Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

The Good
You start out being able to choose between three "classes" of characters and whether you are male or female. These classes affect your stats as you level up as well as certain skills your character has. And choosing male or female affects your relationship to certain characters in the game.

Having the ability to choose between the light side and the dark side in the game is a great way to add replayability to the game. I played through as the light side first and had a lot of fun doing so, and when playing through as the dark side, I still had fun even though I already did everything once before.

Upgrading certain weapons and armor, as well as the light sabers, was a nice way to make the weapons more personal to your game. Rather than everyone ending up with the exact same weapons, you are able to upgrade certain things to add a little more variety. Although the upgrades for armor and standard weapons are the same no matter what, the light saber upgrades require you to make a choice as to what properties you would like for your light saber(s). You are even able to choose the color of your light saber(s).

When you become a jedi, you are able to choose what kind of jedi you want to be from three choices. Your choice determines your stats as you level up as well as what additional skills you have for your character.

The graphics were very well done and the cut-scenes of the planets were spectacular. The game allows you to remove most of the user interface from the screen to make the game a more cinematic experience.

The NPCs that are important are usually very interesting to talk to and many of them react based on your own actions. This allows you for a very immersive environment for your character.

The game also offers a VERY unexpected twist to the plot. Although clues are given throughout the game (they are redisplayed to you when the twist happens), someone would have to be very good at noticing subtle clues in order to figure out the twist before it happened unless they know about it beforehand. The twist really adds a lot to the game.

In order to save some time when moving throughout the game, you are able to instantly return to your ship from any "safe" place and then return from your ship to that place. This helps to save some time walking around.

Your party members have interesting (usually) stories to tell you which they will tell you as time passes if you choose to talk to them about it. These stories open up various side quests and can make your party members more interesting.

The Bad
The game was not very challenging. The only part that posed any real challenge was the very end because you can never completely kill off your enemies... you just have to get through to the next area alive. Unless you have a lot of med pacs, or you have three jedi with healing powers and a lot of jedi power available to them, this can become difficult. After getting through that small part of the game, you get to the end where you fight the last character who is very easy to beat.

Some of the side quests were annoying because you are always going back and forth between planets and then running all over the place to complete them.

The Bottom Line
If you like Star Wars and would like to play a jedi in an RPG, this is an excellent choice. The game offers a lot for the gamer and the problems with the game are really very minor. The only real problem is that you are not offered much of a challenge.

The Good
Just when you thought Star Wars games had nothing to offer except arcadey Rogue Squadron-type garbage and generic movie spin-offs along comes BioWare to save LucasArts from it's own stupidity. I mean, I was surprised myself after playing it, and it goes without saying that this is the best Star Wars game since XW: Alliance, not to mention one of the best games ever based in the adventures of a galaxy far, far away.

As mentioned BioWare deserves all the credit for making this game the stellar success it was, applying all their experience and design prowess to Lucas's franchise, besides they had their work cut out for them from a gameplay point of view. BioWare can be credited for being the developers that brought back D&D to the CRPG world, in no small part due to their success at translating the D&D mechanics in a way that was both novel and efficient. Unlike most gamers seem to know, Star Wars already has a P&P RPG adaptation know affectively as the Star Wars D20 system and it is this system that KoTOR uses instead of the D&D system as noted elsewhere. Of course, one can argue that the Star Wars sys. is really a cloned version of the D&D mechanics, but in fact it has a skill system of it's own and already defined class and racial distinctions. Thus BioWare only had to readapt their already superb D&D translation to fit the Star Wars system and presto! Instant Star Wars RPGing!!

Playing KoTOr thus has a lot in common with previous BioWare titles like Baldur's Gate, with it's paused real-time combat system, inventory management and spell/item usage being just like those good old Infinity engine games. A few refinements have been added, like the option to queue a series of actions for each character and lay out a basic battleplan (for instance, heal then attack, then use shield, then attack, etc.) but it's basically the same old thing, which is good, no need to mess with a good thing.

The look of the game is however substantially different from the Infinity engine games, switching to a third-person perspective 3D environment from which you interact with the gameworld from a much closer perspective. No need to worry about subpar 3D action/rpg hybrids tough, KoTOR doesn't have you jumping around or doing stupid arcadey things, you still handle the game from a mouse-driven interface (tough the wasd keys have been added to the mix for obvious reasons) with the interaction with the gameworld being based around single clicking for targeting whatever you want to use and then selecting the proper action from a context-sensitive pop-up menu.

The party has also been modified in it's size now toned down to 3 party members including your main character (created through an instantly recognizable BioWare-esque character creation scheme that also allows you to choose sex and model). These party members include everything from Wookies to droids to Jedis, each with unique personalities, backstories and personal quests that enrich the gameworld. In true BioWare-form these characters offer a lot of free conversations and information not only on each quest but also on the locations and character they meet, including each other, which also means those wonderfully amusing exchanges between party members from the BG games returns, with some truly funny moments that include a certain Jedi using her powers to make someone else trip, or a droid having psychotic outbursts.

The skills and force powers (the "magic" in the game) are very well executed, and the game manages to include everything from sneaking (which requires you to ditch your party momentarily) to hacking, repairing and using the good ol' Jedi mind trick on the NPCs for your benefit. Weapons are also very well balanced, with a good mix of meele and ranged weapons, some which can be modified (like the lightsabers) to include different items that cause unique status effects or modify stats for more customized combat.

The 3D engine is surprisingly robust, being able to handle the complex game mechanics as well as providing some of the most amazing graphics for a game of it's kind. Truly KoTOR is a gorgeous game to behold, and probably the most beautiful rpg ever made. With incredibly hi-quality models, texture details and effects that are nothing short of amazing. The engine is also quite scalable by 2003 standards as it not only includes special effects like smooth shadows for pixel shading-capable cards but it also allows for gameplay on lesser cards all the way down to GeForce2 MX series boards. Basically anything that has T&L will do, thus ensuring no one has an excuse for missing out on this masterpiece.

The graphic quality however shouldn't be too much of a surprise when you consider the gigantic resources LucasArts must have thrown at the game. If there's something that can be said of all Star Wars games, regardless of whether they are good or bad, is that they look and sound the part, and KoTOR is no exception. The game is your all-around triple-A product, with the fantastic graphics I mentioned above, plus incredible SFX straight from the Lucas sound libraries, a dynamic orchestral soundtrack befitting the Star Wars name and other niceties such as a streamlined interface that manages to take most of the clutter out of inventory management, with separate slots for accessing health, power-ups and force powers in an orderly fashion. Animations are incredibly well made, with most combat animations being a sight to behold, truly seeing two Jedis duking it out will leave you speechless as you see them dance around, lash at each and parry unsuccessful attacks. Most amazingly EVERY line of dialogue is spoken, with no exception!! (save for the lines your own main character says), this is a baffling achievement (and surely accounts for most of the 4gbs or so the game takes up during installation) specially when you consider this is a classic PC RPG (even if it was released first for the X-Box) with lots of dialogue trees. Plus, dialogue is fully lip-synched and acted, with characters frowning and smiling believably depending on the tone of the conversation... heck! In true Star Wars spirit, the aliens speak their own wacky languages with the subtitles being your only way of knowing what they are saying!

Finally, the cornerstone of every good RPG is acknowledged with a superb storyline that truly makes the game stand out from the competition. The story deserves a chapter of it's own, and by the time you pick the game up you'll find out that all that hype and critical acclaim wasn't missplaced. It not only manages to be a surprising and twisty ride that manages to keep you glued to your seat and playing through it just to find out where the plot takes you next, but it also works wonders to justify the way the game introduces the Jedi classes, and most importantly captures that adventuring, planet-hopping, good vs evil fantasy spirit Star Wars enbodied (a long ago...). In typical BioWare style, the game also has numerous subplots and sidequests for you to toy around with, with some extremely interesting examples that prove sidequests don't need to be just a distraction to build up experience, like a court-drama trial where you put your ethical beliefs in the stand while trying to defend an apparent murderer with interplanetary interests in the balance among the finest examples.

The Bad
There are some rather annoying touches that I blame mostly on the broader approach to please console gamers as much as hardcore RPGers the game has. For instance... does EVERY console rpg need to have a stupid card-collecting Pokemon-esque mini game? It appears so, and if KoTOR wanted to play with the big boys in console land it needed to include one, as well as two other needless but mostly harmless minigames.

Also some stuff is simplified for the sake of "consolity" such as no inventory weight or space limitations (meaning you have the classic "black hole" with you in which everything fits and you never get encumbered). More importantly, there's no penalization for changing equipment on-the-fly, and that is a somewhat cheap detail.

However that is mostly bitching, a true problem with KoTOR lies in the fact that all the characters level up regardless of whether they are in the party or not. This IS a significant design flaw as it negates the main reason for you to specialize certain characters with certain skills, and that I'm afraid I can't blame on console sensibilities...

But as you can see there is hardly anything wrong with the game, sure we can start bitching all you want about every detail you can think of, as everyone wants to do when discussing truly great games, but it's just that: bitching. I mean, if it really bothers you that there's no blood in the game or that the alien languages are actually looping soundtracks meesa thinks you should get a life boyo.

The Bottom Line
BioWare does Star Wars. That pretty much should tell you everything you need to know about the game, a superb CRPG with excellent gameplay, outrageous production values and fantastic storyline. Knights of the Old Republic not only manages to be one of the best Star Wars games ever made, but also one of the best CRPGs released to date. Truly not one to be missed, a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

The Good
When I heard that BioWare's was doing Star Wars, I knew that I'll have to lay my paws on this game the moment it comes out. By and large, I was satisfied: Knights of the Old Republic is a well-crafted, reasonably deep RPG adorned with exotic planets and Jedi powers.

Anyone familiar with the company's most classic offering, Baldur's Gate II, will recognize its design traits in Knights of the Old Republic. It doesn't offer as much freedom and content as open-ended RPGs, but it is skillful at substituting quantity for quality in its optional content. The game firmly follows its interesting main story, yet there are well-written, engaging side quests available on each given planet. You'll want to explore every corner of the world and talk to all the characters to get maximum value out of the game.

The RPG system is a successfully implemented modification of AD&D adapted to Star Wars universe. So instead of wearing chainmail you'll go with the Mandalorian assault armor, ion rifles with +10 damage against droids will replace bows with fire arrows, and you'll be wielding lightsabers only usable by Jedi and not a Holy Sword only usable by paladins. The system is well-balanced and actually features all the traditional classes (fighter, thief, mage, etc.) in disguise - a Jedi Guardian is a sort of a paladin, Dark Jedis make great offensive evil-aligned mages, Scoundrel is much like a thief, etc. Instead of magic there are, of course, Force powers. Now you'll see how cool it is to stun enemies or lift them into the air by the sheer power of thought and concentration. Particularly entertaining are powers such as Affect Mind, which allows you to persuade a character to do what you ask during a conversation.

Several useful field skills were added to the game. Besides traditional stealth or security skill (which is the same as lockpicking) you have such interesting abilities as computer skill, which allows you to access computers, repair droids, and do other cool stuff. Some areas in the game are almost reminiscent of Deus Ex: you can choose either to take out all the enemies in battles, hack into a computer, making security turrets kill the foes, instruct a droid to turn against its own masters, etc. The real-time-with-pause combat system works the same way as before, though with unfortunate reduction of active player-controlled combatants. You can now "program" your characters for up to three turns - for example, making a priest-type character cast Force Speed, Force Aura, and then attack, without interfering each time the turn is over.

You can shape the main character by choosing either the Light or the Dark way of the traditional Star Wars lore. This affects not only you, but also your love interest, and the game keeps track of your decisions and alignment at all times by adjusting certain gameplay elements (such as the Force powers you are able to learn) accordingly. Like in Baldur's Gate II, much of the fun is derived from interacting with the characters who join you. All your companions have original background stories and fully developed personalities. They would initiate conversations with each other if you choose to take them with you. This encourages experimenting with various party formations, if only to hear what they have to say to each other. Try teaming up the Republican soldier Carth and the Mandalorian Canderous, who were formerly enemies, and you'll witness some hefty word exchanges. Often companions will want to talk to you and provide you with more information about themselves. You can also talk to them whenever you want to, and the conversation lines change as time passes.

The writing is overall excellent. Almost each conversation has numerous trees: you can talk to characters nicely, ask questions, persuade them, lie to them, threaten them, and so on. By the way, every single line of dialogue in this game is voiced (except your character's lines). There is quite a bit of humor in the dialogues; especially amusing are some of the "Dark Side" answers, where your character sounds like some sort of a violently hyperactive first-grader with his constant "Fine. And now I'll kill you!".

The universe of Knights of the Old Republic is a beautiful, living world, which takes full advantage of Star Wars' unique mixture of science fiction and slightly Oriental fantasy. You'll explore ultra-modern enemy bases with deadly assault droids and security terminals to override, shop in booming futuristic cities and settlements, descend into ominous ancient temples, fight using lightsabers in meditation rooms, access spaceships, forests, deserts, and the depths of the ocean.

Those locations come to life thanks to superb graphics. Behold the sunset over the ocean in Manaan, look down into the abyss in the Korriban valley, or descend into the Shadowlands on Kashyyyk. Particularly impressive are the stunningly movie-like cinematic cutscenes, all done with in-game engine. Add to that great music, appropriate sound effects (who doesn't love the buzzing sound of lightsabers?), and above-average voice acting.

Knights of the Old Republic intuitively captures the storytelling spirit of Star Wars and translates it very well into RPG mechanics. Like most good epics, Star Wars is concerned with ethical archetypes - the eternal battle between good and evil. The main plot of the game is in many ways comparable to the one of the movie saga, dealing with similar issues - the nature of mankind, the Force, and so on. In fact, the narrative of the game is in many ways deeper - not to mention more detailed - than the one of the movies. It also has one of the best plot twists in recent memory, almost reaching the heights of the famous paternal revelation in the second movie.

Attention to detail is where the difference between this game's world and the one depicted in Star Wars movies becomes apparent. Star Wars movies threw all kinds of weird aliens into the pot, but did almost nothing to create backgrounds for them. Knights of the Old Republic, on the other hand, builds whole worlds for those species, adding a lot to their credibility by presenting simple, yet convincing small stories. For example, all you knew about Chewbacca from the original Star Wars trilogy is that he looked like a big furball and that he moaned instead of talking. In Knights of the Old Republic, however, you are faced with an interesting issue on the wookie planet Kashyyyk - you meet a wookie chieftain who has sold his own people into slavery in order to become what he is, his brother who was proclaimed mad and had to flee the planet, and their father, who was unable to restore justice. This is just an example of the many comparable quests you'll undertake while playing the game.

The Bad
Knights of the Old Republic was the first BioWare RPG jointly developed for a console. I'm not sure whether that was the decision to blame, but the game displays certain symptoms of simplification, as if the designers wanted to cater to a larger crowd and were determined to make their product mainstream, easily accessible, and user-friendly throughout. You can sense that in the game's overly symmetric structure and formulaic elements creeping into what is still infused with the spirit of the company's earlier work.

I understand that the game has made a transition into 3D, but was it really hardware limitation that forced the developers to reduce the amount of active party members from six to three? I certainly hope I'll be able to play an RPG with 3D graphics and six people in my party some day. I expected at least that the reduction to three combatants would increase the difficulty level, but it is not so: Knights of the Old Republic is noticeably easier than Baldur's Gate games, so you'll need to play it on Hard for a more authentic experience.

There also seem to be less variables in combat and party-building, as well as less items to experiment with. A bottomless inventory and the option to let the game outfit and level up your companions also seem like unnecessary nods to casual players. The game world could have been more expansive; particularly the planet surfaces suffer from artificial borders that cannot be overcome even if you train your jumping ability.

Advancement in Knights of the Old Republic is too convenient. I felt that the game was holding my hand more firmly than necessary. You never have to think about what to do next, and your tasks can be as formulaic as they are predictable. The bulk of the game is occupied by the quest for the Star Map pieces, which involves visiting a few different planets and completing the quests there. The downside of that arrangement is the knowledge that none of those locations is optional and you'll have to complete their main quests to get on with the plot.

The Bottom Line
BioWare and Star Wars: all things considered, it did turn out to be a match made in heaven. Knights of the Old Republic may not be as immensely fulfilling as Baldur's Gate II, but it's still a definite return to form for the company, firmly establishing their leading position in the development of role-playing games.