The two mainStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicgames marked a transition in RPG storytelling as the genre grew to integrate old storytelling techniques into gaming’s new technical capabilities. The first game established a style that BioWare would continue to develop in theMass EffectandDragon Ageseries, while Obsidian’s second installment is considered by many to surpass the already impressive original.
Earlier this year rumors began circulating that a thirdStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicwas in development at a new studio. With Disney licensing a wide array of newStar Warsstories, many fans have become increasingly hopeful thatKOTORcould make a return. However, there are some good reasons that the series should remain a fond memory.
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Star Wars Stories
The firstKnights of the Old Republicreleased back in 2003, placing players in the role of an amnesiac who awakens on a ship already under attack. Taking place 4000 years before the rise ofthe Galactic Empireseen in the originalStar Warstrilogy, the game’s setting allowed BioWare to create its own familiar but distinct version of theStar Warsuniverse.
Combat was based on a series of generated numbers, a throwback to the kinds of system found in earlierpen-and-paper RPGs. Unlike many RPGs at the time almost every NPC the player could interact with was fully voiced, althoughStar Wars' fake languages helped cover up repeated audio for many of the alien NPCs.
Players went from knowing nothing about their past to slowly uncovering the fact that they were once the powerfulSith Lord Darth Revan, in what is still considered one of the greatest twists in any BioWare game. The game’s companions were memorable and, instead of acting as sidekicks or combat aids, were integrated extremely well into the game’s story arc, particularly Bastila Shan.
Both games allowed for some serious moral decisions, sometimes with more nuance than those found in the movies. The scope of the choices was impressive as well. In the second game, players found themselves hunting down reclusiveJedi Masters, choosing to either seek their aid or slaughter them in revenge. All in all, theKOTORfundamentally shaped the growth of both BioWare and the genre as a whole.
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The Future Of RPGs
The first twoKOTORgames helped develop some of the key tenets ofBioWare’s storytelling going forward, and inspired countless other developers. Developed and well-integrated companion characters, romances, and moral choices were all staples of the RPG genre, butKnights of the Old Republicwas among the first games to realize them in a truly cinematic way that reflected the games' movie source material.
Since then the same cinematic storytelling style can be seen developing throughout theoriginalMass Effecttrilogyand theDragon Agegames. Combat underwent significant changes over these series, however, becoming less turn-based and more dynamic. After recent disappointments like BioWare’sAnthem, many fans of the studio consider BioWare’s golden years to start withKOTORand end aroundMass Effect 2.
Turning back toKOTORfor a third game may not be the answer some fans are hoping for. The games were hugely influential, but now it would be hard to emulate their style without it feeling dated. A newKOTORgame would need the tight, fast-paced combat found in series likeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It would need to avoid recreating companions found across the BioWare games that released since the firstKOTOR. In short, both BioWare and the RPG genre has moved pastKOTORto the extent thatKOTOR 3would risk feeling very distant from the original games.
The most successful aspects ofKOTOR’s tone and storytelling style should continue to influencenewStar Warsgames. It was the first games' innovative developments in its genre and interesting take on its source material that made it so special. If fans are ever going to see a true spiritual successor toKOTORthat pushes the boundaries of video game storytelling to the same extent, it cannot be an attempt to recreate the past.
A newStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicgame is rumored to be currently in development.
