Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
A game full of cake you can both have and eat, says Russell Garbutt.
"Not so long ago, in a galaxy not so far away, the Jedi council at LucasArts decided that an outside developer was needed for a special task. The task would not be suitable for an inexperienced padawan, and it would have to be completed in a manner devoid of any "Imperial entanglements." From across a nation's border came the salvation they sought in a small party of rebels called BioWare, who were quickly put to the task of creating the deepest, richest, and most insanely addictive Star Wars title ever conceived..."
And they succeeded. The creators of the Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights RPGs have taken the Star Wars universe to a place that gamers have hoped to go for years. Knights of the Old Republic is so perfect, and works on so many levels that it tends to envelop a player in a few 'key' manners. First, it delivers on a 'theatrical' level in a way that triggers emotions not felt since the first viewing of the original trilogy; a way that the current series of films wishes it could deliver. Second, as a game it delivers an incredibly immersive and deep RPG experience with all of the fine details that come to mind. Customizable lightsabers? Got it. Wookies, droids, and bizarre aliens that speak their own languages? Oh yes. Jedi Knights and Sith Lords engaged in super fast thrust and parry lightsaber combat? Got it. Customizable characters whose actions determine light/dark side force alignment? Bingo. BioWare's employee roster is either comprised entirely of Star Wars nuts (like us), or they sent Bothan spies to a Star Wars convention and had them secretly record every conversation that began with, "Wouldn't it be cool if..."
There are a few technical flaws with the package, but more on that later. Right now is the time to dwell on the game's golden facets. Knights is an RPG at its core, with a rule system based on the pencil-and-paper Wizards of the Coast Star Wars D20 rule set. Those unfamiliar with that game or its system will have no troubles launching into their own adventure, as KOTOR's entire system of gameplay is evenly balanced for the hardcore and the newbie alike. The combat is turn based, but this is not Final Fantasy. Turn based in this case does not mean watch your entire party stand and take a beating. The combat itself takes place in real time, and you can "queue up" four commands per party member (3 members in your party) and send them off. You can also control any member at any time, and pause the action to re-plan the fight. The main character you create is always a human, with the class choices of Soldier, Scout, or Scoundrel. This is only a pseudo-temporary class, however, because players are going to want to head for the Jedi academy on Dantooine as quick as possible and become a full-fledged padawan. From there on out, you are officially a 'Jedi' class. Those who are not exactly thrilled with the Jedi council's comprehensive dental plan can decide to turn traitor and join the Sith, with another set of training and trials on Korriban. Your party members are comprised of a motley bunch, all of different species... you can choose to 'mix-it-up' in your party, or just send out three Jedi class to adjust the attitude of anyone in your way. There are XP points and force points to gain (like any RPG), and characters level-up after earning certain amounts. Each character also has abilities, skills, and combat feats that you improve and upgrade as your levels accrue with experience and your force powers grow stronger.
Your alignment is determined, literally, by the actions you decide, and even by the things you choose to say. Each thing you say or do earns light/dark stat points, and certain quests can even make you famous for good deeds, or infamous for evil. All of the dialogue is spoken verbally (in native tongues) and most characters have a really intricate dialogue tree.
Comments
This needs to hury up and come out on the PC... can't afford an XBox right now :-(
rent the game and try it out
This game seeems so cool I can't wait to rent it. -)
Star wars kotor is the number one game that I have ever played in my life.
Rubbish. I want to wade into the fights myself not just press the fight button and watch.
I guess some people just aren't keen on standard RPGs. Admittedly combat is a little dull during the early stages of the game. After a few hours play the characters are considerably more proficient and melee combat, in particular, becomes entartaining to watch as characters feint, dodge and parry. Combat becomes an altogether more strategic affair. Although it is possible to sit back and watch, it's also possible to flank the opposition and force push an enemy straight in front of a big wookie who can deal out some punishment.
If this had been a standard RPG without the Star Ward licence it would have still stood up as a very good game. But then again, there comes a point in KoTOR
(not too bad a spoiler)
when you check the remains of defeated opponent, find a double bladed lightsaber and the fun really starts!
All you people out there who dont like kotor because of the automatic combat, you make me sick!This game is so beautiful and simple that the way the battles are fought doesn't matter.Any GOOD gamer would be able to see that.
I have been playing this game for a total of 10h 50m and Im only on the the 4th world.In short THIS GAME RULES!!!
I hired this game out in a few days ago during the school holidays and ended up staying in bed for two whole days playing it, very addictive game. Im going to buy it tommorow morning. By far the best RPG on xbox. I bought Morrowind, played it for about 150 hours and got sick of it because I hadent even gotten through half of it.
If you have a good PC u dont really need a console that much, especially an XBox. If you do get a console get a ps2 cuz alot of the games are exculsive. The only thing i like consoles for is playing multiplayer some peeps if they come over. And insted of this game get Jedi Academy. That game is cool :-)
This game is lush, fair enough there are plenty of good RPGs, but the lightsabers do it for me. No Princess Leia though...... :-(
loved this game beautiful scenery great story character devolopment has GREAT replay value i would strongly sugest buying this if you like games even the smallest bit just as what is being said about fable you could sure zip through it in about 20 hours but if you experience the full world then you will have an amazing time playing this the depth the everything i'm ranting but all i have to say is go out to whatever games store you go to buy it love it play it again and again
wat is the content download for this game
i don't now
if some one gets a demo website show us the website
where are all the codes
This is the coolest game! very addictive. if it's not because of school, i probably stuck in front of my computer playing this game! Star wars rules! and oh, carth is my fave character.
I saw this game at a friends place and i really liked it and want to buy it !!. The problem is that I own a PS2.
If anybody hears about this game being released on PS2 please let me know at.
Vertical_bob@hotmail.com
Thanks.
Best game ever!
Should download full games for free plz plz
this is one of the best star wars games i ever played because its story and the carecter settings
this game is the best if you know the right cheets
Is this game on PS2?
your all ugly not
hi star wars people pleas oh pleas can i download obi wans golden light saber of u or darth mauls of u pleas hope i can because i havint got a big lightsaber yet and i have alaways whanted 1 so pleas but if i can i will have it a big 1 ok? pleas? from josh
can i download a demo of this game
are there going to make star wars knights of th old republic for playstation2
i will a dowload for Sar Wars Battlefront 1 or 2
u guyz r crazy cuaze it is already out
I wish this game was out for ps2. I mean what is the reasoning behind making a game for an xbox but not a ps2!! This game looks so awesome but I don't have a xbox and my pc is slow so i'm afraid if i get it for pc, it won't be that fun...So if anyone hears about this game out for ps2, please please please tell me!!!