But it has great lightsaber combat mechanics, which are utilized to the full because you face so many lightsaber-wielding enemies (much more so than in Jedi Outcast with its hordes of Stormtrooper trash mobs). Jedi Academy has an absolutely forgettable story even by the low standards of Star Wars games, and its levels are short, linear and mostly won't stay in your memory. But imo the levels actually have too many "puzzle" elements or sections where you have to jump, dodge obstacles or look for your way in non-obvious places, which would be fine in moderation, but gets too much and breaks up the pacing.
Jedi Outcast has a better story (ok, nothing great, but good enough) and more ambitious level design with some memorable locations.
For a long time I would have said Jedi Outcast is clearly the better game, but when I replayed them a few years ago I actually enjoyed Jedi Academy more.