Pip Reviews: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 10:28:57 AM

Eeeeh i'm back! Haven't really posted here as often, and for one reason...

I've been addicted to KOTOR.

Yes, the game that everyone praises I bought and played. At first I was really unsure about it but when I played for a little while I fell right into the dark side and didn't see the sunlight until I finished the game....bad joke, bad joke.

Anyways, here is a warning right away. I PLAYED KOTOR ON MY IPAD. Yeah, that's wierd I know. I had some extra cash and went "why not?". From what I see the Ipad version is the same as the PC but with controls for touch screen. The controls were usually pretty reasonable to work with so I didn't have too much trouble.
Now let's get to it.

STORY(spoilers:

Spoiler

At first I was very unsure of the story being told, you created a character and then BAM! You're thrusted into the world with this generic soldier guy teaching you the basics. Neither you or your character has a clue what's going on as your starship, The Endar Spire, is attacked by the Sith. You quickly learn how to play and head out, trying to search for the Jedi Bastila and escape the Endar Spire. Anyways this is a tutorial area so we'll skip it.
So after escaping The Endar Spire you crash land on the planet of Taris, a Sith controlled city where you have to get out. Again this area kind of teaches you the basics of quests, Pazaak(a card game) and the overall story...speaking of quests.
No matter where I am with the game, there always seems to be 4+ quests waiting to be completed. Anything from small sidequests to simple conversations get noted as a quest. At one point I was overwhelmed with 12 quests I had to do. Making me take a step back. I think Bioware could've done a better job at this part of the game, as it's easy to get overwhelmed with 4-12 quests.
Anyways, you try and save Bastila, nearly escape the planet before the Sith destroy the planet. Get trained to be a Jedi, yada yada yada...oh and you are Darth Revan.
I don't want to dwell too much on story, never been good at reviewing them. Anyways, with all the plot twists and the overall story I give it a 7.5/10.

Gameplay:
Gameplay in this game is probably my favorite out of all the Bioware games, as melee combat is one of the best ways to play in this game, and as a Jedi I loooooved using my two purple lightsabers. My team usually was Me, Bastila and T3-M8...except for later when it was Me, Jolee and T3-M8. Having two Jedi was always the way to go, as the two sets of Force Points mean more healing in tough situations. Ranged combat was meh for me, but I kept T3-M8 for a reason.
Hacking and repairing droids is SO FRIGGIN USEFUL. You can splice a computer in an area and then overload a power conduit in a room full of enemies, instantly killing them. Or you can repair a droid and send them out to fight your battles, becoming unstoppable machines mattering by how much you repaired.
So yeah, I loved gameplay.

Extra:
-Pazaak, Dueling and Swoop Racing are all nice editions, but ultimately they can be completely ignored if you want. Nice way to keep the game going.
-Dialogue in the game is usually pretty good, however it is still obvious that the Bioware "sense of choice" is here for minor choices in dialogue. However major choices tend to have more longstanding effects. Plus you can persuade and force persuade to get people to do what you want, which is pretty nice.
-Darth Malak is pretty...generic as a villain, if i'm being honest. I didn't like him very much. You could make a better vill- wait I can't finish that sentence without spoiling SHIT.

Anyways, I liked KOTOR a lot. Well worth the ten dollars I paid for it. It deserves another playthrough as well where I go down the Dark Side. I recommend this game to Bioware and Star Wars fans.
An 8.5/10

big dog · January 04, 2016, 10:53:21 AM

Nice review, agreed with pretty much all of it. KOTOR 2 (with TSLRCM) fixes most of KOTOR 1's issues (choices have much more impact and are less Bioware-ish, every companion is useful, the villains are easily the best in star wars) and vastly improves on the combat, which is why it's my favourite game of all-time. The quests are still somewhat overwhelming but less-so than in KOTOR 1.

Spoiler

While I agree that Malak was generic, I think that may have been intentional. You had his impulsiveness and cliche-ness contrasting with Revan's more logical, restrained approach to things, which is what ultimately leads to Malak's downfall. But yeah, he is kind of generic.

I think that while this game does suffer from some of the common Bioware symptoms, they're not as major as in their later games.

But yeah, KOTOR is easily my favourite Bioware game and one of my favourite overall games.

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 10:58:29 AM

Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 10:53:21 AM

Nice review, agreed with pretty much all of it. KOTOR 2 (with TSLRCM) fixes most of KOTOR 1's issues (choices have much more impact and are less Bioware-ish, every companion is useful, the villains are easily the best in star wars) and vastly improves on the combat, which is why it's my favourite game of all-time. The quests are still somewhat overwhelming but less-so than in KOTOR 1.

Spoiler
While I agree that Malak was generic, I think that may have been intentional. You had his impulsiveness and cliche-ness contrasting with Revan's more logical, restrained approach to things, which is what ultimately leads to Malak's downfall. But yeah, he is kind of generic.

I think that while this game does suffer from some of the common Bioware symptoms, they're not as major as in their later games.

But yeah, KOTOR is easily my favourite Bioware game and one of my favourite overall games.

I'm out of money now...can't get KOTOR 2.

GOD FUCKING BAAAAAAH!!!
Eh, I did get Fallout 2 and Baldur's Gate though. So i'm good.

big dog · January 04, 2016, 11:00:08 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 10:58:29 AM

Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 10:53:21 AM
Nice review, agreed with pretty much all of it. KOTOR 2 (with TSLRCM) fixes most of KOTOR 1's issues (choices have much more impact and are less Bioware-ish, every companion is useful, the villains are easily the best in star wars) and vastly improves on the combat, which is why it's my favourite game of all-time. The quests are still somewhat overwhelming but less-so than in KOTOR 1.

Spoiler
While I agree that Malak was generic, I think that may have been intentional. You had his impulsiveness and cliche-ness contrasting with Revan's more logical, restrained approach to things, which is what ultimately leads to Malak's downfall. But yeah, he is kind of generic.

I think that while this game does suffer from some of the common Bioware symptoms, they're not as major as in their later games.

But yeah, KOTOR is easily my favourite Bioware game and one of my favourite overall games.

I'm out of money now...can't get KOTOR 2.

GOD FUCKING BAAAAAAH!!!
Eh, I did get Fallout 2 and Baldur's Gate though. So i'm good.

I still need to play Fallout 2. Bought 1 and 2 ages ago and still haven't finished 1.

This reminds me I just completed an extensive playthrough of KOTOR 1 (20 hours) and 2 (29 hours) so I might write up my thoughts while they're fresh.

Verbatim · January 04, 2016, 11:00:36 AM

I'll add this.

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:01:07 AM

Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 11:00:08 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 10:58:29 AM
Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 10:53:21 AM
Nice review, agreed with pretty much all of it. KOTOR 2 (with TSLRCM) fixes most of KOTOR 1's issues (choices have much more impact and are less Bioware-ish, every companion is useful, the villains are easily the best in star wars) and vastly improves on the combat, which is why it's my favourite game of all-time. The quests are still somewhat overwhelming but less-so than in KOTOR 1.

Spoiler
While I agree that Malak was generic, I think that may have been intentional. You had his impulsiveness and cliche-ness contrasting with Revan's more logical, restrained approach to things, which is what ultimately leads to Malak's downfall. But yeah, he is kind of generic.

I think that while this game does suffer from some of the common Bioware symptoms, they're not as major as in their later games.

But yeah, KOTOR is easily my favourite Bioware game and one of my favourite overall games.

I'm out of money now...can't get KOTOR 2.

GOD FUCKING BAAAAAAH!!!
Eh, I did get Fallout 2 and Baldur's Gate though. So i'm good.
I still need to play Fallout 2. Bought 1 and 2 ages ago and still haven't finished 1.

This reminds me I just completed an extensive playthrough of KOTOR 1 (20 hours) and 2 (29 hours) so I might write up my thoughts while they're fresh.

Go on ahead, someone with more experience in Star Wars is probably better fit to do so than me.

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:03:34 AM

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

FAAAAAACK!

KOTOR 2 is 2.99 on steam but I only have 1.71 ;-;

Whyyyyyyy?

big dog · January 04, 2016, 11:06:03 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:03:34 AM

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

FAAAAAACK!

KOTOR 2 is 2.99 on steam but I only have 1.71 ;-;

Whyyyyyyy?

If you do get it at any point make sure you get the Restored Content Mod. Earlier this year Obsidian/Disney/Valve/Whoever added Workshop support specifically for that mod. The developer themselves agree that it's essential to get the full experience. LucasArts forced Obsidian to rush the game out in time for Christmas so a significant chunk of the game is missing without the mod, including some important scenes.

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:07:45 AM

Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 11:06:03 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:03:34 AM
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

FAAAAAACK!

KOTOR 2 is 2.99 on steam but I only have 1.71 ;-;

Whyyyyyyy?
If you do get it at any point make sure you get the Restored Content Mod. Earlier this year Obsidian/Disney/Valve/Whoever added Workshop support specifically for that mod. The developer themselves agree that it's essential to get the full experience. LucasArts forced Obsidian to rush the game out in time for Christmas so a significant chunk of the game is missing without the mod, including some important scenes.

I have a TF2 key that's worth $2.30 and some cosmetics worth $0.30...just crossing my fingers they sell on the market....

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:13:07 AM

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

It SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!!!

I got KOTOR 2!

big dog · January 04, 2016, 11:15:08 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:13:07 AM

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

It SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!!!

I got KOTOR 2!

Nice... without spoiling anything, the story is a little different what you'd expect from a Star Wars game.

Again, make sure you get the Restored Content Mod.

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:17:39 AM

Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 11:15:08 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:13:07 AM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

It SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!!!

I got KOTOR 2!
Nice... without spoiling anything, the story is a little different what you'd expect from a Star Wars game.

Again, make sure you get the Restored Content Mod.

Got it.

Downloading now. Thank you for letting me fuel my addiction.

big dog · January 04, 2016, 11:22:28 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:17:39 AM

Quote from: Fedorekd™ on January 04, 2016, 11:15:08 AM
Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:13:07 AM
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!!

It SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD!!!!!

I got KOTOR 2!
Nice... without spoiling anything, the story is a little different what you'd expect from a Star Wars game.

Again, make sure you get the Restored Content Mod.

Got it.

Downloading now. Thank you for letting me fuel my addiction.

Hopefully you'll enjoy it as much as I did...

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:24:52 AM

Aaay this review is pinned on the Newsfeed now.

Thanks Comet.

challengerX · January 04, 2016, 11:40:45 AM

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Pippen · January 04, 2016, 11:47:29 AM

Quote from: challengerX on January 04, 2016, 11:40:45 AM

Quote from: Pipsqueak on January 04, 2016, 11:03:34 AM
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

FAAAAAACK!

KOTOR 2 is 2.99 on steam but I only have 1.71 ;-;

Whyyyyyyy?
I'll buy it for you. What's your Steam ID?

Edit: Oh

I'm too late

Wait a minute...
You'd do something nice for me? Holy shit. I never expected that from you.

But yeah a little late.

nosejob · January 04, 2016, 03:47:04 PM

Was gonna maybe pick it up on steam but now the sale is over. I can wait I guess. Solid review.

Pippen · January 04, 2016, 06:11:26 PM

Quote from: Mistanosejob on January 04, 2016, 03:47:04 PM

Was gonna maybe pick it up on steam but now the sale is over. I can wait I guess. Solid review.

Definitely worth it, kinda shows where Bioware got some ideas for future games too.

Anonymous (User Deleted) · January 07, 2016, 03:24:47 PM

I've had a bit of an urge to play this game recently. Beat it once, never played again. I think I'd appreciate more now that I'm older.

Played Soldier/Guardian that time (muh purple double bladed saber), but I think I'd choose Scout/Sentinel if I were to play again (muh yellow lightsaber), usefulness be damned.