Star Wars: The Old Republic

 PC
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2879 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,378 out of 2879
  2. Mixed: 545 out of 2879
  3. Negative: 956 out of 2879
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  1. Ardonas
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    I was an avid WoW player for years, but I would leave WoW for this game even if I hadn't already cancelled my subscription. The storylines are better than some single player games I've picked up, and the group mechanics work well. the lack of a standard lfg system outside of trade chat is a tad annoying, but it only encourages the player to get out into the world and meet people within theI was an avid WoW player for years, but I would leave WoW for this game even if I hadn't already cancelled my subscription. The storylines are better than some single player games I've picked up, and the group mechanics work well. the lack of a standard lfg system outside of trade chat is a tad annoying, but it only encourages the player to get out into the world and meet people within the game. I've played the classes on both sides, and they really are unique, though parallels can definitely be drawn (agent-smuggler, trooper-bounty hunter, sith-jedi) they're diminished by the stellar storylines for each class and the highly customizable AC's. Play this game. It's fun, trust me.… Expand
  2. Telpy
    Dec 21, 2011
    0
    Honestly, this game should have a 6/10 score, so why i'm giving it 0/10? Simple this is absolutely the most overhyped mmo of all time with the WORST ratio of money spent on the project / quality overall. Graphics is on 2004 levels, if you want the game to be playable on most rigs ok, but at least do a decent work on the textures. The questing system is not rivolutionary at all, the gameHonestly, this game should have a 6/10 score, so why i'm giving it 0/10? Simple this is absolutely the most overhyped mmo of all time with the WORST ratio of money spent on the project / quality overall. Graphics is on 2004 levels, if you want the game to be playable on most rigs ok, but at least do a decent work on the textures. The questing system is not rivolutionary at all, the game follow the classic "kill 10 mobs pattern", even World of Warcraft is exploring new directions but not this new title. Voice acting is fine for few hours, after that you end up skipping most of the dialogues because they are of the same, even the story is not engaging at all.
    Animations are even worse, the combat feels choppy and the chars movements are innatural.
    PvP is a joke, not fluid at all.
    When exploring the world it feels like you are on a monorail, you must follow a certain path.
    Bloated skill list, awful ui, no support for addons, poor interaction with the world, companions are "pets" and nothing more, poor char customization, all playable race are humanoids alike, no support for AA, auction house mechanics are terribles, no lfg tool.... and so on

    This game could survive only because it's "Star Wars", but honestly, the quality of this product overall is garbage if confronted with all the announcements done pre launch.    … Expand
  3. darth_karnus
    Dec 21, 2011
    9
    As can be seen from the spectrum of scores for this game, it's one of those things you either love or hate. Personally, I fall into the first category and believe this to be the embodiment of everything that I could have ever wished for from a Star Wars MMO. Yes, comparisons can be made to WoW...as well as many other MMOs...but the same goes for almost any new MMORPG on the market. JustAs can be seen from the spectrum of scores for this game, it's one of those things you either love or hate. Personally, I fall into the first category and believe this to be the embodiment of everything that I could have ever wished for from a Star Wars MMO. Yes, comparisons can be made to WoW...as well as many other MMOs...but the same goes for almost any new MMORPG on the market. Just because the game reminds of you another one, doesn't necessarily mean that it's bad, in fact it can mean the complete opposite, as with SWTOR, which takes elements from other games and upon combining them surpasses them. As is said, the student has now become the master. The fact that the game is fully voiced greatly adds to its appeal and makes it much more playable and enjoyable. The companion system is perfect and the character progression is well paced. Even during the common 'kill this' or 'fetch this' quests, the game remains interesting as one is always given multiple options during dialogue sequences. All in all, SWTOR is my favorite RPG to date and does so many things right that all of its minor flaws can be overlooked. I know which game I'll be playing several years from now.… Expand
  4. enrogae1
    Dec 21, 2011
    4
    I see the smear campaign has begun. I will try to be as subjectively objective as I can. This is no Asheron's Call, Ultima Online, or Shadowbane. It is as much a theme park game as every other "AAA" MMO to come out in recent years. It looms as a shadow over other titles, such as Age of Conan or Star Trek Online. It is supremely better than anything modern except for the one datedI see the smear campaign has begun. I will try to be as subjectively objective as I can. This is no Asheron's Call, Ultima Online, or Shadowbane. It is as much a theme park game as every other "AAA" MMO to come out in recent years. It looms as a shadow over other titles, such as Age of Conan or Star Trek Online. It is supremely better than anything modern except for the one dated title that everyone likes to compare it to... I won't even bother saying it because we all know which one.

    Does it share elements to this grossly successful "other" title? Of course it does. Just like "it" did, The Old Republic has copied elements from what worked in other, successful MMO titles. Is it a clone or a copy? I would have to say maybe, but it is something new and refreshing in many other ways. It is a theme park MMO... and that type of MMO hasn't changed much since Everquest (except to remove that pesky sandbox, which many of us still lament).

    Does it deserve a 1 or a 0? Of course not. It's better than Dragon Age 2, and even IT didn't deserve a 1 or a 0. I doubt any of the people posting such scores have played much of the game, and if they have then I'm not sure why they rate it so low. 1 or a 0 is reserved, in my mind, for a game that is unplayable or total garbage. That isn't even close to SW:ToR. Here's my quick breakdown:

    The Good:
    1. Voice Acting is Sufficient. You won't hear anything as well-done as the Mass Effect series, but it is adequate... and in places, pretty good.
    2. Stories are Adequate. The story lines in this game won't compete with a half-decent novel, but they are as entertaining as your run-of-the-mill prime time show.
    3. Group Questing is Actually Entertaining. I have always hated being in a group for questing in any other MMO. It's a penalty, curbing reward possibilities and just making everything take longer. The conversation and dialogue with NPC's makes grouping with a friend much more enjoyable.
    4. Instancing is at least Well-Done. I hate instancing... with a passion. Something ought to be said, though, about the way it was done in a way that is less immersion breaking here. Walking through a glimmering force field into a private instance with NO load screen is a step forward, to be sure.
    5. Art Quality is Good. Sure, the graphics aren't top-notch (see "The Bad"), but the environments are often beautiful nonetheless. You don't need Arkham City graphics to be pretty (Arkham City was beautifully ugly), and ToR shines here. Worlds like Taris and Nar Shadda offer stark changes in artwork that is easy to appreciate.

    The Bad:

    1. Character Creation is Severely Lacking for a Modern MMO. In the days of character models such as those in any Cryptic game, Aion, or even EvE's new generator, the customization in SW: ToR's character creation system is pretty much a joke. The mesh/textures on character models are also very "flat".
    2. Engine is Poorly Optimized. There are many posts on the forums about bad FPS. Personally, I run an AMD x4 Phenom II Quad-Core 3.2ghz, 6gb Corsair RAM, and a GTX 580 (GTS250 for Physx, which doesn't apply here)... and I'm lucky to average 30fps on max settings (ironically the same average as people with far lesser systems). Considering the lack of technically advanced graphics, something is amiss here.
    3. The first several worlds are very "corridor-ish". The worlds don't seem very big, there is little exploration at the onset of the game. You are funneled from point A to point B to completed objective H. 4. It doesn't feel "alive" the way an MMO should. The only critters in the world are occasional HUGE monsters that are too busy grazing to attack. This seems like laziness, to me.
    5. Sometimes combat does seem clunky, sometime it doesn't. Most of the time I have fun with it, and I suspect a lot of people's issues stem from timing issues with abilities that can be corrected at some point.

    These are just my highlights. There are other issues I have, such as it not being sandbox (they always said it wouldn't be, so this was expected), and lack of immersion things like being able to sit in chairs or sit on the ground without looking constipated. Despite the flaws, there are many good qualities here... so don't let the zero's, one's, and two's on here dissuade you from trying the game. At the end of the day, I have fun when I log on... for now. I'm quite certain, having been in the beta since early on, that I will get my money's worth before I stop having fun. Give it a try.    … Expand
  5. Dajon
    Dec 21, 2011
    9
    - Graphics: Ok. not great, but OK. Some zones really are gorgeous, others, not that much.
    - Character customization: Below average... We want more!
    - Story line, questing: Amazing. This is truly where the game shines. I have NEVER been so immersed, and it really IS hard to disconnect every night, because I really want to see more of the story. Besides, cut scenes and dialogues for EVERY    - Graphics: Ok. not great, but OK. Some zones really are gorgeous, others, not that much.
    - Character customization: Below average... We want more!
    - Story line, questing: Amazing. This is truly where the game shines. I have NEVER been so immersed, and it really IS hard to disconnect every night, because I really want to see more of the story. Besides, cut scenes and dialogues for EVERY quests is just great. The choices you have to make "a la" mass effect / kotor my not change the outcome of the dialogue (except for the dark/like choices) but it just feels much more like a "real" conversation. Dialogues in groups are awesome imo. BUT, if you're not the type of player who likes to listen to an NPC, you might not like it, because it's everywhere. So, as I read below, you will feel like "loosing" some time. Well it's a matter of opinion. I don't feel that way because I LOVE it. But I can understand that some ppl won't. Moreover, it has a feel of epic, right from the start. First time I feel that way in an MMO. "What? Seriously? Come on, where are my ten wolves to kill?"
    - Combat PvE: Feels more dynamic than wow (I play a tanking Sith assassin ), even if it is similar: GCD, CDs, ultimate skill every 20/30 minutes... they are all here. But the simple fact that there is no auto attack makes it more dynamic. You have to click on something for your toon to do something. As a sith assassin, there are A LOT of different skills you have to use at the right time, and some fights can be pretty intense (provided you're not 10 lvl over the quest). The fact that there are a lot of packs of mobs gives you a feel of epicness: You're not struggling with a strong mob. You're struggling with a bunch of medium mobs, which feels better.
    - Combat PvP: As a tank, I like the "taunt" feature, which makes your target do 30% less damage to everyone except you. Other than that, as for the "battlegrounds", nothing really new (it's nicely done though). The fact that the player's level isn't important in battlegrounds is nice.
    - Space combat: Nice rail shooting mini games, with a real star wars feel. Nice thing to do every once in a while. But space combat could be improved I think. I would love group and pvp fights, not in "rail" mode, in addition to what's already there. The fact that you can customize your ship with equipment, like your character or companion is a plus.
    - Group stuff: Nice. Bonus when grouped, social points earned which gives you access to specific stuff (mostly cosmetic, but not only)
    - Navigation: The map is really great, and clear. Even when grouped. Objectives are easy to find (that may be a downside for some of you ;)). - Auction house aka Galactic market: Could be improved. The UI does its job, but it's rough, and a few additions could be usefull. - UI: While good, it should be less "rigid". Checking for procs and CDs is a bit painfull as it draws your attention out of the action, for example. - Client and bugs: quite stable. Some players reported a few crashes in some specific zones that (should) have been fixed with the last patch. I'm level 30 and didn't see any game breaking bug (once, I had to restart a quest I could not validate, that's all)

    Overall, while being a little disappointed at first with the graphics/customization, the more I play, the more I feel attracted to it. A lot of nice ideas make a lot of little improvements, which make the game better than others imo. The fully voiced over quests are THE improvement (if you are into that, obviously). There is room for a LOT of great stuff (space combat!!) to come. Re-rolling is eased since the class story line are really nicely done. If you're in to star wars, ans liked kotor/ME games and stories (i.e. you actually enjoy listening to them) then it's your game. If you're more into rushing max level and then grind some stuff for your toon, it might not be the best option for you. For me? I have a BLAST and I'm enjoying every minute of it :)    … Expand
  6. intruder313
    Dec 21, 2011
    7
    They really have played it safe with this one, largely cloning WoW but adding a few nice touches that make things even easier and allows you to focus on the fun rather than the grind (so far it seems). Highlights include Space Combat events, Companions and Crafting by proxy.

    Very much marring the experience though are the horrendous PvP Instances, the blatant dominance of the "Mage" Class    They really have played it safe with this one, largely cloning WoW but adding a few nice touches that make things even easier and allows you to focus on the fun rather than the grind (so far it seems). Highlights include Space Combat events, Companions and Crafting by proxy.

    Very much marring the experience though are the horrendous PvP Instances, the blatant dominance of the "Mage" Class (this was abundantly clear in Beta so no excuses for going live like this) and the gigantic queues (which will subside).

    Treat it as a solo Bioware game and it's great, the MMO aspects needs a bit more work though to escape the WoW-clone badge.    … Expand
  7. MasterPJ
    Dec 21, 2011
    0
    The year is 2007 and Blizzard release a star wars MMO skin. They decided to concentrate on awesome audio...skipping all the other key elements: Graphics (Cartoon which makes the game lack any serious appeal), Gameplay (Wait...I watched the movies...is this really Startrek?...no wait it's meant to be starwars right?), Storyline (This game should be a racing game...why? Same loops differentThe year is 2007 and Blizzard release a star wars MMO skin. They decided to concentrate on awesome audio...skipping all the other key elements: Graphics (Cartoon which makes the game lack any serious appeal), Gameplay (Wait...I watched the movies...is this really Startrek?...no wait it's meant to be starwars right?), Storyline (This game should be a racing game...why? Same loops different scenery), Uniqueness (Did I mention the year is 2007 and Blizzard make a startrek skin for WoW?...dammit I meant Starwars!). So all in all - If you are 12 and fresh to the MMO's world, you'll be highly impressed if you had a lack of any education. If you have had at least half an eye open over the last 5 years and watching even just gaming adverts you'll see this game is just a 'cash cow' with little new or even an appealing environment. This is what is wrong with today's MMO gaming (SSDD). I think even some of the hardcore Starwars lovers will fail to see the appeal of this game. But it's new, it's shiny and it isn't Azeroth and this is the only reason why this game gets any ratings.… Expand
  8. xosso
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    This is, without a doubt, the most fun I have had playing a video game in quite a long time. The few bugs i have encountered are going to be easily fixable.
  9. Darkstlkr
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    If you go in to this expecting it to be like galaxies you will be highly disappointed. This game has more star wars feel to it than galaxies ever had I love this game.
  10. obro
    Dec 21, 2011
    6
    The only good things in this game are voice acting and music. Both of those things do not make a video game. Gameplay pretty much WoW so why even bother playing it if it's the same thing I have been playing for years now? Huge lags and ques and instanced zones. No sense of exploration since it's instanced. Animations are terrible for a 2011 game but then again BioWare never had goodThe only good things in this game are voice acting and music. Both of those things do not make a video game. Gameplay pretty much WoW so why even bother playing it if it's the same thing I have been playing for years now? Huge lags and ques and instanced zones. No sense of exploration since it's instanced. Animations are terrible for a 2011 game but then again BioWare never had good animations in any of their games. All in all completely average MMO interesting only in the beginning because of the voice acting but you soon start to skip it all because no choice you make matters.… Expand
  11. Xae77
    Dec 21, 2011
    0
    Unfortunately, SW:TOR is pretty much the epitome of what is wrong with the world of mmo's today. The Old Republic is a WoW clone minus a lot of features, content and just plain common sense but has Lightsabers. Character creation is easily the worst half assed attempt Ive seen in quite some time, even including Asian FTP titles. Models including faces are recycled between races, leadingUnfortunately, SW:TOR is pretty much the epitome of what is wrong with the world of mmo's today. The Old Republic is a WoW clone minus a lot of features, content and just plain common sense but has Lightsabers. Character creation is easily the worst half assed attempt Ive seen in quite some time, even including Asian FTP titles. Models including faces are recycled between races, leading to everyone regardless of race looking almost identical. The art style itself is pretty much a joke, it looks like the Star Wars kids cartoon. I don't mind the 'graphics' being dumbed down a little for the sake of performance or even "cartoony" but to do it in such a kiddie way makes me hate even looking at my character. All in all its A Star Wars Mod for vanilla WoW.… Expand
  12. Hobnobb
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    An excellent MMO with so many different aspects included. The story and voice-over are just two fantastic things about this game - crafting, space combat, PvP, morale system, and flash points; everything is a blast.
  13. SonofQuatto
    Dec 21, 2011
    2
    I am sorely disappointed with this 'cough' MMO. The years they spent of developing and they bring out this????? Character creation is laughable. Graphics are sub par for a 2012 game. The world is stagnant and lifeless, mobs just stand grouped in 3's doing nothing. I have no feeling of a Star Wars universe. Quests are a chore. Inventory items unappealing like in LOTRO. Combat is simplyI am sorely disappointed with this 'cough' MMO. The years they spent of developing and they bring out this????? Character creation is laughable. Graphics are sub par for a 2012 game. The world is stagnant and lifeless, mobs just stand grouped in 3's doing nothing. I have no feeling of a Star Wars universe. Quests are a chore. Inventory items unappealing like in LOTRO. Combat is simply button bashing, doesn't flow at all. Kids will love it granted but most people with an ounce of intelligence will see it for what it is. bland and rubbish.

    I gave up on the story as the gameplay is that bad. Plus i'll simply go to the movies to see a film. SWTOR does a bad job of even telling a story, glossy CGI doesn't make a good film. Remember the turd Transformers?????    … Expand
  14. lockedigitalus
    Dec 21, 2011
    8
    I've played a lot of MMOs (starting with the original EQ, and including every AAA and AA MMO every released), and I really like what SWTOR brings to the table.

    Your class story is the central feature -- and most of them are at least interesting. A few are quite good. Related to this is the companion system, which is like having a really shy person in your group at all times that might    I've played a lot of MMOs (starting with the original EQ, and including every AAA and AA MMO every released), and I really like what SWTOR brings to the table.

    Your class story is the central feature -- and most of them are at least interesting. A few are quite good. Related to this is the companion system, which is like having a really shy person in your group at all times that might have quests from time to time.

    If you like a game experience similar to Mass Effect and Knight of the Old Republic, but with added cooperative and PvP features, you should give SWTOR a try. It isn't for everyone, certainly, but for me it has been a fresh, story-focused take on the typical MMO grind. A slightly different flavor, if you will, one that will please some and irritate others.    … Expand
  15. Menudo84
    Dec 21, 2011
    9
    Don't trust user reviews anymore, MW3 is a fun game and delivers exactly what's its fans want, yet it got a bad user score. I love Kotor, but Tor is better.
  16. Dickwolves
    Dec 21, 2011
    1
    If you hate yourself you owe it to yourself to play this mess of an MMO. Makes FF14 seem like the best game in years. From instanced EVERYTHING to combat that feels like it's been ripped right out of WoW. The game is creatively bankrupt much like everything else Bioware has placed their hands on in the last few years. A developer that is utterly stagnant of imagination or innovation.
  17. Nexecus
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    Sadly alot of these comments people are posting are people that are having either bad experience with Customer support and are raging their anger off here... Real constructive critique is not really their strong points but alot of them are oldtime WoW players that have a blind eye.

    So since the majority of these guys cannot do a proper score review and just select the 0 or 1-3 because    Sadly alot of these comments people are posting are people that are having either bad experience with Customer support and are raging their anger off here... Real constructive critique is not really their strong points but alot of them are oldtime WoW players that have a blind eye.

    So since the majority of these guys cannot do a proper score review and just select the 0 or 1-3 because they are to lazy to objectively review the game. guys you all need something else to do go away from metacritic your useless :)

    To the game:

    The game has a sound story line for all classes making questing and leveling a complete diffrent experience while still offering the same old objectives (kill x amount of that on place y) . Customization, crafting and many other areas need work or players just have not explored deep enough into these yet to have a sound conclusion.

    So far the games release has been stable (dont think the whiners are the majority) with a few hiccups but nothing major. Because of this ill give the game a 10 just to give weight against all the retards voting rediculous low just cause they are WoW Fanbois.    … Expand
  18. Dangerous_L
    Dec 21, 2011
    4
    This game is hardly an MMO. It feels more like a single player experience that you could bring friends along with. I didn't find the grouping mechanics to be all that good, linearity is ridiculous, PvP is a mess, FORGET about exploration (especially levels 1-25)... People are comparing TOR to WoW. I'll tell you this much, I literally went back to WoW after playing this game. I'm actuallyThis game is hardly an MMO. It feels more like a single player experience that you could bring friends along with. I didn't find the grouping mechanics to be all that good, linearity is ridiculous, PvP is a mess, FORGET about exploration (especially levels 1-25)... People are comparing TOR to WoW. I'll tell you this much, I literally went back to WoW after playing this game. I'm actually telling you that WoW has better group mechanics, less linearity, and much better PvP. Not to mention overall atmosphere. SWTOR lacks any atmosphere, I didn't click on any of the worlds I played. Anyone who says this game has more polish needs to get their eyes checked. SWTOR may be worth checking out, like, 6-8 months from now when they work out the kinks. However, it is NOT worth $60+sub. If you're looking for WoW-type gameplay, go play WoW. It's established, cheaper, and works better. God knows I wish they would have just made this a single-player game.… Expand
  19. shadus
    Dec 20, 2011
    5
    This game is a disappointment. That being said It's not a bad game. First the good points... The sound is one place the game really shined, but sound alone doesn't make a great game... and when I say sound I mean ALL of the sound. The music is very good, the voice acting and cut scene sounds are top notch productions as far as I've played in the game. If top end sound is a priority forThis game is a disappointment. That being said It's not a bad game. First the good points... The sound is one place the game really shined, but sound alone doesn't make a great game... and when I say sound I mean ALL of the sound. The music is very good, the voice acting and cut scene sounds are top notch productions as far as I've played in the game. If top end sound is a priority for you give this a try, it really does show where the future is headed and what can be done with a good budget and being willing to put forth some budget on the sound. The crafting system is also an improvement over the sit for 15m and watch a bar repeatedly zip to the top 400 times system that has become common place in many games. The downside is the combat and feel of the game is pretty much carbon copied from another large aaa game with a sci-fi skin pasted on it. The choices you have with your character feel contrived and limited as far as real skills go. The instancing level the game exhibits with 300 carbon copies running around doing exactly what I am doing being "the one" is a complete disappointment and is highly immersion breaking. The problem is, in my aspects it copied from another aaa game, but failed to innovate on the same formula. After the previous attempt with making a mmo with this ip it's easy to understand Bioware wanted to be more conservative, but they exceeded the bounds of reasonable in the degree of conservatism they are exhibiting. People have been playing games using roughly the same formula and style since the mid/late 90s and many are beginning to tire of the exact same formula. The biggest issue is that the game lacks the innovation you would hope to see in such a big aaa title. The game also lacks the polish you feel in the older games in the genre that it is similar to. The game already feels dated because of the many choices they made with regards to combat and core game play with many of the free to play games showing better feature sets even. However, if you're looking for a very well designed game that is largely a sci-fi re-skin or you're looking to be a part of the star wars universe as your primary concern, look no further-- this is the game for you. If you're looking for something different, something unique, and a change in functional way a game plays, this is not the game for you it fails completely on that front.… Expand
  20. Tent27
    Dec 20, 2011
    4
    I can't stop shaking my head in disbelief. Am I supposed to be impressed with a 300 million dollar game that looks, plays and feels like a game from 2004? So glad I played it on my friends computer and didn't get it myself. Textures in Knights of the Old Republic look better. Don't believe me, put them side by side and compare. The new bioware destroys everything it touches, and Star WarsI can't stop shaking my head in disbelief. Am I supposed to be impressed with a 300 million dollar game that looks, plays and feels like a game from 2004? So glad I played it on my friends computer and didn't get it myself. Textures in Knights of the Old Republic look better. Don't believe me, put them side by side and compare. The new bioware destroys everything it touches, and Star Wars is it's next victim.… Expand
  21. Keieueuue
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    I have to give this game a 0, since many Bioware astroturfers are giving it a 10 (because they thought that people giving it a 3 or 4 wouldn't fly with EA). It is absolutely not innovative, except maybe for chores like crafting being helped by companions, but then again, why keep this system? Why not design factory-like mini crafting games? Seems all the mini-game Bioware could muster wasI have to give this game a 0, since many Bioware astroturfers are giving it a 10 (because they thought that people giving it a 3 or 4 wouldn't fly with EA). It is absolutely not innovative, except maybe for chores like crafting being helped by companions, but then again, why keep this system? Why not design factory-like mini crafting games? Seems all the mini-game Bioware could muster was this ridiculous shooter-on-rail spaceship sequences. Everything else is just WoW copy and paste, which definitely is a problem, given many years have passed since WoW was released.
    You're going to pay a monthly fee to play a mostly solo game (as is exemplified by the companion system), with online interaction for unimaginative raids, and heavily instanced cities. The multiplayer aspect of TOR is a joke, everywhere feels empty of players.
    There are tons of dialogues, all voice-overed, which asks the question: did Bioware blew 80 million dollar into an animated novel? And the dialogues are abysmal. It's your regular mix of lol, random, and faux grimdark, which you've seen in the Dragon Age series. It's absolutely repulsive, and shows how much Bioware despises the people who play their games.
    Everything is an insult to intelligence. Dialogues, design, which is completely cartoony without being enjoyable, and combat sytem, which is mash 1 to 4. I can understand how Bioware devs hate themselves -just look at how they look and how they speak-, but they could at least pretend they respect their customers.
    Let's not even go into the storyline aspect, the retconning everywhere and disregard for Star Wars lore. Episodes 1-3 have accustomed us to the unending rape of this IP, but TOR takes the cake, when set in the KOTOR storyline.
    I feel personally insulted when playing this game. Don't do as I did, and don't give your money to Bioware. It will only encourage the video game industry to spend ludicrous budgets on stuff that does not promote good gameplay. We customers have to send a clear message that we want to play engrossing, immersive videogames, not animated novels (with writing worse than slash or fanfic) whose gameplay is copypasted on games released years ago.    … Expand
  22. Veimi
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    This game is the first MMO I have vastly enjoyed since the early days of World of Warcraft. It just feels so new even though most of the basic functions are already similar to other mmos. No it is not complete but yes, it has the content and the design that anyone will enjoy. Do not, I repeat, do not let this game pass by because of the 0 reviewers, they clearly don't have no idea how toThis game is the first MMO I have vastly enjoyed since the early days of World of Warcraft. It just feels so new even though most of the basic functions are already similar to other mmos. No it is not complete but yes, it has the content and the design that anyone will enjoy. Do not, I repeat, do not let this game pass by because of the 0 reviewers, they clearly don't have no idea how to rate a game. I am currently standing @ level 22 with my Jedi Shadow and don't want to shut the game down even though I go to work every morning. Try it, you won't regret it.… Expand
  23. DarthPadme
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    Let me preface this by saying I love the Star Wars universe, and love Bioware as a developer. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this MMO for some time now. Now that it's out, and I've played it extensively, I cannot quite express my severe disappointment with this title.
    You've probably noticed my score of a 0 by now. You don't have to take my word for it, but this game    Let me preface this by saying I love the Star Wars universe, and love Bioware as a developer. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this MMO for some time now. Now that it's out, and I've played it extensively, I cannot quite express my severe disappointment with this title.
    You've probably noticed my score of a 0 by now. You don't have to take my word for it, but this game truly earned that score. The other things you may have read about SW:TOR are all true: it copies directly from nearly every other MMO, essentially ending up as nothing but a "skin" for WoW, and doing nothing to innovate save the addition of voiceovers. So, maybe I'll start there.
    The voiceovers, to their credit, aren't all bad. But, if you're anything like me, you will skip the dialogue because by the time they're done speaking two words of text, I've finished reading the on-screen subtitles, and will skip ahead. This feature, while highly lauded, is wholly unnecessary and only serves to get in the way and waste time - lots of time. Once your class-specific line is over, be prepared to be bored to death by questgivers touting the same monotonous and repetitive fetch-quest speeches, with only very minor variation thrown in.
    Now, you might be saying that in such a story-driven game, voiceovers are required, and Bioware obviously thought so, spending exorbitant sums to try to add value to what is nothing more than a carbon copy. Frankly, they failed. The story is something I was the most excited about, and while the class quest lines are somewhat interesting, everything else can be seen as nothing but a failure. I couldn't bring myself to care about anything, ANYTHING, in the game, least of all my own character's progression.
    To begin with, character creation options are the most limited I've seen in an MMO, and that includes WoW. As expected, this is how you start the game, and right away I felt like I was missing something - surely the game wouldn't fall so short on something so integral (after all, the cutscenes show you (and your friends) prominently quite often). There are only four body types, and you had better get used to seeing them, because they are all very distinct. I can't tell you how many people I ran into that used the "big" body type, and all looked visually IDENTICAL in EVERY WAY. There is no individuality in this game, no personalization of your character to make you feel like you're in any kind of RPG. It's tragic how many corners they cut here.
    I'll gloss over combat only a little, because I feel like that's where Bioware really glossed over in development as well. In a word, it's BROKEN. Glitchy, mindless button-pressing, cooldown-watching tedium. It's your typical MMO fare - tanks, heals, and DPS, fights that require you to move mobs away from explosions, or bosses that suck you in for an AOE you must escape. PvE is brain-numbingly repetitive, to the point it might actually drive some insane. For the record, I tried playing Aion, notorious for being 99% grinding, and to be blunt I do not see anything separating it from SW:ToR. PvP is another story - I don't even think they attempted any semblance of balance, because there certainly is none. Pray you didn't roll a bounty hunter, or else you'll be using one of 3 different types of blaster abilities the entire time. Characters have no collision, so there is constant overlapping of people fighting literally inside each other, spamming their abilities willy-nilly, needlessly circle-strafing in place as if it even matters what direction you're facing. Again, this is very reminiscent of WoW. If only that was a good thing.

    I could say more, MUCH more, but I will spare both myself and you. This game, I am sad to say, is a complete **** disgrace, and there is no chance in hell they will ever get another cent out of me, regardless of any expansions or "improvements" they make in the coming months/years. I have been let down in such a powerful way, there is no question of this. Rest in peace, my hopes and dreams of an even halfway decent Star Wars MMO... rest among the stars with the rest of Bioware's broken promises.    … Expand
  24. fooskin
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    The voice acting is the best I've heard in any game... ever, actually. Maybe I don't play that many games!

    I picked up copies for myself and a friend, we're having a blast. Cinematics are good enough to impress my wife, so I think it earns a 10 on that alone. Anything that'll avoid the wifes' wrath gets a 10 in my book.
  25. demosthenes
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I would like to address the frequent complaints I have read that "SWTOR is unambitious in its gameplay." Firstly, to blame a game for adopting an existing archetype is patently absurd. Infact I can think of no (major) game that is largely derivative of legacy titles. WoW borrowed from Everquest, which borrowed from Ultima and so-on. The fact that combat in SWTOR is similar to WoW is onlyI would like to address the frequent complaints I have read that "SWTOR is unambitious in its gameplay." Firstly, to blame a game for adopting an existing archetype is patently absurd. Infact I can think of no (major) game that is largely derivative of legacy titles. WoW borrowed from Everquest, which borrowed from Ultima and so-on. The fact that combat in SWTOR is similar to WoW is only symptomatic of the genre itself, not necessarily of any intellectual laziness on the part of Bioware. Conversely I would argue that SWTOR is perhaps one of the MOST ambitious MMOs to date. Integrating single player continuity with MMO social structure has never been done before, and SWTOR accomplishes it beautifully. Let alone fully voice acting the entire 1000+ hours of content is completely unheard of for an MMO! After coming off of my first day of SWTOR I feel vindicated with my decision to purchase it so early. Not only is the storyline engrossing, but the combat, UI, and metagame were better than any game I've seen to date. Those of you who dislike the conventions of MMORPGs should not be surprised when you encounter the same archetypes of play in SWTOR. If you do not enjoy leveling, min-maxing, or instancing than I would not recommend SWTOR to you. As with any MMO there is a degree of grind, but I believe Bioware has done its utmost to eliminate the drugery of grind with engaging storylines. Ultimately SWTOR is a spiritual successor to the philosophies of bioware's first Star Wars IP: KOTOR, but placed within the conventions of a modern MMORPG. A fantastic purchase, I have no doubt I will be playing this game for many months to come.… Expand
  26. Publicius
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    There's been a mixed bag of reviews here. Plenty of WoW comparisons, however I've never played WoW, but have played other MMO's such as Swg, Lotro, and Sto. As such I find this game somewhat difficult to judge. The VO is a nice addition to MMO playing, but you also have your typical kill that, kill this quest (which every MMO does). The class story lines are decent, some predictable,There's been a mixed bag of reviews here. Plenty of WoW comparisons, however I've never played WoW, but have played other MMO's such as Swg, Lotro, and Sto. As such I find this game somewhat difficult to judge. The VO is a nice addition to MMO playing, but you also have your typical kill that, kill this quest (which every MMO does). The class story lines are decent, some predictable, others not. The zone design and planetary design is very linear..however there is room for expansion. Having played in beta I've paid attention to the various progressions of the game. There is certainly room for improvement, in many areas of the game. However, if you like the star wars genre, you'll most certainly appreciate the game. The game has a decent ground to build off of, provided it's handled in thecorrect manner, which remains to be seen. For the most part it is your typical MMO, theres nothing surprising or jaw dropping from any other MMO (except maybe the VO), however it can be quite fun if you look past some little flaws. I would encourage to make your own conclusions based on your play, but would recommend the standard edition only, as the game is not worth spending the cash on the collectors edition.… Expand
  27. shalott
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    I'm rather shocked to see so many negative reviews here. I've been loving the game so far (playing it since Early Access), and all the friends with which I'm playing seem to be having a blast as well. I admit that it started off a bit slow, and the graphics threw me off at first, but the quests became more involving as the game went on, IMO, and by the time I reached Coruscant, I wasI'm rather shocked to see so many negative reviews here. I've been loving the game so far (playing it since Early Access), and all the friends with which I'm playing seem to be having a blast as well. I admit that it started off a bit slow, and the graphics threw me off at first, but the quests became more involving as the game went on, IMO, and by the time I reached Coruscant, I was hooked.

    I suppose combat is similar to WoW, but that's not a turn-off for me (I'm still a semi-hardcore raider) -- your mileage may vary, of course. Honestly, I don't really care about the combat at this point. It might be an issue at end-game once I've run out of quests, but that's a long way off. What I love is the sense of immersion, of wonder while running through the avenues of Coruscant, uncertainty while wrestling with one of the game's many moral dilemmas, cheer when sauntering into a cantina with trippy music and pole-dancing girls. I love the companion system, which adds an extra level to each dialogue choice, since every companion has their own personalities and value systems and will pass judgment on your decisions according to them. I love the crafting system, which allows me to do something constructive even when I'm idling in a city, alt-tabbed out or chatting in Vent.

    Is the game perfect? No. I would like to see more NPCs to interact with -- not quest-givers (I already feel like there are almost too many quests), just people that might spout off a random, hilarious line or two, same as in the Dragon Age/Baldur's Gate series or, of course, my beloved Planescape: Torment. I'd like some more humor in the quests and companion banter, although perhaps I've been shooting myself in the foot by playing an ultra goody-two-shoes Jedi; I really enjoy grouping with less determinedly virtuous friends and listening to the responses they can toss out without losing my own Light Side points.

    I'm only about a third of the way through my first character playthrough so far, so I can't guarantee that the bloom will last, but thus far, I feel like the game is giving me a really solid single-player experience while also allowing me to reap the benefits of grouping with friends (dungeons aren't scary anymore! I don't have to micro-manage every member of my party, or worry about their pathing, or about them running ahead bravely to get themselves killed!)

    I appreciate that others clearly didn't find what they were looking for in SW:TOR, but I've just been getting so much enjoyment out of the game, it's ridiculous, and that's with the core game as it stands -- the thought of what updates and expansions can do for this world makes my heart go pitter-pat.    … Expand
  28. Dolar
    Dec 20, 2011
    3
    This is a very well done WoW like mmo. The combat is a little more active, but not by a great deal. This is a game that feels like a MMO made 10 years ago. It is missing most of the modern MMO player convinces like a group finder, dual specialization, and several other features.. This is more like 8 single player games than a real MMO.

    Now the launch issues are numerous, 2 to 4 hour    This is a very well done WoW like mmo. The combat is a little more active, but not by a great deal. This is a game that feels like a MMO made 10 years ago. It is missing most of the modern MMO player convinces like a group finder, dual specialization, and several other features.. This is more like 8 single player games than a real MMO.

    Now the launch issues are numerous, 2 to 4 hour queues. Origin issues many people bought the game and were never set cd keys. CD keys not shipping with boxed copies of the game. There is a whole world in the game that will instantly crash the client and put you at the end of a 4 hour queue over and over. And the kicker? This has been known for more than a week and was never affress at all. CS when you speak with them have no idea what you are even asking them to do, and it can take up to 6 hours to get a phone reply, 2 hours in live chat, Forum you will be ignored, and I was told the Email support had a 4 week backlog as of tonight. Tons of technical issues, this game was not ready for launch. It is sad because a little more work and I think it could be great.    … Expand
  29. dspair
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    This game is just a copy-paste of the World of Warcraft with the good voice acting. Nothing new, nothing special, even the interface is the same - another one soulless wow clone.
  30. donkeycum
    Dec 20, 2011
    5
    It feels very unpolished. Ill consider trying ti again in 6-12 months, hopefully its been patched and polished a little more by then.
    It doesnt feel innovative and in fact feels like a clone of WoW minus the 10 years of polish.
  31. Ama
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I can't believe the vitriol out there. Reviews of 0? I just can't believe that people can rate this 0, but I guess haters will always be haters.

    My experience has been stellar. The entry to the game is stable, I've never been disconnected nor has the game ever crashed for me. The gameplay itself is fun (shooting lightning from fingertips is just fantastic) and the Story is    I can't believe the vitriol out there. Reviews of 0? I just can't believe that people can rate this 0, but I guess haters will always be haters.

    My experience has been stellar. The entry to the game is stable, I've never been disconnected nor has the game ever crashed for me. The gameplay itself is fun (shooting lightning from fingertips is just fantastic) and the Story is unbelievable. An avid MMO'er myself, I have found myself slowing down to listen to all the story. It is an incredibly immersive and moving experience which I found to be really, really fun. I recommend everybody to try it out, if you have ever enjoyed a star wars movie, this is one to get.    … Expand
  32. HugAttack
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    And metacritic proves once again, a swarm of trolls can utterly destroy the so called "user score" with a bunch of 0 reviews.

    Frankly put, anyone who rates this game below a 3 should be kicked off of this site. People seem to not quite grasp the idea that 0 to 2 is for terrible terrible TERRIBLE games. If you think Old Republic is among the worst games ever, or even among the worst MMO's    And metacritic proves once again, a swarm of trolls can utterly destroy the so called "user score" with a bunch of 0 reviews.

    Frankly put, anyone who rates this game below a 3 should be kicked off of this site. People seem to not quite grasp the idea that 0 to 2 is for terrible terrible TERRIBLE games. If you think Old Republic is among the worst games ever, or even among the worst MMO's ever, you should NEVER be allowed to review a game again. EVER. Yes reviews are subjective, but it's a fact that Old Republic has better graphics, a better story, better gameplay, and better replayabilty than many games. Even if you hate it, those things are true, and thus this game should not be rated alongside the worst games. Give it a 5, 4, or EVEN a 3 can be justified with a good explination... but a 1 or 0... NO WAY you can justify that. Even if you can't play right now because of technical reasons, that's expected in this genre and you should wait a few weeks before reviewing to see if things change.

    Ok, rant aside, time to actually review this game!

    It's a damn good MMO. However, it is not a FANTASTIC game. The story blows all MMO stories out of the water. I've had a blast with the three class stories I've played (all very different and all very fun). Only problem is the class stories just can't compare to other bioware greats like Baldur's Gate 2 or Old Republic. The stories are fun and enthralling, but not typical bioware quality. That's fully expected due to the fact ALL classes have their own HUGE storyline... which offers a huge amount of replayibilty. If you consider replayibilty is a fair tradeoff for depth, then you'll be a fan of the story, no doubt.

    Tying into the story are sidequests. And though they are fully voice acted, most are pretty bland. Ya, the NPC talks and gives you some paper thin reason to go kill X or go fetch Y, but very few managed to grab my attention. Side quests are a low point of this game. Luckily you can avoid many of them and focus on the main story, flashpoints, and PvP.

    For an MMO though, the story in this game is borderline revolutionary. Unless I'm doing sidequests in mass, this game never feels like a grind. That's saying something, and as an experienced MMO player, I feel this is truly a huge step forward in the genre.

    Sadly, that is the only huge step forward in the genre. The game tries a few new things here and there (like the almost cool companion crafting system), but for the most part, gameplay feels and plays like the average MMO. It's like they put all their effort into the story, and just decided to copy and paste the gameplay. The game doesn't play BAD, it actually feels pretty tight and can be just as fun (if not more so) than WoW. However, you can't help but wish they would have made combat a little more exciting.

    The Graphics are *just* good. Some areas are actually quite boring, while others can be pretty nice to look at. However, there are no trippy or jaw dropping locations... and I've found the majority of "dungeons" to be fairly boring to look at. I'm not a huge fan of the character models. However, I must give props to the devs for the death animations. The death animations actually look really smooth and satisfying, sometimes syncing with the final attack. This is surprisingly important when you find yourself needing to kill 25 angry and armed slaves.

    Finally I have to give bioware credit for the massive amount of end game credit. I have never seen an MMO launch with such a robust end game. It isn't perfect, and the endgame needs a good amount of tweaking, but there is allot more to do than I would have guessed.

    It's hard to explain, but I feel as though this game COULD develop into something fantastic. This is a game that's screaming for an expansion. It's like the devs had so much else to focus on, they had to resort to making certain aspects (like sidequests) subpar. Now that they have it down, and a reasonably stable product to work on, I forsee great things on the horizon.

    All in all... I give this a 9/10 for MMO and/or Star Wars fan

    BUT

    All in all... I give it a 8/10 for the average gamer.    … Expand
  33. HodGod
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    These gloopy lewdies keep govereeting about how this game has starry mechanics and a baddiwad raskazz. Well they are some real lying grahzny brachnies. I'm just here to say that the game is real horrorshow and good like. Don't listen to these shoots and try it for yerself.
  34. HellzYeah
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    I'm enjoying the game a lot. There's definitely some balance issues that need fine tuning when it comes to PvP but overall I don't think its totally broken in that regard. Voiced quests are actually quite nice when you're leveling, makes it a more pleasurable experience. Quest flow is overall pretty good, not a lot of backtracking which is nice. Interface is well done and aestheticallyI'm enjoying the game a lot. There's definitely some balance issues that need fine tuning when it comes to PvP but overall I don't think its totally broken in that regard. Voiced quests are actually quite nice when you're leveling, makes it a more pleasurable experience. Quest flow is overall pretty good, not a lot of backtracking which is nice. Interface is well done and aesthetically pleasing, at least in my eyes. Overall I'm finding the writing to be well-done, at least for what I expected from an MMO. Its not too painful to read and the voiceover work is quite well done which helps a lot. I wish that there was more variety in the armor like they promised though. I was under the impression we would be seeing people walking around in many different armors and character types but I suppose that idea was flushed down the drain. Maybe they'll add more in future patches. Hoping they add more races to the roster at some point too.… Expand
  35. Robbathehutt
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    This game could of been so much more, but ultimately it is simply World of Warcraft clone set in space. Nearly every aspect of the game can be found in WoW down to the UI, the spells (just with different names) even the classes are WoW clones. However, being a WoW clone isn't necessarily a bad thing as WoW was a great game, but SWTOR is like going back in time and playing WoW from 2004.This game could of been so much more, but ultimately it is simply World of Warcraft clone set in space. Nearly every aspect of the game can be found in WoW down to the UI, the spells (just with different names) even the classes are WoW clones. However, being a WoW clone isn't necessarily a bad thing as WoW was a great game, but SWTOR is like going back in time and playing WoW from 2004. It's missing many of the core innovations that other MMOs have made since 2004 like a group finder tool, phased zones, and dynamic questing. But things aren't all bad in SWTOR despite the graphics being lackluster for a game released in late 2011 the one key innovation is that the entire game is fully voiced and the story is often very compelling as you would expect from a Bioware game. As much as I wanted to completely dismiss this game as another WoW ripoff when I first played it, the more I played it the more I was drawn into the story and more my character and the supporting cast meant to me. So even though I am disappointed by the missed opportunities of what SWTOR could of been I can't deny that WoW clone or not the game is still FUN and that's all that really matters. I don't know if I'll subscribe or play for 6 years like I did WoW but I do feel like my money was well spent even if I only decide to play for the first free month.… Expand
  36. Mozu
    Dec 20, 2011
    5
    Rethinking my earlier review somewhat, I think a two is a bit harsh. A five is more in line with what you should expect from TOR. Mediocrity. It is simply a clunky WoW clone (in space!), with instanced zones, "romances", and tons of voice acting. I genuinely wanted to like this game, and for it to actually be the "WoW-killer". Instead we got a mediocre single-player game with MMORethinking my earlier review somewhat, I think a two is a bit harsh. A five is more in line with what you should expect from TOR. Mediocrity. It is simply a clunky WoW clone (in space!), with instanced zones, "romances", and tons of voice acting. I genuinely wanted to like this game, and for it to actually be the "WoW-killer". Instead we got a mediocre single-player game with MMO features that feel tacked on somehow. There's not much I can say that other reviewers haven't pointed out already. Bioware and EA took an IP with a ton of weight behind it, and a rabid fan base, and instead of making something that could've been huge and game-changing, as far as the MMO genre goes, they played it safe and lazy, frittering away time and absurd amounts of money, deciding that a WoW clone would be the easiest way to cash in on both the IP and the sense of familiarity that comes with being yet another WoW-wannabe. The only reason that I'm giving the game a 2 and and not a 1 is that the music really is excellent. My suspicion is that many of the 10s on here are either blind followers of all things Bioware, trolls, or shills for Bioware hiding behind false identities (which has happened before).… Expand
  37. axias_v
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    Let me get my background checked off so I can properly explain to you that I will try to be as objective as possible when writing this review. For starters, I grew up playing duck hunt, and a Zelda: A link to the past. The first mmorpg I played was Everquest, and I have played almost every major release since then.

    Now to the meat of my review, about Star Wars: The Old Republic:. When I    Let me get my background checked off so I can properly explain to you that I will try to be as objective as possible when writing this review. For starters, I grew up playing duck hunt, and a Zelda: A link to the past. The first mmorpg I played was Everquest, and I have played almost every major release since then.

    Now to the meat of my review, about Star Wars: The Old Republic:. When I first heard about this mmorpg in 2008, I was one of the many with a distaste for the idea of a "Theme-Park MMO", as I myself, used to be a butt-hurt SWG Vet, who clamored of days long passed, of a highly buggy, yet incredibly enjoyable sandbox landscape where the adventure was defined by social interaction rather than mechanical.

    I've begun to accept Theme-park, as a different form of entertainment than a Sand-box MMO, as such to be as objective as possible, you must approach as so. Sw:tor has a few bugs, and is definitely not the "perfect" MMO, despite what many fanbois will claim. However, a week into the game and at level 30 on my Sith Assasin, It is an incredibly engaging mmorpg none the less. If you have realistic expectations, and have a guild or some buddies to play with, this should be a blast to play. As long as you can sort your way through some of the haywire of initial release, such as 500+ queue lines, and some common Guild interface bugs.

    In the MMO's current state, I give it an 8/10 for sheer Theme-Park enjoyability. As MMORPG's are always evolving, expect the true-score to change as the few noticeable bugs are worked out, and major content is added.    … Expand
  38. Dianoia
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    MMO's are a tough thing to review. Many appear solid and polished, engrossing and exciting, only to fall apart later on. Some start off overly complex and counterintuitive, and then become engrossing, with a level of depth and replayability you can't find in any other genre. That being said, be wary of ANY review you read of ANY MMO out the gate: oftentimes, you're really only reading aMMO's are a tough thing to review. Many appear solid and polished, engrossing and exciting, only to fall apart later on. Some start off overly complex and counterintuitive, and then become engrossing, with a level of depth and replayability you can't find in any other genre. That being said, be wary of ANY review you read of ANY MMO out the gate: oftentimes, you're really only reading a brief initial impression of what the whole game has to offer.

    That being said, my initial impression of star Wars: The Old Republic is extremely positive. This is not an entirely new formulq, and it shows. BioWare studied their competition extremely carefully, mimicing many of the best things titles have offered in the genre. The game play, abilities, and user interface are all very reminiscent of any other major MMO release in the past seven years. The formula is the same, too: start off as a lowly no one and, through questing, group play, and pvp, become a hero in great gear and maybe even someone famous on your server.

    Where this game separates itself is in the story and the execution. For better or worse, BioWare chose to make the game less of a grand exploration of an overarching world, and more of a "theme park". At first, it's a little hard to appreciate the decision, as the feeling of traversing an epic world is lost in favor of zipping around every sight in the galaxy. However, the decision's strengths begin to shine when you realize that BioWare took a universe too big to fully explore, and fully realized the best moments, locales, and tales you could expect from Star Wars. Flying from one point in the zone Nar Shaadaa to the other, you get the feeling of a very tiny person in a very big galaxy. No other game I've played has created such a sense of scale from so little, and it's 100% faithful to the feel of the films.

    If you love story telling, especially the BioWare flavor, it's definitely here. The feat BioWare pulled off in turning text-driven "go kill x of this" into a living, breathing tale of moral decisions is breathtaking. Sure, not every quest is as engrossing, and some story lines get going (and stay going) faster than others, but there are cringe-worthy, jaw-dropping, and tear jerking moments to be had. No other MMO has pulled it off this well, and it goes a long way to getting you hooked fast. It alne is reason enough to jump into BioWare's world.

    There are definite missteps here. The UI is clunky and lacking customization. Class balance is a bit bonkers early on. The looking for group feature is circa 2007. Character customization, though better than competitor's games, doesn't live up to BioWare's other staples. Que times are out the wazoo. But none of these are game breaking, and in an age where MMO's just get better over time, these are surely on BioWare's radar for future patch improvements.

    So, should you buy this game? If you love MMO's, Star Wars, or BioWare's storytellng, you'll probably fall in love with this game. If you're a FPS fan, expect 7 years of polish and features out the door, are looking for cutting-edge DX11 graphics, or don't get into a game's story, I'd pass.    … Expand
  39. Malefactor
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Easily the best Themepark MMO on the market today, all the familiar trappings gamers have come to expect from the themepark model, plus a new take on questing and the biggest addition to the genre to date: STORY. Highly polished gameplay with the trademark BioWare cinematic storytelling is a match made in heaven. Excellent game would (and have) recommend to everyone who likes MMO'sEasily the best Themepark MMO on the market today, all the familiar trappings gamers have come to expect from the themepark model, plus a new take on questing and the biggest addition to the genre to date: STORY. Highly polished gameplay with the trademark BioWare cinematic storytelling is a match made in heaven. Excellent game would (and have) recommend to everyone who likes MMO's (themepark), Star Wars, and BioWare.… Expand
  40. Whyudie
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Bioware makes great games. There is no denying that. The attention to story and immersion is unparalleled in this industry. I was hooked since Neverwinter Nights. Now with an MMO they have raised the bar. Voice Dialogue not just for the main quest but every little itty bitty one as well. Now they were bought out by EA games and this being the most expensive video game ever produced, thereBioware makes great games. There is no denying that. The attention to story and immersion is unparalleled in this industry. I was hooked since Neverwinter Nights. Now with an MMO they have raised the bar. Voice Dialogue not just for the main quest but every little itty bitty one as well. Now they were bought out by EA games and this being the most expensive video game ever produced, there were obvious corners that were cut. Lack of character customization chief among them. Obviously in order to push for a launch before the end of the year, there are no wookies or complicated playable races in the game.

    During the beta, one of my favorite features was wearing a hood over a mask. This was taken out amongst other features due to bugs which apprently couldn't be fixed for launch. Here's to hoping they get put back in soon. An important attribute in a MMO is player vs player and this is limited to where you can find the other faction, which literally feels like small corners on each planet. The Warzones (Equivalent of battlegrounds in similar MMO's) number under 5 as of launch and is ok but definitely lacking more content and a real fun factor. Overall, the game is great one. Some of the best games immerse you in them, much like a good movie does. The story line for most classes drives the game and holds it up amongst any negatives. In the original Kotor, Jeremy Soule's music immersed you into a world you could not even imagine. His haunting rhythm on the same level as the excellent story. I was sad to see him not a part of this. It's also sad that the music it does have, does not play enough throughout the game. I am giving it a 10 because it has the potential to be a 10 once some of the many features removed for the launch are ultimately restored.    … Expand
  41. crackedlogic
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I can only base a review on my own experience, to all those having issues I can understand the low scores and frustration but I haven't had any issues, quite the opposite.

    I am loving this game, I am almost a level 30 Jedi guardian and can't believe how good the story is, I can confidently say this is the first MMO where I haven't skipped the text to just get to objective, it makes you    I can only base a review on my own experience, to all those having issues I can understand the low scores and frustration but I haven't had any issues, quite the opposite.

    I am loving this game, I am almost a level 30 Jedi guardian and can't believe how good the story is, I can confidently say this is the first MMO where I haven't skipped the text to just get to objective, it makes you care about the characters, story and goal's and that's something this genre has been lacking. The gameplay's not going to set the world on fire but there's nothing wrong with it, it works. MMO's are constantly evolving and I'm sure the balancing and general issue's will be worked out quick enough but my Jedi Guardian is fun to control, I never find myself just hitting something with a lightsaber until its dead, (After the first few starter worlds) It get's challenging and I find myself having to use cooldown's, shields and the force to defeat enemies.

    Crafting in this game is a strong selling point, it's got a lottery feeling about it, there's the chance of getting a "Rare" that you can actually use and make's crafting like spinning a roulette wheel.

    All in all ill be subscribing and hope enough other people do to keep this game going.    … Expand
  42. Hadrijan
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Excellent game in my opinion, tops WoW hands down and i am comparing the two because i have played Blizzard's game for quite some time and liked it.
    Bioware has done an amazing job with the Star Wars IP and i think the Star Wars fans will be pleased.
  43. Tilran
    Dec 20, 2011
    6
    The game is developed well..you can tell hundreds of millions went into this game because it is very polished and the voice overs are well done.

    Unfortunately this is not my cup of tea for a game because it bores me to death. It feels like a single player game that has other people in it. The PvP is awful instanced matches...and is just dull as hell. The dungeons are instanced    The game is developed well..you can tell hundreds of millions went into this game because it is very polished and the voice overs are well done.

    Unfortunately this is not my cup of tea for a game because it bores me to death. It feels like a single player game that has other people in it.

    The PvP is awful instanced matches...and is just dull as hell.
    The dungeons are instanced group missions which are fun...but get soooo repetetive and arent hard.

    Honestly if you spend money on this game...remember that its a single player game and you wont be dissapointed when you realize the same thing.    … Expand
  44. bigbossluna
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    Does't work right. A cheap clone of WOW but with no fun in it. So many promises and just a big let down. As of now Dec. 14th there is no Professional review here in metacritic. You wanna know why because the game sucks and EA is doing there best to keep the low scores away.
  45. J45neoboy
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Star Wars: The Old Republic has hit all the nice touches. They've taken what has worked and made it better. The questing system? Yeah, it worked, but now your choices matter and you have fully immersive voice overs with amazing animations. The combat? Yeah, tab-targetting works. But now we have dynamic combat with amazing skill and strategy to master. The graphics? Yeah, they're not likeStar Wars: The Old Republic has hit all the nice touches. They've taken what has worked and made it better. The questing system? Yeah, it worked, but now your choices matter and you have fully immersive voice overs with amazing animations. The combat? Yeah, tab-targetting works. But now we have dynamic combat with amazing skill and strategy to master. The graphics? Yeah, they're not like Aion's but they are absolutely amazing. Many are downrating this game for silly reasons, but it's not due to the instancing. The instancing is very little and may I add, YOU CAN ALLOW OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR INSTANCES. YOU CAN SKIP THE MOVIES IF YOU WANT TO. Definitely a great game.… Expand
  46. jumajin
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Very fun, fast paced game. Great questing, fantastic voice-acting, plenty to do in a game that promised a true Star Wars MMO experience and delivers. Not without minor problems (like any launch month MMO), but most polished game to come along since World of Warcraft in 2004. SWTOR is most definitely worth the box price and subscription investment. Very much recommended.
  47. Olliepop
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Bioware do not disappoint. WoW fanboys are just taking a break from bashing Blizzard and are bashing the greatest current threat to their beloved universe. I am a former WoW fanboy, converted by SWTOR. This game is amazing. First, to combat previous critics: Zones are in 2 instances, you can jump between them freely. The purpose of these is to prevent 400 people in one zone stealing yourBioware do not disappoint. WoW fanboys are just taking a break from bashing Blizzard and are bashing the greatest current threat to their beloved universe. I am a former WoW fanboy, converted by SWTOR. This game is amazing. First, to combat previous critics: Zones are in 2 instances, you can jump between them freely. The purpose of these is to prevent 400 people in one zone stealing your mobs: instead there are 200. Cities etc are not instanced. Server queues are only present because it's launch like ANY OTHER mmo. Infact, unlike WoW launch or other games these servers are not lagging or crashing. Top job Bioware.

    Combat is insanely fun in this game. In WoW combat was the same every time, in SWTOR it's dynamic and varies. Mobs have different levels of difficulty, identifiable by the colour graphic around their portrait and 'Strong', 'Elite', 'Champion' texts. The vast majority of items can be traded before bound, and items can be modified to update stats to retain the look of your gear if you so choose.

    Great game, check it out yourself.    … Expand
  48. Rivan
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Excellent game all around. This is the first MMO I've actually been engrossed by! Each class (of which there is eight) has 200 hours of story quests attached to it, and the quests themselves are engaging and objective-based. You won't spend hours killing random NPCs to level, you level through character-developing quests where you make the decisions on how to proceed. The combat is slickExcellent game all around. This is the first MMO I've actually been engrossed by! Each class (of which there is eight) has 200 hours of story quests attached to it, and the quests themselves are engaging and objective-based. You won't spend hours killing random NPCs to level, you level through character-developing quests where you make the decisions on how to proceed. The combat is slick and well-paced; you need to use strategy to succeed. Combat is not too slow, but not too fast that you get destroyed in a minute. The environments are lush, well-built and HUGE. One planet (Coruscant) is so big that I could spend all day there and still not have everything explored. Other planets are similarly large.

    In terms of bugs, I haven't run into any. This is surprising for such a new MMO.

    I'm also a big PvP fan, and the PvP matches are objective-based which is amazing. Instead of just mindlessly killing everyone, you have to work together as a team to complete objectives. So as far as I'm concerned, this game succeeds on all counts.    … Expand
  49. Virin
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I don't normally take the time to vote but lets be serious here. This extremely small number of users does not represent the hundreds of thousands playing. Odds are the ones enjoying the game are not going to take the time to come here and vote for the game unless of course they, like me, saw somebody suggesting the game was poor based upon 200 people's opinions.

    Well here's mine: This    I don't normally take the time to vote but lets be serious here. This extremely small number of users does not represent the hundreds of thousands playing. Odds are the ones enjoying the game are not going to take the time to come here and vote for the game unless of course they, like me, saw somebody suggesting the game was poor based upon 200 people's opinions.

    Well here's mine:

    This game is amazing.

    K thx.    … Expand
  50. Multiverselol
    Dec 20, 2011
    2
    The gameplay feels and looks surprisingly cheap considering Bioware spent over 100 million to make TOR. To get an idea of how it plays, just imagine World of Warcraft with less polish, 75% less content and way more instancing. Big swing and a miss by Bioware.
  51. Veritaas
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    Standard run of the mill themepark MMO. If you've played WoW, Rift, Warhammer, AoC, etc, you've played it before. This time it's got voice acting. It's a shame a company like Bioware did so little new with the IP.
  52. Stargate476
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Please do not listen to most of these 0-4 raters because most of them never actually played the game, they simply are wow fanbois who come here to hate on a new MMO, before rating this or hating on this try it out, Not going to lie and say its the best of all time but certainly holds my interest a hell of alot more then wow did, and leveling is actually FUN no walls of text. Sure there arePlease do not listen to most of these 0-4 raters because most of them never actually played the game, they simply are wow fanbois who come here to hate on a new MMO, before rating this or hating on this try it out, Not going to lie and say its the best of all time but certainly holds my interest a hell of alot more then wow did, and leveling is actually FUN no walls of text. Sure there are bugs and features we would like to see fixed/added but what mmo doesn't especially at launch. Overall a great game and you should definitely give it a shot.… Expand
  53. Jazzie
    Dec 20, 2011
    2
    This game perfectly fits the downward spiral of quality bioware is pushing out these days, ME2 â
  54. Vihazur
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    The story is a nice touch, but it doesn't make up for the rest of the game being so subpar. The combat especially - most of the game is combat, but it's just really dull. The environments have great backdrops, but stark lifeless play areas. Sound effects and music are minimal, customization is a joke, players and their companions look like clones - but I could live with things likeThe story is a nice touch, but it doesn't make up for the rest of the game being so subpar. The combat especially - most of the game is combat, but it's just really dull. The environments have great backdrops, but stark lifeless play areas. Sound effects and music are minimal, customization is a joke, players and their companions look like clones - but I could live with things like that, if the combat were more fun, at least.… Expand
  55. Jerobi
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    I'm not sure where are the vitriol is coming from?! I can't say this game is mold-breaking or anything, but anyone who has followed it would have had an idea what to expect. Do you like KOTOR? Do you like Bioware RPG's? Star Wars? You'll enjoy this game. Much of it is presented in standard MMO style, but the voiced over quests do add to my enjoyment and help me to put a little connectionI'm not sure where are the vitriol is coming from?! I can't say this game is mold-breaking or anything, but anyone who has followed it would have had an idea what to expect. Do you like KOTOR? Do you like Bioware RPG's? Star Wars? You'll enjoy this game. Much of it is presented in standard MMO style, but the voiced over quests do add to my enjoyment and help me to put a little connection to my character. That's what many gamer's attempt to do in any game, especially MMO's. I'm a Star Wars fan and I feel they have paid me service. The official launch is today, FFS. I'm sorry your auctions haven't all sold and you're not the Baron of Balmorra just yet, but going around screaming "LOL WOW CLONE SABERS" doesn't do anything to help anyone considering picking this up. -- OK, you're used to the style of combat if you have played an MMO (or any PC RPG) However there is a ton of unique content for each class, even if many common quests are shared. That is the same format many are used to, however it seems to be a huge deal here. Do yourself a favor and, as I said, if you enjoy Bioware/Star Wars/RPG's give it a shot. It can feel like KOTOR 3-9 with social elements and pvp, and that's a good deal for me.… Expand
  56. Sgtcrispy
    Dec 20, 2011
    3
    Had high hopes for this game, but today they were dashed. One of my biggest issues with the game is the morality system. It has the same issues I thought Mass Effect series had. There's no gray area, you're either a raging sociopath or a heroic god who can do no wrong. It's not even a morality system, it's a point grind. For example. In the game there is a quest where you haveHad high hopes for this game, but today they were dashed. One of my biggest issues with the game is the morality system. It has the same issues I thought Mass Effect series had. There's no gray area, you're either a raging sociopath or a heroic god who can do no wrong. It's not even a morality system, it's a point grind. For example. In the game there is a quest where you have to find medical supplies that were taken from the military. You find the culprit, who actually took the supplies to help refugees at the refugee camp. It turns out however, that somebody took the supplies from her. She will tell you where the person that took the supplies went if you take the supplies back to her. At this point I had two choices if I wanted to get the supplies back to the military. Lie to her. Or put a gun to a nearby kid's head and hold him hostage. I chose to lie. Upon getting the supplies back to the military officer I was rewarded with fifty dark side points. Wait, what? Both sides are gray, and there's no real right or wrong answer I think. People are hurt and injured and both factions need the supplies. So, why do you get awarded with the obvious bad or good points? Especially since you need a certain amount of these points for gear. The entire system turns it from a morality game to a currency game. Why should someone be punished for being neutral or in the gray morality like most actual people are? Instead, you're forced to be a one dimension piece of wood. There are other issues I had with the game that generally just left me bored but that was one of the main ones I had. Overall this game isn't completely awful, but it's just so bland and dull I can't find it enjoyable. Hopefully BioWare will fix the numerous problems this game has. I find that unlikely however, as any legitimate complains are buried under pages of BioWare fans crying that they're just a WoW fanboy or console trash and this game is too difficult or deep for them.… Expand
  57. Mhyth
    Dec 20, 2011
    3
    Having followed the development since 2008 and participating in beta since mid 2011, Bioware's xmas season offering is a lump of coal considering the diamond it could and should have been. The voice acting and good storylines throughout the game do not compensate for the overly simplistic and unchallenging gameplay, repeditive environments, and utter lack of innovation or even depth inHaving followed the development since 2008 and participating in beta since mid 2011, Bioware's xmas season offering is a lump of coal considering the diamond it could and should have been. The voice acting and good storylines throughout the game do not compensate for the overly simplistic and unchallenging gameplay, repeditive environments, and utter lack of innovation or even depth in character development, itemization, crafting, PvP, or any aspect of MMORPG gameplay. If you're a big Star Wars fan you'll recieve far more entertainment value spending the same amount of money on more books and materials than just going through the motions in this unspectacular MMORPG.… Expand
  58. nzh
    Dec 20, 2011
    6
    Fun game, worthy of playing through at least once. If this were a singeplayer or coop title, it would be deserving of a higher score. Trying to call this an MMO is the problem. It lacks some of the key features commonly found in other MMOs that are essential to creating a healthy community. The excuse of "they'll be added later" is unacceptable. Many fans have expressed their opinionsFun game, worthy of playing through at least once. If this were a singeplayer or coop title, it would be deserving of a higher score. Trying to call this an MMO is the problem. It lacks some of the key features commonly found in other MMOs that are essential to creating a healthy community. The excuse of "they'll be added later" is unacceptable. Many fans have expressed their opinions about the lack of dungeon system and addon support, only to be met with hostile criticism from so-called "true fans" of MMO gaming. If ToR is to become successful, it will need to open doors for all players. In its current state, it offers very little for competitive players. If anyone is on the fence about buying this game, I say go for it. You get a free month with your purchase, which is plenty of time to playthrough once and experience the main storyline.

    Sorry for the repost, but my original score was meant to be a 6.    … Expand
  59. Caltoon
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    Game is great fun with an excellent combination of solo content and group content, a near perfect balance. Planets and ground game in general is well polished and the unique story content make playing multiple toons a must. A few things to fix/improve: UI customization, high rez textures, space combat.
  60. TheFonz
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Don't listen to all the Bio-drones claiming that this is the best thing since sliced bread. I won't bother going into all the technical details as to why this game is a waste of 300 million dollars, because plenty of reviewers with a lot more MMO knowledge have already done that. I'll let them tell you how the graphical style is terrible, the character creation sucks, the endgame content is extremely lacking, and so on. I'm just going to tell you plain and simple: if you're a diehard KotOR fan, like myself, you will hate this game.

    Forget all the crap about "Bioware's brilliant storytelling" and this game containing "KotOR 3-12". None of that is true. Much of the individual class stories are shared, so you aren't going to be playing 8 unique stories. Not only that, but the stories are filled with typical Bioware tripe. If the original KotOR games were the original trilogy, TOR is the prequels; a ridiculous, uninspired story that retcons much of established KotOR knowledge and is filled to the brim with typical Bioware cliches at every turn. For an MMO whose main feature was supposed to be story, you would think Bioware could find something better to devote their resources to than 20 GB of voice overs. VOICE OVERS. Most people will eventually skip them anyways, because they won't care about the elaborate backstory made up for why they have to go kill 10 droids.

    But whatever.. many will surely disagree with me and claim that the story is amazing. That's fine. But what really bothers me about what Bioware is done with the KotOR franchise is how they have ruined two of the best characters ever written in SW EU: The Exile and Revan.

    Not only are both characters given faces, voices, and personalities (a big no-no), but their stories are wrapped up in the most awful way possible. Revan is turned into a mediocre raid boss for thousands of players to kill over and over again. The Exile... becomes a force ghost. That's it? I don't think Bioware really understands just how much fans were emotionally attached to the characters of the first two KotOR games. For them to close their stories in such a shallow, unsatisfying way is a slap in the face to those who have been waiting almost a decade now to see the end. Between TOR and Drew Karpyshyn's absolutely awful "Revan" book, they have successfully ruined what was what a great franchise and story. Congrats.    … Expand
  61. Desie01
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    Its an ok game. High production value. Good customer service. Bad community. Still some non game breaking bugs at launch. An MMO with a story along with multiple options. Its not a WoW clone. Graphics are on par with this generation of MMOs if not better. The Old Republic isnt a perfect game. No game is. Its fun and actually brings you back to what a Role Playing Game should be.Its an ok game. High production value. Good customer service. Bad community. Still some non game breaking bugs at launch. An MMO with a story along with multiple options. Its not a WoW clone. Graphics are on par with this generation of MMOs if not better. The Old Republic isnt a perfect game. No game is. Its fun and actually brings you back to what a Role Playing Game should be. It draws you into the story like no other MMO has done.

    The story elements make this game what it is. Its not a linear story, unless you make it one. Each conversation has multiple choices which branch out for each chapter you move through. Its an attempt to actually have a story in an MMO that you feel a part of and not just some average citizen who is one grunt in an army of billions. The game is as balanced as they could make it at launch. Forcing you to know your role and your skills if you are going to compete. PVP is about the most balanced PVP I have experienced over the history of MMOs. PVP still needs a lot of work and content, it just wasnt the focus of Bioware before launch.



    Crafting is OK and useful. Its not as indepth as SWG was. It has an appeal to it. You, yourself, doesnt craft. Your companions do while you are out questing. The only thing you have to do is gather and queue up their crafting and crew skill missions (which give you various rare and other items which can be used for crafting).

    The Crew Skill system sets this game apart and is singular to The Old Republic. Over your leveling experience you gain companions who can assist you with their different abilities and companion type. You get tank, healer, and DPS companions. Each companion comes with their separate story line which is gained by gaining or loosing affection with them. Companions also come with their own specific bonuses to different crafting types. Some may give a bonus to a gathering ability, others may give a bonus to a crew skill mission type, others may give bonuses to physical crafting types. Each class has a different set of Companions which are gained through your main story arc. You have the same choices you do, during the companion story lines, that you do in regular stories. You can treat them poorly and get negative affection. You can praise them and gain it. You also gain affection, with your companions, when they are out with you on your missions through which dialogue choice you select. And you can gain affection by giving them companion gifts.

    There are a lot of elements to this game that borrows from its predicesors. I said earlier, this is not a WoW clone. A clone would imply a direct copy. This does not copy WoW. WoW doesnt have a story that you are drawn into, you have the feeling that you are part of a massive army and you watch other peoples story be revealed before you. You dont have active companions in WoW unless you are a Hunter and even then, a bear can not heal you and you cant send a bear into fight a champion difficulty boss mob and heal it continuously. The Old Republic does borrow a lot of the basic functions which most people have mistakenly labled these as belonging to WoW. Quick Travel, mounts, story progression, raids, etc. Its really up to you on what you think about this game. A lot of people built up their own personal pedestal for this game and became jaded when they realized that Bioware is making a game to make money, borrowing from successful models and adding in their own flare to it (Item moding, Companions, an immersive story line, voiced acting, etc.) The base of this game is the same old same old. Everything else isnt. If you are looking for a game that solves all your problems, issues, and boredom from the same as usual MMO style and dont like a story line you can get into; look somewhere else. If you like a good story that you can direct down several different paths, the IP, or newer graphics; they this may be the game for you.

    People need to look at this game without rose or jaded colored glasses. Its worth giving it a try.    … Expand
  62. Thorkir
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    My experience with SWTOR is a Sith Inquisitor Sorcerer up to level 31. The gameplay was enjoyable, I loved the music, and the option to make everything much more difficult by leaving your companion behind. The story for the Inquisitor is exceptional. I did several flashpoints, which were very interesting, and each one a challenge to my ability to heal. I enjoyed my attempts at PvP, despiteMy experience with SWTOR is a Sith Inquisitor Sorcerer up to level 31. The gameplay was enjoyable, I loved the music, and the option to make everything much more difficult by leaving your companion behind. The story for the Inquisitor is exceptional. I did several flashpoints, which were very interesting, and each one a challenge to my ability to heal. I enjoyed my attempts at PvP, despite not winning usually. All in all, it seems a very well put together game. The only thing that keeps it from a 10 in my view is the instancing keeping people separated up. It makes the world feel empty.… Expand
  63. Bruce1020
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I give this game an A+. I have been searching for an MMO that would hold my attention and SWTOR is a game full of "Win". Don't let the negative reviews hold you back. Buy the game and see for yourself. SWTOR won't let you down.
  64. MrMurD3R
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pretty awesome game, has an excellent combat system with enough quests to be playing for months. Team play shows excellent mechanics. The graphics are good enough to maintain a high level of detail.… Expand
  65. Manmade3
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Im going to start by saying iv'e been a WoW player since 2 months after vanilla was released. Lately, WoW has become abysmal. The funny part is, without the cataclysm, I would still be playing, but Blizzard got to greedy and messed up their big franchise beyond the point of no return. My childhood gaming was classic X-Box, to gamecube, to 360. And I LOVED Knights of the old republic 1 andIm going to start by saying iv'e been a WoW player since 2 months after vanilla was released. Lately, WoW has become abysmal. The funny part is, without the cataclysm, I would still be playing, but Blizzard got to greedy and messed up their big franchise beyond the point of no return. My childhood gaming was classic X-Box, to gamecube, to 360. And I LOVED Knights of the old republic 1 and 2. I lost countless hours in them. Jedi Knight: Jedi academy and Force Unleashed I also enjoyed. But nothing really came close to the epicness that was KOTOR. Until mass effect, I thought that was the game for me after WoW got old but now....This is it. This is going to be one of the greatest MMO's of all time. Its getting the same complaints vanilla WoW got. But what the ignorant low scorer's fail to see is this is an MMO and that means one thing. PATCHS. People complain of bugs in console games, yes, they suck and if you dont have online you dont get them fixed, but in a game like this with so much money already invested in it, there will not only be bugfix patches, but content patches the likes of which we haven't seen since ES: Oblivions Shivering isles. I give this game an 8 because yes, on first look, not to amazing, but I have faith that just like vanilla, it will rise out of the low and become the source of entertainment for me for many years to come.… Expand
  66. dial
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    Very boring and uncreative. Combat is basically the exact same you'll find in any other themepark. You get a lot of skills at a low level(this is a good thing), and many of them are quite flashy. The downside however is that the combat is slow and sluggish compared to most themepark games. Graphics are subpar, yet stylistic in order to function on more systems. However, the game isVery boring and uncreative. Combat is basically the exact same you'll find in any other themepark. You get a lot of skills at a low level(this is a good thing), and many of them are quite flashy. The downside however is that the combat is slow and sluggish compared to most themepark games. Graphics are subpar, yet stylistic in order to function on more systems. However, the game is surprisingly unoptimized, which seems counter intuitive to that design decision in the first place.

    The biggest selling point to the game would seem to be the story and voice overs. At first I was attracted to the novelty of it. but it gets old very very fast. Most of the story twist are extremely predictable (as of all bioware stories of late), and you will found yourself space baring through the cutscenes fairly quickly. While the main storyline vo's were cool, I found myself wondering at times : 1) Why was my hero, that goes through so many epic story plots, doing so many mundane task. 2) Despite openly betraying the sith every chance I got, disrespecting my superiors every chance I got, I continued to become a more prominent sith even though everyone knew what I'm doing...it was completely stupid and immersion breaking. 3)Does EVERY side quest need cutscenes? This may sound cool to an outsider, but trust me it's horrible. Having to sit through cutscenes for people to tell you to travel ten feet to collect scraps off the ground...it's annoying. And finally. The world is utterly static. A combination of minimal ambient noise, huge open spacing with nothing in it, the lack of animation present in the world, and all the npc's standing still and silent. Every planet I went to besides one (and I went to most of them) looked liek a nuclear winter just hit. Still, lifeless, static, and boring. Crafting is automated, so this game isn't for crafters. The system was made for people who don't want to craft but want the benefits. It's essentially a automated lootbox. Rewarding the "crafters" for micromanaging timers. Pvp is what it is. The combat becomes loose and glidey against other players, similar to rif'ts pvp, so i your looking for something competitive, this is most likely not the game. Overall, very uninspired. The game takes no risk, amazes briefly, then became glaringly shallow. I have serious doubts about the longevity of the game, and most of my guildies are already bored to tears with it (starting in the headstart).    … Expand
  67. Sethisto
    Dec 20, 2011
    3
    SWTOR is very much a WoW clone, but not of the current version. This game seems to emulate somewhere near the end of Vanilla WoW. The quests are pretty much all "kill x creatures/ kill x boss/ click x items", there really isn't much variation. This, I usually don't mind though. It's a system that has worked multiple times. SWTOR throws a wrench into the equation though, by giving youSWTOR is very much a WoW clone, but not of the current version. This game seems to emulate somewhere near the end of Vanilla WoW. The quests are pretty much all "kill x creatures/ kill x boss/ click x items", there really isn't much variation. This, I usually don't mind though. It's a system that has worked multiple times. SWTOR throws a wrench into the equation though, by giving you absolutely ridiculous distances to run between each objective. Be prepared to enter/exit the same MASSIVE jedi temple 10 times for a single quest line, and the NPC you need is always in the farthest room in the back. While the environments are excellent looking, this is not an enjoyable experience, at all. The PVP Is pretty much the same as what you have all done for years. I played a Jedi consular/shadow, and it literally was my rogue in wow, no different at all aside from a few ranged force powers. The queues are quick though at least! They added voice overs and cutscenes to every single quest, but you can only make "go collect 5 elixirs" so interesting. It's a nice touch, but by level 20, I was just spamming space bar and selecting dark side responses to get through them. The main story quest is neat, but be prepared to grind if you want to focus on just that. Space fights are fun, and a neat addition, but it really doesn't make up for everything else. The game is just so ridiculously linear. If something like this is allowed to be successful, we are doomed to another decade of really bad WoW clones.… Expand
  68. Vid-szhite
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    An amazing game. Star Wars: The Old Republic is the final evolution of the "traditional" MMO, taking a tried and true system and adding Star Wars lore and BioWare's legendary storytelling. All the usual MMORPG amenities are there, from Auction Houses, to Open World PvP, to dungeons and questing. No MMORPG can even touch SWTOR in story, it's not even close. Each class has its own uniqueAn amazing game. Star Wars: The Old Republic is the final evolution of the "traditional" MMO, taking a tried and true system and adding Star Wars lore and BioWare's legendary storytelling. All the usual MMORPG amenities are there, from Auction Houses, to Open World PvP, to dungeons and questing. No MMORPG can even touch SWTOR in story, it's not even close. Each class has its own unique storyline, fully voice acted and full of decisions. Every quest has decisions to be made. Even the minor "kill 10 X" quests have amazing voice acting and decisions to be made, and unlike Skyrim, every character sounds unique and has his or her own script. This is a bigger upside than it even sounds like; when the quests give you context and make you feel like you're a part of the world, it makes those quests feel like they're worth doing. Quest givers will react to you differently based on your race, class, and what decisions you make. It makes the NPCs feel alive, which in turn makes YOU feel alive. Even dungeons have storylines that your whole party can participate in, which is an incredible feature that solidifies the team, and even changes how the dungeon will play out in some cases. You can even flirt with NPCs, and this CAN turn into something small, even if they're not your companions.

    Speaking of which, you get KOTOR-style companions. You can only have one out at a time, but they are a HUGE help and are the equivalent of an extra player, having the same stats and wearing the same gear. Decisions you make will change their disposition towards you, and can lead to some funny comments. Starting companions each fill roles that your class lacks - Tank classes will get DPS and Healing companions, "caster" classes get Tank companions, and so on. Each class has its own unique companions, and they in turn have their own storylines. They can be romanced if you are opposite sex and make the right choices with them, but same-sex romancing, by popular demand, is in the works.

    I'm not going to lie, it is VERY similar to World of Warcraft. So similar that, at first glance, it will appear to be a copy, and many classes will feel familiar. On closer inspection, though, it's not the similarities that stand out, but the differences, because many of the features it copies from WoW are refined. Your "hearthstone" can be used to transport you to any bind point you've discovered, making it a good way to get back to town if you're out in the wilderness, or get back to the action if you're in town. You have the option to auto-loot the entire immediate area, hide your helmet if you think it looks ugly and makes your voice sound weird (helmets change your voice sometimes). Anything that needs to be looted will shoot a beam of colored light into the sky that corresponds to the type of loot that the enemy dropped - if you get a purple drop, the beam of light will be purple, if a quest item drops, it will be gold, and so on. Crafting no longer requires you to go out mining for mats or going back to town because you can send your companions off to automatically do it for you, and each companion gets bonuses to certain skills. You can even send them off to automatically sell all your vendor trash. Crafting skills can even affect the outcomes of dungeons, as a person skilled in a certain trade can open shortcuts or paths to secret bosses.

    Even if you hate WoW, I would give SWTOR a chance--I hate WoW and I love SWTOR. However, if you're looking for something completely new, and the story elements aren't enough of a draw, this is probably the wrong game for you. It doesn't do a lot that hasn't been done before except for make your character feel alive, so if you couldn't care less about story, it's going to feel like WoW lite in space. It doesn't have free space combat (...yet), so the Space Combat missions are basically Star Fox missions. There isn't much endgame content yet, but you'll only be halfway through your own story when you reach 50, and endgame content is on the way. This may only be 1.0.0, but this is a great showing and a polished game. It earns my 10.    … Expand
  69. jst68
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    This is clearly the new benchmark MMO replacing WoW. Basically, they picked up everything that is great in WoW, gave it their signature Bioware design and now we get to enjoy a nearly perfect MMO. The launch worked great as well. They did their homework and it is probably the most stable, freshly released MMO I ever played. The game itself gives us beautiful graphics, excellent sound (itThis is clearly the new benchmark MMO replacing WoW. Basically, they picked up everything that is great in WoW, gave it their signature Bioware design and now we get to enjoy a nearly perfect MMO. The launch worked great as well. They did their homework and it is probably the most stable, freshly released MMO I ever played. The game itself gives us beautiful graphics, excellent sound (it is soooo cool hearing all the different races talk in their native language and it really helps you getting into the game), nice missions and smooth game play without grief points other MMOs have. When I am looking at some of the low rating I am wondering if these people even played or if they are just WoW fan-boys who can't get over the fact that their game might no longer be number one.… Expand
  70. moarage
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    looks worse than wow, play worse than wow and I don't even like wow

    it's pretty much the same formula of the last decade with no innovation whatsoever, if you like to play at disguised dull singleplayer game, go ahead
  71. EvilPriestlyBW
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    This game is the new fresh face of MMO gaming out there. It manages to bring what already long time fans of MMO's want while rejuvenating it with something new and awesome. Every time I do something in this game I scream out AWESOME. Bioware does it again with time proven writing, direction, gameplay, and a strong delivery of awesome. The voice acting is top spot. The characters are allThis game is the new fresh face of MMO gaming out there. It manages to bring what already long time fans of MMO's want while rejuvenating it with something new and awesome. Every time I do something in this game I scream out AWESOME. Bioware does it again with time proven writing, direction, gameplay, and a strong delivery of awesome. The voice acting is top spot. The characters are all well written and fleshed out so you believe you're exploring a living changing galaxy. The gameplay is, of course, AWESOME. Every button press is awesome. I can imagine how terrified the Blizzard offices were when they heard the RPG powerhouse Bioware was stepping into the mmo territory and this game justifies those fears. Watch out Blizzard, this game is full of AWESOME and you might find yourself in the number 2 spot after this holiday season. >: )… Expand
  72. alqualonde
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    I normally don't give scores like this to games, but my God. Was this the best that the fusion of Bioware and EA could do? This is like a voice acted game from 2005. Why is this an MMO when it was clearly meant to be a single-player game with many different storyline paths like DA:O? I can only surmise that it's because a subscription fee game rakes in more cash than an MMO, but I hate toI normally don't give scores like this to games, but my God. Was this the best that the fusion of Bioware and EA could do? This is like a voice acted game from 2005. Why is this an MMO when it was clearly meant to be a single-player game with many different storyline paths like DA:O? I can only surmise that it's because a subscription fee game rakes in more cash than an MMO, but I hate to think that about a developer I respected in the past. Then again: Dragon Age 2. The shoddy design aesthetic, the many glitches and bugs, the lack of next-gen MMO options (UI customization, addons, macros, mods, the 'roll for intiative' unintuative combat system)....not even FemShep's voice actress and the few other decent VA's in this can save this game from total mediocrity.

    Not worth my time or money; which I want back, by the way. I'm really disappointed.    … Expand
  73. Galius
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Fans of Bioware RPGs should play this for sure. Those that are used to grinding or just ignoring content on the way to max level should pass this one by as this is NOT the game for you. The only thing stopping me from rating this a ten is the silly space combat, should have been free flight not a tunnel shooter.
  74. Proxeny
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Admittedly I was at best sceptical over Bioware's announcement - back in 2008 - that they would henceforth be continuing the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic franchise (which I adore) as an MMO. I don't like MMOs; I find them more often than not to be shallow and the worst representations of video games as a leisure activity. Also, the communities in-game and over the internetAdmittedly I was at best sceptical over Bioware's announcement - back in 2008 - that they would henceforth be continuing the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic franchise (which I adore) as an MMO. I don't like MMOs; I find them more often than not to be shallow and the worst representations of video games as a leisure activity. Also, the communities in-game and over the internet attract the worst examples of gamer.

    Yet when I entered the world of SW:TOR, many of my reservations were put aside. The game fits right in with the Star Wars RPG standard set by KOTOR, with extraordinary voice acting and an engaging story from the get go. The dialogue mechanics in particular make grouping up a rather fun experience. This was all to be expected from Bioware and the RPG elements are where this game really shines above the competition (MMO or otherwise). The combat is a definite improvement over KOTOR 2, which could be rather sluggishness and frankly quite boring at times. In SWTOR the hotkey-based combat mechanics add more strategy and depth, yet perfectly accessible. It's not innovative in itself but is a great solution for this particular franchise.

    Gameplay outside of the story is of the familiar MMO archetype, and is also for the most part optional. If you don't like PvP, grouping, you can easily avoid these elements and still have a huge game to enjoy. But you can't ignore the fact that SW:TOR is an MMO. Server queues, lag, and less than optimal framerate (with respect the the graphical fidelity) make sure of this. Oh, and yeah a monthly fee. Yet it's worth tolerating this to enjoy the larger game that SW:TOR is, larger perhaps because of the fact that it is an MMO...    … Expand
  75. Altairzq
    Dec 20, 2011
    3
    This game is half single player and half mmo but doesn't seem the MMO part will be enough to keep it intereseting in the long run. Since i'm mostly interesetd in the MMO part and not the story I give it a 3.
  76. Dillabc123
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    This is the best MMO I have played. It's is incredibly deep. The story pulls you in and keep you wanting more. The combat is smooth, active, and enjoyable. The PVP has been great so far, I would recommend this to anyone looking to try out a new MMO.
  77. Kameleonical
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    First off, important point: This is Star Wars, not that Blizzard game called World of something. People that cannot stop making the comparison are clearly so deep rooted in it that it blinds their opinion of anything else. This game is very much akin to Knights of the Old Republic, but online, and it is very good. You have a variety of playable characters with differing abilities e.g.First off, important point: This is Star Wars, not that Blizzard game called World of something. People that cannot stop making the comparison are clearly so deep rooted in it that it blinds their opinion of anything else. This game is very much akin to Knights of the Old Republic, but online, and it is very good. You have a variety of playable characters with differing abilities e.g. Bounty Hunter or Jedi Knight. You have a huge amount of dialogue, a huge amount of missions to pursue, you have a huge Star Wars universe, companions who interact with you, not simply follow you blindly: you can also have them go off & do their own quests. You also have a very fun PvP element which is pretty mad, nonetheless fun.

    If you want story, variety, and fun come here. Unfortunately you also have an endless amount of chat in your chat box re: WoW. These people are literally sad.    … Expand
  78. ComicBookGuy
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    Worst Video-game Ever.

    Bioware/EA has proven that appealing to a fanatic minority and bullying reviewers with threats of black balling future games. This game is NOT a 10, giving it a 4 is a bit of stretch. It is a boring, repetitive copy of World of Warcraft that expects you to PAY for the experience. SWTOR has come out at the very end of the current MMO genre with all the graphics,    Worst Video-game Ever.

    Bioware/EA has proven that appealing to a fanatic minority and bullying reviewers with threats of black balling future games. This game is NOT a 10, giving it a 4 is a bit of stretch. It is a boring, repetitive copy of World of Warcraft that expects you to PAY for the experience. SWTOR has come out at the very end of the current MMO genre with all the graphics, style, and attitude of a child born in 1997.    … Expand
  79. Sherkat
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    A quality game, good voice over, story and combat. Fun group content, the crafting is very enjoyable and the story keeps questing from feeling like to much of a drag/grind. Does the game have problems? yes but overall a very smooth and entertaining game with a good art style. I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
  80. RomyA
    Dec 20, 2011
    2
    What a disappointment this game is. As many others have noted, this game is totally linear, way too instanced, and sorely lacking in the feel of an open world, which is so important (to me, at least) in an MMO. The folks at Bioware are great storytellers (Mass Effect rocked) but it just does not translate well into an MMO setting, because it places so many restrictions on the game. ForWhat a disappointment this game is. As many others have noted, this game is totally linear, way too instanced, and sorely lacking in the feel of an open world, which is so important (to me, at least) in an MMO. The folks at Bioware are great storytellers (Mass Effect rocked) but it just does not translate well into an MMO setting, because it places so many restrictions on the game. For example, Wookies are a favorite race in Star Wars. You should be able to play a Wookie, amirite? Apparently not - I guess the folks at Blizzard were worried that Wookie players who chose to engage in romantic interludes with their NPC companions (no, I am not making that up - it was stupid in Mass Effect, too) would invite comparisons to bestiality or something. Dumb, just plain dumb.

    Nothing about the gameplay feels new. The cinematics are pretty, but after awhile, clicking through dialog menus gets tedious. And seriously, no open space combat? Sorry, but an arcade-style combat-on-rails mini-game just does not cut it in a in a Star Wars game.

    I guess it's back to LotRO until Guild Wars 2 comes out. Please don't let that one be as big a disappointment!    … Expand
  81. crazysam87
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Very good game, launch was smooth for me, the game is very fluid. Content is very refreshing, deeply immersive caracter stories with the fully voiced and video conversation making it even more amazing.
    The ability to make other players in your group join you in your "story" and "class" quests is making the grouping part of the game really interesting. Flashpoints and warzones are very good    Very good game, launch was smooth for me, the game is very fluid. Content is very refreshing, deeply immersive caracter stories with the fully voiced and video conversation making it even more amazing.
    The ability to make other players in your group join you in your "story" and "class" quests is making the grouping part of the game really interesting. Flashpoints and warzones are very good as well.Some minor issues with being dc'd and some long queue times, but very decent for the first launch day!
    Actually one of the smoothest launch i've seen im my gamer life. Bravo to BW and EA who did an awesome job!    … Expand
  82. Necrotaur
    Dec 20, 2011
    5
    Don't think of Star Wars: The Old Republic as an MMO. It's closer to a single-player game where you have the option of playing alongside others, sort of a Knights of the Old Republic with co-op and pvp. It's very story and dialogue driven, which is refreshing, but also somewhat amusing when you spend a couple minutes talking to someone only to get a quest to kill 10 droids. In that respectDon't think of Star Wars: The Old Republic as an MMO. It's closer to a single-player game where you have the option of playing alongside others, sort of a Knights of the Old Republic with co-op and pvp. It's very story and dialogue driven, which is refreshing, but also somewhat amusing when you spend a couple minutes talking to someone only to get a quest to kill 10 droids. In that respect TOR is like most every other MMO out there - kill quests, fetch quests, 'go here, activate terminal' quests etc. etc. It's been done to death so badly even WoW is trying to avoid it, so why isn't Bioware? Graphics are bland, particularly the character models/equipment - it feels like they were pulled straight from 2003. Animations and character faces are awkward and wooden, and there is a distinct lack of racial choices. Who seriously thought 8 flavors of near-humans were a good idea? The voice acting is decent enough, but nothing particularly stellar. Gameplay is heavily instanced and jarring at times when you run into a huge red barrier that says you can't enter because you're not the appropriate class .Combat is the typical MMO button mashing affair, with a couple added twists such as actual companions with interaction (good) and the occasional starship piloting sequence (on rails - could have been better). I can't really speak about PvP in any serious depth, so perhaps that might interest you. In conclusion, SW:TOR *might* be worth a try solely for the story, but it's very doubtful it will have anything to draw you back once you finish it, which is absolutely essential for an MMO.… Expand
  83. lobstilops
    Dec 20, 2011
    2
    The year is 2011 and yet we are getting a game that could have been released alongside World of Warcraft. SWTOR in essence is not a next gen MMORPG. It is a slight overall improvement on the old and dying traditional MMO experience. I played the beta and was pretty disappointed. I expected more from Bioware and in all honesty was wishing they would stray from the traditional style ofThe year is 2011 and yet we are getting a game that could have been released alongside World of Warcraft. SWTOR in essence is not a next gen MMORPG. It is a slight overall improvement on the old and dying traditional MMO experience. I played the beta and was pretty disappointed. I expected more from Bioware and in all honesty was wishing they would stray from the traditional style of MMORPG's. Alas this isn't the problem. But hey, if you like World of Warcraft with star wars textures, characters, quests etc. This is the game for you! Have fun blowing 15$ a month. I'll be gladly waiting for Guild Wars 2, a game actually trying something new.… Expand
  84. Valsung
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    This game is unexpectedly fantastic. Coming in as someone who is not a very large fan of the Star Wars universe (not that there's anything wrong with it) I am impressed. The graphics are quite fluid, a far cry from trailers in the alphas and betas that had me worried. The voice acting is superb, and the storyline while linear, is engrossing. I know I'll be playing more than one characterThis game is unexpectedly fantastic. Coming in as someone who is not a very large fan of the Star Wars universe (not that there's anything wrong with it) I am impressed. The graphics are quite fluid, a far cry from trailers in the alphas and betas that had me worried. The voice acting is superb, and the storyline while linear, is engrossing. I know I'll be playing more than one character just for this reason, which is more than I can say for any other mmo.

    There are some flaws however, the lack of a Target of Target, UI customization features, and support for mouse-over macros are unfortunate, but I expect them to be added in the future.

    SWTOR is easily the smoothest and most polished "WoW clone" (using that ironically to describe what all new MMO's are labelled as) of the last 5 years. For once, it feels like there is promise and I have renewed hope in Bioware. Here's to the next few months of polish and patches for an overall great game.    … Expand
  85. Rintor
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I've played many MMOs: WoW, DDO, LOTRO, Star Trek, Champions Online, EVE, etc. I spent several years playing WoW. This, by far, is one of the best MMOs I have played. It's is incredibly immersive. The story-lines pull you in and keep you wanting more. The combat is smooth, active and enjoyable. This is the Star Wars RPG I have always wanted. Like any good MMO developer, Bioware has triedI've played many MMOs: WoW, DDO, LOTRO, Star Trek, Champions Online, EVE, etc. I spent several years playing WoW. This, by far, is one of the best MMOs I have played. It's is incredibly immersive. The story-lines pull you in and keep you wanting more. The combat is smooth, active and enjoyable. This is the Star Wars RPG I have always wanted. Like any good MMO developer, Bioware has tried to implement some of the best features and elements of any MMO. The comparisons to WoW are only surface deep. Anyone claiming it is "WoW with lightsabers" has not spent any significant time with either product.… Expand
  86. alceste007
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    A solid themepark MMO with that special Bioware storytelling added in. ToR is a ton of fun. ToR also offers some of the most rewarding MMO questing to date. Each class receives complex class-specific story lines. Most quests reward moral choices with light-side/dark-side points. This is very nice additional element to an MMO.
  87. kdiddy
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    I don't get the hate. The game is a blast, graphics are really good for an MMO. It's a great BioWare game and on top of that it's a great BioWare game you can play with your friends. What could be better?
  88. Belly
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    This really is a singleplayer game with a chat window, they focused so much on questing that they forgot to add real content that a MMO needs, graphics are 7 years old, the combat is slow and clunky and with old raid mechanics and stale pvp, it really does not bring much to the already bloated MMO world.
  89. reb0014
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    Let me begin by saying i have loved knights of the old republic since xbox and had high hopes, however ever since pre ordering the game 3 days ago this has given me nothing but trouble. after 60 gigs worth of 3 reinstalls of the digitally d/led game and its extensive 10 gig patch (3 days before it was released mind u). despite all this every time i attempted to click "play" my screen wouldLet me begin by saying i have loved knights of the old republic since xbox and had high hopes, however ever since pre ordering the game 3 days ago this has given me nothing but trouble. after 60 gigs worth of 3 reinstalls of the digitally d/led game and its extensive 10 gig patch (3 days before it was released mind u). despite all this every time i attempted to click "play" my screen would go blank and flicker a few times then go to desktop like nothing happened. now u might think my comp is at fault, well i can play bf3 on ultra settings getting 60 fps, so i seriously doubt this puny game would even slow it down. so i attempt to contact support, only to be hung up on and told that they would email me. so i wait for a few hours and decide that i would call again and not hang up until it was fixed. 3 hours later i am yelling expletives at the indian support staff and demanding they find out whats wrong and fix it immediately. so to do this i apparently needed to send them my launch info... well after 2 days of waiting after sending this i give up and give bioware the big middle finger and demand my money back. i feel bad for u suckers who have to play it before figure out it sucks, although if u notice the people have spoken, a 5.2 rating in metacritic does not bode well for a AAA grade game that was suppost to revolutionize the industry. Keep your overpriced monthly fee gouging POS, youll find me slaying dragons on skyrim or on bf3.… Expand
  90. topshelf
    Dec 20, 2011
    8
    SWTOR is an engaging, story-driven adventure unlike anything we've seen in the MMO genre to-date.

    This is a game that truly grips you from the earliest beginnings. If you've read anything about SWTOR it's that this is a game about story - and it is. This is quality writing and while perhaps not a **** tale, it brings enough surprises to keep even the most avid gamer engrossed. DON'T SKIP    SWTOR is an engaging, story-driven adventure unlike anything we've seen in the MMO genre to-date.

    This is a game that truly grips you from the earliest beginnings. If you've read anything about SWTOR it's that this is a game about story - and it is. This is quality writing and while perhaps not a **** tale, it brings enough surprises to keep even the most avid gamer engrossed. DON'T SKIP THE CUT-SCENES
    So many games in this genre are about "getting through the game to get to the game". Meaning 70-80 levels of utter boredom in order to reach the penultimate level where one can finally participate in raid-content. In SWTOR you get to enjoy, even savor the ride.

    Playing earlier this week - I honestly experienced a tinge of regret when I hit my 23d level. The regret was because, like a good movie almost at an end, the ride seemed to be going too fast. I've never experienced that feeling in an MMO before, but I did with SWTOR.

    NOT ALL BUBBLE-GUM AND ROSE-PETALS
    If you play Empire, be prepared to feel more than a little dirty for following your character's destiny in true RP fashion. There's a grit to this story line on the empire-side that just rings true. Be prepared to to see the consequences of your actions, even when wearing a white-hat and acting the hero, some choices leave you with regrets.

    GIVE THIS GAME A GO
    Don't trust a review rating this game a 1-2-3. It's easy to see what's going on here in terms of game-rivalry. This game can and should be improved - but this game isn't built on almost a decade of development. Given the success this game has already seen (an estimated 1.5 million players in EGA) - and the commitment of EA to develop this game for the longterm, expect SWTOR to continue to improve. They have a great basis to build on here - as much as any game we've ever seen in the MMO market.

    Pick this one up - you'll love it.    … Expand
  91. Uachet
    Dec 20, 2011
    5
    SWTOR is a very mediocre offering that who's only claim to fame is a voice overs. The mechanics of the game are dated, the graphics are dated and glitchy, and the world itself seems to be tomb-like. Let me explain more on why the world seems like a tomb. Though you may see an indicator stating there are over 100 people in your particular area, for some amazing reason you only really everSWTOR is a very mediocre offering that who's only claim to fame is a voice overs. The mechanics of the game are dated, the graphics are dated and glitchy, and the world itself seems to be tomb-like. Let me explain more on why the world seems like a tomb. Though you may see an indicator stating there are over 100 people in your particular area, for some amazing reason you only really ever see about 5 to 10 other people. Also the worlds lack any fauna and talkative npcs outside of quest givers. It also lacks a day and night cycle, so depending on the planet you are on it is always day or always night (I felt no feeling of a passage of time).

    Anyhow, the developers seemed to have squandered there budget on voice talent (which is pretty good in some instances and poor in others). It is unfortunate for me that the most expensive online game created yet, is also the most shallow one I've experienced. This offering truly feels like a quick cash grab, instead of an attempt to make a game that is lasting.    … Expand
  92. Dikkus
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    Why people even trust Bioware anymore is beyond me. For this game, they promised a "amazing" MMO experience and that it would change the way we thought about MMOs. However it is--quite literally--a reskinned World Of Warcraft in the Star Wars universe, it is so cut and paste that it is almost pathetic. Not to mention the thousands (not kidding with that number) of glitches that exist, andWhy people even trust Bioware anymore is beyond me. For this game, they promised a "amazing" MMO experience and that it would change the way we thought about MMOs. However it is--quite literally--a reskinned World Of Warcraft in the Star Wars universe, it is so cut and paste that it is almost pathetic. Not to mention the thousands (not kidding with that number) of glitches that exist, and the terrible animation working, childish writing, and awful performance that people are experiencing... This is not what KOTOR 1 or 2 was, the fact that game even associates itself with the KOTOR title is insulting. Oh, and by the way; You kill Darth Revan for his pants. That's right, I'm not even kidding! You kill the single most important character in the KOTOR games for his pants. Good job Bioware.… Expand
  93. TeamSprocket
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    pretty horrible, if I wanted to play WoW i'd play WoW or a vanilla server at least
    SWTOR isn't even that good, its just the starwars named slapped onto shovelware
  94. Remiwololo
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    truly a disgrace and terrible compared to wow. It tried to be identical to WoW but ends up worse. I wouldn't even THINK about THINKING of getting this game unless I was a huge star wars fan, which im not.
    Total garbage.
  95. Ruscour
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    I have to wonder, have all the people who gave this game negative reviews actually played the damn thing? Anyways.

    I'm going to talk at length about this game and why people are idiots for considering it bad. This game is not, and never claimed to be, a revolutionary MMO. It is hotkey based, it is quest based, it is dungeon based, like pretty much every MMO ever. Like RIFT, and World    I have to wonder, have all the people who gave this game negative reviews actually played the damn thing? Anyways.

    I'm going to talk at length about this game and why people are idiots for considering it bad.

    This game is not, and never claimed to be, a revolutionary MMO. It is hotkey based, it is quest based, it is dungeon based, like pretty much every MMO ever. Like RIFT, and World of Warcraft before it, and EverQuest before it, it follows the same formula. Different setting, of course, but I'm seeing a lot of people who are just like "hurr durr WoW copy"...do you know what the word "genre" means? That's how genres work. People say the same about WoW and EverQuest...WoW did not invent this genre, it is simply the most successful game within it.

    This game did not innovate as much as RIFT did, either. The only thing that separates TOR from the rest of the pack in any significant way (aside from the Star Wars IP, of course) is the voice acted story. And it is marvelous. As a lover of end-game, the dungeons and PvP and such, leveling is always the biggest, most boring pain-in-the-ass ever. I played RIFT and I loved it but I couldn't keep going because the grind to max level was just brutal. It's the same in WoW, I could never level another character because of the sheer boredom, the gameplay isn't fun.

    SWTOR fixes that, in my opinion. Sure, what you're doing is as bland as in every MMO, but there is real story there. It's incredibly immersive and you care about why you have to kill 10 rats (for the typical example).

    Everything else is just incredibly solid. The PvP is great, the group stuff is awesome (and there's story there as well), the combat is surprisingly diverse and there is actual thought process involved in combat in questing unlike most MMOs. Stun that guy, CC that guy, DoT that guy, knockback that guy, instead of mash damage abilities -> collect loot. The companion system is great in this regard as well.

    All in all, SWTOR is another MMO that hasn't really innovated, but take it for what it is; an extremely solid game with enough innovation to stand on its own. It has fixed the biggest problem in MMORPGs in my opinion, and I can see myself playing this game for years to come (until Guild Wars 2 at least). People seem to be expecting something completely different to what people perceive to be the "WoW formula", but why fix what ain't broke?    … Expand
  96. Nexusepona
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Now what do we have here? In my oppinion, which is subjective of course, this is a good game with a few minor flaws. Gameplay is not a great suprise, I would describe it like what WoW should have been. It is similar in many ways, yet made it better, less frustrating, less boring, less grinding. Also has nice voice acting quests, you can have your own ship (and that is free, you just haveNow what do we have here? In my oppinion, which is subjective of course, this is a good game with a few minor flaws. Gameplay is not a great suprise, I would describe it like what WoW should have been. It is similar in many ways, yet made it better, less frustrating, less boring, less grinding. Also has nice voice acting quests, you can have your own ship (and that is free, you just have to reach that point in the story), the game has limited (but still fun) space combat, things like that. I would recommend it to any of my friends.… Expand
  97. ManOfSteel
    Dec 20, 2011
    0
    This game has been a bitter disappointment. The voice acting is ok, but everything else is extremely boring, uninspired and it soon becomes a drag. BioWare seemingly has lost their touch and I'm not expecting much more out of Mass Effect 3, which looks like a boring third person shooter. TOR massively underdelivers on all fronts, and for such a big project with such high aspirations, itThis game has been a bitter disappointment. The voice acting is ok, but everything else is extremely boring, uninspired and it soon becomes a drag. BioWare seemingly has lost their touch and I'm not expecting much more out of Mass Effect 3, which looks like a boring third person shooter. TOR massively underdelivers on all fronts, and for such a big project with such high aspirations, it fails miserably. Do not waste your time or money with this game.… Expand
  98. Jagtus
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    The title is surprisingly good. It has a weird hybrid between single player RPG and MMO but it is not a bad thing. Recommend trying, but it's not my money so use at your own risk.
  99. TracerTong
    Dec 20, 2011
    1
    Why WoW style combat!?! Why not something that would involve it being more star wars-ish like GUNZ combat. The combat where you block bullets with a sword, bounce off walls, and butterfly. We had that type of star wars game a while back called jedi knight 2 and it was amazing, but this no this is crap.
  100. pay4lawschool
    Dec 20, 2011
    9
    Don't get all the hating. I've played LOTRO to level cap...and played WOW to about level 26 but got bored. This is as good of an MMO as any made way way better by the SW content. If you're bored to tears of MMO's this won't rejuvinate that because it's an MMO...it's not MMO 2.0 or anything. But as MMO's go it's a GREAT one and that's at launch. It can only get better. I'm captivated.Don't get all the hating. I've played LOTRO to level cap...and played WOW to about level 26 but got bored. This is as good of an MMO as any made way way better by the SW content. If you're bored to tears of MMO's this won't rejuvinate that because it's an MMO...it's not MMO 2.0 or anything. But as MMO's go it's a GREAT one and that's at launch. It can only get better. I'm captivated. Even the side stories are compelling, crafting options are great...all in all, a win. I dont know how PvP is because I don't particularly care for that anyway but the PvE experience is amazing.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

19
#19 Best PC Game of 2011
8
#8 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
9
#9 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 73 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 73
  3. Negative: 0 out of 73
  1. RPGamer
    Apr 23, 2012
    80
    LucasArts generally exercised greater quality control of Star Wars games than most licensed properties receive, though that didn't necessarily translate into titles that were actually good. I've played a few other Star Wars games in the past, and while the SNES platformers were pretty good, this one is even better. Knights of the Old Republic may just be the best game in the franchise, and succeeds at being a top-tier RPG even if one has no interest in Star Wars. BioWare did the license proud.
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  2. GameCritics
    Mar 31, 2012
    70
    I wound up bailing out on Star Wars: The Old Republic well before hitting the level cap, but not before digging into it more so than any other MMO I've played. Even if it is an unhappy marriage between two wildly different game types, the fact that it kept me hooked for so long at least counts for something.
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  3. NZGamer
    Mar 5, 2012
    83
    A good game. It pays excellent homage to the film series (even though it's set before the movies), and is a really solid MMO.
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