{"id":105340,"date":"2024-12-10T21:30:35","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T21:30:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/?p=105340"},"modified":"2024-12-10T21:45:52","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T21:45:52","slug":"star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-ii-return-of-a-jedi-retro-2004","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thegeek.games\/2024\/12\/10\/star-wars-knights-of-the-old-republic-ii-return-of-a-jedi-retro-2004\/","title":{"rendered":"Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II \u2013 Return of a Jedi [RETRO-2004]"},"content":{"rendered":"

RETRO – Galaxies have a way of keeping you on your toes: save them or doom them, and a few years later, trouble brews once again. The brand-new hero of KotOR II faces this reality when they awaken on a mining planet, stripped of their lightsaber and severed from the Force. It’s a long road ahead, but before the credits roll, our hero is destined to become the galaxy’s greatest Jedi\u2014or perhaps its darkest Sith… The game turned 20 years old on December 6, 2024, and we updated this article to celebrate the occasion.<\/h4>\n

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In 2003, the Force was undeniably with LucasArts<\/strong><\/em>. After years of inconsistent hits and misses, they delivered a role-playing game that became an instant classic for both seasoned RPG fans and newcomers alike. On Xbox, KotOR dominated in both sales and reception and for PC players, no RPG had come close to its brilliance since the release of Baldur\u2019s Gate II.<\/p>\n

\"In<\/a>
\nI mentioned Baldur\u2019s Gate II for a reason\u2014it\u2019s another gem brought to life by BioWare, the creators of KotOR. To this day, I\u2019d argue that the Canadian studio remains unmatched in crafting RPG masterpieces. (Sadly, Troika Games\u2019 Vampire: The Masquerade \u2013 Bloodlines failed to change my mind, but that\u2019s a story for another time.)<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why I felt a twinge of worry upon learning that KotOR II wasn\u2019t being developed by BioWare but rather by a newly formed studio, Obsidian Entertainment, comprised mostly of veterans from the old Black Isle team. Early screenshots and my E3 impressions assured me that the graphical engine and UI would remain largely untouched. The big question was whether the sequel\u2019s quest design and story complexity could rival the high bar set by the original.
\n\"KotOR's<\/a><\/p>\n

Outcast<\/h3>\n

KotOR II<\/strong><\/em> takes place 4,000 years before the events of the Star Wars<\/strong><\/em> films (okay, technically 3,995 years since it\u2019s set five years after the original). The Jedi and Sith remain at each other\u2019s throats, and despite our hero\u2019s valiant efforts in the first game (assuming you chose the Light Side ending), the Jedi Order has been nearly annihilated by its ancient enemies.
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\nEnter our protagonist, an exile\u2014a fallen Jedi cast out by the Council\u2019s upper echelons. A peaceful life of solitude \u00e0 la Ben Kenobi or a quick descent into Sith allegiance might seem like logical options, but there\u2019s a catch: our hero has been severed from the Force, their connection to it snuffed out like a depleted battery. To add insult to injury, they\u2019ve lost their lightsaber and awaken in disgrace on a desolate mining planet.<\/p>\n

Despite this predicament, the galaxy still views our hero as a Jedi, and this comes with a hefty price. Sith assassins, bounty hunters, and all manner of galactic scum are soon gunning for them. Thankfully, allies emerge along the way. Early in the game, we\u2019re joined by Kreia, a mysterious old woman who gradually becomes our mentor. While reminiscent of Obi-Wan, Kreia\u2019s layered personality and moral ambiguity set her apart\u2014and this complexity only deepens as the story unfolds.<\/p>\n