Star Wars vids

If you’re both a science-fiction fan and a video game addict, you should garner enough courage to try these titles.

When Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic came out a few years ago by Bioware Co., it broke every rule in the book. And pushed the envelope in gaming a bit further.

Vivid graphic effects coupled with an epic story. Starting out with the familiar words “…a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” the game takes you further into the Star Wars universe than before. Set back about four thousand years before the rebellious days of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia. And you’re caught up with the stuff of old legends.

You play Revan who suffers amnesia at the beginning of the game. That’s the core of the story. You begin to piece together your memory as you near destiny.

He or she, depending on how you play the game, is the central character who develops as the game flourishes-- teeming with hundreds of other characters and starships. Every planet explored is filled with beautiful graphics wrapped around a progressing story.

There’s Kashyyyk, Mannan, Tatooine and Korriban. Each one with a climate of its own. And a story arc which it follows. Seven planets in all. The story becomes wide-ranging.
KOTOR plays like a dungeons-and-dragons type of game. Your character grows more powerful based on experience. But you are not yet a Jedi. You must learn patience.

The beauty of the game is that you can follow your own path. You can play the good Jedi who upholds the law or the vengeful opportunistic Sith--whichever reflects your own personality. You can mould the game into your destiny.

You acquire attributes such as charisma or strength. You can buy weapons and supplies. Plenty of D&D rolls.

I’ve clocked fifty hours playing the game. It’s long, involved, with plenty of detours you can take. I never get tired of it. The storyline holds your interest. And the action sequences are phenomenal. Hell, you can get to be good a swordsman like Obi Wan Kenobi. When you’re skilled, you can carve your way through a horde of bad guys like a knife through butter. There’s a sense of coolness being a Jedi. But others can beware the temptation of the evil Sith.

You can acquire companions to join your journey. Balista is your mentor for most of the game before you find your own footing. There’s even a Wookie too. Wookies are cool. I don’t care if they’re a walking carpet.

It’s a playable game. Very smooth. The texture and features in the game are excellent--the designs very imaginative. It’s just like you’re playing inside the actual Star Wars universe. It sucks you in easily.

Following on the heels of KOTOR is the equally successful Sith Lords. Here the previous character Revan has gone evil and took the war to the furthest edges of the galaxy to wipe out the remaining Jedi. (That sounds familiar. Anakin Skywalker?).

You play the last Jedi in the Sith Lords game. You are disconnected with the force--the natural influence that surrounds you and binds your will to everything. That force beings you back to becoming the Jedi you once were as the game progresses.

Sith Lords follows the same pattern as the first game. There’s more development with characters and worlds. You also revisit old worlds. The calmness of the storm is broken as you fall into a devastating universe filled with multi-storied landscapes and alien worlds. You can appreciate its beauty especially if you enjoy science-fiction. It won’t disappoint.

Knights of the Old Republic is a force that is not to be trifled with. And the force is always with us to the very end. Find out where your destiny lies.