I agree with you there on ranking with other FPS games.
On the "psychic moments" in my opinion it gives it definately a feel like Starwars Episode II, not like Quake, but the "kill thousands of people and run through a smashing vent shaft which would kill anyone but the most aware Jedi" situation. Definately Artus and NarShaada award awareness of the area, the clues are all there and it makes you slap yourself when you realise that you missed them. In truth I think it's because so many people are used to games like Quake which are more rigid and linear with obvious solutions, when JK2 rewards observation.
The only puzzle in game that in hindsight is truly lame, is the Doomgiver's comm array. *WHY THE CONVENIENTLY HUGE MULTISTORY COMM ARRAY AND DEATH DEALING PITS?*