Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
	Developer Bioware Publisher Lucasarts Version 1.02 Reviewed by Kevin L. Kitchens [Feedback] [Author Bio] Review Date January 12, 2004

Rating (out of 5.0) 4.5 out of 5.0*

Judge for yourself

Strengths Great effects and graphics Story revealed cinematically Well-done cutscenes Good blend of 3D and RPG Weaknesses Non-optional arcade sequences Inventory system too cluttered NPCs gain XP for doing nothing Sound problems

Screenshots MORE SCREENSHOTS

* Notes Gaming Voice ratings are based on the technical and/or gameplay merits of a given product as well as the developer's choice of features and delivery of same. Our rating is not an endorsement of the thematic content of a given title. Gamers and parents are cautioned to determine if such content conflicts or coincides with their values and beliefs.

It appears the timeshift is just a gimmick to explain why you won't bump into Lando in some bar

STAR WARS

Episode 0.00I

Knights of the Old Republic

The first thing you notice (if you read the manual) is that KOTOR is set thousands of years before the events in the Star Wars movies. Apart from this tidbit in the introductory information, you'd never know this wasn't the good old Star Wars universe we all know and love -- or "knew" and "loved" if you're one of those anti-prequel types. It appears the timeshift is just a gimmick to explain why you won't bump into Lando in some bar (giving Billy Dee Williams a nice royalty check) as this game includes Wookiees and Banthas and Twi'leks, oh my! Nearly every Star Wars race and creature is seen and the technology and devices seem better than the ones available in the later, um earlier films.

But still, KOTOR rocks! Developed by Bioware, the folks behind the popular Baldur's Gate series that revitalized the RPG genre, Knights combines a 3rd person 3D world with classic role-playing elements. It's nice to finally play a decent RPG without a fantasy setting. If someone would just do a good Traveller game, we'd be golden.

The basic deal is this: Revan and Malak are a couple of Dark-Side NoGoodNiks who are wreaking havoc with the Republic and their quest for Galactic peace and harmony. A Jedi apprentice managed to kill the Sith Lord Revan forcing Malak to flee and continue hatching their scheme on his own -- or so the "official" story goes. Enter your character, who by nature of RPG plot development is the ONLY one who can save the Republic. As expected, you start off with some basic quests (though thankfully very few that could be called FedEx quests) to build up experience and gain levels and abilities -- all on the way to becoming lovable and charming Jedi.

I cannot wait for another RPG to use this same, simple 3D interface.

While you can define your main character, NPCs are predetermined (although you can control their level-up increases). You will meet up to nine during your travels and they will join your group, available to adventure with you... if you select them for your party. Only two additional characters can be actively in your party during most of the game -- though sometimes it's one or none -- so you have to choose wisely before leaving your ship.

There are a couple of problems with this design however. Most of the time, if you find you need a different NPC, you can just go to the map screen and change your party makeup. POOF, the old character returns to the ship and the new one arrives. Also, your NPCs earn experience for doing nothing. Add a level eight to your party of level 11s and the junior character gets boosted up immediately by 2-3 levels. While I'm sure Bioware felt had reasons for allowing these jumps, it took a little of the enjoyment from the game.

Within the game, there are a few non-RPG sequences as well. A fully realized card game called Pazaak is available on most worlds allowing you to take a break from hack-n-slash and win (or lose) your credits. This game is optional for the most part, with nothing of major value to be won or lost. Swoop racing is the sport of the day with high-powered swoop bikes racing against the clock to gain the best time. This does play a factor in some quests so you'll have to endure a little arcade action invading your RPG.

Even worse is the inclusion of dog-fighting. A few times your ship will come under attack and you'll have to man the turrets to dispatch the enemy fighters. It wasn't bad the first time when you only had a few people on the ship (ala the escape from Death Star in "A New Hope"), but later on? Let someone else earn their keep. I can hold my own in first-person shooters, but I was playing KOTOR on my laptop (a big plus) and manning a laser cannon with a trackstick ain't the easiest thing in the world. It was a nuisance, but only a minor one.

It seemed the first couple of worlds took a lot of time to complete -- which was good. Later worlds went by much faster. While I skipped a few side quests (and some were resolved for me because of other events), it just seemed that the later levels were actually easier than the initial ones. Until the very end, where things got a little tough -- with attackers attacking in wave after wave, barely giving your characters a chance to heal.

The basic deal is this: Revan and Malak are a couple of Dark-Side NoGoodNiks who are wreaking havoc with the Republic and their quest for Galactic peace and harmony.

The graphics in the game are great. I cannot wait for another RPG to use this same, simple 3D interface. With lightsabers and lightning bolts flying -- not to mention flame-throwing droids -- the effects came off without a hitch. Sound on the other hand was good in most places -- but there are times when the game would stutter and found it was best just to let go of the controls and ride out the 30-60 seconds it took to return to normal.

Finally, the game was clearly designed with the console ports in mind. Too bad. The limitations of the console prevented KOTOR from being a completely well rounded game. The inventory system works well because it's simply a pooled list of available items. Unless it's equipped, then everyone has access to it. The downside is that there are no functions to organize and sort items. A few options let you see "NEW" items, equippable items, etc. But there are no functions to let you look at just your weapons, grenades, keys and so on. Also, the lists only reveal a few items at a time, requiring much scrolling to get to the correct item.

Another problem -- that was most likely induced by a console's lack of keyboard -- is that items could not be renamed. KOTOR allows certain weapons and armor to be upgraded along the way. While most of the upgradeable blasters and swords have distinct names, the lightsabers are just called "lightsaber" or "double-blade lightsaber". Trust me, you will collect MANY of these along the way. So after you spend a lot of time upgrading your lightsaber with new features -- it'd be a shame to accidentally sell it because you had 10 similar ones on hand.

All problems aside, Knights of the Old Republic has a great, classic-RPG feel spruced up with 3D graphics and a story that while not wholly original, is revealed at a steady pace throughout the game. Predictably is cast aside with a couple of key plot twists as well. If you've hesitated picking up KOTOR, then I hope this review will change your mind. It's a blast to play and good for many, many hours of role-playing fun.