Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

About Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

BioWare released this classic role-playing game in July 2003. It takes place four thousand years before the fall of the Empire during a war against the Sith. You play as an amnesiac survivor who must uncover their past while fighting for the Jedi Order. The story pits you against Darth Malak and his armada. You can play on PC, Mac, Xbox, iOS, Android, or Nintendo Switch. This single-player adventure lets you build a character from scratch with specific gender, class, and skill choices. Your decisions shape whether you become a hero or a villain in the galaxy. The setting feels distinct because it predates the movies by millennia.

Gameplay

Sessions involve exploring starships and planets while managing a party of companions in real-time combat. You pause frequently to issue specific orders like using lightsaber attacks or Force powers on enemies. Character creation lets you assign attributes and feats that define your fighting style. Dialogue trees appear constantly as you gather allies who each have their own agendas. Combat relies on tactical positioning rather than twitch reflexes since the game uses an isometric camera. You make moral choices during conversations that alter how characters treat you later. The game tracks these decisions to determine if your character falls toward the light or dark side of the Force over hundreds of hours of play.

What Players Think

Critics and players have kept this title at a high standard for two decades. IGDB lists a score of 91.9 out of 100 based on 1410 ratings. The community often describes the experience as story-driven, strategic, and atmospheric despite the lack of multiplayer. Most players invest significant time to finish the full narrative arc. Mood tags from users highlight the cooperative nature of managing companions and the weight of the plot. Review snippets frequently mention the depth of character customization as a standout feature. People return to the game to see how different choices change the outcome. The data shows this title maintains a loyal following long after its initial launch.

PlayPile's Take

This is a must-play for anyone who likes deep RPG systems and heavy storytelling. The price varies by platform but offers hundreds of hours of content. You have 14 achievements to track while completing the main quest and side missions. BioWare crafted a system where your specific build matters more than reflex speed. If you want a game that respects your intelligence and lets you write your own ending, this fits the bill. It is not for people who prefer fast-paced action or short campaigns. Pick up a copy on Switch or PC and commit to the full journey before judging it.

Storyline

It is four thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. You are the last hope of the Jedi Order. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side? Hero or villain, savior or conqueror... you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy! Former Jedi Darth Malak, a Dark Lord of the Sith and Darth Revan's former apprentice, has unleashed a Sith armada against the Republic. Malak's aggression has left the Jedi scattered and vulnerable; many Jedi Knights have fallen in battle and others have sworn allegiance to Malak. The game opens with the player's character - the player can choose a face and be male or female (canonically a male) - awakening aboard the Republic ship, Endar Spire, which is under attack by Malak's forces. The player's character gradually gathers companions and pieces together their past while attempting to stop Malak. The game is a part of the Star Wars Legends Universe.