Reviews// Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

Back to square one again

Posted 4 Jan 2005 15:52 by Andy Wilson

It did seem strange for Lucasarts to give a different team the honours after the critical and commercial success of KOTOR, but Obsidian certainly boasts solid credentials. Nonetheless the main engine is the same one, and despite a few flourishes here and there, it's hard to see what difference the change of studio brought about. Fans should be pretty pleased by the fact that nothing was broken in transit, but Sith Lords might represent a somewhat subdued reunion with KOTOR. There are some new ‘Prestige’ Jedi classes which open up some opportunities for various unique moves, a few new ally stances, the ability to ’influence’ other characters and various other miscellaneous alterations. But unless you’re the most observant of KOTOR fetishists, you wouldn’t argue that any of these things are particularly significant.

This isn't helped by the slow start to the action. As the background and story - telling of a Jedi civil war and Sith pursuers - begins to unfurl, you'll be exploring a couple of environments that really aren't making much effort to impress with their palette of muddy greys and general emptiness. There's not that opening fanfare of greatness that we would have hoped for, even expected. In fact, it took a good ten hours before the prospect of completing the adventure seemed a welcoming one. If it hadn't been for the fact we'd so thoroughly enjoyed the original, this may have been cast aside like a used Jar Jar Binks branded tissue.

Thankfully, just before you conclude that the Sith Lords is less good than KOTOR, the game opens up enough to reel you back in and remind you that this is a well-constructed and weighty RPG set in the Star Wars universe, which should be all you really need to know. As you finally get to choose which planet you want as your next destination, you feel guilty for doubting the game's prospects and give yourself a well-deserved slap around the face. And when you finally, in your role as a beleaguered Jedi, get your light sabre back in action, it all falls into place and facing the rest of the game becomes as appetising as it should.

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Comments

Althea90 27 Jan 2005 16:15

1/1

To the Game Reviewers at SPONG:

After reading your review of KOTOR: TSL, I would like to share some comments with you. Since I have 65 hours of playing time under my belt (and I'm still not finished with the game) I believe my comments carry a good weight of relevance. I believe your review to be unbiased, and I thank you for taking the time to write an honest account of your impressions. However, there are a few things that I think you could reflect upon, especially the RPG aspects of the game.
You stated that The Sith Lords really doesn't add too much more to the original KOTOR. In fact, the "phrase more of the same" pops up in more than one review. You mention that the pazaak and swoop racing as examples of where the game has not been enhanced, but you did not elaborate on the whole system of breaking down, creating and upgrading items. This is a big enhancement over the original, and it potentially adds hours to the gameplay. I think this feature would really appeal to fans of RPGs, and makes The Sith Lords an improvement over the first KOTOR.
You also commented that the combat system, although based on 20 sided dice rules, may be too hybrid for hardcore RPGers. I have to disagree with you on this point. The combat may make KOTOR: TSL look like an action game, but underneath there is an enormous process going on based on stats and percentages and dice rolls. There is so much going on that I think only the hardest of hardcore RPG fans can actually go into battle and know precisely what to expect based on what their characters strengths are, what weapons they are using, what armor and powers they possess and what manner of attack they use. Then you can apply the exact same conditions to the side of the enemy. This is the beauty of this system, and perhaps why it has fooled you. It allows easy access to the process of combat while allowing, if you wish, to completely analyze the situation before, while and after it happens. The fact that they've made the combat more intricate with forms and new powers is again an improvement over the first KOTOR.
I guess that the story affects people in different ways, based on what you like. There is a lot of dialogue, but the richness and mystery of the story cannot be denied. The other party members also play a much more important part in the story this time around. So again I see this as an improvement.
I guess the point I really want to make is that, yes, KOTOR: The Sith Lords is basically the same as the first game, but a better one because of these well thought out improvements. I just want the public to see this side of the game, because there are fewer and fewer gamers out there who appreciate the thoughtful approach that games like KOTOR: The Sith Lords and other real RPGs have to offer. I'm 65 hours into the game, and I'm told I rush through my games. However, I think that you may have rushed even more than me, and missed what really makes this game shine and stand out over most of the games out there. Basically, its a great game and has something for everyone, a rare feat indeed.

Althea90

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