Summary
Star Warsand RPG fans alike are eagerly anticipating theStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republicremake from Aspyr, which aims to modernize the BioWare classic for contemporary audiences. The originalKOTORgames are rich with unique loreand compelling storytelling that deserve high-fidelity presentation and easy access on current hardware, but hopefully theKOTORremake will have a powerful ripple effect, impacting more than just its own series.
Before the Earth-shaking successes that wereMass EffectandDragon Age, BioWare was best known forKnights of the Old Republic. The game was lauded for its mature storytelling over everything else, which inspired a new generation of narratively inclined game developers looking to stretch the medium’s storytelling potential. The RPG and customization options of the originalKOTORmay seem a bit antiquated by modern standards, but the promise of shaping an original character, based on the player’s initial and subsequent choices, was fully realized, making the game one of the most unique and artistically significantStar Warsstories, even today. One can hope that these concepts get fleshed out in theKOTORremake, but the upcoming game’s influence could go beyond just that.
The firstKOTORwas developed by BioWare, butKOTOR 2came from Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behindFallout: New VegasandThe Outer Worlds.
The Knights of the Old Republic Remake Should Reignite Star Wars RPGs
KOTOR’s Remake Could Usher In a New Era of Star Wars Games
Naturally, fans are looking forward to the variousimprovements theKOTORremake will implementover the original, but the game’s impact could be more widespread. At the time of its release, the originalKOTORwas a trailblazer in the realm of interactive storytelling, influencing not just future BioWare projects likeMass Effect, but other epic-scale RPGs like the first twoWitchergames. Perhaps a similar phenomenon could occur following its remake.
Assuming theKOTORremake does well, it could encourageStar Wars' controlling parties to license the game out to other RPG-focused studios, leading to more dedicated RPGs in its universe. These theoretical games could fall under theKOTORbanner, but they could also take place in a different timeline or follow a different cast entirely. Either way, there’s a world of RPG potential buried inStar Wars, and gaming companies ought to capitalize on it.
What Other Star Wars RPGs Could Do that the KOTOR Remake Might Not
The most obvious, and perhaps most significant, benefit of moreStar WarsRPGs is diversity, both in terms of narrative and gameplay. The originalKOTORshares a lot of DNA with other BioWare games, and the same will probably be said of Aspyr’s remake, but otherStar Warsrole-playing experiences could take decidedly different approaches, especially if they loosely follow some cues from theDnD-inspiredKOTOR.
Specifically, character customization seems like a no-brainer for futureStar WarsRPGs. WithStar Warsbeing such a beloved franchise, it’s rather odd that it doesn’t have more video games that allow players to insert themselves through a personalized avatar, and theKOTORremake could inspire other developers to provide that. Ideally, these developers could takeKOTOR’s character customization even further, offeringthe in-depth customization of a game likeBaldur’s Gate 3in the world ofStar Wars.
Then there’s the matter of RPG sub-genres:KOTORadheres closely totabletop conventions, but perhaps there could be futureStar Warsgames inspired by over-the-top JRPGs, or combat-free games likeDisco Elysium. TheStar Wars Jedigames prove thatStar Warscan adopt unexpected genres like Soulslike, so a greater diversity of proper RPGs could make the IP shine brighter in the gaming market.
Thingsmay not be looking too great forKOTOR, as it’s generally rumored to be in development hell. Hopefully, the project will live up to the original’s legacy, but even if it doesn’t, it has the power to encourage future, better RPGs within theStar Warsuniverse.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
WHERE TO PLAY
Choose Your Path.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, saviour or conqueror… you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy!A brand new Star Wars role-playing experience with unique characters, creatures, vehicles and planets.Learn to use the Force with over 40 different powers and build your own lightsaber.Adventure through some of the most popular Star Wars locations, including Tatooine and the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk.Choose your party from nine customisable characters, including Twi’leks, droids and Wookiees.Travel to eight enormous worlds in your own starship, the Ebon Hawk.
