Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
- September 12, 2003
- Aspyr (Mac)
- 30h median play time
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Get on Xbox Games Store"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" is a canonical Star Wars RPG set in an untouched era, 4000 years before the Galactic Empire. As the last hope of the Jedi Order, you must master the Force, harnessing over 4
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Reviews
- story8,451 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" is widely praised as one of the best in gaming, featuring a rich narrative filled with memorable characters, moral choices, and significant plot twists that keep players engaged throughout. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to immerse players in the Star Wars universe, allowing for a unique experience that diverges from the main film saga while still capturing the essence of the franchise. Despite its dated graphics and some gameplay issues, the compelling storytelling and character development make it a must-play for both RPG enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike.
“The endings are unique and driven by player decisions, and there are many interesting side quests that one can take to earn upgrades and manage relationships.”
“Not only is this an exceptional story, one that could have easily made one of the greatest Star Wars films, but the freedom of choice truly augments the essence of this tale with incredible twists and turns.”
“The story is so worthy as are the side quests.”
“The story is very basic and linear.”
“The story doesn't hold a candle to KOTOR, but it still gives you plenty of the vibes from the original.”
“The story is riddled with plot twists, and the game is using a form of D&D in combat, so the D20 still reigns supreme.”
- gameplay2,517 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" (KOTOR) is often described as a blend of turn-based and real-time mechanics, heavily influenced by Dungeons & Dragons systems. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and character customization options, the gameplay is frequently criticized for being clunky and outdated, with some mechanics feeling tedious or repetitive. Despite these drawbacks, the engaging story, memorable characters, and moral choice system keep players invested, making it a classic RPG experience that remains beloved by fans, especially those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay.
“The gameplay is engaging and dynamic, offering a rich and diverse gaming experience.”
“The gameplay flows seamlessly with the narrative, creating a cohesive experience that never feels disjointed.”
“Knights of the Old Republic is a classic RPG that combines deep storytelling, rich character development, and engaging gameplay, solidifying its place as one of the greatest role-playing games of all time.”
“The gameplay is so mind-numbingly boring, environments are repetitive, almost all missions are fetch quests, and there is just so much stupid backtracking through empty maps you just cleared.”
“I don't care how moved you are by the story, it mechanically isn't fun to play.”
“The gameplay is a little stale compared to modern games, however, the story and characters lift it far beyond the limitations of the time!”
- graphics2,362 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2003 release. While some players find the visuals lackluster compared to modern standards, many appreciate the game's art style and atmosphere, noting that the graphics do not detract from the overall experience. Additionally, numerous mods are available to enhance the graphics, making the game more visually appealing for contemporary audiences.
“While old now, when this came out it was groundbreaking in so many ways from the story to even the visuals in some ways.”
“With a few mods to modernize the graphics and aspect ratio, it truly is a fantastic RPG from Bioware that withstood the test of time.”
“Despite the dated graphics, the game is just as fun as ever.”
- stability735 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, character freezes, and various graphical glitches, particularly on modern systems. Many recommend saving often to mitigate the impact of these bugs, and some suggest using community patches or mods to improve stability. Overall, while the game offers a compelling experience, its technical issues significantly detract from playability, making it difficult to recommend without reservations.
“No glitches, frozen screens, or cutouts!”
“I can recommend the Xbox version with its backwards compatibility, offering an utterly reliable and bug-free experience.”
“This game still runs great on modern systems and the story is fantastic.”
“The game is buggy, being stuck in the air every 10 minutes.”
“This game is far too riddled with bugs, glitches, and crashes to deliver a fun gameplay experience.”
“I absolutely love this game, but I simply cannot recommend this steam version because of the unbearably frustrating bugs and glitches.”
- music493 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" is widely praised for its ability to evoke the iconic Star Wars atmosphere, featuring a sweeping orchestral score composed by Jeremy Soule that resonates with nostalgia and enhances immersion. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's quality, noting its memorable themes for various planets and emotional moments, while some mention minor issues with repetition and abrupt transitions. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its storytelling and emotional depth.
“The game's atmospheric soundtrack, composed by Jeremy Soule, enhances the immersion, with sweeping orchestral scores that echo the grandeur of John Williams' iconic compositions.”
“The soundtrack is also great and does the job, providing the right ambience and mood anywhere you went.”
“The music, composed by Jeremy Soule, adds to the immersion, providing a sweeping orchestral score that evokes a sense of awe and familiarity.”
“Probably the most annoying thing I found was that the game's music would cut out while the loading screen to a sub-area was up and it always felt jarring.”
“I think the other thing about the music is that you hear so many of the same tracks over and over and over and over and over again that your brain just kinda starts to tune them out.”
“The music is alright, though for the most part it freerides on John Williams's original score, so there's not much merit on that.”
- replayability413 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The replayability of "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" is highly praised, with many players noting its extensive character customization, branching storylines, and the ability to choose between light and dark side paths, which significantly impact gameplay and outcomes. Reviewers highlight that the game offers a wealth of dialogue options, quests, and character interactions, making each playthrough feel unique and encouraging multiple runs to explore different choices and builds. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most replayable RPGs, maintaining its appeal even years after its release.
“Great story and almost unlimited replayability.”
“The attention to detail with additional dialogue branches depending on your character build and the companions you travel with add a level of replayability that many games lack.”
“The amazing character customization variety, the ability to choose light and dark side, the rich amount of side quests and a vast amount of in-game dialogue options allows for near infinite replayability, with every new playthrough offering new possibilities for you to experience.”
“The story, while amazing, has little variety in it apart from some dialogues and the very end which has your basic good/evil endings, and no reward for managing to walk the line of a grey Jedi (staying in the exact center of the morality meter), this means there's little replay value in the game apart from just seeing alternate endings to quests.”
“This may be one of the most replayable games I've ever experienced, as there are thousands of options for speech, which can influence relationships, endings, and status within various groups!”
“The multiple options in dialogue and ability to choose light or dark just adds so much replayability I don't think the game will ever get old.”
- character development177 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
Character development in "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" is widely praised for its depth and intricacy, with players noting the significant impact of choices on character arcs and relationships. The game features a diverse cast, memorable interactions, and a morality system that enhances the narrative experience, making it a standout example of storytelling in RPGs. Many reviewers highlight the emotional engagement and replayability offered by the character development, solidifying its status as a classic in the genre.
“The game's alignment system, tracking players' choices on the light or dark side of the force, adds depth to the role-playing experience, shaping character development and narrative outcomes based on moral decisions made throughout the journey.”
“Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) is a landmark title that masterfully combines deep storytelling, rich character development, and engaging gameplay, solidifying its place as one of the greatest role-playing games of all time.”
“The character development really is a work of art.”
“Outside of morality decisions, character development was generally unfulfilling; class distinctions get lost and leveling up didn't feel very noteworthy.”
“There should have been more background/character development in the beginning, so that when the situation becomes critical, you would care for the characters you are trying to save.”
“Though you can have romance with all your companions, the only one they do let you romance is what you would barely call one, with a few dialogue scenes and a fade-to-black scene near the end.”
- humor161 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many players highlighting the witty dialogue, particularly from characters like HK-47 and Jolee Bindo, which often elicits genuine laughter. The mix of dark humor and absurdity in dark side choices adds a unique comedic layer, while the banter among companions enhances the overall experience. Despite some awkward moments and dated graphics, the humor remains a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and replayability.
“From Jeremy Soule's rousing score to the often hilarious voice acting; I can leave this game for a year or nearly two and it feels like playing it for the first time ever when I inevitably reinstall.”
“Dialogue with HK-47 was funny enough to cause many of us to laugh out loud on several occasions.”
“The characters are actually funny and people you can genuinely grow to like and will grow on you as you progress further into the game.”
- atmosphere155 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and authentic representation of the Star Wars universe, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and rich world-building. Despite its dated graphics and mechanics, players find the eerie yet welcoming level design, memorable characters, and engaging story create a captivating experience that stands the test of time. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, drawing players into a nostalgic and richly detailed galaxy.
“The atmosphere is dark, tainted by evil, and the level design is both eerie and welcoming.”
“The game's atmospheric soundtrack, composed by Jeremy Soule, enhances the immersion, with sweeping orchestral scores that echo the grandeur of John Williams' iconic compositions.”
“The atmosphere created by a very typical Star Wars score, pretty graphics, and very well written (and spoken) dialogues is intense and believable, especially as you're reaching the end.”
“The whole game has an uncertain, uneasy atmosphere, as every action you take is second guessed, and your character slowly wanders in the darkness of the future.”
“The atmosphere is dense and captures everything we like about Star Wars, likeable characters traversing colorful worlds, but it never really does anything with the unfamiliar timeframe of the game.”
“The graphics and the mechanics are dated, of course (unsurprisingly, given that it's 20 years old), but there remain to this day very few games that comparably capture the ambiance, atmosphere, and essence of Star Wars quite so well.”
- optimization131 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including crashes, stuttering, and graphical glitches, particularly on modern systems. While some users have found workarounds and mods to improve performance, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for contemporary hardware, making it a frustrating experience for many. Despite its nostalgic value and engaging gameplay, the lack of proper optimization detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“Combat based on a Dungeons and Dragons setup, which any optimization nerd will appreciate.”
“Once you learn all the keys and tricks, the game should run smoothly, though.”
“It's an old game now and can struggle to run on any remotely recent system, but if you haven't played it, it is worth the effort and mods it takes to run smoothly.”
“The game is not optimized!”
“Strange stuttering, long loading, resolution cycling, and even crashing occurred.”
“It's plagued with bizarre graphical issues resulting in unsightly visual blemishes and inexplicable performance issues, and the game crashes frequently.”
- grinding97 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While many appreciate the minimal grinding required for leveling and loot, they often describe the gameplay as tedious, particularly during combat and travel, which can feel slow and repetitive. Some players express frustration with the pacing and occasional bugs that exacerbate the grind, but the engaging story and character development help mitigate these issues for many.
“Things aren't really grindy, so you don't have to commit lots of time into enhancing your character.”
“KOTOR will give you a solid 40-50 hours of gameplay if you read all the lore, talk to all the extra characters, and complete every side quest (except racing, forget racing), and it requires no grinding at any point; the worlds and levels will level you accordingly and very nicely.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“It's a shame because I want to experience the entire story, but I can't endure the tedious battles.”
“The only real complaints I have are that some of the fights are a bit tedious and some of the voice acting is mediocre, but overall, this is one of my favorite games I've ever played.”
“The combat is boring as you just stand still and pick a handful of abilities/attacks and the game mechanics in general are very grindy.”
- emotional71 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players expressing deep attachments to characters and their stories, often leading to laughter, tears, and a profound sense of nostalgia. The game's writing, character development, and moral dilemmas create a rich emotional experience that resonates with players, making them feel invested in the narrative and their choices. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, solidifying its status as a memorable and impactful gaming experience.
“The moral dilemmas presented throughout the game challenge players to consider their choices carefully, contributing to a rich emotional experience.”
“The writing is consistently quality and manifests in a wide range of forms from witty humor to story-altering, emotional moments.”
“This game is possibly the best Star Wars game ever made and it doesn't even take place within the movies' continuity; its story is as captivating and emotional as any of the movies or shows that came after it.”
- monetization12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a strong aversion to monetization practices, with many praising the game for its lack of microtransactions and expressing disappointment over perceived cash grab attempts in remakes. Players long for a return to an era where game development prioritized quality and player experience over profit-driven strategies. Overall, the sentiment reflects a desire for authenticity in gaming, free from modern monetization tactics.
“Great game by Bioware, and it doesn't have microtransactions.”
“I really hope games will be able to return to this era where they focused on the journey and the experience, rather than microtransactions.”
“For all seeking refuge from annoying microtransactions, play this great RPG that I have fallen in love with. 10/10”
“I honestly can't believe they are trying to remake this for a cash grab rather than take an actual risk and make the 3rd one, the one we have been waiting for.”
“If the description of cash grab was in the dictionary, KOTOR 1 PC port would be next to it.”
“This game was made when developers actually cared about the games they put out instead of the cash grabs we see all so often now.”
