It’s been almost four decades since the first everStar Warsgame,Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Backfor the Atari 2600, was released. Over those 38 years, there have been over a hundred titles set in the universe, both move tie-ins and standalone games. Not all were successes, but a handful have been recognized as excellent games in their own right, rather than justStar Warstie-ins.
One of these titles isStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, which impressed fans and critics alike with its unique setting and well-written narrative. The game and its sequel paved the way for a number of successful RPGs from developers Bioware and Obsidian Entertainment. It wastheKotORseriesthat popularized teams of colorful companions, morality systems, and branching conversation trees.
While it had some big boots to fill,KotOR 2built on the strengths of its predecessor with a darker tone and a more nuanced story. It’s this step away from black and white, good and evil, Jedi and Sith that would really benefitfutureStar Warstitles.
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Questionable Heroes
While the Exile, theplayer character ofKotOR 2, is a relatively blank slate, each companion has a rich life and backstory. And given the dramatic galaxy-spanning events of the first game, many of these companions have equally dramatic pasts. This results in well-seasoned characters, who have often lived difficult and dangerous lives even before they encountered the Exile. It also gives them a tendency toward secrecy, and most have a few juicy stories that they won’t share until the Exile has won their trust.
One of these characters isAtton Rand, a pilotwith a layered personality. While Atton comes off as classic Han Solo style character at first, his backstory takes a considerably darker turn. Atton was once a Jedi Hunter for the Sith, who only defected when it was revealed he might become a target himself. While he pretends to drift through the universe with an apathetic, careless attitude, his emotions are anything but placid. His first personal experience of the Force left him confused, and uncertain of his place in an uncaring galaxy.
Another such character is Bao-Dur, the male Zabrak engineer whose skills were essential to the conclusion ofthe MandalorianWars. Bao-Dur is a complicated character, tortured by his former work but striving to make amends. His creation of the Mass Shadow Generator, a doomsday weapon that destroyed both the Republican and Mandalorian fleets in their final confrontation, was both his greatest success and greatest failure.
A Great Betrayal
While the heroes ofKnights of the Old Republic 2may subvert the expectations of typical Star Wars good guys, the villains really push the envelope. The mainantagonists ofKotOR 2are the Sith Triumvirate, a loose alliance of what remains of Darth Revan’s Empire afterKotOR 1. As you’d guess from the name, the Triumvirate has three leaders.
The most important is Darth Traya, also known as the Lord of Betrayal. Traya is first introduced to the Exile as Kreia, a mysterious former Jedi who becomes a companion for most of the game. Having been both a Jedi Master and a Sith in her life, Traya rejects both creeds. Instead, she’s an existentialist, believing in the primacy of free will above all else. This belief leads her to oppose the Force itself, denying its hold over the destiny of the galaxy. Her unique story, and opposition to both the Sith and Jedi, make her one of the most interesting villains intheStar Warscanon.
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Nuanced Villains
Unlike Traya, the other two Sith villains inKotOR 2are a little more traditional. However, they each interact with the Force in unique and interesting ways. The second Triumvirate leader is Darth Nihilus, a former apprentice of Darth Traya. Known as theLord of Hunger, Nihilusis a living wound in the Force, capable of draining Force energy. The Force is the core of the supernatural in the Star Wars universe, and Nihilus' existence broadens the scope of its effects and capabilities.
The final Triumvirate leader is Darth Sion, the Lord of Pain. While Sion may be the most traditional Sith in the Triumvirate, he still exhibits an extreme use of the Force never before seen in the Star Wars universe. Darth Sion’s body is a shell composed of a thousand fragments of his original form, held together by his sheer will, and the power of the Dark Side.
These characters, who break away from the simple Light vs Dark conflict ever-present inStar Warscanon, could be just what the nextStar Warstitle needs. Electronic Arts, which entered an exclusive deal for the rights toStar Warsgames in 2013, has several sub-franchises currently in development. While their next release,Star Wars: Squadrons, is a completely different genre toKotOR 2, it will have a complete story campaign. Otherwise, players will need to wait untilStar Wars Jedi: The Fallen Order 2to see if EA are taking lessons from the successfulStar Warstitles of the past.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2is available now on PC.
