Game: Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic

System: Microsoft Xbox

Genre: RPG

Developer: Lucas Arts, Inc.

Publisher: Lucas Arts, Inc.

Rating: E (For Everyone)

The name “Star Wars” has been around for over 30 years, making it synonymous with the sci-fi genre, and being the series of films that all other movies of the genre are compared to. 30 years later, George Lucas and Co. are still milking the Star Wars license for all it’s worth, with hundreds of toys and video games released every year with the popular brand name proudly emblazoned on the packaging. Does Knights of the Old Republic hold up to the standards of quality most have come to expect from an item with the Star Wars name, or does the game fall flat on its face?

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic is a very in-depth role playing game. As much as it seems like it should be, this game isn’t your standard shooting game fair that people who played Shadows of the Empire for the Nintendo 64 are more familiar with. Taking place 4000 years before the Galactic Empires rise to power, KoToR throws you into a galaxy that’s in the middle of war for power between the Sith and the Jedi.

You can start the game as a Scoundrel, Scout, or Soldier. Later, you can join the ranks of Jedi, but for now, you’re a regular recruit for the Republic. As a scoundrel, you’ll be adept in stealth, as well as breaking through security measures. When you’re a Scout, you’ll understand alien languages, have stories about visiting far-off worlds most people have never even heard of. If you decide to play as a soldier, you are able to fend off your enemies and be apt in battle maneuvers. When you are able to become a Jedi Knight, you can choose to be Counselor, Sentinel, or Guardian. Whether you’re on the Dark or Light Side of the Force depends on your actions throughout the game.

Yes indeed, you can choose to be either good or evil. You’ll start the game on the side of good, but if you choose to be evil later, there’s nothing stopping you from telling people off and being a general all-around bad guy. You can also switch sides by changing your actions, which can work to your advantage at later parts of the game.

KoToR looks wonderful. The characters facial appearances and movements are particularly stunning, and the interactive environments in which you traverse are remarkable. But graphics don’t make a video game, and in the gameplay department, KoToR seems like a big disappointment. It tries to play like an in-depth third person RPG game, yet with the way the levels are designed, it would’ve played better as a mindless “run and kill” shooting game. The “Battle System” is clunky and awkward, and the results of it are disappointing. You have to press X to use your weapon, but you can only use it for a little while before your character just stands around, unable to use your weapon. You can run around, but your enemies, who severely outnumber you, especially in later battles, will probably still hit you. The Battle System just doesn’t work, and it harshly restricts this game.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic is a good game that’s held back by a clunky Battle System. It not effective, and the game would’ve been better off as a simple shooting game. It’s frustrating, to say the least. Give it a try only if you’ve rented all the other new releases at the video store.

** and ½ - PATHETIC