Followers of Flawed Star Wars Masterpiece Embrace 20 Years Later

By Chris Snellgrove
| Printed 16 seconds in the past

Star Wars followers not too long ago celebrated a milestone: the twentieth anniversary of Knights of the Outdated Republic II. When the sport was first launched, it was criticized by followers and critics for being an incomplete story that couldn't reside as much as the majesty of the primary sport. Regardless that it nonetheless lives within the shadows of his predecessor, KOTOR II is now celebrated by followers who’ve lovingly restored a lot of its reduce content material, and the sport's storytelling has influenced the Disney period of Star Wars in some ways, together with the storytelling of The Acolyte.

The historical past of the knights of the Outdated Republic II

What’s Knights of the Outdated Republic II however about? On this sport, you play as an exiled Jedi who was reduce off from the Pressure after committing a brutally decisive act within the conflict in opposition to the Mandalorians. Alongside the way in which, you'll meet a shady mentor and a colourful crew of supporting characters, and also you'll want all their assist as you battle two highly effective new Sith Lords who dream of conquering everybody's favourite galaxy far, far-off.

On the time, the Knights of the Outdated Republic II The protagonist turned off some followers as a result of they thought gamers would decide up the place the primary sport left off. On this first title, watch out for spoilers for those who've by no means performed these video games earlier than! – you play as an amnesiac character who’s later revealed to be Darth Revan, a fearsome Sith Lord who was worn out by the Jedi and used as a weapon in opposition to his former apprentice, Darth Malak. This reveal is arguably one of the best Star Wars plot twist for the reason that reveal that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker's father, and it nonetheless hits tougher than most franchise reveals earlier than or since.

The change in protagonist was off-putting for some followers, and others have been upset that Knights of the Outdated Republic II a few of its most formidable content material was eliminated so it could possibly be launched simply in time for the vacations. Why, then, is gaming a lot extra in style immediately than earlier than? On the one hand, followers labored arduous to change the sport and restore a lot of its misplaced content material, which helped followers higher perceive the sport's epic plot and its extensive range of morally grey characters, whereas additionally serving to them benefit from the sport in a wholly new approach. path.

Shades of grey in Star Wars

Talking of which, the ethical ambiguity of characters like Kreia signifies that Knights of the Outdated Republic II provides much-needed depth to the Star Wars universe. This fictional galaxy has lengthy been populated with cartoonishly good or evil characters, and whereas this added to the archetypal appeal of the Authentic Trilogy, these one-dimensional heroes and villains have been already exhausted by the Prequel Trilogy and appeared fully performed out by by the point the Sequel Trilogy got here alongside. Viewers demand for extra complicated characters is a giant a part of why Andor is so in style, and it's value celebrating that KOTOR II gave us this complexity virtually 20 years earlier than Andor blew our collective minds.

Talking of Disney the Star Wars period, Knights of the Outdated Republic II had a surprisingly direct affect on the controversial collection The Acolyte. Showrunner Leslye Headland beforehand confirmed that she was impressed by Kreia's character, and whereas she didn't give additional particulars, it's truthful to imagine that Kreia influenced the design of Qimir, a villain who shares his contempt for the Jedi and his skepticism about how these Jedi. area wizards outline each the sunshine facet and the darkish facet. Such an open, on-screen critique of Jedi appeared anticipated thanks largely to the truth that we haven't had many since. KOTOR II was launched for the primary time.

All the things followers need from trendy Star Wars

Far too many individuals didn't notice it on the time, however in 2004, Knights of the Outdated Republic II gave us virtually every thing the trendy period of Star Wars is lacking. We had authentic heroes who had nothing to do with the Skywalker clan, complicated villains much more compelling than Darth Vader, and a narrative with extra shades of grey than the within of the Demise Star. Add to that the truth that the gameplay is simply as unbelievable and you’ve got a title that continues to be some of the refreshing items of Star Wars content material ever created.

Knights of the Outdated Republic II isn't an ideal sport, however it does one thing that trendy Star Wars virtually by no means does: take main dangers and make massive modifications from begin to end. At a time when the franchise can do virtually nothing aside from deliver up acquainted characters in an try and attraction to our nostalgia, this sport dared to do one thing daring and new and largely succeeded. It's been 20 years now, however this title from a decade in the past, a really very long time in the past, continues to be value taking part in for any followers who wish to bear in mind why they fell in love with the best science fiction franchise within the historical past of cinema.