Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KotOR) is an RPG video game originally for the Microsoft Xbox and later for PCs running Microsoft Windows. The game was developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts in 2003.

It is set in the Star Wars universe about 4000 years before the Star Wars movie takes place, during the time of the Old Republic. The story begins as a Republic ship, the Endar Spire, is ambushed by Sith fighters while in orbit around the planet Taris. As the ship is destroyed, the player and Carth Onasi land on the planet in an escape pod. Their priority is to find Bastila Shan, a Jedi Knight with a unique power, her Battle Meditation.

This Force Power allows her to make fleets of ships perform at the maximum efficiency, countering every enemy move quickly and effectively. With her battle meditation, even a small Republic fleet could win over the incredible Sith armada. Without Bastila, the Republic won't stand a chance. And thus the player becomes embroiled in an epic story spanning seven worlds, from his humble beginnings on Taris to a final showdown against Malak, the Dark Lord of the Sith, whose end will determine the fate of the galaxy. Throughout the game, the player gains numerous companions (although only two can be in your party at once) and experiences many startling revelations.

KotOR is the first computer RPG set in the Star Wars universe. It uses the d20 System, from the 3rd Edition Dungeons and Dragons rules. The game also allows the player to either be good (light) or evil (dark) using an alignment system that tracks actions, from simple word choice to major plot decisions, based on whether they are aligned to the light side of the force or the dark side.

Locations and characters

The game is played over numerous planets in the Star Wars universe:

• Taris
• Dantooine
• Kashyyyk
• Korriban
• Manaan
• Taris
• Tatooine
• Unknown World of the Rakata

Players also visit other locations:

• Ebon Hawk
• Endar Spire
• Leviathan
• Star Forge
• Yavin space station

Along the way the player also meets a great number other characters, some of which can be directly controllable:

• Bastila Shan
• Carth Onasi
• Canderous Ordo
• HK-47
• Jolee Bindo
• Juhani
• Mission Vao
• T3-M4
• Zaalbar

Other characters met along the way include:

• Ajunta Pall
• Calo Nord
• Darth Bandon
• Darth Malak
• Davik Kang
• Uthar Wynn
• Yuthura Ban

Voice actors

The following voice actors were used in the game:

• Jennifer Hale - "Bastila Shan"
• Raphael Sbarge - "Carth Onasi"
• Rafael Ferrer - "Darth Malak"
• John Cygan - "Canderous Ordo"
• Kristoffer Tabori - "HK-47," additional voices
• Kevin Michael Richardson - "Jolee Bindo"
• Courtenay Taylor - "Juhani"
• Cat Taber - "Mission Vao"
• Ed Asner - "Master Vrook Lamar"
• Ethan Phillips - "Empire medical droid," "Krantian governor," "Royal grenade trooper"
• Cam Clarke - "Sith Diplomat," "Kono Nolan," "Gate Guard Trewin," "Junior Czerka Scientist," "Sith Student," additional voices
• Phil LaMarr - "Gadon Thek"
• Robin Atkin Downes - "Mekel," "Griff," "Vulkar Mechanic"
• Tom Kane - "Master Vandar Tokare," "Rodian"
• Frank Welker - "Sunry," "Jorak Uln," "Gar," "Swoop Fan," additional voices

Critical reaction

The general critical response was enthusiastic. KotOR has won numerous awards, including Game Developers Choice Awards' best game of the year, BAFTA Games Awards' best Xbox game, and Interactive Achievement Awards for best console RPG and best computer RPG.

The game also won an Interactive Achievement Award for best story/character development.

Sequels

KotOR II: The Sith Lords was developed by a different studio, Obsidian Entertainment, using an improved version of the engine from the first game. It was released for Xbox in December, 2004 and PC in February, 2005.

Awards

• 2004 Game Developers Choice Awards
  • Game of the Year
  • Original Game Character (HK-47)
  • Excellence in Writing

External links

• BioWare's official Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic site
• LucasArts' official Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic site
• MobyGames' review
• RPG Codex review