Combat has been tarted up a little bit this time round. The fights are a real joy to behold with the cinematic portrayal of the taking the expected leap in visual arrestivenss once the lightsabers come out to play. Controlling characters during the fight seemed less cumbersome than before. Once you have familiarised yourself with the controls it's possible to keep a party going in the middle of a big fight without having to rely on the pause function. KOTOR 2 is the first game where I have felt that the white (pause) and black (character select) buttons were in the right place on the controller. If things do get too hectic you can easily pause the game and set up a string of commands for each character using the X button. After a while with the game I came to the conclusion that many of the design decisions made for the control system were spot on and that going back to point and click on a will seem like a retrograde step.

It's a shame that the AI and pathfinding is not up to the same exacting standards. While the directness of the enclosed environments reduces the scope for your players to get stuck, in the middle of a fight they can often give up in confusion if an enemy is an awkward position. Party members also don't always make the smartest targeting choices although idiots running across the map to attack an inconsequential threat are a blessedly rare occurrence. Opening containers can also lead to an instant IQ drop in your characters, although it must be said that coding to make the model try different options if the first path is blocked is readily apparent and usually works quite well. The AI also does a good job of utilising a character's particular strengths during the well animated battles. So while it's unwise to just leave the machine to do all the fighting for you, the AI will liberally use Force powers and health packs along with special moves to ensure that the characters which are not under the player's direct control still provide useful support.

Obsidian have also done nothing to improve the underlying game engine, so occasional slowdowns and restrictive and bland environments are more prevalent than they should be. Once again much of the exploring is all about running down long corridors, whether they are indoors or out. There are some impressive locations to admire and the visual style is undeniably yet you can almost hear the complaints of the game designers as they tried to match their vision to the technical capabilities of the Xbox. Loading times are lengthy and overly frequent, with the prospect of a trek across five or six loading screens enough to nix thoughts of tying up minor side quests. There are also a few minor bugs and glitches which could have no doubt been excised if the game wasn't pushed out the door in time for its US release.

KOTOR 2 is in my mind a superior sequel. And while it follows a recent trend of open endings designed to compel you to buy the third instalment, it offers many, many hours of fun. The quality of the characters, story and writing is the biggest draw as far as I was concerned and is certainly the game's greatest strength. The characters are full of quirks, idiosyncrasies and flaws, making them seem like realistic individuals rather than the tool of a games designer. KOTOR 2 shows that to make a truly impressive RPG you really only need two things: a workable and fluid engine, and some seriously talented writers. KOTOR 2 also has superb settings, great sound and and a combat system that strikes the right balance between action and considered confrontation. Even if you haven't touched or were left underwhelmed by the first KOTOR, if you have an affinity for either Star Wars or RPGs it's very unlikely that you won't find yourself quickly getting sucked into the sumptuous atmosphere and intrigue that is KOTOR 2.

90%

By Sam Gibson

Comments

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  1. Q Unregistered 4 years ago

    Any news on a Mac version being released?

  2. krut10 Unregistered 4 years ago

    Yo!!!!! Very good game!!!!!

  3. messiah Unregistered 4 years ago

    when i bought kotor1 i though it would be like a first person or at the least a 3rd person shootem up ( as i didnt read up on it)

    but after an hour i was very plase as its like shenmue in some respects.. and i will defently be getting kotor2

  4. Cloud Unregistered 4 years ago

    It's cool


    Bitty

  5. JamesDean Unregistered 4 years ago

    As far as the game is so far, after having it almost a week, it is fantastic. Not bugs installing. Just one and it was in a cut scene. I bought it at Best Buy for $40 bucks, while every where else it was listed for $50. I am totally satisfied with it and it follows the storyline of KoToRI really well. I rank it as A+! Go out and buy it.

  6. Sam 4 years ago Staff

    It's a pisser when games get content cut and are relased in a less then fully functioning form so as to hit a particular sales period. And for LucasArts to not have fixed the PC version in the last three months before its UK release is inexcusable.

    Fortunately, the reviewed Xbox version is as good as bug free. Let's hope they get everything in order by the time KOTOR 3 comes out.

  7. DEMO WANTER Unregistered 4 years ago

    Is there a Demo for this game on PC?

  8. LOL Unregistered 4 years ago

    It's obvious this review didn't really complete the game. KOTOR 2 is chock full of plot holes, programming holes, dialogue holes. Clearly no beta testing was even done on this game.

  9. dark bat 501 Unregistered 4 years ago

    starwars kotor 2 is a good game though the plot keeps you guessing.their were many improvments made on the over all gameplay.i was starting to get tired when i had to talk to mandolore his axcent was to austrailian.but still im ainxtios for kotor3

  10. surfer guy Unregistered 4 years ago

    I cant beat kreia whats the ending? : (

  11. Flash Gordan Unregistered 4 years ago

    if u dont want to know what teh ending is look away NOW


    baisically u kill her and throw her down into a big pit thingy in malacore...
    (to beat kria run and use force storm over and over!!!!)

  12. Barin Drace Unregistered 4 years ago

    Well surfer guy the ending depends on if you are dark or light. if you are light you fly off in the ebon hawk and if you are dark then you stay on malachor 5

  13. Atris Unregistered 4 years ago

    is there anyone having a problem with dissapearing characters

  14. Lord Phantom Unregistered 4 years ago

    This game rock. I've pasted it 6 times with both the male and female characters (without cheats)

  15. Sebastian Unregistered 4 years ago

    I think the game would get boring second time around

  16. The Game Master Unregistered 4 years ago

    Tis game is awfull

  17. Russ Unregistered 4 years ago

    I have this game. I'm still trying to beat it. It's fun, but it has some glithes. I mean, could'nt they have done some testing??? Idiots. Peragus is very boring too. It gave me a bad headache. It is a good game though. It's REALLY fun. IT'S VERY, VERY, EXTREMELY, SUPREMELY, VERY. VERY, ADDICTIVE!!!!

  18. Russ Unregistered 4 years ago

    I have this game. I'm still trying to beat it. It's fun, but it has some glithes. I mean, could'nt they have done some testing??? Idiots. Peragus is very boring too. It gave me a bad headache. It is a good game though. It's REALLY fun. IT'S VERY, VERY, EXTREMELY, SUPREMELY, VERY. VERY, ADDICTIVE!!!!

  19. Barney Spicer Unregistered 4 years ago

    I an stuck in a part where i am t3-m4 and I am versing the mining robots with shields and i am stuck and i keep dying what do I do?

  20. dace palanca Unregistered 4 years ago

    this game is gud but i cant get past the sith acadamy

  21. Mandalorian Champion Unregistered 4 years ago

    oh also Dancer palanca the sith academy is easy to beat if you remember the first Kotor. oh and for any dudes or Ladies having problem defeating Darth sion he is easy if your in Dark side with sith lord all you have to do is keep force crushing him and he will be easy or if your Light and are jedi weapon master he is fun to duel and Very! easy. Darth kreia is A bit Hard in dark side especially with the 3 sabers.. i defeated the sabers by running from them and force storming them heh oh and i started playing again for 9th time and i got stuck on a wall in nar shadaa Damn you.. MAKERS!!!

  22. Derrick Unregistered 4 years ago

    The reviewer obviously didnt finish the game, otherwise he would have noticed that part of the game which was rushed and an example of poor storytelling - the ending. No character conclusions, no explanations and a cheapening experience after you had played for 30+ hours....shame on Lucas Arts for forcing the developers to rush the game so it could be out for christmas...as though people dont buy computer games during the rest of the year or something.

  23. franken Unregistered 4 years ago

    the story is so screwed up at the end i was really annoyed that it was nothing like the huge plot twists of KOTOR 1. i still dont understand what the hell happened at the end with me and kreia

    wat the hell is a force wound?!

  24. fu all Unregistered 4 years ago

    fu all

  25. christopher Unregistered 3 years ago

    why didn't you used the jedis in the first battlefront?

  26. Lucas Unregistered 3 years ago

    how do u do the sith test?

  27. Yourself Unregistered 3 years ago

    This is a alsome game but it is hard to find out wat u need to do in the begianing.

  28. yourself Unregistered 3 years ago

    christopher it would be way to cheap to put jedis in the first game becuase they had to upgrade all the guys so where they could even get near to kill them.

  29. darth revan Unregistered 3 years ago

    anyway getting the exiles old light saber

  30. darth revan Unregistered 3 years ago

    i just think it sounds power full redder than red

  31. jstup316j Unregistered 3 years ago

    Kreia is hard how do i beat her?????

  32. d fan Unregistered 3 years ago

    i think this game is good but i cant get pass the level were your ship is stolen

  33. mojoaman88 Unregistered 3 years ago

    I love KOTOR 2!! I just don't know how to beat One-Eyed Darth Frankenstien!!

  34. no name Unregistered 3 years ago

    does some one know where i get extra faces?

  35. rat Unregistered 3 years ago

    who is kyle kitarn

  36. Judah Gilliland Unregistered 3 years ago

    I WANT TO KNOW THE STORY BETWEEN THE TWO GAMES, THE 1ST one and the 2ND one. Also i want to know if your going to make a third one.

  37. RunawayRabbit Unregistered 3 years ago

    I would like to ask is what in gods name does battle meditation do?

  38. AJ Unregistered 3 years ago

    I think it is one of the best games ever, except i have it on xbox so the graphics are brill.I wonder if they will
    bring out a KOTOR 3? KOTOR 1&2 are great so why shouldn't they make a 3rd one?

  39. AJ Unregistered 3 years ago

    hey ya all! i have a way of beating darth sion and almost have got a way of beating kreia but still workin on that! All ya gotta do is use an enchani dueling shield wich will stop them hurting you for a minute and then just use some hyper adrenal battle stims on yourself. eventually they will die but make sure that you keep some life support packs handy!!!!
    just in case!

  40. ddddd Unregistered 3 years ago

    u suk

  41. yoda Unregistered 3 years ago

    is there a demo for this game.someone reply

  42. OBI WAN Unregistered 3 years ago

    CAN ANY BODY TELL ME WICH WEB SITE TO DOWNLOAD DEMO OF Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords

  43. OBI WAN Unregistered 3 years ago

    CAN ANY ONE TELL ME !

  44. overlord Unregistered 3 years ago

    why dont cheats work for this game??????

  45. help Unregistered 3 years ago

    can some1 plz tell me if u can download a demo of this game. if u can tell me wat website

  46. mace window Unregistered 3 years ago

    how do u make light sabers on star wars knights of the old republic

  47. luke Unregistered 2 years ago

    you got that game?

  48. Tyler Unregistered 2 years ago

    How do u beat Kreia

  49. new gamer Unregistered 2 years ago

    i suck at this game i just got it and i cant find the other parts to make my lightsaber its realy buging me

  50. admin Unregistered 2 years ago

    im in the sith academy and i cant find anything
    to help me

  51. jmhouser1 Unregistered 2 years ago

    Will this game work on the new Vista operating system?

  52. Andy's tactic to beating bosses Unregistered 1 year ago

    Beating Darth Sion

    To beat him you must first beat him in conversation! Tell him he is not undefeated and you can kill him . Use [Persuade] when you have the choice. You will kill him easily. You got to fight him 4 times though. Just run around the coulims and Master Heal. Go back to him. Do a few criticals then heal again. You can even do some mines! Makes him fall easier.

    Beating Kreia

    Same. Run and heal. If you can also get her stuck that's great. I killed her stuck... only with Lightning Storm!. The lightsabers are tricky. When she launches them run back and around the circle. They will spread out. One will be close to Kreia I believe and the other 2 will be around the circle. Fight them one by one. Critical, Heal, Critical, Heal. That's how I beat them! Not hard at all! Make sure you have the FP regen on !

  53. star wars knights of the old republic 2 the sith lords help Unregistered 1 year ago

    all i can get to the 2nd or 4th disk.what do i do?plz help me.

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    how?how?how?how?how?

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  59. Confussled Unregistered 1 year ago

    How do I do the sith test? I can't figure out how to do it...

  60. Anonymous Unregistered 1 year ago

    Is there a demo for this game??

  61. golly wogg Unregistered 1 year ago

    golly wogg thinks kotor awesome, but only if made by bioware xD

  62. Master Thirion Unregistered 9 months ago

    Are U sure that ther isn't any demo for the sith lords ??

  63. Callum Unregistered 8 months ago

    i am up to beating kria or watevr her name is and i keep dieing wen i have to beat the three lightsabers.i am a jedi with master hear and force storm.but it takes ages 4 me to get to the light sabers and most times i dont.PLZ some1 help me ii play it on Xbox

  64. sigh Unregistered 6 months ago

    i got a PC one and it works so i love it but*my name*i cant get first for it is,as i fear,Mac

  65. anthony Unregistered 4 weeks ago

    its alright but it sucks. i played it and it blew up my game system. ITS SO GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  66. bored Unregistered 3 days ago

    dam u people when u have three lightsabers did u know if u kill her first they go away?
    oh and there not making a kotor 3 thats aparently wat the3 new online ones for