No explanation for what happened in the past or what's happening now. Pretty disappointing on that front. Maybe they did it because the truth is just a terrible tired cliche.
Regarding Jedi Knight:
Nearly as fun as the force powers in the Jedi Knight games. Nothing beats picking a guy up off the ground with force choke and then dropping him off a cliff. Or jumping way up into the air and using force pull to slingshot storm troopers hundreds of feet into the air only to fall to their death. Or having an evil jedi jump up to attack you but stop in mid air when you force push him and he falls to his death. Now that never got old.
Wow that brings back some good memories, I would cackle with glee doing all those things and even make choking gestures while I found their lack of faith disturbing. I bet source would be great for another jedi knight game. I really hope the sabers are better implemented if a sequel is done. I understand why movement is tied to the way the saber swings, but it's too sloppy. Obi-wan for the xbox, while not much of a game, does a good job with the saber.