Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (PC, 2003)

For every thousand awful scripts and mechanical dialogue, one game emerges that tells us everything is going to be alright. This is that game. Every single tiny piece of dialogue (aside from your own) is fully voiced by tremendous voice actors. Even the fish-like Selkath people of Manaan have their language fully realized in the game (with subtitles, of course). In one sequence, a kid who made up her own language appears in the game and you have to learn to communicate with her. Even that has voice acting. Thankfully, the script itself is always engaging and realistic. Even asking different characters exactly the same question never results in the same answer. This makes for such immersion that you actually identify with certain characters based on your personality in real life. All nine possible party members have unique and worthwhile backstories that you learn about as the game progresses. In addition, the ten of you can interact and form relationships based on your behavior. Also, depending on the allies you have with you when you encounter NPCs, the story can and will change and develop differently as they chime in with advice, criticisms, and humor. One example is when your homicidal droid ally meets a Jawa whose friends have been enslaved. This is a direct quote when he translates the Jawa's message into English for you;
"Translation: 98% probability that members of the miniature organic's tribe are being held by Sand People, master. Doubtless he wishes assistance. 2% probability that the miniature organic is simply looking for trouble and needs to be blasted. That may be wishful thinking on my part, master."
This crap happens all the time and is always funny. Somehow all of this comes naturally and never feels out of place.

As for the actual gameplay, it too is very well done. Just about every task has multiple ways of being completed. How will you defeat the troops in the next room? Do you rush in guns blazing and kill them all? Do you negotiate, by using the force or otherwise? Maybe you should hack the computer to overload the power circuit near them, frying them all? Or you could reprogram a defective droid of theirs to turn on them. In addition to simple logistical questions, every major objective can be completed either in a nice way, gaining you light-side points, or in an evil way, gaining you dark-side points. Better yet, the choice isn't always cut and dry.

Combat itself is unique because you can control yourself and your allies in realtime, in a turn-based fashion, or in any ratio of the two. Weapons, armor, force-fields, mental implants, etc. all affect gameplay, and there is no "best" weapon, allowing for more variety. Also, customizing options exist for higher-quality weapons and armor. You level up and gain abilities as you proceed, and this is where the game truly feels like an RPG. Every character can be played in so many ways that playing through the game a second time is almost obligatory.

Not to be a complete fanboy, I have to point out a few issues. The game can lag pretty hard during big fights, the combat system isn't extremely intuitive unless you've played similar games before, and the quality of the character's textures close-up vary from so-so to ghastly, which can pull you out of the game. Sometimes the fantastic-looking levels can be disappointingly straightforward.

But those are all very small problems and should in no way keep you from buying and loving this game.

I like this product because I've been a fan of this saga for so long since I'd seen their first trilogy two years ago and I'd like to try on this game because I'd recommended from my brother in law. The reason that I'd decidede to buy this product because I love to have it to play but now there's a little problem with the software because the computer that I'd like to install this game in, the specification of my computer isn't enough to play this game.

KOTOR is a few years old but if you didn't know that you'd think it just came out. The gameplay is awsome and the storyline is so immersive you'd think you're living through the advantures. Variable outcomes let you choose which side of the force you're on. Great replay value, you can play the game multiple times and each time the experiance is different. An awsome way to get into the Star Wars and explore new and exiting things not seen in the movies.

I found this game to be one of the better RPG games out there. The rewards it earned as game of the year were on the money. It is as much a cinematic experience as just a fun game to play. The characters are interesting, and the story line keeps the game moving forward as battles/encounters are meaningful and not just an excuse to whip out the light saber. I think one of the best features of the game are the music and sound effects. Just like the Star Wars movies. If you're looking for a good RPG in this genre, I highly recommend this game.

KOTOR is one of the greatest PC games to date, and certainly one of the best RPGs. A must for any gamer, whether console or PC. The storyline is amazing with one of the greatest plot twists in gaming history, the gameplay includes options such as engaging in conversations with party members as well as NPCs to complete side quests and solve puzzles to further the overall goal of the game, the combat is fluid and easy to learn and master with a wide variety of weapons as well as force powers, the selection of party members is varied and can be changed to suit the situation, and replay value is never lacking. The option of leaning toward being good, evil or neutral makes each time the game is played a new experience. This game is six years old but still has immense appeal even today.