This review contains spoilers.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords is the sequel to 2003's Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic video game. The sequel takes place 5 years after the conclusion of the first game. The Republic is weakened by both the Mandalorian Wars and the Jedi Civil War when a new threat by new Sith Lords emerges.
The second game was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and features a different feel overall than the first Knights of the Old Republic. The second game features much more in-depth companion characters and a different tone than the first. The tone in this game is much darker with the Force taking on a more sinister tone than in the first game and in the Star Wars movies. There is an undercurrent that shows how the Force can be used to deprive the universe of its free-will.
The gameplay is largely unchanged from the first Knights of the Old Republic. The combat and dialogue systems function exactly the same as they did in the first game. There are a few improvements to the graphics but this is miniscule. Largely if players did not like the first game's graphics, sound, or animations they will not be sold here.
The second game's plot and characters is where most of the focus in development went. I am pleased to report that this game's plot and characters are superior in some ways to the first game. There is much more depth to all of the characters that are present in Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. The villains, protagonists, and supporting characters all feel alive in this sequel. They have personal stories and side quests that are well intertwined in the story. There are a few exceptions to this rule that seems to have more to do with Obsidian Entertainment's rush to complete the game rather than the writing. The video game also feels unfinished especially towards the end which features many scenes that appear cut.
Hanharr, a dark side wookie, and the Disciple are the weaker characters in this game. They do not have much of a tie to the main story when they are recruited and it feels like that are included because the developers wanted to experiment. Much of this game's flaws feel like failed experiments rather than an intended mechanic. These two characters could have been more included in the main story. As it stands with Mical the Disciple he does not have much of a tie to the story as Brianna the Last Handmaiden does.
The other characters are magnificent in their own ways and they tie into the main story wonderfully. There is also an undercurrent of the companions being Force sensitive that makes the return of the Jedi Order engrossing as it is the player creating these Force bonds.
I highly recommend "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords". Although unfinished, the video game represents a retrospective take on Star Wars that feels fresh and unmatched.
Grade: A.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords is the sequel to 2003's Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic video game. The sequel takes place 5 years after the conclusion of the first game. The Republic is weakened by both the Mandalorian Wars and the Jedi Civil War when a new threat by new Sith Lords emerges.
The second game was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and features a different feel overall than the first Knights of the Old Republic. The second game features much more in-depth companion characters and a different tone than the first. The tone in this game is much darker with the Force taking on a more sinister tone than in the first game and in the Star Wars movies. There is an undercurrent that shows how the Force can be used to deprive the universe of its free-will.
The gameplay is largely unchanged from the first Knights of the Old Republic. The combat and dialogue systems function exactly the same as they did in the first game. There are a few improvements to the graphics but this is miniscule. Largely if players did not like the first game's graphics, sound, or animations they will not be sold here.
The second game's plot and characters is where most of the focus in development went. I am pleased to report that this game's plot and characters are superior in some ways to the first game. There is much more depth to all of the characters that are present in Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. The villains, protagonists, and supporting characters all feel alive in this sequel. They have personal stories and side quests that are well intertwined in the story. There are a few exceptions to this rule that seems to have more to do with Obsidian Entertainment's rush to complete the game rather than the writing. The video game also feels unfinished especially towards the end which features many scenes that appear cut.
Hanharr, a dark side wookie, and the Disciple are the weaker characters in this game. They do not have much of a tie to the main story when they are recruited and it feels like that are included because the developers wanted to experiment. Much of this game's flaws feel like failed experiments rather than an intended mechanic. These two characters could have been more included in the main story. As it stands with Mical the Disciple he does not have much of a tie to the story as Brianna the Last Handmaiden does.
The other characters are magnificent in their own ways and they tie into the main story wonderfully. There is also an undercurrent of the companions being Force sensitive that makes the return of the Jedi Order engrossing as it is the player creating these Force bonds.
I highly recommend "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords". Although unfinished, the video game represents a retrospective take on Star Wars that feels fresh and unmatched.
Grade: A.