Star Wars: The Old Republic

About our Game

Star Wars: The Old Republic

By: Justin Reed

Star Wars fans of all ages have waited years for a massively multiplayer online game (also called MMO and MMOG) video game. In 2003 they received the first try called Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided. This game unfortunately had many faults and downfalls most Star Wars fans were doubtful one would ever come out to measure up. In late December 2011, approximately 80 percent of the dream came true with Star Wars: The Old Republic.

I myself, being a long-time gamer will consider the pros and cons of this newest release. Star Wars: The Old Republic’s timeline takes place more than 3,000 years before the Star Wars films. First of all, there is a different storyline for each class. You can create a character in four different classes and two different allegiances. The classes for The Galactic Republic are Jedi Knight, Jedi Consular, Republic Trooper and Smuggler. There are four classes for the Sith Empire as well. Those are Sith Warrior, Sith Inquisitor, Bounty Hunter and Imperial Agents. I personally have played all the classes in both allegiances.

I will start with installing the game this will take hours due to the very large update to start off. I highly recommend purchasing the optional security key due to accounts being hacked and all of your hard work disappearing. However, customer service usually can help you get your account restored. You must have a debit card or game time card to play this game. The subscription is $14.99 per month plus tax.

Gameplay is very smooth providing you have an up to date Windows® computer. You can play it on a MacBook Pro laptop as well if you install Apple BootCamp® and install Windows® on that separate partition. This release is absolutely beautiful the way it looks. If you are looking for a game with “eye candy” this is it. I rarely experience “lag” in the game and you can really get immersed in the game.

Creating your character is one of the most enjoyable things in the game. You can give them all kinds of looks and play several different species of aliens including humans. Each class is totally different in the way they play so I recommend creating one of each and deciding on a main class to play after that.

In the storylines there are cinematic scenes that talk and interact with you. You may give a light side response, dark side response or an indifferent one. This will progress the story in different ways depending on a light or dark choice. You also get social points for grouping with other players. These social points affect your companion affection and allow you to purchase special armors in the game.

There are 50 levels to advance through in each class, so the gameplay lasts a very long time. New content is always being developed to add to the game like new armors, weapons and even planets to explore. You can even earn your spaceship and fly space missions.

I would have to say this is one of the top two massively multiplayer online games I have ever played. As far as the cons go there could be multiplayer vehicles, unlimited fly zones and swimming available. I would also add an account-wide banking system. There are some glitches like any new MMO, but it is well worth it! I would rate this game a 9 out of 10.

-Timeline source: BioWare®, “Over three thousand years before the rise of Darth Vader…” http://www.swtor.com/info/setting