1. Nicholas Solomon
2. 1 February 2018
3. WASHBURN REVIEW
4. 785-844-9497
5. [email protected] / [email protected]
6. Screenshot included as asset, source eurogamer.net
7. Word Count: 508
8. ‘Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’ app review: an excellently ported classic

By Nicholas Solomon

“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” is considered the greatest in multiple ways. It is considered one of the greatest games ever made. While normally these things are subjective, KOTOR, as it is usually shortened to, is universally praised by everyone who has laid eyes on it.

It absolutely deserves the praise. Even on mobile devices, it is still a wonderful game.

Developed by BioWare originally releasing for Windows and the original Xbox in the early 2000s, KOTOR is a role-playing game set in the Star Wars universe, set more than 3,000 years before the events of the original trilogy. The player is put in the shoes of an amnesiac protagonist who must save the galaxy from Darth Malak and the Sith Empire. Much like other Bioware RPGs, you are joined by a cast of well written characters who venture the galaxy with you, fighting all manner of enemies trying to kill you.

The first thing that makes KOTOR so special is its story and characters. Prior to the game, the time period it was set in hadn’t really been explored in the universe and the creative freedom in that is used excellently. The story is a galaxy-spanning epic, and definitely up to par with the best of the films. It can even be argued that it is better with just the sheer hours of a single playthrough offering so much more than one movie. It maintains the accessible simplicity of “Star Wars,” but adds interesting elements that work perfectly in the video game medium.

Like the rest of the aspects of the story, the characters are well done. From a murderous assassin droid to a surly mercenary. I can unbiasedly say that they are all written and fleshed out. Every time you leave your ship, the ‘Ebon Hawk’, to adventure a planet you will be accompanied by a couple characters who give the game world a life to it. This all gels together to make the story a very personal experience, and that is heightened with the opportunities of decision-making to shape the outcome of the entire story.

There is also the gameplay. KOTOR’s main gameplay loop is that of a turn base or character stats. I say turn based loosely, because it is more accessible and energetic than what I usually associate with this sort of game. You get the choice of three classes, Jedi Sentinel, Guardian and Consular. They each have things that change the gameplay and give you unique experiences. The gameplay is a satisfying loop of letting you pause and strategize your plan, or by going in guns blazing and spam attack. With that being said, the format also works very well for touch control.

KOTOR is absolutely a must play. Whether it be the characters, the setting, the story, it is evident this game is thoughtfully crafted and holds up extremely well, more than 15 years on.