overwriting any existing files.
Requires the music wrapper (winmm.dll) to be in the installation folder.
Can be combined with the wrapper to allow the retail CD release to play music without the CD.

Higher quality graphics

Before and after the High Detail Mod.
Before and after the High Detail Mod.

Make the game always use the highest quality textures and models, instead of using lower qualities the further away they are (and leading to unsightly transitions).

Install the High Detail Mod[9]
  1. Download and extract the High Detail Mod.
  2. Run the installer or copy the files manually.
Doesn't add or replace any textures or models.
Can be used alone or in conjunction with other texture/model mods.

Game data

In-game general settings.
In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LucasArts Entertainment Company\JediKnight\v1.0[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\Controls\[Note 2]
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/32380/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\player\[Note 2]
Steam Play (Linux) <Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/32380/pfx/[Note 3]

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Origin
Steam Cloud

Video settings

In-game video settings.
In-game video settings.
In-game advanced video settings (only accessible via the -displayconfig command line argument).
In-game advanced video settings (only accessible via the -displayconfig command line argument).

Template:Video settings

Field of view (FOV)

Field-of-view is hardcoded to 90° in the game.
Patch FOV to 120°
  1. Download the IPS patches from this page and apply them over JK.EXE

Input settings

In-game general control settings.
In-game general control settings.
In-game keyboard settings.
In-game keyboard settings.
In-game mouse settings.
In-game mouse settings.
In-game joystick settings.
In-game joystick settings.

Template:Input settings

Mouse Wheel Rebinding

The mouse wheel can normally only be bound to a few movement actions, and cannot for example be used to switch between force powers or weapons.
Install mouse wheel mod
  1. Download 'wheelthingy' from JK Hub
  2. Extract files to <path-to-game> and run wheelsetup.exe to configure which keyboard keys will be activated when you scroll the mouse wheel up and down.
  3. Ensure the selected keys are bound to the desired functions in the in-game keyboard settings.

Audio settings

In-game audio settings.
In-game audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
There is issue with the second disc of retail release. It will switch to English audio in the cutscenes.
Italian
Polish
Fan translation, download.
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
32 Jedi Knight (8 supported, 16 possible)
Capture the Flag (8 supported, 32 possible)
Online play
32 Jedi Knight (4 supported, 16 possible)
Capture the Flag (4 supported, 32 possible)

Connection types

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 2300-2400, 47624-47625
UDP 2300-2400, 47624-47625
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Game crashes at launch

This issue is present in the original CD release and may also apply to re-releases patched with the Unofficial Patch.
Run the game with the -windowgui command line parameter[10]
(Alternative) Use the dgVoodoo wrapper[citation needed]
(Alternative) Change compatibility settings[11]
  1. Delete Jedi.exe (if it exists) from the installation folder.
  2. Change the compatibility settings for JK.exe to Windows XP (Service Pack 3) and, if using Windows Vista or 7, disable visual themes and desktop composition.

3D acceleration issues

Running the game with 3D acceleration turned on may cause crashes or graphics problems (ex. black screens) on some modern machines.

(DirectX 10+) Use dgVoodoo wrapper[12]
  1. Download the latest dgVoodoo 2.
  2. Extract dgVoodooCpl.exe, MS\D3DImm.dll and MS\DDraw.dll to your game folder (all three to the root).
  3. Run dgVoodooCpl.exe from your game folder.
  4. Click on the .\ button in the upper right corner of the dgVoodoo Control Panel to set the config folder to the game folder.
  5. Click on the DirectX tab and disable dgVoodoo Watermark near the bottom.
  • (Optional) For the best image quality, also set Filtering to Force anisotropic 16x and Antialiasing (MSAA) to 8x. Make sure the game works before trying these.

--or--

Download and extract these pre-configured dgVoodoo wrapper files to the installation folder. They're already configured with the watermark disabled, but are an older version.

(DirectX 9 and earlier) Use alternate ddraw.dll wrapper[12]

Download and extract this ddraw.dll to the installation folder. If that one doesn't work, try this one.

(Alternative) use DDrawCompat[13]
  1. Download the latest DDrawCompat release
  2. Extract and copy ddraw.dll into the installation folder

Can't start new game on AMD GPUs

This issue is present in the original CD release and may also apply to releases patched with the Unofficial Patch.

Update to the latest AMD drivers[citation needed]
(Alternative) Use the dgVoodoo wrapper[citation needed]
(Alternative) Apply compatibility fix[14]
  1. Download the AMD fix.
  2. Extract JK_AMD_FIX\dll\13.1\atiumdag.dll to the installation folder.
  3. Add parameter -windowgui to your shortcut's Target.

Black screen during menu

Use -windowgui parameter[10]

Run the game with the -windowgui command line parameter.

Seemingly low framerate or stuttering

The game updates camera movement at only 30 FPS, even though the game runs at 60 FPS. This gives the appearance of poor performance and can be improved by capping the framerate below 48.

Cap FPS[15]
  1. Use a software that can cap FPS. See Frame rate capping.
  2. Set a cap of 47 (or below).
  3. The camera should now move at the game's reported frame rate and feel much smoother.

Notes

This will cause frame pacing issues on non-variable refresh rate monitors, resulting in the game as a whole actually feeling less smooth.

HUD is missing or screen has black border

Change the screen size[citation needed]

Press - or = to adjust the screen size.

Music issues

Music doesn't play (after exiting the bar) or loop or the volume can't be adjusted.
Add/replace music wrapper[citation needed]
  1. Download this fixed music wrapper.
  2. Extract the .dll files to the installation folder, overwriting any that are already there.
  3. If you don't have a MUSIC subfolder in the installation folder, create one and download the Higher quality music tracks to it. Alternately, if you have an original CD, you can rip the tracks to .ogg files named Track12.ogg to Track32.ogg, yourself.
Works with all releases, even the original CD release.
Disable compatibility settings[16]

Rename JK.exe to JediKnight.exe (or something else)

--or--

Download the fixed music wrapper, use a text editor to read and follow the instructions at the top of the single .reg file and then double-click on the file to import it. You can ignore the other files in the archive.

Either should disable compatibility settings installed by GOG/Steam that interfere with music playback (at least in Windows 10).

Miscellaneous fixes

Nvidia profile settings[citation needed]

If the game crashes with an Nvidia GPU, disable the following settings for JK.exe in the Nvidia control panel:

  • Antialiasing
  • Texture Antialiasing
  • Conformant Texture Clamp

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Direct3D 5
Software renderer
RenderDroid I (Default) is faster, but renders in 8-bit color depth. RGB Emulation (Access via Advanced Settings) is slower, but renders in 16-bit color depth. Neither use texture filtering.
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Cutscenes Smacker

Access advanced display settings menu

Launch the game with the -displayconfig parameter[citation needed]

Texture/model enhancements

Jedi Knight Enhanced

This mod replaces models with higher quality ones taken from Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast. It requires the Unofficial Patch to be installed.

Install the mod[17]
  1. Download JK_Enhanced.zip (or JKE_8bit.zip if playing with software rendering).
  2. Extract JKE\JKE.GOB to <path-to-game>\Resource.

--or--

  1. Extract JKE\JKE.GOB to <path-to-game>\Mod (create the Mod folder if it doesn't exist).
  2. Add -path Mod to the command line parameters (unless it's already added).

Jedi Knight Retexture Pack

This mod replaces textures with higher quality versions and can be used alone or with Jedi Knight Enhanced. It requires the Unofficial Patch to be installed.

Install the mod[18]
  1. Download JKR.rar.
  2. Extract JKR.GOB to <path-to-game>\Resource.

--or--

  1. Extract JKR.GOB to <path-to-game>\Mod (create the Mod folder if it doesn't exist).
  2. Add -path Mod to the command line parameters (unless it's already added).

JK HUD Revamp

The original HUD is too small at high resolutions. This mod replaces the default GUI and HUD elements with larger, higher resolution alternatives.

Install the mod[19]
  1. Download jkhud.zip and jkgui.zip from JK HUB.
  2. Extract the .gob file from each .zip into your <path-to-game>\Mod\ folder (create the folder if it does not exist).
  3. Add -path Mod to the command line parameters.
Jkhud.zip affects the health and ammo readouts and jkgui.zip affects the force power and item icons.
The larger elements are very different from and not faithful to the original designs.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 90 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 53 MB
Video card (GPU) DirectX 5 compatible

Notes

  1. Applications writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE will be redirected to other locations based on various criterias, see the glossary page for more details.
  2. 2.0 2.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
  3. 3.0 3.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/32380/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (32380) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References