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| {{Short description|Fictional character in the Star Wars expanded universe}} | |||
| {{use dmy dates|date=August 2013}} | |||
| {{Redirect category shell| | |||
| {{Infobox character | |||
| {{R from subtopic}} | |||
| | image = Kylekatarn jasoncourt.jpg | |||
| {{R with Wikidata item}} | |||
| | caption = ] as Kyle Katarn in '']'' | |||
| | series = ] | |||
| | creator = ] | |||
| | first = '']'' (video game, 1995) | |||
| | last = '']'' (novel, 2012) | |||
| | occupation = Alliance Commander, Jedi Master, Jedi Battlemaster | |||
| | species = ] | |||
| | gender = Male | |||
| | lbl21 = Homeworld | |||
| | data21 = Sulon | |||
| | affiliation = ], ], ], ] (former ]) | |||
| | portrayer = ] ('']'') | |||
| | voice = ] ('']'')<br>] ('']'')<br>] ('']'', '']'')<br>Brian Bascle ('']'') | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| '''Kyle Katarn''' is a ] in the ], who appears in the five ]s of the ], the video game '']'', and in several books and other material. In the ''Jedi Knight'' series, Katarn debuts in '']'', appears in '']'', is one of two playable characters in '']'', appears in '']'' and is a major ] in '']''. | |||
| Katarn was originally a member of the ], before becoming a ] for hire. He regularly worked for the ] and later became a member of the ] as well as a skilled ] and an instructor at the Jedi Academy, second only to ]. | |||
| Katarn has been well received by most critics, with ] including him in a vote for the greatest video game character of all time, where he was eliminated in round two, when facing ].<ref name="AllTime1">{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/vote/index.html?battle_id=34 |title=All Time Greatest Game Hero |date=16 September 2009 |website=] |access-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018144826/http://uk.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/vote/index.html?battle_id=34|archive-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ==Appearances== | |||
| ===''Jedi Knight'' series=== | |||
| Katarn first appeared in '']'', where he was introduced as a former ] officer who became a ]-for-hire after learning the Empire was responsible for the death of his father.<ref>{{cite book| title=Star Wars: Dark Forces Manual | last1=Ashburn|first1= Jo|last2= Cartwright|first2=Mark | year=1995 | publisher=]}}</ref> As a mercenary, he regularly worked for the ], where he was secretly dispatched by ] on missions deemed too dangerous or sensitive for actual Rebel operatives. The game begins shortly before the events of the film '']'', with Katarn single-handedly infiltrating an Imperial facility on the planet ] to retrieve the plans for the first ]. The plans would eventually be forwarded to ], leading to ].<ref name=Kyle>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/kylekatarn/|title=Katarn, Kyle|publisher=starwars.com |access-date=15 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110912124400/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/kylekatarn/|archive-date=12 September 2011}}</ref> One year later, Katarn is employed to investigate the "Dark Trooper" project, a secret Imperial research initiative manufacturing powerful robotic ] to attack Alliance strongholds. After several adventures (including encounters with ] and ]), Katarn terminates the Dark Trooper Project and kills its creator, ], aboard his flagship, the ''Arc Hammer''.<ref>{{cite video game| title=Star Wars: Dark Forces | publisher=] | developer=] | date=1995}}</ref> | |||
| '']'' takes place one year after the events of the film, '']''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Boero |first1=Mollie|last2= Yunker |first2= Jason|last3= Gilstrap|first3= Doyle|last4= Tosti|first4= Brett|last5= Gleason|first5= Barbara|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II Manual|publisher=]|year=1997}}</ref> It begins with ], an information droid, telling Katarn about the ] ], who killed Katarn's father, Morgan, in his efforts to find the Valley of the Jedi, a focal point for Jedi power and a Jedi burial ground. 8t88 also tells Katarn of a data disk recovered from Morgan after his death which can only be translated by a droid in Morgan's home. After 8t88 leaves Katarn to be killed, Katarn escapes, tracks down 8t88 and recovers the disk. He then heads to his home planet of Sulon and has the disk translated. The disk contains a message from Morgan, telling Katarn he must pursue the ways of the ], and giving him a ]. Katarn also learns that seven Dark Jedi are attempting to use the power found in the Valley to rebuild the Empire. Kyle eventually kills all seven Dark Jedi and saves the Valley.<ref>{{cite video game| title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II | publisher=] | developer=] | date=1997}}</ref> | |||
| '']'', an ] for ''Dark Forces II'', takes place approximately five years later.<ref>{{cite book | title=Mysteries of the Sith Manual|last1=Boero| first1=Mollie |last2=Miller|first2=Tim|publisher=]|year=1998}}</ref> The game focuses on former Imperial assassin ], who has come under Kyle's tutelage as she trains to be a Jedi. During this period, while investigating ] ruins on ], Kyle comes under the influence of the ], but Jade is able to turn him back to the Light.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith| developer = ] | year = 1998| platform = ]}}</ref> | |||
| '']'' is set three years after ''Mysteries of the Sith''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast PC Manual |publisher=] |year=2002}}</ref> Feeling vulnerable to another fall to the Dark Side, Kyle has chosen to forsake ] and has returned to his former mercenary ways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/jediknight2jedioutcast/news.html?sid=2761597 |last=Ajami |first=Amer |title=E3 2001: LucasArts announces Jedi Outcast: Jedi Knight II |website=] |access-date=20 June 2007|date=17 May 2001}}</ref> Whilst on a mission for Mon Mothma, Kyle's partner, ] is apparently murdered at the hands of two Dark Jedi, ] and ]. Determined to avenge her death, Katarn returns to the Valley of the Jedi to regain his connection to the Force. Taking back his lightsaber from ], he sets out to track down Desann. After escaping from a trap with ]'s help, Katarn heads to ] and interrogates Tavion, who tells him that Jan is not dead at all. Desann simply pretended to kill her knowing Katarn would return to the Valley, at which point Desann followed him so as to infuse his soldiers with the Force and reinstall the ] as rulers of the galaxy. Katarn spares Tavion's life and stows away on Desann's ship, the ''Doomgiver''. After rescuing Jan, Katarn defeats the military scientist, Galak Fyyar, who tells him that Desann plans to use his Jedi infused soldiers to attack the Jedi Academy on ]. Katarn enters the Academy and defeats Desann. After the battle, he tells Luke Skywalker that he is going to stay a Jedi, confident of his strength and dedication to the Light Side.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast |developer=] |publisher=] |year=2002}}</ref> | |||
| '']'' takes place a year after ''Jedi Outcast'',<ref>{{cite book|title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC Manual |publisher=] |year=2002}}</ref> and is the first game in the series in which Katarn is not a playable character. The game begins as he is appointed master of two new students, Jaden Korr and Rosh Penin. Rosh soon begins to feel held back and comes to resent Katarn. It is soon discovered that a Sith cult named the Disciples of Ragnos are stealing Force energy from various locations across the galaxy via a scepter. Along with others, Katarn and his students embark on a number of missions in an effort to discover what the cult are hoping to do with the powers they steal. During one such mission, while investigating the ruins of the planet formerly known as Byss, Rosh is captured and converted to the Dark Side by the cult's leader, Tavion (Desann's former apprentice). Jaden and Katarn escape and conclude that Tavion is storing the stolen Dark Force energy in the scepter in order to use it to resurrect an ancient Sith master, Marka Ragnos.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/star-wars-jedi-knight-jedi-academy/reviews/jedi-knight-jedi-academy-review-6075140/ |last=Beers |first=Craig |title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy PC review |access-date=19 August 2013 |website=] |date=15 September 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027093352/http://uk.gamespot.com/star-wars-jedi-knight-jedi-academy/reviews/jedi-knight-jedi-academy-review-6075140/ |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref> After receiving a distress message from Rosh, who has returned to the Light Side and is now a prisoner, Katarn and Jaden go to rescue him, only to discover that the distress signal was a scheme to lure the two in. After defeating Rosh, Jaden is confronted with a choice: kill him and turn to the Dark Side, or spare him and remain on the Light Side. If the player kills Rosh, the game ends with Jaden killing Tavion, taking the scepter and fleeing, with Katarn heading out in pursuit. If the player chooses not to kill Rosh, the game ends with Jaden killing Tavion and defeating the spirit of Ragnos.<ref>{{cite video game | title = Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy | developer = ]| publisher = ]| date = 2003}}</ref> | |||
| ===''Star Wars'' literature=== | |||
| In '']'' series of novels, Katarn becomes the Jedi Academy's foremost battlemaster, a close friend of Luke Skywalker, and a respected Jedi Master. During the ] invasion, Katarn helps develop strategies to use against the invaders, and participates in the rescue of human captives from the Imperial Remnant world Ord Sedra. Near the end of the war, the living planet ] agrees to help the Republic; Katarn is one of several Jedi Knights who bonds to seed-partners and is provided with Sekotan starships to use in Sekot's defence.<ref name="Vine">{{cite web|url=http://www.comicvine.com/kyle-katarn/4005-48287/|title=Kyle Katarn|publisher=]|access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> | |||
| During ]'s ] ('']'', '']'' and '']''), Katarn is one of four Jedi Masters who attempts to destroy the Dark Nest. Katarn also speaks his mind during a Master's Council session, where he stands up to Chief of State ]. He, along with ] and other Masters, believe that ] and ] could be the next leaders of the Dark Nest. In ''The Swarm War'' (the final part of the trilogy), Katarn leads a squadron of Jedi Stealth X's against the Killiks.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Swarm War|last=Denning|first=Troy|author-link=Troy Denning|publisher=]|year=2005}}</ref> | |||
| Katarn also appears in ]' '']'' novels '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']'', as a Jedi Master participating in Council meetings. In ''Bloodlines'', he helps to point out the "embarrassment" to the Jedi Order of ]'s actions in apprehending ]ns on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfsite.com/11a/bl235.htm|title=Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Bloodlines Review|last=Maddox|first=David|publisher=The SF Site|year=2006|access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> In ''Exile'', he plays ] regarding Leia Organa's supposed betrayal of the Galactic Alliance, although he reasserts his loyalty to Leia by being the first to formally declare his faith in her at the meeting's conclusion.<ref>{{cite book|title=Exile|last=Traviss|first=Karen|author-link=Karen Traviss|publisher=]|year=2007}}</ref> Katarn plays a much larger role in ''Fury'', leading a team of Jedi against Jacen Solo in a capture-or-kill mission. After a fierce four-way lightsaber duel, Katarn is severely wounded and the mission ends in failure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theforce.net/books/reviews/r_fury.asp|title=Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Fury Review|publisher=The Force.net |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> | |||
| ===Other appearances=== | |||
| Katarn's adventures are also told in three hardcover ] written by ], which were adapted into audio dramatizations; ''Soldier for the Empire'', ''Rebel Agent'' and ''Jedi Knight''.<ref name=Kyle/><ref name="Vine" /> | |||
| Katarn also appears in the '']'' and is a premiere figure of "The New Jedi Order" faction in the ] ]. The Wizards of the Coast web series, ''The Dark Forces Saga'', highlights his background, as well as those of most of the other heroes and villains found in the games. | |||
| He also appears in the video game '']'', where he can be used in the 'Skirmish' battle mode as a special 'hero' unit. The game is set between '']'' and '']'', and, as such, Katarn cannot use force powers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://empireatwar.filefront.com/info/rebelheroes|title=Empire At War: Rebel Heroes|publisher=Star Wars Empire at War Files|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> | |||
| The popularity of characters from ''Dark Forces'' resulted in LucasArts licensing toys based on the game. ] produced Kyle Katarn and Dark Trooper toys, which are among the few Expanded Universe items to be turned into ]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/darktroopers/?id=bts|title=Dark troopers|publisher=starwars.com|access-date=20 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629004810/http://www.starwars.com/databank/droid/darktroopers/?id=bts|archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Katarn was made ] in 2014, following the acquisition of ] by ].<ref name="SW Legends">{{cite web|date=April 25, 2014|title=The Legendary ''Star Wars'' Expanded Universe Turns a New Page|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page|access-date=May 26, 2016|website=StarWars.com}}</ref> However, he was later recanonized by Star Wars: The Card Game in 2016. | |||
| On November 24, 2021, Katarn was released as a playable character in '']''.<ref name="GOH">{{cite web|date=November 23, 2021|title=SWGoH: Kyle Katarn incoming to Galaxy of Heroes, ROLO & Chief Nebit get Omicron updates|url=https://gaming-fans.com/2021/11/23/swgoh-kyle-katarn-incoming-to-galaxy-of-heroes-rolo-chief-nebit-get-omicron-updates/|access-date=November 25, 2021}}</ref> | |||
| ==Development and depiction== | |||
| Originally, the protagonist of ''Dark Forces'' was to be Luke Skywalker. However the developers of the game realized that this would add constraints to gameplay and storyline, and instead a new character, Kyle Katarn, was created.<ref name=Kyle/> For ''Jedi Academy'', an early decision made during development was whether or not to have Kyle Katarn as the playable character. This was due to the character already being a powerful Jedi Knight, and, as such, starting off with the force skills would affect the gameplay.<ref name="Diary1">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/jediacademy/news.html?sid=6073921 |title=Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy Designer Diary #1 |website=] |date=25 August 2003 |access-date=20 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715071210/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/jediacademy/news.html?sid=6073921 |archive-date=15 July 2009 }}</ref> To resolve this issue, the developers chose to make the playable character a student in the Jedi Academy. Katarn was then made an instructor in the academy and integral to the plot to ensure that ''Jedi Academy'' built upon the existing ''Jedi Knight'' series storyline.<ref name="Diary1"/> | |||
| Katarn was voiced by ] in ''Star Wars: Dark Forces''. He was portrayed by ] in the ] sequences of ''Dark Forces II''. The in-game model was modeled after Court to maintain consistency. In ''Mysteries of the Sith'', ''Jedi Outcast'' and ''Jedi Academy'', Katarn's appearance is exclusively a ], without any FMV scenes, in which he is designed to look like a slightly older Court. In ''Mysteries of the Sith'', he is voiced by ], and in the two subsequent games by ]. For the audio dramatizations, he is portrayed by Randal Berger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://storyark.org/randal-berger/ |title=Randal Berger |publisher=Story Ark |accessdate=2022-08-04 }}</ref> In Pendant Productions' ''Blue Harvest'', Katarn is voiced by Scott Barry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voice123.com/scottbarry|title=Scott Barry|publisher=Voice123.com|access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> | |||
| ==Reception== | |||
| Previewing the ] version of ''Star Wars: Dark Forces'', '']'' called Katarn "a perfect character to star in a first-person shoot-'em-up in the ''Star Wars'' universe", and said the character has the same rogue-with-a-heart appeal as ].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Dark Forces: No One Will Force You to Play this One |magazine=] |issue=85|publisher=] |date=August 1996 |pages=70–71}}</ref> | |||
| ]'s Robert Workman listed Katarn as one of his favourite ''Star Wars'' video game characters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/our-favorite-characters-from-star-wars-video-games/?page=8 |title=Our Favorite Characters From Star Wars Video Games |last=Workman|first=Robert |date=11 September 2008 |work=GameDaily |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015105425/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/our-favorite-characters-from-star-wars-video-games/?page=8 |archive-date= 15 October 2008 |access-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> ] placed him as their 22nd top ''Star Wars'' character, praising him as "a gamer's reliable blank state," a feature which they felt made him one of the most "human" ''Star Wars'' characters. They also stated that Katarn's endearance with fans was because of his "mishmash of quirks and dispositions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/star-wars-characters/22.html |title=Top 100 Star Wars Characters |website=] |access-date=2 April 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603193858/http://uk.ign.com/star-wars-characters/22.html|archive-date=3 June 2012}}</ref> In 2009, IGN's Jesse Schedeen argued that the character should not appear in the then upcoming ],{{specify}} feeling that "Katarn isn't very interesting without his Jedi abilities," and that deeply exploring his past was not really warranted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/969/969222p8.html |title=Players Unwanted: Star Wars Live Action TV Show |last=Schedeen|first=Jesse |date=8 July 2009 |website=] |access-date=2 April 2011}}</ref> Schedeen also included Katarn as one of his favourite ''Star Wars'' heroes and video game sword masters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/898/898223p1.html |title=Top 25 Star Wars Heroes: Day 2 |last=Schedeen|first=Jesse |date=12 August 2008 |website=] |access-date=2 April 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.stars.ign.com/articles/915/915789p5.html |title=Top Videogame Sword Masters |last=Schedeen|first=Jesse |date=2 October 2008 |website=] |access-date=2 April 2011}}</ref> In ]'s vote for the all-time greatest videogame hero, Katarn was eliminated in round two when he faced ], garnering 27.5% of the votes.<ref name="AllTime1"/> In round one he defeated ], with 67.6% of the votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/vote/index.html?battle_id=3 |title=All Time Greatest Game Hero |date=8 September 2009 |website=] |access-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018144856/http://uk.gamespot.com/greatest-video-game-hero/vote/index.html?battle_id=3|archive-date=18 October 2012}}</ref> | |||
| On the other hand, ] was critical of Katarn, calling him the third worst character in video gaming, saying "he's bearded, he's boring, he's bland and his name is Kyle Katarn," comparing his outfit to that of a "beige-obsessed disco cowboy." They also commented that while "originally a genuinely interesting character in the Han Solo mold," they felt that the character had become "emotionless" after he gained force powers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/getting-into-characters/a-2008052810263157029/p-4 |title=Getting into characters... |date=23 June 2012|publisher=] |access-date=20 August 2013}}</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|30em}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| *{{Wookieepedia|Kyle Katarn}} | |||
| {{Jedi Knight series}} | |||
| {{Star Wars universe}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Katarn, Kyle}} | |||
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