Video Game Review: The Force is Strong Within Massive ‘Star Wars: The Old Republic’

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CHICAGO – Set an even longer time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Bioware, Electronic Arts, and LucasArts brings us “Star Wars: The Old Republic;” a fascinating blend of deeper Star Wars lore and a very entertaining and addictive MMORPG. Like many MMOs before it, “The Old Republic” world is incredibly vast with tons and tons to do. From the overarching narrative of your character’s personal journey to the numerous side quests and tasks, there are endless hours of gameplay and excitement in this adventure. Don’t be surprised if you get lost in this universe.

The adventure begins with a stunningly impressive cut-scene where the Sith attack the Galactic Republic and take back the planet of Korriban. Developed by Blur (the same folks that just did the opening credits for David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) the cut-scene is so gorgeously animated and designed it makes me think Blur should be doing their own feature length Star Wars film. After the opener, the game immediately forces players to choose sides. Much like the Alliance or the Horde within the “World of Warcraft” games, a player can choose to fight alongside the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire, a decision that will lead you on the path of anger and power or on the path of balance and light. Your decision will then lead you to decide on what species and class your character will play as. The species to choose from are: Chiss, Cyborg, Human, Miraluka, Mirialan, Rattataki, Sith Pureblood, Twi’lek, and Zabrak. Classes to decide between are: (Galactic Republic) Jedi Consular, Jedi Knight, Smuggler, and Trooper or (Sith Empire) Sith Inquisitor, Sith Warrior, Imperial Agent, and Bounty Hunter. You have only seen one cut-scene and made a few small decisions, but these early minutes are the major choices
that decide what kind of game you will play within “The Old Republic.”

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Photo credit: Electronic Arts

The customizations here are numerous, but seemingly limited. Just from the times I have watched “Star Wars” or played the video games, I understand the vast numbers of beings and creatures that inhabit this universe. The fact that the game only allows you to play as a humanoid (and one with only minor changes to skin tone, height, weight, etc) is a little frustrating. While my tall Jedi with grey dreadlocks is pretty cool, it would be even cooler if I could be a bald, bug-eyed Bith that plays the Clarinet in the Mos Eisley Cantina (and now you are also aware of how much of a nerd I am). There are enough customizations within the game to ensure you won’t look like every other player running by you during your quests, but it left me wanting more. After your customizations are finished, you are treated to a blast of sound as the classic rolling yellow text crosses the screen, and your personal adventure has begun.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Photo credit: Electronic Arts

It is hard not to compare “The Old Republic” to “World of Warcraft” very quickly after starting the game. Obviously, “WoW” has been the most known and played of any MMO in recent history, but the similarities go much deeper than that. As I said earlier, the decisions into making up your own character are very similar to the ways of making a character in “World of Warcraft;” choosing to be on the light or dark side, picking a species that you like and one that contains the class that you want to play with. All of this is much like how you begin your quests in “World of Warcraft.”

But the similarities do not end simply at design of your character. The view perspective during gameplay and controls for your character are identical to “WoW,” the interface, control bars, and item boxes are exactly the same, and the way you travel through the game, pick up missions, and battle opponents is almost a replica. If you haven’t played “WoW,” or another MMO like this, it may take you some time to figure everything out (there isn’t a tutorial, but rather a tip system or the ability to ask other players in the game), but if you have ventured into the Warcraft world, this is basically the same game,
just with light sabers and the force.

The one major difference between a game like “The Old Republic” and an MMO like “World of Warcraft” is the careful attention to story and cut-scenes within the game. Where “World of Warcraft” is more about the individual quests and tasks you carry out within the game which make you stronger and give you more experience, “The Old Republic” has a deeper and stronger storyline that drives the game forward. The construction of the game around the “Star Wars” universe is perfect for this as (most likely) almost everyone playing this game is familiar with the six films, the concept of the world, and the ways of the force. The dividing lines between good and bad/right and wrong are already established going into this game, and the story works to play on this as your character is tempted to turn against his or her alliances.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Photo credit: Electronic Arts

The gameplay is very entertaining, but like I said before, it is quite similar to “WoW.” As you begin, you are put through training for whichever class you have chosen. For the sake of this review, let’s say you choose to be a Jedi Knight. As a Jedi Knight, you land on the planet of Tython, where you fight against Flesh Raiders that inhabit the planet and try to destroy the peace the Jedi have brought. Your goal on this planet is to be trained and to learn the ways of the force. While you are guided to do good, the game also has you choose how you wish to respond in conversations with the people you meet along the way. Occasionally, your responses will impact how your character progresses, as choices will determine if you gain light side points or dark side points. If you play as a cocky and arrogant Jedi that uses his powers to destroy and benefit yourself, you will earn dark side points. If you play as a peaceful and caring Jedi that only fights to protect and has the best intentions in his decisions, you will receive light side points. These point totals determine your character’s alignment within your game. As you progress and gain experience for your character, you can also take up side quests that are offered throughout the different villages. Each quest is short and not very complicated, but can offer valuable experience points to build your character along. These side quests also contain temptations that could lead you to align with the dark side.

Just like many MMO games before it, “The Old Republic” also allows you to work alongside and communicate with the other players within the game. Joining groups and guilds helps form a community feel to your adventure and allows for easier ways to accomplish certain quests. The level of difficulty for some of the main storyline and side missions calls for either a higher level and experience amount from your character, or help from other players that you find throughout the game. Playing the game with new acquaintances you meet throughout your missions or with friends that you already know makes the adventure all
the more exciting.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Photo credit: Electronic Arts

As for the graphics and sound, this game is quite a success. While the graphics are nothing spectacularly new or mind-blowing, they are more than serviceable and bring the Star Wars universe to life. As for the sound, this game is incredible. Bringing classic Star Wars score pieces to quiet moments when you run along paths or intense moments of battle makes you feel all the more within that galaxy far, far away. Along with that, the character voices are superb and the sounds of blasters firing and light sabers crashing and cutting add to the spectacle of the game. From a technical standpoint, this game doesn’t miss.

While the controls and appearance are exceedingly familiar and the game lacks a little on the customization for your personal character, there is absolutely no denying that “Star Wars: The Old Republic” is not only fun, but incredibly addicting. It will be easy for any player to get caught up playing quest after quest and completely losing track of time, and will be even easier for Star Wars fanboys to fall in love with this game. Bioware has succeeded brilliantly in creating a game that not only brings us to the Star Wars galaxy, but provides it to us in the MMO format. Hours upon hours of gameplay is right at your fingertips with “The Old Republic,” and it will be sure to entertain you throughout. Good luck out there my young padawans… and may the force be with you.

“Star Wars: The Old Republic” was developed by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts and LucasArts on December 20th, 2011. It is rated T (Teen) and is only available on PC.

HollywoodChicago.com staff writer Tim Martens

By TIM MARTENS
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
tim@hollywoodchicago.com

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