Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (PC Version)

[Eaglesfan27]

Anyone else playing this and finding it incredibly addicting and immersive. I just started the game the other night, and I can't stop playing Pazaak, the blackjack type game within the game. The combat is so cool looking even though I had to bump down the textures a little on my fairly modern computer. In fact, that is my only problem with the game - it is a resource hog, with a recommended spec of a 128 MB Video card. I'm really enjoying the role playing decisions I have to make, even though I'm very early in the game and how they affect my light/darkside meter. I'll post a much more through review if anyone is interested in a day or two, but I was just writing to see if anyone else is playing this (who didn't play it on the X-Box) on the PC.

[Bee]

It's on my list of games I want to pick up in the immediate future. I think I'll be placing an order from gogamer.com very soon to get Silent Storm, CM, this and a couple other games. Looking forward to your more thorough review.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Ha ha. I'll have my Silent Storm in a few days.

I've only played KOTOR on the Xbox, but it's a great game. I don't want to say any more right now, as I don't want to spoil anything.

[Eaglesfan27]

Ok, first the bad: This game has some fairly high recommendations (higher then what is listed on the box.) First, let me list the requirements: Pentium III 1 GHz, 256MB Ram for Windows XP, 32MB Videocard which is OpenGL 1.4 compatible, 4GB of hard space!, and other standard features such as a sound card, CD rom etc. Recommended specs are a Pentium 4, 1.4 GHz (which I have), 512MB of RAM for Windows XP (which I have), and a 128MB Videocard (which I don't have - I have a NVIDIA GeForce 2 MX 100/200 with 64MB of RAM), I have all of the other recommended features.

The biggest problem with the game which might be due to my not having the recommended 128MB of video ram?: Every 20-30 minutes my game slows down and I have to exit the game completely and then re-enter. If I don't then my battles become choppy, my player movement becomes choppy in certain locations (usually when moving from one loaded area to a new loaded area) and my player seems to leap forward from one area to another in the frequent circular halls in this game. That is annoying and I'm considering getting a top of the line video card to see if that corrects the problem and because I've been wanting to get one for a while, but I haven't decided on this yet. But I digress, this is the only significant flaw I've found with this game so far. Despite, the annoyance of turning the game off every 20 minutes, I don't want to stop playing.

There are so many good things: When the game isn't getting choppy, the battles are beautiful. The melee with Vibroblades (specially constructed blades that are able to stand up to a light sabre - not that I've actually tested that theory yet) is just great. I really enjoy watching the combats when they are flowing smoothly. The blaster battles are slightly less entertaining, but they also look good as shooters dodge and weave automatically. Speaking of which, the developers did a really nice job of modifying the D&D rules to work in the Star Wars World. You can tell the basis for the combat and the character development came from the Baldur Gate Series and the other recent great adaptions of D&D rules.

Character development is very engrossing. You start out with one main character who can be one of three classes and either sex. The classes are Scoundrel (thief essentially), Scout (A balanced class which is supposed to be goodf at exploring the universe), and a soldier (strong warrior - which is what I chose to start). There are also 3 jedi classes that your character can become with proper training (I haven't found this point in the storyline yet): Jedi Guardian (focus on combat training), Jedi Consular (most focused on the mastery of the force), and the Jedi Sentinel (balanced class with average ability in combat and the force abilities.) Characters have the standard D&D Attributes (Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con, Charisma.) Charisma is a key stat as it is linked to many of the force abilities that your character will gain as s/he becomes a Jedi.

So far, the story line is great. Lots of side quests - which is actually an interesting dilemma. One thing I forgot to mention in the last paragraph is your characters gain exp and level as in standard D&D games and there is a level 20 cap for the combination of your classes. Therefore, I'm not sure if I want to keep leveling by doing all of the side classes before I become a Jedi. However, I'm finding the combat challenging in some areas so I am doing the side quests to become stronger in my current warrior class. I don't want to give away plot details, but the action is just the right pace when you first start the game. It helps you jump right in with some tutorial type info, but you can skip this if you wish, and you have an interesting "tactical situation" as you begin the game. I found this story to be one of the best for quickly propelling me into the game.

I'm going to go now, and start playing again (I had to shut off the game for the aforementioned video slow down problem a little while ago.) If there are other aspects of the game you want me to touch upon, I will be glad to do so - just ask. Also, I'm going to ask in another thread about the pros and cons of upgrading my videocard.

Ahh, one last thing. Pazaak is a great game! It is sort of like Blackjack in a vague way. Each player is able to find? or buy a deck of 10 side cards which can have values ranging from 1 to 5 with most cards either being distinctly positive or negative. There are a few rare cards which can be played as either positive or negative. The objective of the game is to get to 20. You can draw from a main deck and have no idea what you are going to get (although the main deck has 40 cards numbered 1-10 with 4 of each) The goal is to get a higher total then your opponent without going over 20. At any point you can play one of 4 random side cards (they are randomly dealt to you from your side deck of 10 cards that you chose going into the game.) You can only play your sidecards once throughout any match. A match winner is determined by the first person to win 3 hands. I did pretty well at this game in the beginning of the game, but then the player accused me of cheating and wouldn't play me anymore. This was a good, believable, mechanism to prevent me from making insane (or even very nice) amounts of money and be able to afford much better equipment.

Equipment is very important in the game, as your weapon and armor can really make the difference in your combat abilities. There is no level limit on the equipment that I've found, but the game does a good job of making equipment difficult to procure due to cost, while making enough equipment available to survive. I find myself eagerly saving up money for that "better" weapon. However, like many of these games, I'm finding my best equipment via puzzles and occasionally combat.

Ok, Now I'm really going to go play the game after posting the question of the video card on the general board. Any questions about the game's elements - don't hesitate to ask, I'll try to answer them.

[Pumpy Tudors]

There are some really nice Pazaak cards that are probably only available on other worlds. I assume you're still on Taris.

As for the level cap, I suggest not worrying too much about it. The levels, as expected, do come more slowly as you advance, and unless you do ALL of the side quests (unlikely), you won't hit the cap too soon. Believe me, you'll reach some battles on other worlds that will make you glad about gaining a few levels early.

It's a great game, isn't it?

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm still on Taris.. I've found a place to purchase a few very nice Pazaak cards, and I definitely think it is an awesome game except for the frustration with graphic slowdown to the point on unplayabilitiy in a few areas. Specifically (and I'm going to post this in my other thread about video cards in the general forum), I think my videocard is not the problem but the game itself has some problem with the apartment areas. Whenever, I move into the apartment areas the game seems to stutter and then the battles don't animate smoothly. Everywhere else, battles run smoothly. I don't see any problems with the CD, so I don't know what is causing the problem in this specific area. Otherwise, just an awesome game.

[Calis]

Originally posted by EaglesFan27
The biggest problem with the game which might be due to my not having the recommended 128MB of video raevery 20 minutes, I don't want to stop playing.

Hmm, I guess I just didn't read or follow what problems you were having in the other thread closely enough. Anywho, from what you're saying, that REALLY doesn't sound like a video card problem to me.

But if you want a new video card, and I would recommend it, what the heck? I wouldn't count on that fixing your problem though.

EDIT: Doh, just noticed you already made this realization. Carry on then. :)

To be on topic, loved the game, played it on X-Box.

I thought about buying it for the PC, but then I got engulfed in Gothic 2, which has surpassed Knights for my RPG of the year.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Gothic 2 is an RPG? I looked at the box, and it looked like a first-person shooter or something. I didn't look very closely, so I may be a puddle of goo, but the box was less than descriptive.

[Calis]

Oh yeah, definite RPG.

Looking at the box again now, guess it does make it look like an action game.

It's definitely a very very different game than Knights of the Old Republic, but an outstanding RPG in it's own rights.

I can give a more in depth review if needed later.

[wbonnell]

Originally posted by Calis
Oh yeah, definite RPG.

Looking at the box again now, guess it does make it look like an action game.

It's definitely a very very different game than Knights of the Old Republic, but an outstanding RPG in it's own rights.

I can give a more in depth review if needed later.

The nice thing about this game is that it can be played like an action/adventure game. Since every minute I've played has been with my son (I know, some/much of it is not appropriate for an 8-year old), I haven't had much opportunity to explore either the D20 stuff or items; I've just plowed through it like an adventure game. We play an hour here or two hours there, and after ~45 hours, we're almost done (I think). Also, since I have my son with me, we are a completely "light" jedi! :)

Excellent game (at least on the XBox). Highly recommended.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm going to post this update on the other link as well, since not everyone reads both threads, but I just wanted to say a big thank you to Calis for the link to the Beta Patch in the other thread. With the exception of one little stutter in an apartment, the patch has made the game play completely smoothly on my computer with no problems. Yesterday, I got such an urge to play I gave the patch a try.. next thing I know, I had played for 6 1/2 hours straight. This game (SW:KOTOR - not Gothic 2 which might also be great) is such a great game! :)

[Bee]

what game would you say is most similar to KOTOR? I really don't like action/adventure games, but love RPGs.

[Eaglesfan27]

SW: KOTOR is very much an RPG game. It does have a few action minigames from what I've heard and read in the instruction book, but these are very small parts of the game. Generally, it plays like a classic bioware RPG except it has a very nice new engine which has a more intimate feel that is close to the character and generally the camera is just over the character's shoulder. The battles are also much closer and personal then the old overhead view of Bioware's previous games. The camera sometimes makes the game look and feel like an action game, but all of the gameplay options are much more in line with a RPG game. Leveling is a big part of the game as is finding better stronger equipment. Choosing Skills, Feats, and Attributes (every 4 levels I think) is an important part of the game during the level process. There are plenty of dialogue choices when you talk to people with "good" options, "evil options" and neutral options. Your choices affect your light-dark meter which will affect your character when s/he becomes a Jedi.

Each of the Jedi have different powers and some powers are exclusive or easier to use if it matches your alignment. Although, I haven't become a Jedi yet, so I'm just relaying from my reading of the instruction book :D . I hope I get a chance to become a Jedi before I gain too many more levels as a warrior as my character is already pretty deadly with a vibroblade, and I can't wait to fight with a lightsabre :)

If I wasn't specific enough and didn't really answer your question, please let me know and I will try to clarify more clearly.

Edited to add the following: I just realized I never answered your question.. It's actually tough for me to answer as I've never played a game quite like this. In many ways it is like a classic Bioware RPG with character development. However, unlike the originial neverwinter nights, you can control any of your characters at any time if you wish. You can pause the game at any time. You can set it so battle is not so free flowing and more turn based if you wish. The engine is just so much nicer then any previous RPG I've played, and the story is really drawing me into the game. Anyway, I can't think of any game really like this game, but I would say that it is most similar to the most recent bioware D&D games as the attribute, skills, and feats are clearly derivative from those games, but they are nicely customized to fit the Star Wars Universe, and have some meaning within the game.

[Calis]

I think my quote earlier got mistaken or I just didn't clarify very well(more than likely the case)

I wasn't saying that KotOR was an Action/Arcade game, I was just trying to explain that Gothic 2 wasn't an Action/Arcade game, as Pumpy Tudors was led to believe from the box.

Just didn't want to confuse anyone, Knights is a great game, and very much an RPG, I just meant that Knights is a very different type of RPG than Gothic 2. Knights feeling more like a traditional console RPG and Gothic 2 being a more PC-like RPG. That should confuse folks even more. :)

Anyway, just wanted to clear that up in case it was confusing people.

[Bee]

Good to hear it's a "true" RPG as opposed to some type of hybrid game that's more action/arcade game than anything else. With the way games are being designed and the graphic advancements it's gotten difficult to tell them apart by just looking at screenshots. Action games now have character ratings and stats and the RPGs now have graphics that rival action games.

[wbonnell]

*My* point was the KOTR can be played as an adventure game. I've been doing it for about 40 hours now. :)

[Bee]

Originally posted by wbonnell
*My* point was the KOTR can be played as an adventure game. I've been doing it for about 40 hours now. :)

It's good that you "can" do that, my concern was you "had" to do it, if that makes sense.

[wbonnell]

Originally posted by Bee
It's good that you "can" do that, my concern was you "had" to do it, if that makes sense.

You're right; it's a hybrid in a different sense of the word. IMO, designing a game that is fun both as an RPG and as an adventure game is a great accomplishment. There's no doubt that Bioware knows how to craft games.

[Fritz]

bought the game, had problems moving around. bought a new vid card. still having those issues. good game, but these issues are frustrating.

[Eaglesfan27]

the patch fixed many of my problems and I've played for a long time into the game (over 20 hours.) However, despite the beta patch I'm having a lot of issues on Tatooine which is also frustrating. I've given up playing for the moment and am focusing on FOF2004 and ESPN CB until the patch for KOTOR comes out. I agree the multiple issues are very frustrating, especially since the game would be so great without them.

[Tasan]

Okay, so how far is everyone now? I made this game my birthday present to myself from my birthday money pool, and I can't stop playing. 2-3 am nights have been common. I'm roughly at 17 or 18 hours, I'd have to double check. This is by far the most engrossing game I've played in a while.

[wbonnell]

I've never seriously considered replaying a game before, but I'm tempted to play the dark side path...

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm about 25 hours in but have stopped playing because I'm waiting for the patch to fix a few annoying bugs on Tatooine. Hopefully, the patch will actually fix these bugs. It is due out in the next few days. I will definitely replay this game with the darkside path and I might replay it as a female character as well as I've heard that opens up some interesting dialogue options.

[Aylmar]

Originally posted by Eaglesfan27
Anyway, I can't think of any game really like this game, but I would say that it is most similar to the most recent bioware D&D games as the attribute, skills, and feats are clearly derivative from those games, but they are nicely customized to fit the Star Wars Universe, and have some meaning within the game.

Actually, the rules system is taken directly from the WotC Star Wars RPG, which is a d20 system game. Not that important, but I didn't want BioWare to take credit for a rules system that they did not create. ;)

I have the game for the X-Box...and love it. Don't worry about leveling too fast. I did all the side quests I could find...and still had to scratch and claw my way through a couple of battles on the various worlds. I can't wait for the sequel.

[Eaglesfan27]

The official patch is out! Hopefully, it fixes my most recent issues. I'm off to try it :)

[tucker342]

I haven't played the PC version, but the XBox version is incredible! Get ready for a whole lot of surprises in the story later on:D

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Eaglesfan27
The official patch is out! Hopefully, it fixes my most recent issues. I'm off to try it :)

I wish my broadband worked worth a shit

[RawIsDan]

Originally posted by tucker342
I haven't played the PC version, but the XBox version is incredible! Get ready for a whole lot of surprises in the story later on:D

Yeah, I got it on the XBOX, an it rocks !! Just got done with the Leviathan. Never saw that one comming ! So far I'm having a blast with it. Nothing like kicking tay with a lightsaber. :D

I'm going to wait and see if I can pick up a used copy for the pc down the road.

[Eaglesfan27]

So far, everything has been very smooth except for one swoop race (which might be just my lack of ability and the need to find better parts if they exist.) However, the patch has addressed all of my major issues and I'm back to enjoying the game immensely. :)

[Fritz]

Eaglesfan - I was getting bad lag in some places like the apartments on Taris and in the shops/sandpeople camp on tatooine. You are not getting any of that now?

[Calis]

EaglesFan27- Unless they added them into the PC version later, in the X-Box version there were no Swoop Upgrades, they had planned on doing it..but ended up scrapping it, but forgot to change some of the dialog.

No clue if they added it into the PC Version, I know they put some new stuff in there.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm not getting bad lag anywhere except the beginning of the swoop bike race on Tatooine. The game has been very enjoyable and smooth since I added the official 1.01 patch.

As far as the swoop bike upgrades, I think you are right. I can't find upgrades anywhere, despite dialog that strongly suggests a shop should sell upgrades. Which means, I'm just not good enough to win the top prizes on some tracks. This means I'm unable to access a few small side quests, but I can live with that. ;)

[Tasan]

Holy cow. I just finished this. 38 hours, 2 minutes. The MOST fun I've had in a game in a long time, and I'm not normally an RPGer. My only complaint was at the end, I mean RIGHT at the end, it crashed about 5 times on me. Thankfully, I had some saves right there, so I could keep going back and trying again, so word of warning, at the end, save as often as you have a chance.

Anyway, this was a great game. If anyone needs hints and you don't want to go to a site where you might read more than you want to know, just PM me and I'll try to help out.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think I'm finally starting to hit those plot twists that people were talking about. I'm also having a blast with this game and I'm around 35 hours into it, but I spent a lot of time on Pazaak, particularly early in the game.

[Fritz]

1.01 patch has done wonders for me as well.

I can't wait to finish and play back as a dark side type.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm 45 hours into the game.. close to the end but still with quite a bit left I think. The plot is great. I'm enjoying this game so much, and unlike before I now realize I will want to play through the game again right away with a dark side player who is a different class. I'm also going to play a third time through at some point with a female character as I think it will have some interesting plot differences as well.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

I just finished the game at 51 hours and 32 minutes. WOW! I had more fun playing this game then any game I've played in a long time with the possible exception of a certain text sim ;) Seriously, with the bugs squashed by the patch (which they mostly are with one minor leveling bug in the temple remaining from what I can see and minor slow down in the Tatooine racing track still remaining) the game is very enjoyable. I thought the battles became a little too easy towards the end, but I made a Jedi who was very focused on melee combat with dual lightsabers. It will be interesting to see how difficult some of the final battles will be with other classes. Also, I can't wait to play the game through and attempt to attain dark side mastery as this first time through I obtained light side mastery. It will be interesting to see how the storyline changes for the dark side character. Anyway, I highly recommend this game.

[Fritz]

Finished as well. Some thoughts:

1.) it might pay not to level as quick early on. I could definately have used more jedi levels and there were pleny of exp to gain after I maxed at 20 (on the island).

2.) it is better to a do a few thing very well than many thing sort of well. This is important because if you start life picking up a lot of skill and then stop progression when you become a Jedi then these skills will not help you a lot.

3.) be as good as you want, but pick up a dark power or two anyway...

When you get to the higher levels the

[Eaglesfan27]

Those are all very good points. You can save experience and wait to level whenever you want. I leveled up to 6 and then stopped leveling til I became a Jedi. I think I will try to stop leveling at level 5 this time if I can make it through the various battles. Also, so far, I'm enjoying working the dark side :)

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

I also went WAY over the experience cap, as you can keep gaining exp but can't level anymore. I ended my first game with almost 50,000 exp more then what was required to obtain the highest level (20)

[Fritz]

Originally posted by Eaglesfan27
Those are all very good points. You can save experience and wait to level whenever you want. I leveled up to 6 and then stopped leveling til I became a Jedi. I think I will try to stop leveling at level 5 this time if I can make it through the various battles. Also, so far, I'm enjoying working the dark side :)

I don't find the dark side too much fun on Taris (so far). Now when I have force persuade....

[tucker342]

I remember my brother and I beat the game in 3 days....... of course in those 3 days we played about 45 hrs......:D

[RawIsDan]

I just got to the Star forge right now on my X-box. I'm using the Dual lightsabers as well and am loving the massive battles, force powers and general melee fun. Here's hoping they make a sequel.

[TargetPractice6]

I got this game for Christmas and finally plunged into it yesterday...

Holy crap! I've already spent 10 hours on it! I have to agree with you guys, this game is very engrossing. I completely lose track of time when I play it. Anyway I know I'm probably a bit behind, but I'm still on Taris. It's fun just running around doing the side quests. It really feels like you are part of the world.

I've had a couple problems with it but nothing major. At first when ever I hit load game on the main menu my computer would restart. Strange... but since I got the new nvidia display drivers it's been working right. It's only crashed once on me, and that's when I tried to transit back to the hideout. Luckily I had just saved so it wasn't a big deal. However, it was like 4am last night so I just took it as a sign to go to bed. :)

A very enjoyable game so far.

[Eaglesfan27]

I also spent over 10 hours on Taris. The game is only just beginning.. enjoy! :)

[thealmighty]

Got it for xmas also but have not gotten around to it.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

A pretty well rounded game ....... I've played the game for 60 hours and then my comp. crashed ...since then I have lost all interest but they will be back .

[Peregrine]

This game is still gathering dust, I've played it a little, but I'm more into FOF and FBCB right now. I like the idea for all the powers, etc, but the combat system with all the pausing, etc, took a bit of getting used to for me after playing the Jedi Knight games, when you can just run around, fight, use force powers, Jedi duel, etc, all real time without the turn based stuff.

[KWhit]

Is there anybody out there who might want to sell me their copy of the game, or do a trade?

:)

[Pumpy Tudors]

This game is still gathering dust, I've played it a little, but I'm more into FOF and FBCB right now. I like the idea for all the powers, etc, but the combat system with all the pausing, etc, took a bit of getting used to for me after playing the Jedi Knight games, when you can just run around, fight, use force powers, Jedi duel, etc, all real time without the turn based stuff.

I've only played the Xbox version, but I would expect that you can use the option of turning off the auto-pause between turns. It plays a lot like real-time if you turn that option off. Yes, it is still technically turn-based, but it doesn't feel that way.

[Scarecrow]

Is there anybody out there who might want to sell me their copy of the game, or do a trade?

:)
Only for a copy of Net Detective.

and if you don't understand, it's an inside joke between the old folks.