STAR WARS™: Knights of the Old Republic

KOTOR 1 and 2 are the best Star Wars games ever made. Whereas KOTOR 2 excels in the story and character development department, KOTOR 1 laid the foundation for not only one of the best Star Wars experiences, but one of the best RPG experiences I've had. And KOTOR 1 has a very good story and cast of characters as well, including a great twist. When you experience great Star Wars masterpieces like this, you wonder how George failed to even remotely deliver on the prequels.

Knights of the Old Republic is right up there with the Original Trilogy movies and the Thrawn trilogy books and even if you think you are not interested in an era thousands of years before the movies, you'll be amazed at how familiar you feel in the game. It's Star Wars! In fact, it's one of the best RPGs ever made. I completed the game for the first time just months ago and it's aged really well. The environments are gorgeous and the diversity of weapons, items and companions will keep the game fresh for the 50+ hour duration (took me 56h) of the adventure. In essence, the game is just like Baldur's Gate or an older brother of Mass Effect. You have your party of 3 people and go around different planets saving the galaxy and roleplaying using some variation of d20 rules. Do yourself a favor though, don't read ANYTHING about the plot. I made the mistake myself and still enjoyed the game immensely, so I guess it tells you something about the strengths of KOTOR's gameplay.

If ever there was a Star Wars RPG done right, KOTOR is it, and will always be it. I played this game years ago, some time after Neverwinter Nights (another Bioware game done right) and Bioware has never ceased to amaze me with their story telling, gameplay, and overall storybook style setup. While the premise is simple: you're a random <class> in the middle of a war who's lost some memory. You find out you're a jedi, trained, and sent to push back the Sith (as KOTOR takes place several thousands of years before Phantom Menace). In the end, you choose: light side or dark side, and your decisions and powers allow you to determine how this pans out (though force lightning is a must in my opinion, it's too handy to pass up). And I must prepare you now: HK-47 is the BEST DAMN CHARACTER EVER, as he's both a serious killing machine as well as plucky comic relief (think C3-P0, give him a blaster, and the personality of Deadpool). "I would much rather this get bloody, master," will make you laugh every time. Now, for the serious stuff: Gameplay: Simple and direct - kill stuff, pick up loot, equip your characters; a must for any noteworthy RPG. The combat is also very manageable, using the stop/start mechanic to plan out your actions and then execute. Music/Sound: What can I say, this IS Star Wars. The music fits the locales and situations (mellow and calming for cities, tempestuous and exciting for combat). The only gripe is that your character doesn't really have a voice (much like in Neverwinter Nights, he/she generates random sounds based on actions). Visuals: While the graphics are dated, they do still convey the world of Star Wars quite well. What it lacks in dept, it makes up for in texturing and decals. For example, there is an amphibious species who's skin does in fact look slick and smooth, and of course the Hutts look like bigass worms. It also get the physics right, giving the impression of wind on desert or jungle worlds with shifting sand or swaying grass. Overall, 5/5 for it's time . . . and all time.

In short, KOTOR is a legend. A game that you should buy just to witness the story. It has a well deserved place in my TOP10 best games of all time list. Search for TOP10 RPGs of all times and you will see KOTOR there in any list thats worth mentioning. Like all Bioware games, this game is heavily relies on the story. You wake up in a ship thats under attack and from that on try to save your own skin. On the way you meet good friends on different planets who have rich background stories on their own. 3 of the characters in this game found a place Most Popular Star Wars Characters of all time list by Lucas Arts Fans. Especially you will have incredible moments with HK-47. There are usually many ways to complete guests and depending on your actions the future of people and even nations change in the end. WARNING. Dont read any spoilers about this game before your first playthrough. There is a moment in the game that is selected The Most JAW BREAKING MOMENT of all time. It is such a moment that made me stop playing the game because of the shock and made me think how that is possible for a week. Fighting is amazing. There are 3 classes which effect your play stile a lot. Soldier is the typical fighter class while others are a little different. You are a jedi but you are allowed to focus on guns with high dexterity. You can queue 3 actions for each character while fighting for an easier management. I remember the easy difficulty was too easy so avoid that unless you are only into the story. I still love the graphics and the soundtrack is a piece of art. Character voices are very well done. I am still inlove with Jennifer Hale as the voice of Bastila Shan and it still makes me smile remember HK-47 saying MEATBAGs. I would go on for pages but space is out. In conclusion if you are a RPG fun, its highly likely that you already bought the game. If not, then this is the game that willl make you a RPG and Bioware fan.