3. After Return Of The Jedi - The Jedi Knight Series
Beginning with the awesome Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight, the SWEU really became something bigger than what many thought possible. Kyle Katarn remains the prototypical Expanded Universe hero and the next step into a deeper exploration of the SWEU. Katarn was an Imperial stormtrooper who defected to the Rebellion. Katarn was informed of his Force sensitivity, and became a Jedi while in search of the Valley of the Jedi. During this journey, he confronted the dark side within both himself and in the form of the Dark Jedi Jerec and his minions. Defeating them, Katarn went on to become a Jedi Master, teaching at the Jedi Praxeum and became a part of the Jedi High Council in the New Jedi Order. In other words, he is a big deal. This would a major step out of the comfort zone of the casual Star Wars fan: non-Skywalker focused in anyway. It is a separate Star Wars story arc that is in the Star Wars mythos. However it still has many elements that will still be familiar in the story, such as lightsabers, stormtroopers and other Imperial trappings for the bad guys. It will be something new without total immersion. A good introduction to Katarn is the game, Dark Forces II. However I urge you to play Jedi Knight 2. This game is perhaps the greatest Star Wars game yet made, and will convince you how good non-Skywalker canon can be.