Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Reviews
Despite having heard for years that this is one of the greatest games of all time, I still walked away disappointed. Hopefully, the remake does this classic better.
Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic takes place 4000 years before the Galactic Empire, and the Jedi Knights have fallen at the hands of the Sith. It’s up to you, a nameless protagonist, to save the Jedi Order from becoming a memory. You must protect the Republic’s last hopes, the Jedi knight Bastila Shan. Unfortunately, the Jedi are hellbent on interfering with your plans. After the squirmish, you and Republic soldier Carth Onasi need to hunt down Shan as they escaped before you. Can you master the power of the Force or will you succumb to the Dark Side?
Though the design feels a little dated these days, there’s no denying KOTOR II is among the gold standard for Star Wars in terms of story and immersion. Look past the clunky combat mechanics and you’ll be in for a treat.
Picking up Knights of the Old Republic is absolutely still worth your time and money in 2022. There’s an engaging story with a timeless focus on good versus evil, and mechanics that allow you to choose your own destiny – something that modern-day players still absolutely love. The audience shouldn’t be limited to Star Wars fans either, with KOTOR standing out as a fantastic RPG experience regardless of setting. Sure, the graphics and menus haven’t aged well, but that’s entirely moot when you consider just how enjoyable this game is to play. Like rewatching the original Star Wars trilogy today, forget your seamless CGI effects and high definition screen for a few hours and enjoy KOTOR for what it is – you’ll have a fantastic experience that leaves a seriously lasting impression.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on the Nintendo Switch is a conversion work that was perfectly carried out and which brings the much beloved RPG to a new format in all its glory. Fans of the series and of the original game will appreciate this effort, even if the original's point and click elements are gone and there is no use for the Nintendo Switch touch screen. At the same time, this won't captivate members of the public outside the original fans, given how outdated some of the gameplay mechanics have become.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Knights of the Old Republic presents us with an excellent, if not predictable, story in the galaxy far, far away; while it has aged, KOTOR remains a solid RPG to this day.
It's a strange one. There couldn't be a title that's more due of a remake yet also still a really good time as Knights of the old Republic. Although it came out around the same time as when the prequels were in cinemas, it has more in kin with the classic trilogy insomuch as what was once cutting edge is now low-fi and that very aspect comprises a large part of the charm. Not without issues, but to focus on those issues in the harsh light of day would feel too much like pestering an old person for losing their teeth - an influential old person, with lots of great stories. So, while a remake is most welcome one does wonder if it'll lose something in the translation about what makes this version work. It's the OG that captures the scale of the Star Wars Universe unlike any other Star Wars game. It absolutely deserves play in 2022.
Bioware’s first RPG foray into gaming stole the hearts of myself, and I’m sure others has not aged well, and has a lot of difficulties to overcome.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic may have lost some of its luster as the years have gone on, but the foundations of a well-written and enjoyable RPG haven't aged a day. If you can get past things like awkward controls, middling presentation, and a complete lack of handholding, the 30-ish hour campaign offers up an engaging romp through the beloved Star Wars universe. We'd give KOTOR on Switch a strong recommendation to any fans of Star Wars or RPGs in general, just with the caveat that you'll get more out of it if you can stomach archaic game design elements.
Time has not been kind to some elements, but KOTOR's story and characters are still the most interesting there's ever been in a Star Wars video game.
I won’t try to beat around the bush or hide the fact that, yes, Knights of the Old Republic has aged a lot ever since it first came out a whopping eighteen years ago. Its visuals and confusing control scheme weren’t good back then, and they certainly aren’t good now. But there’s just something about this game that makes you want to overcome its issues. It is one hell of an amazing RPG that engrosses you in its rich and detailed world, full of amazing characters and storylines.
It’s still a good story, though, with an arc and characters that impressed 2003 Star Wars fans and RPG players hungry for more of what they loved best. Mechanically, the moment-to-moment gameplay definitely shows its age and the writing isn’t as strong or nuanced as we might remember it being. There’s a bit of consolation prize sadness around this unadorned, unimproved semi-museum piece coming to Switch, which won’t be seeing Aspyr’s remake when it’s released. Knights of the Old Republic looks and plays like the exceptionally good game it most certainly was in 2003, but it’s hard not to see, hear and feel all the ways in which games have moved on since.
A classic with a good facelift, very effective while we wait for the remake.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
For those who haven’t played it before, the Switch port is an ideal time to find out why BioWare’s 2000s output is so highly regarded. For those who have, it’s a great opportunity to recover those fond memories on an incredibly convenient platform.
Knights of the Old Republic is still a fantastic RPG. Its best years are certainly behind it, but what it does well, it does better than most games released today. If you can look beyond the clunky controls and slightly janky systems, you will find a story and cast of characters that will stick with you for life.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has aged well over the last eighteen years, with the adventure still proving as enjoyable now as it was in 2003. It feels great to play on the Nintendo Switch too, even if the controls can be a little clumsy in places and the visuals are dated, though that latter issue is one you won’t notice so much when playing handheld. Whether you’re a returning player or embarking on the journey for the first time, you’re sure to have a good time with this impressive port of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Here’s hoping Aspyr Media keep up the pace with their Star Wars releases and bring the sequel to the console too…
It provides a depth that few Star Wars games have and its place in the timeline makes it relevant to modern fans even if you otherwise have no interest in legends content. Yes you'll spend a long time running back and forth across the dunes of Tatooine but the payoff is always worth it. Save for the potential of the recently announced remake, this is easily the best experience I've had playing this game and I can now earnestly hope the sequel finds its way to Switch as well.
Overall, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a classic RPG with one of the best Star Wars stories in the franchise. It is priced at $14.99, and I say it is worth it! There is plenty of replay value, trying for different endings and seeing different responses in your dialogue choices. Will you go Dark, Light, or Neutral? Will you bully your way through quests or try to be diplomatic? Play it, you 'meatbag'!
It's always a bit tougher with revered classics to return to them long after they were originally made, worried about whether they'll continue to retain their classic qualities that made them shine when they were released...
Despite some dated design elements that could have used a few modern adjustments, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is as playable and engaging today as it was when it was released in 2003. The core gameplay mechanics still work well with the excellent world-building and storytelling, and being able to play a classic in handheld mode makes it an attractive purchase on the Nintendo Switch.