OT: early KOTOR impressions if anyone cares

bdt92 · Post by **bdt92** » Wed Jul 16, 2003 9:49 pm

Wasn´t sure if anyone around here was interested in this title but I´m posting some early impressions just in case.
 
 I´ve been anticipating this game for quite a while now and finally picked it up today. I´ve had a chance to play for about an hour and I am extremely impressed right now. Bioware is known for great video game translations of pen and paper role playing games on the PC and now they will be known for great video game translations of pen and paper role playing games on consoles.
 
 This game follows the rules of the Star Wars pen and paper roleplaying game. You start off by selecting a character class and their appearance and name and then it gets really cool. You get to choose different feats and skills to cater your character to your liking. Of course you can let the computer auto-assign your feats and skills too.
 
 You start off on a ship that is being intruded by Sith and it serves as a training level to get you used to everything. Once you make it off the ship you are on a planet in an apartment. When I walked out of the apartment into the city I was amazed at how big the city looked. Unfortunately I had to stop playing at this point so I haven´t checked out the city yet.
 
 Combat seems to be reminiscent of Final Fantasy´s turn-based combat with a mix of real-time. You can queue up to 3 different actions or you can just input your action for the round when it´s time to attack.
 
 So far the story seems pretty damn cool as I´m tracking down this hottie Jedi. The graphics and presentation are top notch. You can really tell that Bioware knows what the hell they´re doing. Every bit of text that I´ve encountered during conversations has been spoken as well which is impressive. I won´t have a chance to delve deeper until tomorrow night (and even then I still have to give NCAA 04 some time too) but I am eagerly anticipating jumping back in.

Neckthai · Post by **Neckthai** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:55 am

BDT,
 
 Sounds pretty cool. Can´t wait to get my paws on that one in the a.m.
 
 neck

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 7:15 am

I´m dashing out to get it right away. I knew I wanted it, but when I saw the reviews it was getting (go to gamerankings.com) I knew the thing had to be pretty special....
 
 Psyched here <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 10:19 am

I´m not a Star Wars or RPG guy at all, but a game that oozes this kind of quality -- regardless of genre -- is worth a rental for me.
 
 I enjoyed a rental of Morrowind -- I know, I barely scratched the surface -- and liked Shenmue for the DC. So maybe there´s a sliver of RPGer in me somewhere.
 
 Take care,
 PK

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 11:24 am

Todd,
 
 Thx for the insight. I don´t have an xbox, so I´m holding off for the PC version. Sounds exciting though.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 12:06 pm

Been waiting on that game forever...currently playing SW Galaxies, which gives me my bounty hunting fix. Now I can play KOTOR, which will give me my Jedi fix. Rock on.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Thu Jul 17, 2003 2:47 pm

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD>Quote:<HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><BLOCKQUOTE>
 On 2003-07-17 07:19, pk500 wrote:
 I´m not a Star Wars or RPG guy at all, but a game that oozes this kind of quality -- regardless of genre -- is worth a rental for me.
 
 </BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
 Well, I´m a big Star Wars guy but NOT a big RPG guy. I just can´t see myself getting too into this game. It looks pretty amazing if you are an RPG fan though. However, the ´D&D´ type rule set is going waaay too deep for me.

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 12:32 pm

You don´t really have to know the ruleset. It´s all handled behind the scenes for you.
 
 I played this game for awhile last night and really like it. Better than SW Galaxies, much, much better <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

bdt92 · Post by **bdt92** » Fri Jul 18, 2003 2:04 pm

Spooky,
 Like Randy said, all the rules are handled by the game. As far as upgrading skills and feats just think of it as a create a player mode in any sports game. Instead of improving your players Speed, Defensive Awareness, or Agility attributes, you improve their Computer Use, Repair, or Stealth attributes.
 
 One of the most defining moments I´ve had in the game up to this point (about 6.5 hours into it) was when I stumbled across a broken sentry droid in the hallways of an apartment in the bad section of town. I decided to fix the droid for the hell of it and it ended up being the reason I survived my next fight vs. a Gang boss in the apartment complex. Very cool stuff.

bkrich83 · Post by **bkrich83** » Sat Jul 19, 2003 6:32 pm

OK, I am not a huge RPG´er, but I did really like Morrowind. I am a bigtime Star Wars fan though.
 
 This game is amazing, one of the few games in recent years where time just flies by. Last night I start playing late, and it seemed like I had only been playing for a little bit, but 4 hours had actually passed by.
 
 Very very cool game.

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 11:14 am

According to my game save, I´m now 17 hours into the game...And I´m still only on my 2nd planet.
 
 THis game is easily the best SW game I´ve ever played...and easily the best computer OR console RPG I´ve ever played. The d20 system is executed brilliantly here, and the story is kind of a page turner for me. I´m really enjoying the interpersonal relationship subplots. I actually *CARE* about what happens to my characters, and even the normally tedious walks from one place to another are kept interesting with additional conversations.
 
 Jennifer Hale, who voices Bastila, the kick-butt female Jedi, has a GREAT voice <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">.
 
 As good as Splinter Cell was, I got stumped and have yet to finish it...I have to say in terms of being ´best of breed´, SW:KotOR is to RPG´s what Halo is to shooters...a must have if you have any interest at all in the genre.
 
 Randy

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 11:17 am

Damn ... there´s goes another few nights of hardcore play with a rental.
 
 I´m not a Star Wars or RPG guy, but this game sounds too good to ignore.
 
 Maybe next week, after the Tour de France ends.
 
 Take care,
 PK

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:45 pm

I´m now a level 15 Dark Jedi Guardian, on my 5th planet. I agree that it´s very easy to get completely lost in this game. It´s happened to me on many occasions already. Thank God it was a weekend.

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Tue Jul 22, 2003 9:29 am

Went dark did ya? I´m saving that for my second run through the game. Right now I´m pursuing the whole romantic angle with Bastila -- <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">.
 
 I just got off of Tatooine, having found the Star Map there..now off to kashyyk to hang out with the wookies...
 
 A definite contender for game of the year...
 
 I´m also formally now copyrighting the expression:
 
 "SW:KotoR - The Halo of RPG´s"
 (c) Randy Magruder 2003
 
 <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Wed Jul 23, 2003 11:37 am

The relationship with Bastila is hilarious. I swear to God, it´s just like me in real life. Smartass, arrogant, egotistical. I keep giving her all the lines like "you know you want me"...she gets so frustrated and starts going off on me.
 
 I´ve laughed out loud many times while making her snap.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 12:29 pm

Does anyone know if playing the game as a ´Dark Side´ Jedi has any disadvantages and/or I will miss out on any major things by doing this ???
 
 I am torn between which route to take because I probably will not have the time to play through this game twice.
 
 Any suggestions and/or advice would be appreciated.
 
 Thanks.

RandyM · Post by **RandyM** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 12:37 pm

I´ve only played the light side. It´s probably the one that has the more ´romantic´ possibilities....however the dark side will have its advantages as well...you fight more, get more credits, and probably just become more of a butt-kicker, but this is just speculative...
 
 You gotta play what you want. If you want, play neutral...or both sides of the fence...or whatever you feel like <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:04 pm

As a Dark Sider, you´ll have a completely different ending from a Light Sider. You´ll miss a lot of quests that Lighties get, and as a Lightie you´ll miss quests that Darkies get. You´ll miss a ton either way, unfortunately.
 
 As for easier...I think the Dark Side is a bit easier, since you can maim anything in your path. As a LS, you have to think a bit more tactically, since you can´t just run in and lightning storm a room without depleting your entire force pool.

Waddupcouzin · Post by **Waddupcouzin** » Mon Aug 04, 2003 5:28 pm

Currently, I´m a 12th Level Jedi(Lightside), and I think I´m about 35 hours into the game.
 
 I´m on the Wookie planet, K-something, I can´t think of the name, and like others here, I´m not into RPG´s at all, but this game is so good until, I can´t put it down!
 
 I´ve found Star Maps on Datoinne(sp), Tatoinne(sp), Manaan, and I´m currently on The Wookie planet. This game just gets better and better!
 My Jedi has a mix of lightside and dark side powers. Of the two, the dark side powers are no joke! Nothing is better than walking into a battle and literally chokin´ the s*** outta somebody <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> . This game is easily my game of the year!