Just a quick reminder: this is not an update of the original "Reunion". Rather, it's a whole new level that's based upon the same plot. The author was obviously unhappy with "Reunion" and decided to do this one right. Now, for the actual review. I'll start off by saying the author gets an A+ for his plot. Not only does the author continue his tradition of telling a great story, but this plot answers some of the questions that the previous two levels left me with. For example, I now understand why the imperials were in the secret passage that lead to the map room at the end of "Phantom Point". I also understand why the Crow is sitting on Goatha's rooftop at the end of "Goatha's Palace". I congratulate the author for producing a terrific story for this four-part series.

Since the author wanted to surpass the original "Reunion" on basically every level, I guess it won't hurt if I compare the two levels to see if he indeed accomplished what he wanted. I am pleased to say that, architecturally speaking, this level goes beyond the original one on several levels. First off, the city has been improved greatly since "Reunion". The stairway leading down into the city was well constructed. It felt like it had been naturally cut from the rock. My only question is why there isn't a bridge for the citizens. Every time they want to leave or enter the city they have to jump over a lava stream. Then again, they are jedi so I guess the can just use the force. The governor's palace is the first building that you see when you enter, and it amazing. I had to stop and look around for a few seconds while I took in all of that detail. The rest of the city is also well constructed. All of the buildings have some uniqueness to them so you can tell them apart. My only concern is that the city and the buildings are awfully small. There was one building which stretched well above my head. However, when I entered I found myself in a circular cantina which stretched the length of the entire floor. What then, is the need for all of that added concrete if the building is only one floor? There were other buildings as well that left me with the same question. Fortunately, some of the buildings had doors which could not be opened. This left me with the impression that behind those doors was an elevator that took you up into the upper floors. It a shame the author couldn't allow access for just one of the buildings. It would have made the level that much more enjoyable. The rest of the level well done too. The general store had shelves and the cafe was set up nicely to look and feel like a café. All of these rooms were, to a certain degree, were boxy but they had enough detail that you don't really notice. Texturing was also improved over "Reunion". In that level, the city was basically two textures that stretched across the walls and floor. Here, each building has its own texture, which adds variety without the level looking like a patch-work quilt.

This is where the level begins to slide. Just like in "Reunion" the author adds too many enemies. Now, I don't mean regular enemies like stormtroopers, officers or even commandos. No, I mean the author adds just a few too many dark jedi on phase one Dark Trooper logic. The entire level is crawling with them. Then there are other things like getting off an elevator only to have a turret in your face. Item placement is also a problem. In "Reunion" the author made the mistake of putting in too many enemies and not enough items. Here, the author adds a ton of enemies, but he also adds a ton of items as well. The imperial garrison that you will run into within the first minute of playing has almost every weapon in the game, including the concussion rifle. This makes the game not much better then a frag-fest with difficult enemies and advanced weapons. Now that the author has gone to both extremes with his item placement, I hope that his next level will be more balanced. As for enhancements... there were plenty. The author continues his tradition of adding tons of new BM's and FME's. Some of them fit in nicely with the level and others... don't. Fortunately, most of them add to the level's overall feel, which turn makes the level that much more enjoyable for the player. There are also some INF enhancements. My favorite was the train, which is a take-off of the train in "Prelude to Harkov's Defection". Marek has his own lines, but unfortunately it sounds a little too much like Kyle. A graphically pleasing briefing rounds out the enhancements.

In "Reunion" the author didn't factor in the importance of lighting. As a result, much of the level was one degree of light, which made for dull playing. Here, the author uses light and shadow to help bring out the level's mood. The entrance to the Emperor's palace is very dark, and the author uses that darkness to his advantage. There's a scene where the player must cross a river of blood (well it's more of a brook). If the cavern had been brightly lit, the experience wouldn't have been as intense. Instead, the lighting is low, and the author uses the blood, along with on-screen text, to bring out a foreboding atmosphere. Realistically, I didn't have too many issues. The idea of a jedi city isn't too farfetched. After all, JK revolves around a jedi planet, and I think that there's a SW novel that centers on a lost jedi city. Therefore, it's more then plausible that there's another jedi city somewhere in the galaxy. One issue I did have though, was the size of the level. Everything was just too small. The city isn't much more then six buildings, and all of them are constricted. The governor's palace has five floors but all of them are only one or two rooms and they feel cramped. Even the Emperor's palace felt cramped since it's only had about two or three rooms. I'm also a little disappointed with the final showdown. The Emperor sounds like general Mohc. It was especially disappointing after listing to Marek's new dialogue. If he could do it for Marek, why didn't he do it for the Emperor? Finally, before you reach the train you have to walk through some sewage. Why? Who sets up their city like that? It's a minor issue but it still left me puzzled. Gameplay, overall, was very fast. Like I've Much better. That's what I call this level when I compare it to the original "Reunion". Don't get me wrong, this level has it's share of problems. However, if I had to choose between the two levels, I'd choose this one.

Much better. That's what I call this level when I compare it to the original "Reunion". Don't get me wrong, this level has it's share of problems. However, if I had to choose between the two levels, I'd choose this one.