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> Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic: Written
by: Chris "CBN" Nimmo
 Publisher: LucasArts
Price: 19.99 Genre: RPG T for Teen
So,
George Lucas has been giving us compost and calling it Star Wars lately, huh? Well, this game appears to be the answer for
all of you SW geeks out there. Hold on tight, we’re going back to Long, Long Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away to the world
of Star Wars, but wait... this isn’t a 3D space shooter! It’s a full-fledged action RPG!
Yes, this time we’re not taking a Death Star run in X Wings shooting down bogies. We’re roaming
the galaxy as a Jedi and leveling up. Sounds strange, does it not? Well, it may as of now, but when it’s all over, you’ll
be more than happy with an RPG Star Wars. You’ll see, just as I did, how wonderfully this series works as an RPG.
One such way is in building a character. In the Star Wars movies, it’s all about
Light Side and Dark side, as you all know. Well, this sort of idea opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for an RPG
game. It gives the freedom to choose what we want to do. Do you want to fight for the good of the Republic as a Jedi? Or fight
for evil as a Sith?
In this game you will come across many decisions. Such decisions
as: “Should I save this man from the Sith Guards or kill him myself?”. Your actions change the game very much,
so you have to be careful what you do. Now, should you save this man, and risk getting in trouble yourself, or do a good deed
and gain Light Side points? In killing him, however, you’re obviously doing something bad and thus gain Dark Side points,
but, you do impress the Sith with your cruelty. They could use someone like you…
Now, by no means am I saying any side
is better than the other. You can do whatever you want in this game, and that’s the beauty of it. Jedi or Sith, it’s
up to you, and each will give you just as good an ending, and multiple aspects of gameplay.
Depending on the decisions you make you’ll not only gain Light or Dark side points, but you’ll
also do a bevy of other things to your game. You’ll open up sub-plots and side quests, meet new party members, or even
change your ending. EVERYTHING you do will contort the outcome of your immense quest.
That sort of gameplay will make all of you RPG nuts crazy, I guarantee it. We’re talking hundreds
of hours of gameplay and character construction. Completists may have to take a few years vacation from life if they want
to really finish this one. None to worry, a 40 hour game through one time is more than enough bang for your buck.
Like any good RPG game, the story is what it’s all about. This game’s plot blows any of
the recent Star Wars movies to forgetfulness. This is MUCH better than these Episodes we’re getting. You play a mysterious
amnesia victim smack dab in the middle of a raging war between the Republic and the Sith. The era is a couple thousand years
before the original Star Wars. No Luke, no Vader, no Chewy. It’s all fresh.
Now, while they’re not exactly Xbox-quality, they are perfectly fine when compared to other games
on other consoles. The cinemas are all top-notch, but the in-game stuff is pretty bad at times. It’s detailed pretty
well, although it could be better. On top of that, the frame rate can be a little slow Other than that we’re still good.
As I said before though, the cinemas are golden. They’re so crisp and nice. It looks just like the movies. Thumbs up
on the cinematic aspect of the game, and smack on the wrist for the in-game aspect. At least it’s not a spanking.
The sound in this game is authentic Star Wars stuff. Absolutely awesome! From the hum of light sabers
to the echoing of blaster pistols, everything sounds great. From a musical view, the game sounds equally pleasant, too. It’s
the traditional sort of Star Wars music we’re accustomed to. The triumphant and powerful hero marches and the soft and
elegant arias mix well as they do in the films. Also, they recorded voice actors for everyone you talk to in this game...
even the aliens. The actors do a wonderful job; again, even for the aliens! Except, the alien creatures say a few phrases
over and over so it gets a tad repetitive. Only minor though.
I found them to be really cool once I got used to them. They’re not really difficult, but complicated,
rather. You’re probably thinking “aren’t those synonymous?”, and you’re right; they are, but
I don’t know how else I could explain it to you. Everything about this game is epic and massive-- including the controls.
It may take a few minutes to get used to, but once you do you won’t want it any other way.
Perfect. I’ve never played anything like this coming from a replay view. I still haven’t
seen all there is to see in this game, and I’ve been playing it for quite awhile. All the decisions you make change
the game, so to see it all, you’re going to have to replay this game a lot. To some of you, it may seem a little over-whelming
but I guarantee that once you play it, you’ll be hooked. As for RPG or SW nuts, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t
pick this up.
Well, other than the graphical glitches of this game, I really can’t pick on it. KOTOR may not
suit everyone’s tastes, especially you RPG haters, but it is a wonderful game. I think this is the only Xbox killer
app as of now. Halo was nothing compared to this, I assure you. Sub-par graphics aside, this game, quite simply, rocks. All
Xbox owners, SW fiends, RPG nuts, should definitely play this game. Anyone else would surely enjoy it, but if you’re
one of the above, you’re going to love this game. I know I did. I refer you to my score…
Graphics: 6.5 | Sound: 9.0
| Control: 8.5 | Replay: 10
| Overall Game Score: 9.5/10
                   
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