Summary
- KOTOR remake aims to modernize beloved BioWare classic for new audiences.
- Initial KOTOR games led to mature storytelling within the franchise, which could influence future Star Wars RPGs. However, they could also innovate, whether it be through character customization or exploring other RPG sub-genres.
- If successful, KOTOR remake could spark a new wave of Star Wars RPGs with diverse narratives and gameplay.
Star Wars and RPG fans alike are eagerly anticipating the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake from Aspyr, which aims to modernize the BioWare classic for contemporary audiences. The original KOTOR games are rich with unique lore and compelling storytelling that deserve high-fidelity presentation and easy access on current hardware, but hopefully the KOTOR remake will have a powerful ripple effect, impacting more than just its own series.
Before the Earth-shaking successes that were Mass Effect and Dragon Age, BioWare was best known for Knights 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 original KOTOR may 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 significant Star Wars stories, even today. One can hope that these concepts get fleshed out in the KOTOR remake, but the upcoming game's influence could go beyond just that.
The first KOTOR was developed by BioWare, but KOTOR 2 came from Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas and The 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 various improvements the KOTOR remake will implement over the original, but the game's impact could be more widespread. At the time of its release, the original KOTOR was a trailblazer in the realm of interactive storytelling, influencing not just future BioWare projects like Mass Effect, but other epic-scale RPGs like the first two Witcher games. Perhaps a similar phenomenon could occur following its remake.
Assuming the KOTOR remake does well, it could encourage Star 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 the KOTOR banner, 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 in Star 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 more Star Wars RPGs is diversity, both in terms of narrative and gameplay. The original KOTOR shares a lot of DNA with other BioWare games, and the same will probably be said of Aspyr's remake, but other Star Wars role-playing experiences could take decidedly different approaches, especially if they loosely follow some cues from the DnD-inspired KOTOR.
Specifically, character customization seems like a no-brainer for future Star Wars RPGs. With Star Wars being 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 the KOTOR remake could inspire other developers to provide that. Ideally, these developers could take KOTOR's character customization even further, offering the in-depth customization of a game like Baldur's Gate 3 in the world of Star Wars.
Then there's the matter of RPG sub-genres: KOTOR adheres closely to tabletop conventions, but perhaps there could be future Star Wars games inspired by over-the-top JRPGs, or combat-free games like Disco Elysium. The Star Wars Jedi games prove that Star Wars can adopt unexpected genres like Soulslike, so a greater diversity of proper RPGs could make the IP shine brighter in the gaming market.
Things may not be looking too great for KOTOR, 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 the Star Wars universe.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 85%
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.
