Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

"A game for Xbox you should not miss..."

Introduction
For many years, Star Wars has been entertaining people across the globe. Millions have been sold in Movie Tickets, merchandise, and games. Overall, there have been many games, and only a few have not sucked (Ex: Star Wars: Episode I racer, Star Wars: Rogue Leader, etc). First of all, KOTOR is one of the most freshes games around on the market. The reason: You ultimately do not have to take the same path in each game, the light side or the dark side, along with the many side quest in the game, add on to it's replayablity.

In terms of gameplay, it is a Real Time RPG, like PS0 in a way. The enemies are on the field and can attack at any time (Including some allies), meaning that you could be attacked at any moment. Like a RPG, there is leveling up, special attacks and actions, and ''spells'' (Force Powers). Any of the characters can use a special attack, but only Jedi can use a lightsaber and use force powers. Overall, very original and needed in this gaming world filled with ''Trend'' games.

The biggest draw of the game is the ability to go on either the light side and dark side. Even when you start the game, your actions though words will decide if you are leaning either to the light side or dark side. When you do a task for someone that is non-selfish, you will usually get light side points, but if you do a task to kill someone that didn't do anything, you will gain dark side points. Overall, the Light/Dark system effects which force, armor, and weapons you can sometimes use. Even though you do this for most of the game, the choice will be final near the end of the game.

Review
Graphics:8/10:Overall, very beautiful, but without flaws. The game itself seems very realistic to the Star Wars themes and has many references to the old movies, including some of the planets from the movies. Here is the major problems with the graphics.

Number one: The non-main characters all look the same. Most of them are just re-colored character models throughout the game. Personally, I think it would have been better if they added 10 or so more models for the non-important character models.

Number two: Major slowdown. In large cities or battles with many enemies, slowdown is very common. It usually isn't bad, but sometimes, it can effect you and sometimes crash your game. Common slowdown spots are Taris, Star Forge, and other crowded cities or battles.

Otherwise, the graphics are very beautiful and add atmosphere to the game.

Music:9/10: Even though there is little music, the game has quite a bit of the movies different soundtracks, which add to the games overall performance. Most of the music is either chants, atmosphere effects, or city crowds.

Voice Acting:10/10: Some of the best voice acting in a game. Most of the voice actors develop the character very well, and make the game feel more like the Star Wars label. Most of the voice acting is either well done (Carth, Canderous, Bastilla, etc), or completely gibberish (nearly all the alien languages). Overall, very professional and accurate.

Control:6/10:Somewhat annoying and can sometimes hurt you in battle. The games combat relies on using a live menu system (Meaning the action will not stop unless you press the game). Meaning that you can easily mess up and press a menu option you may not want to. Combat control is very smooth and pretty much responsive, although the button layout is horrible. Near the middle of the game, you should get used to it, but it is difficult to master.

Difficulty:Easy
Even though the game is long, nearly 3/4ths of the game is very easy. It should be pretty rare that you die, unless it is on the final planet or final area of the game. Most enemies are pretty easy, and only offer you a challenge if you set it on hard. There is a few spots where you can face instant death, but the game usually hints before you get to one of those areas. I recommend that you play the game on Normal difficulty for most of the game.

Story:10/10: The story is one of the deepest, almost as deep as Metal Gear Solid (II) and Final Fantasy Games. You are a republic officer at the beginning of the game, on the Endar Spire, which is being attacked by a Sith fleet. On the Endar Spire, you meet a man named Carth, and escape the ship only moments before it explodes. You then wake up on a planet called Taris, where carth says that a Jedi, Bastilla, is somewhere on the planet. Taris has been sealed off by a quarantine and it is impossible to get off. Your only hope to get off is to find Bastilla, break into a sith base, and Hijack a ship from a space pirate, while still trying to figure out your own identity. That is only the very beginning as well...

Length:20-40 Hours + Side Quest With RPG length, two different endings, many side quest, many, many different paths, and character development, this is one of the longest games you can play on Xbox. Overall, with the many different paths, there are different scenarios that may happen due to a action you did at the beginning of the game, some that may effect you or your entire party. Even though the plot stays the same, the game's experience will always differ from person to person.

Con's of the Game
One of the major con's of the game is the many bugs in the game. Some can be beneficial (Like the galaxy droid glitch), or harmful (Game locking up during a save and either causes you to start from your last save or corrupts the data), it is still a major disadvantage for the game. Another con is that there is no way to prevent these glitches, meaning that it can happen at random. That is why you should keep multiple game saves and try to save the game after a important event.

Final
KOTOR is one of those games that everyone who owns a Xbox should get, even if you are not a Star Wars fan. The depth of the game, combined with the many paths, add to a very enjoyable experience for a wide variety of age groups. Even if you do not have a Xbox, you can still get the game on PC later this year when it comes out on that.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/03