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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Bagamer
    Dec 24, 2011
    8
    As a long time player of MMO's i have to say this game has intrigued me more than any of them.While it has not turned the industry up side down it is a good game.The story and voice acting done by Bioware is what makes the game.Otherwise yes it would be WOW or Guildwars its an mmo what did you think it would be? Character creation is a little lacking and pvp needs work but these are allAs a long time player of MMO's i have to say this game has intrigued me more than any of them.While it has not turned the industry up side down it is a good game.The story and voice acting done by Bioware is what makes the game.Otherwise yes it would be WOW or Guildwars its an mmo what did you think it would be? Character creation is a little lacking and pvp needs work but these are all things that are promised to be dealt with.(WOW sucked when it first came out and Guildwars was even worse so give it time)SWTOR doesn't seem like a grind and farm game it keeps you interacting with people and your constantly getting bits of story to help you along.Flash points and heroic quest are a lot of fun, you get a small group together and wreck havoc on a lot of high power enemies.All while being drawn into the story and being pushed by the need to see whats going to happen.Graphics are not awesome but they look good and way better then WOW or Guildwars ever has.To wrap it up here it is the story and voice acting make this game. After putting in five plus years into WOW and 2 on and off in Guildwars its nice to finally have the game give me something to look forward too! Grab it it's good!… Expand
  2. gamingsince86
    Dec 24, 2011
    8
    i'm not an mmo expert but i have play a variety of them since PSO to diablo FFXI WoW Rift even FFXIV. now i'm playing SWTOR... if your going into this game expecting it to be so different from anything else, your not going to enjoy it. that being said the standard has been set by multiple past mmo's that have become a must for an mmo to be both playable and fun! SWTOR is a very good game,i'm not an mmo expert but i have play a variety of them since PSO to diablo FFXI WoW Rift even FFXIV. now i'm playing SWTOR... if your going into this game expecting it to be so different from anything else, your not going to enjoy it. that being said the standard has been set by multiple past mmo's that have become a must for an mmo to be both playable and fun! SWTOR is a very good game, no it's not the revolutionary game that it was hyped up to be but it took all the right steps to either become or show the next guys how it's done. I think they focused mostly on the authentic feeling of you bind with and feeling your character becoming stronger within the world. the progression and story line are great in my eyes, the only grinding iv'e noticed was the crafting, wich is all done by your companion (you literally click a button and he does his own thing while you continue doing w/e you were doing) he comes back a couple minutes later with a complete product and ready to be sent again. Character creation isnt extremely deep, you can pick between about 4 body types, but! the facial features and skin features are enough to limit you from seeing a clone of yourself easily. i've hit lvl 19 and havn't seen an exact copy of myself yet. also your dark and light side changes your features a bit too. now alot of mmo players are complaining about the way the world is set up, IT IS NOT 100% OPEN WORLD but thats ok :) was diablo open world? how many people loved it and are going to get diablo III? exactly. its not exactly a rail system tho. you get a main hub/city for each planet then outside of that is a smaller yet generally open world with dungeons that route off of that. you can explore to fine datacons wich give you stat boosts you keep forever. i actually enjoy this set up cause it makes it easy to see what people are doing and actually makes it easy to find a group. now the graphics, i'll start with the downside, there are minimal graphic customization built in to the game, wich limits some players and causes performance issues with others. you do however have the choice of shader, texture, foliage density, character detail and bloom options, my only issue (mine only some have more) is that there were no options for anti aliasing but you can write your own line in the setting file wich is what i did and voila no jaggies :) i'm not gonna go into detail on the WoW SWTOR comparisons and gripes but if your just looking for something fresh, new and polished with lots of potential this is a good pick, if you want something completely different from WoW and Rift, dont hype this game you will be let down.

    PROS: dialog and story keeps your head in the game very colorful all classes feel look and performe differently with alot of over the top flare authentic star wars feel, looks and sounds epic space flight missions flashpoints and heroic missions are a blast crew skills (crafting and savaging) are convenient CONS: space flight is on rails (still fun tho) and i don't think there is space pvp limited open world (if thats what your lookin for) limited graphic setting options character creations isnt very deep im sure im missing alot here guys this being my 1st mmo review but i hope this atleast helps a few of you looking for a decent non bias rating seeing only wow praising and wow bashing. i still have yet to try pvp and probly a bunch of other things but from what ive done so far i myself love it.    … Expand
  3. Shadamehr
    Dec 25, 2011
    8
    As a jaded 5 year WoW player this is a refreshing alternative, especially considering what's in wait for if you stick with the former (Pokemon ... sheeesh !). It has what WoW lacks, in depth storyline. I predict that for the next WoW expansion after MoP it will have that, in depth storyline, companions..... and spaceships.
  4. shingoukieh
    Dec 26, 2011
    8
    This game is what you would expect it to be. It is a standard mmorpg with a twist...Star Wars!! Now in all fairness this game is very different from World of Warcraft. Yes it has the skill tree like WoW, for the most part similar quests, and also classes but what it does different is combat..The combat in SWTOR is very fast paced..it is similar to titles such as DCUO and COH. So in thisThis game is what you would expect it to be. It is a standard mmorpg with a twist...Star Wars!! Now in all fairness this game is very different from World of Warcraft. Yes it has the skill tree like WoW, for the most part similar quests, and also classes but what it does different is combat..The combat in SWTOR is very fast paced..it is similar to titles such as DCUO and COH. So in this game you will be swinging ur light saber away in fast thrilling combat sequences. The game story is very impressive! It is particularly impressive when you are in a group doing a story. All of your group members get a chance to speak and sometimes its funny to see what your team mates say. The game is very immerse and you feel like you feel connected to the starwars universe. The only negative thing i can think of so far is the side quests....some of them are just boring to do..the main quests are fun and has good plot to it but the side ones make me want to skip the talking. Im not the furthest in the game but what i can do is recommend this to any starwars or mmorpg player looking for the next big mmorpg....I have to warn you the game starts off a lil slow...but once you leave the starting area it gets alot more fun!!!… Expand
  5. Kauldric
    Dec 27, 2011
    8
    This is a fun game. The class story quests make a huge difference. Bioware does a good job of putting you in the middle of a story that progresses and makes you want to find out what will happen next. I do not feel a sense of quest grinding at all. The game very much feels like Dragon Age or Mass Effect. The idea of having companions whom you can affect plus a Light/Dark meter isThis is a fun game. The class story quests make a huge difference. Bioware does a good job of putting you in the middle of a story that progresses and makes you want to find out what will happen next. I do not feel a sense of quest grinding at all. The game very much feels like Dragon Age or Mass Effect. The idea of having companions whom you can affect plus a Light/Dark meter is brilliant. The phasing is also great and adds to the immersion. The crafting system is great: just sent one of your six companions in a crafting missions while you keep playing! All in all, it has been a very fun experience.

    There are small features that are missing, such as dual spec, that would make the game better, but all-in-all, I would certainly recommend this game.    … Expand
  6. Manical_Koala
    Dec 27, 2011
    8
    I enjoy the game. It's not the end all of end alls.. or the new MMO that will lead us to the glory land. It's an MMO that focuses around voice acting, crafting and a Star Wars feel. To clear a few things up. The "fanboys" claiming its just a clone of WoW, remember that WoW is just a clone of EverQuest. Yes, this is a holy trinity game. Tank / Healer / DPS. Yes. It features stories,I enjoy the game. It's not the end all of end alls.. or the new MMO that will lead us to the glory land. It's an MMO that focuses around voice acting, crafting and a Star Wars feel. To clear a few things up. The "fanboys" claiming its just a clone of WoW, remember that WoW is just a clone of EverQuest. Yes, this is a holy trinity game. Tank / Healer / DPS. Yes. It features stories, choices and gear grinding. It also has a new crafting system and I find space combat and the voice acting a welcome distraction. All BioWare did was take the time tested and proven formula, and shined it up. Just like WoW did. This is a "better" version of WoW / EQ / etc. If you don't want toolbars, hotkeys, or were hoping it'd be a FPS MMO... I'm not sure what to tell you. You're obviously clueless about what the game is and you're trolling. So, I give it an 8.… Expand
  7. MJreview
    Dec 29, 2011
    8
    This is one of if not the best AAA mmo launches I have ever experienced. It's a great game and ( To the WoW fanbois) yes it is very similar to wow in mechanics, but it brings an unusual twist to the MMO world. It is not completely without its flaws or bugs. The majority of which are easily fixed or can be ignored. The story is compelling and enjoyable. The combat animations look great.This is one of if not the best AAA mmo launches I have ever experienced. It's a great game and ( To the WoW fanbois) yes it is very similar to wow in mechanics, but it brings an unusual twist to the MMO world. It is not completely without its flaws or bugs. The majority of which are easily fixed or can be ignored. The story is compelling and enjoyable. The combat animations look great. There are many different areas to SWTOR that add a change of pace. With a few months of patches and updates, I'd easily put this as one of my Top 5 mmo's ever.… Expand
  8. Aph347
    Jan 2, 2012
    8
    I honestly think that these negative reviews of every game that you see on the website is absolutely insane. I don't understand why people are hating on The Old Republic JUST BECAUSE IT IS SIMILAR TO WoW?
    It has absolutely NO similarity to World of Warcraft whatsoever. If anyone is complaining that this game is a disappointment then this game may not be the game for them. For Star Wars    I honestly think that these negative reviews of every game that you see on the website is absolutely insane. I don't understand why people are hating on The Old Republic JUST BECAUSE IT IS SIMILAR TO WoW?
    It has absolutely NO similarity to World of Warcraft whatsoever. If anyone is complaining that this game is a disappointment then this game may not be the game for them. For Star Wars fans like myself, I would absolutely recommend this game for you. People are obviously going to troll about a game that is similar in any fashion to another game, that is the way of life. People do not know how to review because they have nothing better to do besides write something completely untrue. This game is definitely new, I'll admit that there are a few flaws at the moment since this is a brand new MMORPG, but I expect these issues to be fixed within a few weeks or a few months. People who are not patient are of course going to troll on this website. To be honest, I think that Metacritic is the only website that there is so many negative reviews of this game. Is there some sort of rebellion towards good video games or something? Because I do not understand why there such a ridiculous number of negative reviews on GOOD GAMES.
    Some advice to the trolls that do not agree with this argument that I am trying to write about, GO OUTSIDE. Get a life please because I am sick of hearing these stupid reviews because I know for a fact that half of you guys have never even played the game and are writing from your **** I just made this account today because I had enough with these stupid reviews! Star Wars: The Old Republic is a must buy of this years MMORPG's of 2012 so please get it if you have the chance.    … Expand
  9. brathor
    Jan 3, 2012
    8
    After hitting level 45 with my main character, I think I can say that this is the most fun I've had playing an MMO in six or seven years, and I've tried pretty much all the big ones. The class stories I've played have been both well-executed and engaging-- unlike every other MMO I've ever played, they make me feel invested in the journey my character is taking. As Bioware is and always hasAfter hitting level 45 with my main character, I think I can say that this is the most fun I've had playing an MMO in six or seven years, and I've tried pretty much all the big ones. The class stories I've played have been both well-executed and engaging-- unlike every other MMO I've ever played, they make me feel invested in the journey my character is taking. As Bioware is and always has been a company that uses its games to tell stories, it makes sense that this feature would be the number one distinguishing aspect of the game. On the downside, I am consistently underwhelmed by the options I have to customize my character both in terms of appearance and abilities. I was also disappointed to see how many genre conventions the game takes from World of Warcraft (which borrowed many of its conventions from Everquest). There do seem to be some balance issues with some of the classes, particularly in regards to PvP. I also have been frustrated by the frequency of frustrating bugs I've run into since hitting level 20. Overall, this is an excellent game that anyone who has enjoyed previous Bioware titles (especially Knights of the Old Republic) and the MMO genre should enjoy. There isn't much in the way of genre innovation here, but these aspects is brought together with Bioware style story that make shte game more engaging than any other MMO I've ever played (including WoW and SWG). This one's going to be around for a while.… Expand
  10. Rujholla
    Jan 9, 2012
    8
    I signed up for this game at launch, and despite the flood of people telling me how horrible it is, I've not had so much fun since the early days of WOW. Lots of people are complaining about the quests being kill 10 of this, but I don't know where they are getting that. When you get a quest often times you can get a bonus quest to kill certain number of mobs in the area, but theyI signed up for this game at launch, and despite the flood of people telling me how horrible it is, I've not had so much fun since the early days of WOW. Lots of people are complaining about the quests being kill 10 of this, but I don't know where they are getting that. When you get a quest often times you can get a bonus quest to kill certain number of mobs in the area, but they aren't required to complete the main quest, if you can sneak in and out without killing then you can.… Expand
  11. IkariBattousai
    Jan 11, 2012
    8
    I played WoW for a few months, but really felt the experience lacking because it just felt like a grind. This game has done an amazing job of keeping me interested by incorporating a story. A lot of criticism I've seen points to a lackluster endgame, but the nice thing about this title is that you can always start a new character and experience a different class's story. The game playI played WoW for a few months, but really felt the experience lacking because it just felt like a grind. This game has done an amazing job of keeping me interested by incorporating a story. A lot of criticism I've seen points to a lackluster endgame, but the nice thing about this title is that you can always start a new character and experience a different class's story. The game play mechanics are probably the most lacking part of the game, and I do get a little bored at times in combat when I'm just sitting back and hitting a different number to do the next action, but I feel like the overall experience makes up for that.… Expand
  12. harold5187
    Jan 14, 2012
    8
    Obviously the 487 bad reviews for this game comes from the new generation of gamers, who are into the frag fest, adrenaline games, that require only bunny hopping skills, and a fast mouse finger, if your not using a gamepad. But to me Star Wars The Old Republic was a great game, minus a few points off for being somewhat of a turn-based game. But it was still fun to play, and made youObviously the 487 bad reviews for this game comes from the new generation of gamers, who are into the frag fest, adrenaline games, that require only bunny hopping skills, and a fast mouse finger, if your not using a gamepad. But to me Star Wars The Old Republic was a great game, minus a few points off for being somewhat of a turn-based game. But it was still fun to play, and made you think using your brain, unlike the brainless games being made nowdays. Between all the adrenaline online FPS games, and the hidden objects games, it's clear to me that gaming companies, just want your money, so they box up cheap buggy software with pretty graphics as fast as they can throw it out on the shelves for someone to get caught up in their advertising web of deceit. That's all they want is our money, and once they have it, they don't care what we get in return. Often times buying a new game requires a hardware updgrade of some sort. For once I wish I had my own gaming company so I could show this world how a good game should be. I would make all you stupid gaming companies pay for all the crappy games I've bought. 3000ad is on the top of that list for lousy gaming companies. As far as Knights of the old Republic, I only wish I had a decent computer to play their newest release, not to mention the Jedi Knight game they came out with, I've owned em all up till the time they got greedy, and started making games that require new computers to play. But I can't say nothing bad about their games, because I love them. My all time favorite was Tie Fighter. Long live Lucas Arts.… Expand
  13. MaximumProxy
    Jan 18, 2012
    8
    Pretty good game overall. You do need to have an active subscription to play, though, so beware. The focus on story would be fine, but I don't think user-made content is even going to be considered in the future. There are a few technical issues, sometimes bordering on game-crushing. THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU BUY.
  14. drake_avi
    Feb 7, 2012
    8
    As a Bioware and Kotor fan, i love Star Wars The Old Republic. Yes, it doesn't re-define the genre and it isn't exactly groundbreaking, but with it's illusion of choice, it's focus on story-telling and exciting pvp i am hooked. It's a really good game and although i was a little disappointed with certain aspects of the game like the lack of dynamic fights (it's basically WOW styleAs a Bioware and Kotor fan, i love Star Wars The Old Republic. Yes, it doesn't re-define the genre and it isn't exactly groundbreaking, but with it's illusion of choice, it's focus on story-telling and exciting pvp i am hooked. It's a really good game and although i was a little disappointed with certain aspects of the game like the lack of dynamic fights (it's basically WOW style fights), grinding for experience points, uninspiring space fights and lack of consequences (unlike other Bioware games like Dragon Age and Mas Effect). However i can say that Star Wars The Old Republic is very engaging. It's only been out there for a while and i can't wait to see how it shapes up. After all mmorpgs evolve over time and i can't wait for all the contents they are going to add. I vouch for Bioware when they say they listen to their fans and i am sure they are working hard to give us the best possible experience. So in end i can say that as this is a Bioware game and like all Bioware games it is of high polish and is a game built on a grand scale. So If you are a fan of mmorpgs/rpgs or Bioware or Star Wars or just looking for a great game to invest some time in, then don't miss out on this.… Expand
  15. Barua124
    Mar 4, 2012
    8
    I'm really surprised at how many WoWtards are writing bad reviews out of spite for this game. It's not a bad game at all. Sure there's a few bugs here and there, but for the most part the game is pretty rock solid. Gameplay is similar to WoW and other MMOs in that you kill ten rats, go here, deliver that, and so on. Nothing new with the quests. However ALL quests are voice acted, many ofI'm really surprised at how many WoWtards are writing bad reviews out of spite for this game. It's not a bad game at all. Sure there's a few bugs here and there, but for the most part the game is pretty rock solid. Gameplay is similar to WoW and other MMOs in that you kill ten rats, go here, deliver that, and so on. Nothing new with the quests. However ALL quests are voice acted, many of which are actually interesting. There's real story in this game that players do care about. Character customization is pretty good. Not as good as CoH, but substantially better than other MMOs on the market. Classes seem for the most part balanced in PvP situations. World environments look pretty good as the developers obviously put a lot of attention into that.

    The only drawback to this game is that it can get a little repetitive. Anyone who gives this game a rating of 6 or less obviously has never played the game before.    … Expand
  16. Slartibartfast
    Jan 28, 2012
    8
    The game is quite entertaining and really tries to give a feel of the Star Wars universe. It does however have quite some strange issues and lacking features that one wonders why were not fixed/implemented before the launch.

    I am very much enjoying the game though and I will remain patient to give Bioware time to correct and improve the game, so we will all have an enjoyable game for    The game is quite entertaining and really tries to give a feel of the Star Wars universe. It does however have quite some strange issues and lacking features that one wonders why were not fixed/implemented before the launch.

    I am very much enjoying the game though and I will remain patient to give Bioware time to correct and improve the game, so we will all have an enjoyable game for years to come.

    It is definitely worth a try for anyone who enjoys Star Wars, MMOs and emphasis on story. But if you need fast paced action and smooth gaming from day one, then you should probably wait a few months.    … Expand
  17. HumanHere
    Jan 31, 2012
    8
    I like this game, best mmo I've ever played. I like the community so far, haven't run into any jerks like I did so often in WoW. Stories are interesting, and game play feels good. It needs a bit of work which is why it's not getting a 10 but to be fair every mmo always need work.
  18. avernus
    Feb 1, 2012
    8
    Good story. Lots of content for a new MMO. Some of us remember major Mmo releases with huge leveling gaps where you HAD to grind mobs. Art design and graphics are well done. Character customization could be better. Classes are nothing new. Sound effects and music are great. I've had no performance issues myself but I hear about some for people with decent rigs. The UI needs moreGood story. Lots of content for a new MMO. Some of us remember major Mmo releases with huge leveling gaps where you HAD to grind mobs. Art design and graphics are well done. Character customization could be better. Classes are nothing new. Sound effects and music are great. I've had no performance issues myself but I hear about some for people with decent rigs. The UI needs more customization - Skill proliferation is a minor issue for non-clickers. But then again it was functional if lacking in convenience. End game needs more open ended game play, e.g. territory control, open world raids, rinse and repeat raids are boring. PvP is currently weak due to faction imbalances, surprise surprise. Crafting, works, but balance v. raid loot is not implemented well. 8 good. higher points for a smooth launch. AS much as I love TOR setting, I can't give higher than an 8 for linear only gameplay.… Expand
  19. RingoStarr1991
    Feb 2, 2012
    8
    Not a fan of MMO's but the story lines for the characters I have made (Sith Warrior, Jedi Guardian, and Jedi Councilor) have been quite enjoyable. Lots of quests and missions that can be completed solo or in a group. This game really pulled through for me and will have my hard earned money until I finish the main stories.
  20. Prufrock
    Feb 6, 2012
    8
    SWTOR is overall a great game. Of course, if you are expecting it to be jam packed with features upon release (say coming from WoW) you will be disappointed. It is a story driven, well crafted MMO that allows players to interact completely in the Star Wars Universe. The graphics are equally stunning as well. I think where the game falls a tad short is in meeting the expectations of seasonsSWTOR is overall a great game. Of course, if you are expecting it to be jam packed with features upon release (say coming from WoW) you will be disappointed. It is a story driven, well crafted MMO that allows players to interact completely in the Star Wars Universe. The graphics are equally stunning as well. I think where the game falls a tad short is in meeting the expectations of seasons MMO players who are looking for features such as a modifiable UI, server transfer, guild halls, etc right out of the box. So it will feel like it is missing something from that perspective. Yet, people forget that it took years and years to develop those features even in WoW because they are expensive to create. So first comes the subscriptions, then comes the added features. That's just the way it works and to expect otherwise is not realistic.… Expand
  21. Obliark
    Feb 8, 2012
    8
    Needs work, but the foundation is there to grow and expand on with time. Space combat, pvp, Quests, Datacron hunting, and companions give you playtime if you tire of one.
  22. diggs
    Feb 10, 2012
    8
    The ability to write an objective review (or inabliity) looms very large over this games score. Many mmo gamers in todays market have no doubt played wow at one time or another. Sadly, they probably have not played any other mmo. Judging a new mmo based on another one is fair to do, but only if you are able to remain objective. One must take into account that wow did not introduce anythingThe ability to write an objective review (or inabliity) looms very large over this games score. Many mmo gamers in todays market have no doubt played wow at one time or another. Sadly, they probably have not played any other mmo. Judging a new mmo based on another one is fair to do, but only if you are able to remain objective. One must take into account that wow did not introduce anything new to the mmo genre, thwy simply did it netter than anyone else. At launch wow did not have raids, they did not have heroic dungeons, nor did they have battlegrounds. And if you played at launch, you will remember the insqne queue times, the terrible server lag, all the loot bugs, and many of the things that plague new mmos.

    Star wars is no different. They shipped the game with some graphical bugs, quest completion issues, a few buggy raid fights, and sound issues. But being objective, the launch of this game has gone far smoother than qny other I have played. Minor release issues aside, this game ia very good. It has multiple raids, many 4 man dungeons, three warzones, a solid gear system in place, and an entire planet dedicated to end game content (though buggy in its current incantation). To biowares defense, they have quickly addressed and eliminated many release bugs already. The story immersion is incredible, the graphics are pretty detailed for mmo standards, the sound is classic star wars, and there is substantial end game content.. The game really doesn't do anything new (outside of the great VO), but much like wow did, it does the standard mmo elements better than any other game on the market. No game launches without bugs, but if this one had, it would easily be 10/10. Give it a try, objectively.    … Expand
  23. GFierce
    Sep 18, 2013
    8
    Has great story and fun to play with friends. It is still better to be a subscriber but can do a lot of the game for free. Have leveled up a few characters and done as many quests as I can and still end up under leveled sometimes. Has a bit of challenge to it but is best for the story. Can be tedious at times and difficult by yourself. Best played with a group and not taken very seriously.
  24. Euangelion3o9
    Feb 19, 2012
    8
    Great AAA MMO, there are two reasons I give it an 8 instead of 10. The first is character customization and gear styles, there are not many gear variations for each armor class and the armor all looks extremely similar. Character creation is extremely basic for today's MMO standards, every race is basically a human with some dye or horns on the face, a big part of Star Wars are the aliens.Great AAA MMO, there are two reasons I give it an 8 instead of 10. The first is character customization and gear styles, there are not many gear variations for each armor class and the armor all looks extremely similar. Character creation is extremely basic for today's MMO standards, every race is basically a human with some dye or horns on the face, a big part of Star Wars are the aliens. The second issue is the combat is slow and very repetitive. There are not enough skills and characters do not hit hard enough for my taste.

    However, every thing else is spot on. The music is excellent and never gets old, the graphics and art are not my style but they are very well done. The grouped instances are fun and some can be a challenge. The voice acting can be cheesy but otherwise very well done and keeps you in the story. The UI is works smoothly and is very functional. The classes are interesting and have a nice amount of customization via skill trees. Having a continuing story theme from planet to planet is also great. Leveling just doesn't feel like a chore in this game as it does in most MMOs, I just wish there was more character and armor variation.    … Expand
  25. elterifico
    Apr 2, 2012
    8
    Great game, I played it since the beta testing and I love it. It should be better, and it will... people are still expecting the content to be as big as wow... For now it is not. I find it funny though when I read about people that are pissed at the game mecanics since it is to similar to WOW just before complaining about things that are not like WOW. (Many onstanced zones andGreat game, I played it since the beta testing and I love it. It should be better, and it will... people are still expecting the content to be as big as wow... For now it is not. I find it funny though when I read about people that are pissed at the game mecanics since it is to similar to WOW just before complaining about things that are not like WOW. (Many onstanced zones and linearity). Following a story is not linearity to me.

    I expected more, but I still enjoy what they delivered and I'm sure they will improve...    … Expand
  26. Midgen
    Mar 8, 2012
    8
    Love this game. As a former hardcore MMO player, resigned to a casual style due to real life taking precedence, and being a fan of the Sci Fi genre in general, this game really fits the bill for me. Don't get me wrong. There are flaws. The UI is my biggest complain for being non-customizable. The gameplay itself is really great. My main character is a smuggler (sawbones), and I haveLove this game. As a former hardcore MMO player, resigned to a casual style due to real life taking precedence, and being a fan of the Sci Fi genre in general, this game really fits the bill for me. Don't get me wrong. There are flaws. The UI is my biggest complain for being non-customizable. The gameplay itself is really great. My main character is a smuggler (sawbones), and I have to say that this character is the most fun I've had playing an MMO... ever! Very utilitarian and very entertaining. She brings a lot of utility to groups with crowd control, group stealth, interrupts and stuns, not to mention the heals and damage, all of which she is quite adept at. Solo can be a challenge, but it just takes some strategy and good decisions when choosing companions.

    I haven't been this drawn to a game since the early days of Everquest back in 1999. I've actually stayed up too late, and been tempted to play hooky form work for this, which is something I haven't done in a long long time for a video game.

    The announcment of patch 1.2, coming in early April, which addresses the UI configurability issue lets me bump this up from an 8 to a 9. I'd give it a 10 but there are still some strange things in the game that can occiasionally break the immersion (like my companions staying in the same place on my ship, saying the same stale sayings over and over, while they are supposed to be out doing crew skills!).    … Expand
  27. goblue22
    Mar 10, 2012
    8
    This game successfully infuses story into an MMO. I've been craving this. In other MMOs I'd often walk into a raid with little to no back story or motivation as to why I was there aside from getting loot, so I could get more loot. That said the end game is currently a bit lacking because there are only 2 raids, both of which are incredibly easy. The PVP gearing is also incrediblyThis game successfully infuses story into an MMO. I've been craving this. In other MMOs I'd often walk into a raid with little to no back story or motivation as to why I was there aside from getting loot, so I could get more loot. That said the end game is currently a bit lacking because there are only 2 raids, both of which are incredibly easy. The PVP gearing is also incredibly frustrating. However, I'm confident that this game will get better as it grows and develops. A year from now I hope to be able to revise my review to a 9 or 10; but, for now 8/10.… Expand
  28. tunaah
    Mar 11, 2012
    8
    This game is quite similar to WoW in several aspects but there's something about it that makes it the second best MMO around if not as good as WoW. It is still close to its initial release so content is of course limited. Combat feels really responsive and spells feels varied(Sith Sorcerer), however the world seems a little static with a lot of still mobs and little patrols. In WoW simpleThis game is quite similar to WoW in several aspects but there's something about it that makes it the second best MMO around if not as good as WoW. It is still close to its initial release so content is of course limited. Combat feels really responsive and spells feels varied(Sith Sorcerer), however the world seems a little static with a lot of still mobs and little patrols. In WoW simple questing PvE could get tough with many patrolling mobs but in SWTOR it just doesn't feel alive, mobs just stand around and wait for an ambush. The still mobs can get patched though and it's not that big of deal when you experience all the other satisfying aspects. Leveling, gear collecting and the voice-acting are very satisfying. The games current state only holds mechanical mounts which is dull, imo. Organic mounts could very well occur in the future though. I've played WoW since its release in 2004 and overall I think I'll stick with SWTOR with hopes of good content patches, expansions, gameplay tweaks etc etc… Expand
  29. wightdeath
    Mar 13, 2012
    8
    i thought it was a really good game, yes there was some grind but what would a mmo be without grinding?
    i have played rift and wow and they all have grinding so i just say sit back and enjoy the story and if you don't like it do not play it
  30. slmarty
    Mar 16, 2012
    8
    If you're expecting something totally new and revolutionary this isn't your game. What it is, is the typical tried and true MMO template with a Star Wars twist to it. The leveling from 1-50 is very entertaining and story driven. End-game content is pretty good as well. I wouldn't rate the end game content as top-notch as I have played several MMO games with a more robust content poolIf you're expecting something totally new and revolutionary this isn't your game. What it is, is the typical tried and true MMO template with a Star Wars twist to it. The leveling from 1-50 is very entertaining and story driven. End-game content is pretty good as well. I wouldn't rate the end game content as top-notch as I have played several MMO games with a more robust content pool once you reach the level cap. Overall, a good game and worth a shot. It's a great way to burn some time and an easy replacement for other games you may be playing, if you're into that kind of thing.… Expand
  31. lambor
    May 24, 2012
    8
    I don't get rating it down for being generic, yes they have taken WOW and stuck it in the Star Wars universe, but you know what, I like that and it is fine. That gives it a solid base for a MMO. The story cinematics are good and I have found the story for the smuggler is good fun, and I have had a blast with it. I can't speak for the others as I am not far enough in with my alts but soI don't get rating it down for being generic, yes they have taken WOW and stuck it in the Star Wars universe, but you know what, I like that and it is fine. That gives it a solid base for a MMO. The story cinematics are good and I have found the story for the smuggler is good fun, and I have had a blast with it. I can't speak for the others as I am not far enough in with my alts but so far all seem worth playing through.… Expand
  32. InfinityBlaze
    Mar 25, 2012
    8
    First off, I would like to say that this game is not a rip-off of WoW. WoW is a great, successful game, and developers would be dumb to not borrow some mechanics from it. SWTOR takes what WoW does and refines it until perfection. The RPG part of the game is incredibly immersive, and makes you feel as if you are part of the world. The combat is fun, visually dynamic, and challenging. NowFirst off, I would like to say that this game is not a rip-off of WoW. WoW is a great, successful game, and developers would be dumb to not borrow some mechanics from it. SWTOR takes what WoW does and refines it until perfection. The RPG part of the game is incredibly immersive, and makes you feel as if you are part of the world. The combat is fun, visually dynamic, and challenging. Now for the negatives. SWTOR's sprawling landscapes take absolutely FOREVER to traverse, and it's sad to see no Flashpoint matchmaking system. Open-world PvP is dead, customer service is not the greatest. All in all, SWTOR is a great MMO, and will be alive for years to come.… Expand
  33. AthanasiosT
    Apr 24, 2012
    8
    Firstly, I'd like to clarify that I'm a friend, but not a fanatical follower of the Star Wars epic. After the 7 day trial, I bought the game and a 30-day subscription. Numerous reasons for that : the stories of the characters are well written and intriguing, the graphics good and not childish, the group instances just right in time (not too long, so that you can't leave the keyboard for 1Firstly, I'd like to clarify that I'm a friend, but not a fanatical follower of the Star Wars epic. After the 7 day trial, I bought the game and a 30-day subscription. Numerous reasons for that : the stories of the characters are well written and intriguing, the graphics good and not childish, the group instances just right in time (not too long, so that you can't leave the keyboard for 1 hour) and the light-dark choices have the player follow the script instead of pressing ESC all the time. On the down side, space battle, can really get some improving (hey Bioware, remember Tie Fighter ??) and as a neutral character you may miss some good equipment. I don't know if I'll keep playing it for a long time, but for the time being, it's a pretty good game.… Expand
  34. sycopat
    Apr 13, 2012
    8
    A solid hot button MMO engine underneath some quite good visuals. Bear in mind however, this is an MMO and as such there are concessions made graphically compared to dedicated single player games. There are a good number of planets to visit, some quite large. PVP is fun although limited to 3 scenarios(called warzones, one of which allows for intra-faction combat) and a small amount ofA solid hot button MMO engine underneath some quite good visuals. Bear in mind however, this is an MMO and as such there are concessions made graphically compared to dedicated single player games. There are a good number of planets to visit, some quite large. PVP is fun although limited to 3 scenarios(called warzones, one of which allows for intra-faction combat) and a small amount of world PvP (which always suffers when population distributions are unbalanced) due to the young age of the game.
    It also has PvE dungeons and raids (flash points and operations respectively) although again, the number is currently small.

    As with most MMO's the amount of endgame content increases with each major patch, however to call it's release sparse is misguided. The amount of endgame content is small compared only to established long term MMO's, specifically World of Warcraft.

    The game shines in it's storylines, the voice acting makes questing quite enjoyable and most quests consist of going to places and finding things or people rather than "kill X of Y" which mostly appears in bonus quests, with occasional exceptions. The class storylines are suberb, a real evolution of the genre. As it is possible to level through pvp and a simple, starfox-esque space shooter mini-game there is a great replayability to the game as it is possible skip entire planets non-class quest lines and do them on a seperate alt. Completionists and explorers are also rewarded with datacrons in hard to reach locations providing permanent (small) stat-boosts provided they can be found.

    The game is very star wars, players travel between planets interacting with large varieties of characters, they have space ships and build up a crew of loyal 'companions' who can be used to provide combat support in a similar way to the 'pets' of other games, perform crafting activities and even be sent away to sell all your vendor thrash when the inventory is getting full.

    There is, of course, room for improvement and ample room for expansion. The space shooter is very simple and could do with more missions, and additional end-game and group content is, as always, high on the list of player demands. The main turn off about the game is the official forums, which remind me all too much of the Mos Eisley Cantina and is infested with people who by turns criticise the game for being either too much or not enough like world of warcraft. Occasionally both at the same time.

    I think this game would be great for people who like star wars or like MMO's, however if you're tired of the tropes of the genre(cooldown management, the Tank,Healer DPS triumvirate etc.) you may find it lacking in innovation. Hardcore MMO players who like to blast through content without experiencing it may also find it a bit on the easy side.    … Expand
  35. Baalsmistress
    Apr 16, 2012
    8
    SW:ToR delivers exactly what Bioware promised. An epic tale set in the star wars universe, told in the form of a heavily voice acted theme park MMO. While it is possible to complete the class quest line without grouping, doing so misses out on the social side of what Bioware has provided.

    There is a rich variety of classes, many of which are challenging to play to their potential, and    SW:ToR delivers exactly what Bioware promised. An epic tale set in the star wars universe, told in the form of a heavily voice acted theme park MMO. While it is possible to complete the class quest line without grouping, doing so misses out on the social side of what Bioware has provided.

    There is a rich variety of classes, many of which are challenging to play to their potential, and each of the archetypes has it's own individual class story involving many tens of hours of playtime.

    This game shines as a beacon of what is possible in an MMO, and with a little more work on Bioware's part will grow to be the best MMO of all time. The efforts that Bioware have put into the post launch era bode well for the future. They are continuing to roll out new content possibly faster than the bulk of the playerbase can cope with. Of course, no pace of release would satisfy the more vocal detractors.    … Expand
  36. CrAEckY
    May 3, 2012
    8
    Great PvE, specially all Quests are lovely, even the Flashpoints(Instances) are good as well. The Operations are fantastic, i mean the Boss-Fights have nice dynamics and tactics, they are worth a try. Unfortunately the PvP-System was nearly 1:1 copied of WoW...
  37. gihal
    May 14, 2012
    8
    I admit that swtor is a stand-out, wonderfully crafted MMO. The story elements deliver on every front, the vocal performances are superb, and some genuinely clever innovations have been applied to PvP-PvE combat. Thereâ
  38. Sugewise
    May 17, 2012
    8
    Star Wars: The Old Republic, is a good game with great stories. Unfortunately the post 50 end game is lacking and very wow like. No open world pvp at all. Levels 1-49 are truly amazing though, definitely worth a play through or two.
  39. Duanesmi
    May 17, 2012
    8
    I love this game, but fast running out of things to do. Even after 1.2. Cannot wait for more content!.........................................................................
  40. Cyntax3rr0r
    May 22, 2012
    8
    I needed to give this game a few months before posting a review. I figured my bias towards the franchise would make me spam 10 a dozen times. I'm one of those that left WoW because... Cataclysm sucked. ToR brings a better experience for me and what I like to do in an MMO. The gathering system is great. I've never met anyone who logged into my WoW guild and said, "I can't wait to goI needed to give this game a few months before posting a review. I figured my bias towards the franchise would make me spam 10 a dozen times. I'm one of those that left WoW because... Cataclysm sucked. ToR brings a better experience for me and what I like to do in an MMO. The gathering system is great. I've never met anyone who logged into my WoW guild and said, "I can't wait to go mining for 2 hours!" I do feel that the crafting in the game needs improvement. A buddy of mine who played Galaxies for 5+ years mentioned the crafting system there and it sounds a whole lot better than what is in ToR currently. The classes that I have played have enough variety that I see potential as class tweaks are made. I was surprised that my favorite class to play would turn out to be the Bounty Hunter. I'm sure most folks jump into a Star Wars game lunging for a lightsaber, as I did. As I dabbled in my alt-itis, I found there was much more interaction in the combat. Going from ranged to mele and managing heat (the class resource) seems much more interactive then just spamming a rotation. I'm not trying to gulp the hatorade, just my preference. I don't mind the quick travel to planets, but I feel like the game is lacking without some free space flight. PvP queues are much less painful with everyone in the same pool, but your level (abilities available) and gear balance it nicely. I'm hoping for more diverse PvP modes in the future. The questing is the best I've ever seen in an MMO. This is literally building your character's persona with every decision you make. Leveling different classes are not cloned experiences like in WoW. Currently, the game lacks that amazing endgame content that's supposed to keep players hooked. I really think this game has incredible potential, but they need to work fast to make these improvements. With new MMOs constantly on the horizon, you gotta strike while the iron is hot. Even with the game in its current state, I enjoy it a heck of a lot more than WoW. That's why, for now, I'm rating it an 8/10. I'll amend this review as this game continues to evolve. Here's hoping history doesn't repeat itself with another fail patch!… Expand
  41. jamvaru
    Mar 5, 2013
    8
    My first impressions (after a year since playing the beta, which i loathed) is that SWTOR is a good MMO with lots of potential for growth and improvement; it does seem to be interested in being the star wars mmo that the people want, though they are moving a bit slowly on the 'f2p', or 'premier account' option; i bought the $5 digital upgrade pack for the speeder and the 'premier pack' atMy first impressions (after a year since playing the beta, which i loathed) is that SWTOR is a good MMO with lots of potential for growth and improvement; it does seem to be interested in being the star wars mmo that the people want, though they are moving a bit slowly on the 'f2p', or 'premier account' option; i bought the $5 digital upgrade pack for the speeder and the 'premier pack' at $10 (about 1000 cartel coins) for the early speeder access and a couple of other things (only affects one character)... so $10/character gets you a very playable game, plus the $5 for the account, all characters

    -read my full breakdown on tumblr:
    http://jamvaru.tumblr.com/post/44304219941/my-swtor-review-of-sorts-that-is-too-big-for-a-raptr    … Expand
  42. chimunga
    Jul 3, 2012
    8
    So far I have a level 47 Shadow, and a Sorcerer, Sniper, and Bounty hunter all in their mid to late 20's. So keep in mind that I haven't really experienced the end game yet. This game is solidly fun. It's entertaining. It has all the classic aspects of an MMO, so if you're looking for something genre-breaking, perhaps you should go elsewhere. However, if you're looking for interestingSo far I have a level 47 Shadow, and a Sorcerer, Sniper, and Bounty hunter all in their mid to late 20's. So keep in mind that I haven't really experienced the end game yet. This game is solidly fun. It's entertaining. It has all the classic aspects of an MMO, so if you're looking for something genre-breaking, perhaps you should go elsewhere. However, if you're looking for interesting story-lines, and a familiar quest and battle system, then look no further. One notable thing that I enjoy about SWTOR is the companion system. Mostly because it makes it much easier to level a healer or tank (in the correct spec). You get 5 companions to meet any need you might have (Ranged and melee DPS, Ranged and melee tank, and Healer). Another aspect I like about it is the mobs. It's not just "engage one=kill one." All mobs have a varying degree of difficultly and support, and you have to plan accordingly. The class storylines are at all ends of the spectrum. The consular (shadow) storyline is very "meh," whereas I'm finding the Imperial Agent and Bounty hunter stories super engaging. Game play is what you'd expect from an MMO. Not really anything notable there. All the classes are reasonably equal. The voice acting is wonderful, and usually the best voice acting comes from your companion characters. If you don't like cut scenes, I wouldn't go for this game. There is dialogue for every quest, and every part of the quest (that you can skip through.) A few things I dislike: There is the same progression of planets for everyone. Meaning, there is only one planet for each level range. That gets boring. Aside from your class story, you are literally going through the same storyline 4 times for each class on either faction. They're very probably going to add more content with more options, but for now, it's one of the majors drawbacks of the game. Another thing I'm finding I dislike is that BioWare rarely communicates what is going on with their customers. They like to do Q&A's every week, and they have their twitter account, but it's mostly fluff with no real answers that people want. That gets annoying fast. Character creation could use more options and the legacy system could use some fresh eyes. Some of the armor is absolutely RIDICULOUS. But if you're thinking about coming back to the game after being away, I would definitely try it out again. 1.3 added server transfers and Group finder, and it's really re-invigorated the game. And if you're a new player, remember that this game is not even a year old yet, and no MMO's are perfect out of the box, so to keep an open mind.… Expand
  43. titans300
    Jul 30, 2012
    8
    I'll start by saying I'm a huge star wars fan. Maybe not a total know-it-all fan, but love the genre and love this game. Sure It's not perfect, but what game is? I think the storyline is great, especially when you get to make decisions like a choose your own adventure story. I started with a Sith Warrior and took him to lvl 50 and I've started 6 more classes. I will say for the most part II'll start by saying I'm a huge star wars fan. Maybe not a total know-it-all fan, but love the genre and love this game. Sure It's not perfect, but what game is? I think the storyline is great, especially when you get to make decisions like a choose your own adventure story. I started with a Sith Warrior and took him to lvl 50 and I've started 6 more classes. I will say for the most part I don't have all the problems with game-play as a lot of people say they do and sure, I may lag from time to time, but what on-line game doesn't. I bought the game from the store, loaded it right up, and started playing without a hitch( I've been playing for 6 months now). I'm not a computer genus, but I did build my own computer and think maybe some of the problems I've seen on the forums may be operator error. If you read a review from a WoW vet, take it with a grain of sand. I didn't like WoW, played it for three months and cancelled. However, I love this game. I'm sure to the die-hard player that expects nothing but perfection, this game has a numerous if not an infinite number of issues, but to a person that loves Star Wars and likes an RPG with some social aspects, then here you go. I think that this game will only get better with time.… Expand
  44. Bladrak
    Aug 31, 2012
    8
    Star Wars: the Old Republic is a good MMORPG. Not a perfect one, yes, but good nonetheless. The story lines are incredibly addictive, graphics are quite good (not top the line, but it's a MMO), and the game is full of information regarding the SW Lore.
    The companion system is really interesting: having the ability to get a character fighting beside you, sharing your adventure with you, is    Star Wars: the Old Republic is a good MMORPG. Not a perfect one, yes, but good nonetheless. The story lines are incredibly addictive, graphics are quite good (not top the line, but it's a MMO), and the game is full of information regarding the SW Lore.
    The companion system is really interesting: having the ability to get a character fighting beside you, sharing your adventure with you, is helpful and story-wise really nice. Moreover, they're the ones doing your crafts for you!    … Expand
  45. 91metalhead
    Sep 24, 2012
    8
    Tor does a lot of things right, and in my opinion is the best MMO out there right now. Endgame doesn't do much for me anyway, so i won't comment on it, however, what i have played is fine. The game is constantly evolving and making the experience better. i usually play it on and off, because (like any game) it gets boring if you "overplay" it, but anygame does that, and some people justTor does a lot of things right, and in my opinion is the best MMO out there right now. Endgame doesn't do much for me anyway, so i won't comment on it, however, what i have played is fine. The game is constantly evolving and making the experience better. i usually play it on and off, because (like any game) it gets boring if you "overplay" it, but anygame does that, and some people just fail to realize that if you blow through the content without breaks, it's going to tire you out.… Expand
  46. 64BitGamer
    Nov 15, 2012
    8
    Swtor is the only mmo-rpg that i ever got into. The story line for the different classes is what keeps me interested in the game. And all the fun operations. It took me allot of time before i got to lvl 50. I kinda sucked at the game before i got my rotation down. But i am addicted to the game now when i know what i am doing. And i never grow tiered of the interesting dialog in the game.Swtor is the only mmo-rpg that i ever got into. The story line for the different classes is what keeps me interested in the game. And all the fun operations. It took me allot of time before i got to lvl 50. I kinda sucked at the game before i got my rotation down. But i am addicted to the game now when i know what i am doing. And i never grow tiered of the interesting dialog in the game. And that is a major feature in the game in my opinion. Fully voiced dialog in a mmo. What madness is this. I love it and now i can't play any other mmo where you have to read the quest. Yeah i am a bit lazy that way. And i blame it all on this amazing game. Go get it. F2P is probably out by the time you read this. let's hope that the game don't get populated by twelve year old WOW veterans...… Expand
  47. Ellixer
    Mar 3, 2013
    8
    ToR is an interesting game, that doesn't mean it's necessarily good (though I for once certainly enjoyed the hell out of it), it's because TOR is a genuinely innovative as an MMO because it tried (and succeeded for the most part) to have 8 distinct epic class stories that suit any Star Wars fan's desire to role-play his own character, packed with the usual Bioware's consistentlyToR is an interesting game, that doesn't mean it's necessarily good (though I for once certainly enjoyed the hell out of it), it's because TOR is a genuinely innovative as an MMO because it tried (and succeeded for the most part) to have 8 distinct epic class stories that suit any Star Wars fan's desire to role-play his own character, packed with the usual Bioware's consistently well-written characters and plot.

    Let's get ToR's uninspiring if competent parts out of the way as quickly as possible. The music is decent but not used often enough, the visual is well-designed but technically unimpressive and the environment is hit and miss. Voice acting, on the other hand, was consistently good (or at least I thought it would). Gameplay is competent if uninspiring. I've heard many people say the combat is very similar to WoW but I've never actually played that one beyond a few levels at a friend's house so I can't really confirm that. Combat in ToR is neither as tactical as Dragon Age nor as action-packed like Mass Effect 3, rather it tests the player's ability to juggle numerous abilities to maximum effect. For the most part all you'll be focusing managing your cooldown and force bar (or other equivalents of a mana bar). Beyond that there are also many other usual MMO stuffs that I don't care for for the most part such as Guild stuffs, raids, PvP (which was surprisingly good according to most people), etc.

    Now onto the part that Bioware is known for, and for good reasons too. The writing and characters were on par with Bioware's usual standards, the lore was intriguing as well as fleshed out and the characters are numerous and distinct, if artificial due to the affection system. The story has ups and downs however. While they were well written and interesting, the pacing itself was severely hurt by the MMO format. Backtracking and endless side quests were the 2 biggest issues for me. Side quests kill any sense of momentum gained by the interesting class story and any remaining sense of flow is then finished off whenever you die by accidentally attracting a mob while fighting something else. Thankfully, the stories themselves when you finally get to them, are distinct and intriguing. Shockingly enough, the MMO doesn't just hurt the story-telling, it actually bolstered it in some ways. Having other people around actually helped me be immersed into the world sometimes. More importantly, having 8 classes mean that Bioware had to write full stories for characters that no one would actually write for a full Star Wars game, such as the story of the Imperial Agent, the Sith Warrior/Inquisitor, the Smuggler, etc. While there are ones that many people like and ones that most people hated, they essentially cover almost everyone's taste: the Imperial Agent is basically a sci-fi James Bonds (incidentally my favourite story so far), the Jedi Knight is your typical Star Wars story and the Smuggler is a humorous/adventurous story of a rogue living in the Star Wars universe. Furthermore, having all these classes provide the player with the ability to see the same universe through 8 different perspectives. As for the F2P model, yeah it has countless annoying restrictions but they're ultimately harmless in my opinion, at least up until you reach level 50. These restrictions are nearly all just either cosmetic or simply serve to slow you down. As a F2P player myself, I can confirm that these things are indeed infuriating but I willingly levelled my way up to 50 without paying any real money and that has to be a plus. But really, the game started out as a subscription game and getting a F2P model can't be a bad thing (for consumers) so I suggest you grab it if you have any interest in the game and see how it goes with the prologue.

    In short, I had a blast at the game and I didn't have to pay anything for it (I know probably should). People may say that I gave it too high a score after pointing out so many that was wrong with it but ultimately it boils down to how much those shortcomings bother you. Yeah I'd have prefer it to be a single-player episodic series (so we can have all 8 classes) in order to solve the dumb pacing issues and absurd amount of production money but what is here is a very entertaining but flawed MMORPG that provides a new take on the genre in term of narrative. Since it's also free, definitely check it out if you're either a fan of Star Wars or a fan of Bioware story-telling.

    p.s. Also I should point out that this is my first review and I rarely play MMORPG so avid fans of the genre should take note of that.    … Expand
  48. Fletchski
    Mar 28, 2013
    8
    Star Wars The Old Republic is a free to play MMORPG developed by Bioware. Since its release at the end of 2011, the game has won many awards, including best MMO and best PC exclusive in 2011. The game is set during the times of the old republic which is over three thousand years before the rise of Darth Vader in the classic Star Wars films. In game you will have to choose whether you areStar Wars The Old Republic is a free to play MMORPG developed by Bioware. Since its release at the end of 2011, the game has won many awards, including best MMO and best PC exclusive in 2011. The game is set during the times of the old republic which is over three thousand years before the rise of Darth Vader in the classic Star Wars films. In game you will have to choose whether you are part of the galactic republic or the dark side of the evil empire. You will also have to choose your character class which determines the set of skills and abilities you will be able to have in game, such as being able to wield a light sabre or use a series of blasters and other long range weapons.

    The game is suitable for most players due to its lack of bloody violence and foul language, however to the fact that the game is online and that you must be 13+ to register, it is recommended that this game is for teens and above.

    Star wars The Old Republic has many built in features that make the game one of the best MMO’s available. The story telling is incredible down to the decision making within game, as every choice you make can alter the way the rest of the game will pan out for you and how others may react to you within game and will also determine your path of either light or the dark side. The game also has a stunning range of cinematic for both action scenes and conversations between players and A.I. The other cool function about any movie clip is your whole online party appear in the clip with your character and interact with the A.I in the same clips as you do, meaning that the whole game can be played together, between you and your friends.

    Not only are you able to share your adventure with real friends, but you can also have an A.I companion which will accompany throughout your game. Your companions can also be customised to your preference, such as appearance and behaviour when facing enemies.

    The combat system in SWTOR is a dynamic and detailed masterpiece, where every battle almost seems like a fight from the movies, as well as being on such a large scale. You are also granted your own personal star ship to fly in game, so there will also be intense space battles where you are made to attack or defend in your very own vehicle.

    The game is also a full MMO, featuring massive multiplayer environments, player-vs.-player Warzones, multi-player Flashpoints, multi-group Operations, guilds, auction houses, crafting, mounts, and much more.

    There is one downside to the game however, which is even though the game is free to unlock features such as operations and warzones, you must pay a £10 monthly subscription fee, however, if you enjoy the game that much then it is definitely worth becoming a member. I myself am a member and the jump from non-paid to paid offers so much more for the game, but it will only really be worth the £10 if you play the game enough. I rate Star Wars the Old Republic a solid 8/10, due to its amazing multiplayer functionality and compelling story line. The only thing that lets it down is the fact it is £10 a month if you want to play the game to its fullest potential, which is a lot for game, as that would be £120 pound a year just for extra features.    … Expand
  49. Kendojosh
    Apr 18, 2013
    8
    This is the first MMO I have ever played. My gf and I like it so much that we've just built her her own gaming PC so we can play at the same time and do missions together.
    That said, there are niggles that draw it away from a 9 or 10.
    There are far too many great things about the game to list them all but the top things are 1.) Storylines are great and there's eight of them (not    This is the first MMO I have ever played. My gf and I like it so much that we've just built her her own gaming PC so we can play at the same time and do missions together.
    That said, there are niggles that draw it away from a 9 or 10.

    There are far too many great things about the game to list them all but the top things are
    1.) Storylines are great and there's eight of them (not including dlc)!
    2.) Heaps of class and sub-class-specific abilities mean that you can play whatever type of game you want. Up close and personal, long-range, stealth, force powers, guns and grenades, whatever you like.
    3.) Awesome voice acting and very nice graphics meaning they will look good even if your PC is average or even a bit sub-par really anyone can get on board.

    And then there are the niggly things that irritate me if I'm in a bad mood:

    1.) EA servers are down more often than seems appropriate. Do they really ALL have to be down at the same time?
    2.) Walking. It never ends. I just want to get from A to B to do the next exciting thing but ME it takes a long time to get there, especially for the first several hours when you have to go everywhere on foot. Getting a speeder helps a bit but don't even get me started on the expanses of Tatooine.
    3.) Funny battle-oddities. Should I really be able to 'distract' an automated turret with a hologram of a sexy dancing girl?... lol

    Niggles aside, big props to BioWare for a game that is overwhelmingly fun.    … Expand
  50. MyPetMonkey
    Apr 18, 2013
    8
    Despite the amount of trolls who will go out of their way to tell you that this game killed their first born and molested them inappropriately, THE GAME ISN'T BAD.

    It's not genre breaking. It's a MMO it does what most MMO's do. That means it has issues like all MMO's. People will moan about class balance in PVP whenever they are getting slapped around. Strong server populations. And    Despite the amount of trolls who will go out of their way to tell you that this game killed their first born and molested them inappropriately, THE GAME ISN'T BAD.

    It's not genre breaking. It's a MMO it does what most MMO's do. That means it has issues like all MMO's. People will moan about class balance in PVP whenever they are getting slapped around.

    Strong server populations. And you can play the story for free. So all those moaning about wanting KOTOR 3 can get their fill.

    If you pay for $60 worth of unlocks then you get the near full experience without a sub.

    It's not the greatest but it's far no where near the worst.    … Expand
  51. GamingSoldier
    Oct 19, 2013
    8
    The old republic is a really good mmo and the thing that holds it back is the BS free to play restriction
    Pros: the gameplay is really good, the differences in the story between the classes, choices are cool, contains some of the elements I liked about mass effect and dragon age while doing enough to make itself it's own game, being a Jedi or a sith is extremely fun, dialogue options from    The old republic is a really good mmo and the thing that holds it back is the BS free to play restriction
    Pros: the gameplay is really good, the differences in the story between the classes, choices are cool, contains some of the elements I liked about mass effect and dragon age while doing enough to make itself it's own game, being a Jedi or a sith is extremely fun, dialogue options from mass effect return, the cinematics are solid and the graphics get the job done
    Cons: after you reach level 10 unless you subscribe you get less exp points, fetch quests, some annoyingly powerful boss fights where they have just a sliver of health less then you die and need to start over (I must have fought tarnis a billion times) free to play restrictions really annoy me
    So since this is free to play now I suggest you play it (if someone says it's too much like world of Warcraft, So WHAT WoW is awesome) if your a Star Wars fan play it, if your a bio ware fan play it or even if your just a mmo fan you should play it    … Expand
  52. Stave
    Dec 8, 2013
    8
    I've not played to the endgame where the real issues arose, from what I've heard. But I thought the various class choices were fantastic in how they varied and filled roles. I enjoyed the story and the tension that was there with the Empire vs Republic struggle. The cutscenes brought the questing to a personal level that I enjoyed, though I believe they could have reduced the number ofI've not played to the endgame where the real issues arose, from what I've heard. But I thought the various class choices were fantastic in how they varied and filled roles. I enjoyed the story and the tension that was there with the Empire vs Republic struggle. The cutscenes brought the questing to a personal level that I enjoyed, though I believe they could have reduced the number of them. The personal ship and personal relationship with your crew is great (much like Dragon Age, Mass Effect, etc). Looking forward to the Starfighter expansion.… Expand
  53. Zahrada
    Feb 24, 2014
    8
    This game does quite a few things quite well. Story-telling being on of them. It feels friendly and welcoming and it has its own unique style and setting. I spent many hours having loads of fun. I leveled few characters to level 30-40. I was never into end-game content in this game, because it wasn't what I played it for. See this game or as a Mass Effect game with MMO features. That isThis game does quite a few things quite well. Story-telling being on of them. It feels friendly and welcoming and it has its own unique style and setting. I spent many hours having loads of fun. I leveled few characters to level 30-40. I was never into end-game content in this game, because it wasn't what I played it for. See this game or as a Mass Effect game with MMO features. That is what it feels like. And it is not so bad as you may think. Leveling is the real deal here, not the end game content. The story telling is pretty cool too. The MMo formula based on grind is still present, but it is elegantly packed into cut-scenes and dialogue and it is also flexible. Most of the "kill X of Y" quests are optional and are progressed/finished authomatically as you go. I expected more of this MMO. I expected it to be much more open, but it still is a good one.… Expand
  54. MoistYam
    Jul 29, 2014
    8
    On one of many online game searches to satisfy my impulse craves of temporary adventure and enjoyment, I kept on stumbling upon Star Wars: The Old Republic on many of my "Top Free MMORPG's". At first I was hesitant because I've always played fantasy based mmorpgs and, although I enjoy the Star Wars franchise, the image of a Star Wars MMORPG didn't play well in my mind primarily based on myOn one of many online game searches to satisfy my impulse craves of temporary adventure and enjoyment, I kept on stumbling upon Star Wars: The Old Republic on many of my "Top Free MMORPG's". At first I was hesitant because I've always played fantasy based mmorpgs and, although I enjoy the Star Wars franchise, the image of a Star Wars MMORPG didn't play well in my mind primarily based on my past familiarity with other MMORPG's. I couldn't of been more wrong.
    Keeping in mind that I haven't played Knights of the old republic, both one and two, the story driven game type was rather new to me. As opposed to a lot of MMORPG's, in which the "story" is told through small, boring text which is often skipped for sake of gameplay, Star Wars: The Old Republic kept me involved and excited to pursue the story, which is astonishingly good for a "free" MMORPG. Not only is the story told to you through voices, which is awesome considering the fact that most "stories" in other MMORPG's tend to be skipped for either their quality or just plain apathy rooting from the player, the game keeps you involved by giving you a variety of answers, replies, decisions, and statements that can either make you looks like a complete bully, to a joking and friendly "sith". Occasionally, you will come across a decision that will, for example, give you the option to kill someone or let them live. Choosing the side of killing them will make you more "sith-like" and grant you "dark" points, letting them live will do the opposite and grant you "light" points. These points affect you in-game ranging from appearance changes to the loot available to you. Remember, I haven't played many story driven games so I just had to get all this excitement out.

    Now, for everything else.

    The combat is pretty generic with it's tab-right click to attack system and the graphics are nothing to write home about. Additionally, some may be turned off by the fact that free players get so much less than subscription and paying players. Some of benefits, aside from different race, mount, and cosmetic options, was that paying players got the ability to move faster during the long (yet enjoyable) tutorial, which is a really small thing, of course, but it annoyed me none the less.

    Overall, I'd say if you're craving for a new mmorpg and a new experience then try this game out, definitely. Even if the combat system is nothing special, the immense voice acting and story telling is.    … Expand
  55. dudeYeah0012
    Sep 18, 2014
    8
    I think some ranting and raving about performance issues aside, this was a really fun ride. We had a group of 4, played to level cap, then didn't have much we were interested in doing, but it was free, and worth 30 hours of good times.
  56. Big_Bear
    Nov 18, 2014
    8
    No way a 10/10 but definitely the best MMO on the market, especially if you are a Star Wars fan.

    Good - The only MMO with true role playing, each class being fully voice acted. Like all MMO's should be, grouping and pvp are not essential to progress, but its there if you want it. Servers run well in my expperience, very rarely kicked or laggy. It 'feels' like Star Wars having similar    No way a 10/10 but definitely the best MMO on the market, especially if you are a Star Wars fan.

    Good - The only MMO with true role playing, each class being fully voice acted. Like all MMO's should be, grouping and pvp are not essential to progress, but its there if you want it. Servers run well in my expperience, very rarely kicked or laggy. It 'feels' like Star Wars having similar atmospheres to KOTOR etc, helped by most planets being well designed and unique from eachother. It is not an elitist docuhe bag fest like WoW.

    Bad - Role play is still not as strong as a single player, offline game, as with all MMO's. Graphics aren't great.

    Verdict - if you love Star Wars and particularly the KOTOR games, you will love this. The best MMO out there by a long way.    … Expand
  57. AceOfDymonds
    Apr 23, 2015
    8
    The F2P model is a definitely on the restrictive side, but there is a lot to love about this game for subscribers.

    If you are a fan of story in your video games, this is the single best MMORPG for you in particular. It weaves a strong narrative and compelling characters throughout the leveling experience and into many of the end-game areas and group encounters. Most of the negative    The F2P model is a definitely on the restrictive side, but there is a lot to love about this game for subscribers.

    If you are a fan of story in your video games, this is the single best MMORPG for you in particular. It weaves a strong narrative and compelling characters throughout the leveling experience and into many of the end-game areas and group encounters.

    Most of the negative reviews here come from the state it released in - which had two glaring problems: [1] Not a lot of end-game content (the developers came out and admitted they thought it would take most players months to get to max-level, which they believed would give them time to release most of the end-game content in the first few patches without any harm done... it was almost cute in its naivete), and [2] lack of a group finder and some other 'basic' MMO features. (Some of the negative reviews also came from Star Wars Galaxies fans who are bitter over their Sandbox MMO closing down as this Themepark Star Wars MMO came out.)

    Both of these problems have been rectified. There are multiple raids (called Operations in SWTOR), all of which have fun and engaging encounters, and most of the standard MMO features have been added - the biggest feature still missing is an in-game Guild Calendar. (I also wouldn't complain if they implemented Cross-Server queuing.)

    The underlying gameplay design doesn't stray too far from WoW's basic formula, which will make the game particularly accessible to current or former fans of Blizzard's mega-hit. The biggest deviation is the presence of 'companions' - which basically function like combat pets. While you play through the leveling content, every class gets five unique companions specific to the story and gameplay of that class, plus one companion that is shared by all characters (a 'ship droid' which has a different name and appearance depending on which faction you play, but is functionally the same). Currently there are also two more shared companions that were added in Updates over the years, which can be unlocked on any character (one can be purchased, the other acquired by a unique quest chain). All these companions have their own personalities and back-stories, and add a wonderful amount of personality to the game.

    New 'Content Updates' are released around every nine weeks, which add new Daily Areas (which usually continue the game's story the first time you play through them, before the quests become repeatable), small group PVE encounters (called 'Flashpoints' - equivalent to WoW's 'Dungeons'), instanced PVP maps (called 'Warzones'), reoccurring Events (some seasonal, like the X-mas themed 'Life Day', some that occur sporadically, and one that returns every month) or large group PVE instances (Operations, as mentioned above).

    To date, there have also been two 'free expansions'. Galactic Starfighter, which added a PVP space dog-fighting minigame that is a lot of fun once you get over the initial hump of learning it (they admittedly need a better tutorial, but if you stick with it through the first couple frustrating attempts as you learn the ins and outs, then you will probably find it a rewarding, fun aspect of the game), and Galactic Strongholds, which added Player Housing and Guild Flagships to the game.

    The game is not without its flaws. While new content comes out every two months or so, the pacing for individual types of content has sometimes left long gaps in between new Operations or Warzones,which can be frustrating to Raiders or PVPers (a current long gap between new Warzones shows that the developers still haven't quite gotten a handle on this issue). Most new Content Updates come with a few notable bugs which have to be worked out over the course of a few maintenance patches in the weeks that follow their release. And as mentioned above, the Free-to-Play model is pretty restrictive - there is no doubt the game is best enjoyed as a subscriber. But the good far outweighs the bad.

    Despite the restrictiveness of the F2P mode, the Cash Shop has a lot to praise: the content is almost exclusively cosmetic or convenience items, so you won't be hobbled if you choose not to spend any money on the Shop. Almost all of the items from the Cash Shop can be traded or sold on the in-game auction house - allowing you to get most of them for credits (just expect the rarest items to fetch a hefty price if you go that route). And subscribers get around 500 free 'Cartel Coins' (the Cash Shop currency) each month, with an additional 100 Coins a month if you use the free Security Key app to secure your account (getting friends to subscribe through the Refer-A-Friend program and even completing some in-game achievements can also net you additional Coins without having to pay real money).

    SWTOR is a Themepark game through and through, so Sandbox fans may not care for it, but if you enjoy solid storytelling, a great leveling experience, fun mini-games, and the Star Wars universe - this is a fantastic game!    … Expand
  58. paleale
    Jun 8, 2015
    8
    I played SWTOR the first day it released and kept playing for about a year after launch. The reason I stopped, it got boring quickly, lag issues and so many severs that they felt empty. The story is excellent, gameplay is ok, graphics are fine. It's been a few weeks now, and I resubbed, the game is way different since launch, game mechanics have changed, servers have merged some bugs andI played SWTOR the first day it released and kept playing for about a year after launch. The reason I stopped, it got boring quickly, lag issues and so many severs that they felt empty. The story is excellent, gameplay is ok, graphics are fine. It's been a few weeks now, and I resubbed, the game is way different since launch, game mechanics have changed, servers have merged some bugs and lag issues seem to be resolved. I find that this game has way to much negative reviews, and I should say more like bashing and hate towards EA. For those who left in the beginnning I would tell you that going back is worth it, espacialy if you been planning to, I tried the F2P option first and it's way to limited espacialy if you were a playing sub before. So to all STAR WARS fans out there thinking about playing this game it is worth it, great story, good gameplay, ok graphics, good community ! I do recommend that you check on the forums or sites to see which servers are the most populated before creating a character ! Have fun !… Expand
  59. getrwuegyweh
    Mar 3, 2016
    8
    Probably one of the best MMO games out there. Lots of diversity in the game and gameplay. Never lags. However, lots of greater things come from subscribing and you have to keep paying monthly too. hate that. still a fab game tho
  60. Lance22
    Mar 17, 2023
    8
    The game’s graphics might look a little dated by today’s standards, but then again it’s a game that released back in 2011, the games eight stories are actually fantastic and you could really immerse yourself into the lore and story to carve out your own Star Wars adventure, the voice acting is also superb and top notch, and the best part is the game is totally free to play, though you canThe game’s graphics might look a little dated by today’s standards, but then again it’s a game that released back in 2011, the games eight stories are actually fantastic and you could really immerse yourself into the lore and story to carve out your own Star Wars adventure, the voice acting is also superb and top notch, and the best part is the game is totally free to play, though you can pay for a subscription to unlock the expansion pass, it’s so easy to just jump in and play the game for free, i’ve sunk so many hours into this game, and there’s already created about five different characters, both from the light and dark side, if you’re looking for a good MMORPG with great stories, fantastic characters, and top-notch voice acting, Star Wars, the old republic just might be the game for you, also in 2023 this game is still constantly getting updated and includes new raids, new, PVP, matches, and new game modes to open up new experiences, plus the game is also very new gamer friendly, whether you were there during the original launch of SWTOR or are just jumping into it now, Star Wars the old republic is a game you should check out, the game may have had a very rough start, but it is definitely fully playable now.… Expand
  61. MatikTheSeventh
    Oct 11, 2020
    8
    One of the best MMO I have ever played, and setting a Star Wars "massive multiplayer" game in times when there were many Jedi and Sith is just a great idea.
  62. LaDix
    Apr 9, 2019
    8
    Really fun game, but I feel it best as a story driving game not so much a MMORPG type of game, make your own star wars character ,and play a fun and interesting class quest, and you can play it all (not the expansions tho) for free.

    So you don't really lose anything for trying.
  63. Kaine-Tyrin
    Jan 23, 2020
    8
    Is a good game with good soundtrack and animations, the principal problem is the existence of some bugs related with the cutscenes and only have the solution playing in other pc with better requeriments (not necessary that bug happen you if you have good pc), this bug appear in some pc.

    The voices are cool, great actors for female jedi and sith, sadly this game who need more lesbian    Is a good game with good soundtrack and animations, the principal problem is the existence of some bugs related with the cutscenes and only have the solution playing in other pc with better requeriments (not necessary that bug happen you if you have good pc), this bug appear in some pc.

    The voices are cool, great actors for female jedi and sith, sadly this game who need more lesbian romance in the game specially when i need my female character say something cool to a great female companion or secondary.

    The battles are intense and chaotic (this is good) and some addictive but no have repercution of your acts in great scale and need a crossover with other characters you created in same server.

    it's necesary break the 4th wall in the game mentionig your jedi or sith character in the server.    … Expand
  64. MrSNEFFF
    Jul 29, 2020
    8
    If you're looking for a game with an amazing singleplayer rpg experience this is just the game for you, that is of course if you're a star wars fan. However there's a ton of better mmorpgs out there if you're looking for anything online related. But if you're just looking to have a good time with a few stories this game might just be for you, i've got hundreds of hours into the game atIf you're looking for a game with an amazing singleplayer rpg experience this is just the game for you, that is of course if you're a star wars fan. However there's a ton of better mmorpgs out there if you're looking for anything online related. But if you're just looking to have a good time with a few stories this game might just be for you, i've got hundreds of hours into the game at this point and that's just from playing singleplayer story campaigns.… Expand
  65. Goosebump
    Dec 23, 2011
    7
    *** Pros (in no specific order other than as they come to me): Fantastic voice acting throughout. Decent graphics. Star Wars! Nice twist on professions by letting your companion(s) grind em while you get on with other stuff. Decent stories and class chains. Good travel options (only let down by the ridiculously long fleet recall cd). Various levels of mob difficulty for their*** Pros (in no specific order other than as they come to me): Fantastic voice acting throughout. Decent graphics. Star Wars! Nice twist on professions by letting your companion(s) grind em while you get on with other stuff. Decent stories and class chains. Good travel options (only let down by the ridiculously long fleet recall cd). Various levels of mob difficulty for their respective level. Bioware, Lucasarts are two greats in the industry. Reasonable UI options but can get very cluttered with frames overlapping side action bars and the likes. Your own space ship is cool and some space fights are great fun. Two options to take on how you want to res when you die - this is really good. Everyone can resurrect people out of combat. Nice chat choice roll system when in a group on quests. Dark and Light side is another bit of fun to focus on when levelling. *** Cons: PvP - just don't bother. Dire combat mechanics for melee - WoW is light years ahead in terms of combat fun for a melee class in this regard. Ranged combat seems ok and doesnt feel anywhere as awkward or clunky as melee combat. The deposit scaling with buyout price and auction time is insanely high and totally discourages people posting things on the auction house - especially while levelling where credits are tight. The taint of EA is in the back of players minds that have been stung by their awful support and/or dollar-grabbing previously - I truely wish Bioware would cut all ties with these guys. *** Summary: From my six years of WoW, this is not a WoW killer imho for those interested in it as a potential challenger. It's something that can be played alongside WoW purely for the whole Star Wars thing goin on but I have my doubts about the longevity of the game unless Bioware can keep it interesting - we'll just have to wait and see. The frustrating combat mechanics, bad deposit system on the auction house and after thought PvP are enough to make me cancel my sub when my 30 days are up however. This is not a bash at the game by the way - it's an honest opinion - there's alot to love in the game too as you can see in the pros above and maybe the cons are things that you can live with - if so, great - have a blast! 7/10… Expand
  66. Kassdhal
    Dec 31, 2011
    7
    I am very mixed about this game. Went up to lvl 45 at the moment, participated in the beta and have tried 3 other characters to levl 10-12.

    On one hand it is a pure Bioware game, with amazing RPG feature and story, a strong SW background and a very solid gameplay, very good realization, interesting PVP battlegrounds, the Companion system is great, .... On the other hand, the comparison    I am very mixed about this game. Went up to lvl 45 at the moment, participated in the beta and have tried 3 other characters to levl 10-12.

    On one hand it is a pure Bioware game, with amazing RPG feature and story, a strong SW background and a very solid gameplay, very good realization, interesting PVP battlegrounds, the Companion system is great, ....

    On the other hand, the comparison with WOW is unavoidable and this is where we see what's missing in TOR: the polish that Blizzard put in everything. There are a load of very good things in TOR but, for example, myriads of small things that makes your life easy in WoW are missing (too many load screens, too many small zones, Town Portal system that needs to be improved, tons of small information that should be present in details instead of giving overall numbers, several bugs that should have been eliminated in Alpha version in the fly system for example, or in the fact that often you are out of a BG because the game does not let you go outside of the start zone before the end of the timer).

    Also some key features like a LFD system are missing, which makes finding a group for Flashpoint a real pain in the ass. There are no statistic system that would allow a player to track what he's done in the game, ...
    Also not possible yet to have two spec, which means that you need a full respec if you want to be a tank or a heal, which makes, again, finding flashpoint groups a pain in the ass...

    Very very mixed feeling. Sadly, I feel like it misses maybe 6 month of polish, a little the same feeling as for when Warhammer was launched, very strong base but not polished enough. Way better than WoW at the start but the competition is not anymore Wow in 2005... Prediction is that there will be c. 500-700k player for a while but baring implementation of the key features very very quickly, there will be a huge leakage as soon as Diablo 3 or Guild Wars 2 will be out.

    A good game, but not good enough. A very good, BioWare, RPG game, but not enough to nail the MMO part bit.    … Expand
  67. SchroederRock
    May 7, 2012
    7
    SW The Old Republic is quite the achievement for the newcomer into MMO's (BioWare/EA). It's essentially WoW with lightsabers. But for every great achievement found in this game, there seems to be a drawback. The leveling process is fairly well done (not too hard, not too easy) and the space missions are a great change of pace while questing. However, it's like BioWare took much of whatSW The Old Republic is quite the achievement for the newcomer into MMO's (BioWare/EA). It's essentially WoW with lightsabers. But for every great achievement found in this game, there seems to be a drawback. The leveling process is fairly well done (not too hard, not too easy) and the space missions are a great change of pace while questing. However, it's like BioWare took much of what made WoW great but left a lot of the nuances that allowed the MMO giant to streamline group play and get people into special dungeons/instances (called Flashpoints in TOR). The voice acting is a nice touch and cutscenes are a welcomed element, giving more attention to things like the story that you play through depending on your class chosen. Then there's the light side/dark side choices you can make, which may lend a lot of replayability to TOR. But still, that's if you get hooked enough to continue on. After leveling a 50 and a couple alternative classes AND doing all the latest & greatest in Operations (raids) and Warzones (battlegrounds/PvP) often, TOR has steadily become less and less glamorous. The point that took me years to hit with World of Warcraft has only taken me roughly 4 months to hit in TOR. And while it's been a good investment, I feel this game will only be a flash in the pan for the mass majority. I'd be more interested to play Guild Wars 2, TERA, or the upcoming Elder Scrolls Online at this point to experience the MMO genre. But all that to say that SWTOR is good, it's just not the great competitor to WoW that everyone hyped it to be.… Expand
  68. Lycanthrope
    Jan 13, 2012
    7
    Best MMO there is at the moment. Immersive, choice-oriented and successfully manages to make you feel important and part of the world. Some minor niggles: no LFG window or dungeon finder equivalent, very limited varieties of armour, cannot sell the exact same armour cross-faction without it changing to something else. But as far as MMOs go, it'll be incredibly hard to upstage this one.
  69. Cookies5000
    May 1, 2012
    7
    SWTOR the game with quite the storyline. Decent game but I was hoping more from the PvP front of things than HUTTBALL. Game still has some fun factor in it but the latest event was too short and I still disapprove of the handling of the PvP system currently. Ilum was handled poorly and all the exploiters still got to keep their rewards while the rest of us who played the game legitSWTOR the game with quite the storyline. Decent game but I was hoping more from the PvP front of things than HUTTBALL. Game still has some fun factor in it but the latest event was too short and I still disapprove of the handling of the PvP system currently. Ilum was handled poorly and all the exploiters still got to keep their rewards while the rest of us who played the game legit basically got told that we should have been exploiting as well. It's really quite dumb. Besides that though good storyline, loveable choices like I would love to have in all MMOs, and awesome side kicks that help you adventure along. Sad thing is once you're done the main point of the side kick is to craft or gather for you which seems kinda pointless really. You build a relationship...ohh thx for helping me kill such and such enjoy your time mining some rocks for me while I go PvP in huttball. Space combat I was hoping for something more but it's an crazy easy arcade game no matter what level you are. So I give it a 7 as its worth a few months of fun.… Expand
  70. Berzerker556
    Mar 16, 2012
    7
    Very typical MMO in that it plays very similarly to wow.

    I like the specialization of classes, except that you cannot undo that decision, so if you go with one sub class you have to re-roll and level the same character to swap to the other sub class. This is a design oversight in my eye. II found that overall the story was very generic, and the Empire side was to evil for evils sake and    Very typical MMO in that it plays very similarly to wow.

    I like the specialization of classes, except that you cannot undo that decision, so if you go with one sub class you have to re-roll and level the same character to swap to the other sub class. This is a design oversight in my eye. II found that overall the story was very generic, and the Empire side was to evil for evils sake and the republic felt very vanilla, in a goody two shoes way. Technically, the game looks good and has a good level of polish, but I did run into stability issues and some setting and the game has lowish frame rates on a high-end system. I also noticed that you don't really have to interact with other players and found that as with most MMOs the other players usually make the experience worse so this was a plus or a minus depending on your point of view. One interesting mechanic I loved was the space combat, It was a good idea that needs refinement. I would like to see it evolve into a full "flight sim" implementation as opposed to the current scripted track implementation. Overall if you are tired of fantasy MMOs and want something with a different flavor give this a shot, just be prepared because to me it felt like wow with lightsabers.    … Expand
  71. 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
  72. Superstring
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    The game is average. The only new thing that makes it stand out is VO, which is quite controversial. Everything else is good old WoW with lightsabers.
  73. PLANETX
    Mar 13, 2012
    7
    I have been waiting for this game to come out ever since it was officially acknowledged to the public. I was one of the people who went on the site every Friday looking for the weekly update. When the game finally came out I spent a lot of time leveling my character, moving through the story, and killing other players along the way. Overall the leveling experience is by far the best of anyI have been waiting for this game to come out ever since it was officially acknowledged to the public. I was one of the people who went on the site every Friday looking for the weekly update. When the game finally came out I spent a lot of time leveling my character, moving through the story, and killing other players along the way. Overall the leveling experience is by far the best of any MMO to date. The story is really what makes this game what it is, combing the best aspects of a singleplayer RPG, with an MMO was really mastered in swtor. However, with that all said there are still many problems. Unbalanced classes, an assortment of glitches which seem to never get fixed, and of course lack of good end-game content. Everyone plays an MMO for its end-game content, which is the whole point of leveling. Once you get there the Operations are very enjoyable, but then it gets way to repetitive way to fast, there are many bugs that still haven't been fixed, and of course a very small selection. They spent most of their time focusing on sucking people in early and mid game that they seemed to forget that the end game exists. People need something to do on their max level main character, it's not the point to create new characters, you want to be able to use your first character. Not being able to do that was really the fatal blow that caused me to quit. I enjoyed the game very much, I consider it a masterpiece among MMO's, but they still have a lot to work on if it's going to be worth playing at end game. I don't doubt that the future will cure the problems I faced, but for now it has yet to happen.… Expand
  74. Kazee
    Feb 12, 2012
    7
    Positives: SW:TOR is a fine MMO offering that had a smooth launch but inadequate endgame, which is about as much as you can hope for from a modern MMO.

    Negatives: Some of the class design choices went too far trying to differentiate from accepted 'trinity' ability distribution (a stealth healer with DPS? kind of OP. A pure Tank class that doesn't have effective mob gathering skills? Not    Positives: SW:TOR is a fine MMO offering that had a smooth launch but inadequate endgame, which is about as much as you can hope for from a modern MMO.

    Negatives: Some of the class design choices went too far trying to differentiate from accepted 'trinity' ability distribution (a stealth healer with DPS? kind of OP. A pure Tank class that doesn't have effective mob gathering skills? Not a good idea.) The story is very well done, but becomes tedious on subsequent play through. After reading some of the reviews here and on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, I think I will be avoiding 'User reviews' on Metacritic from here on. The hyperbole of the reviews and the flimsy justifications for the extreme positions are not entertaining nor a good guide to whether or not anyone should purchase a game, which I think should be the most useful thing about them.

    I justify a score of 7 because I was thoroughly entertained for my first play through and I am regularly raiding with my guild. I would highly recommend a guild for grouping and endgames. As with every MMO ever, pug tanks will make you want to perform seppuku.

    A zero through three should only be given to a thoroughly broken game, not because the game designers made a perfectly acceptable design decision that you didn't like. A ten should only be given to a game that cures terminally ill children and creates a bridge to Valhalla.    … Expand
  75. grammarye
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    TOR has managed to revitalise the tired MMO market with an actual story; nay eight actual stories, that have the same level & quality of Bioware storytelling we've all become used to in Mass Effect, KOTOR and the like. Sure, it's now in an MMO which means some aspects of flow have been sacrificed, and there are some key MMO typical features that seem absent, but nevertheless it fitsTOR has managed to revitalise the tired MMO market with an actual story; nay eight actual stories, that have the same level & quality of Bioware storytelling we've all become used to in Mass Effect, KOTOR and the like. Sure, it's now in an MMO which means some aspects of flow have been sacrificed, and there are some key MMO typical features that seem absent, but nevertheless it fits together pretty well. Extremely stable, sounds great & looks gorgeous.

    The game presents you with a series of worlds to play on, tailored to a set of levels, although the story will have you returning to earlier worlds and tougher areas at points. Pacing is fair, perhaps a little fast, when compared to, say, World of Warcraft, and indeed it's hard not to compare the two; the mechanics are quite similar. Where they diverge is the involving story & fully voiced content, along with better crafting mechanisms & more diverse & useful skills. If I compare my experiences between levelling up a character in WoW and one in TOR, I would say I have experienced less burnout, less frustration, and more fun in TOR.    … Expand
  76. DudasDrakaan
    Dec 23, 2011
    7
    I'll state upfront that this game is not good enough to charge a $15/ month fee. NO game is -- period. If a company needs long term revenue then there are other ways to get that without mandatory fees. Valve has shown this with their store, and then there are the DLCs that Bethesda has used. Both of these methods are annoying, but they do not detract from a game. The fact that you canI'll state upfront that this game is not good enough to charge a $15/ month fee. NO game is -- period. If a company needs long term revenue then there are other ways to get that without mandatory fees. Valve has shown this with their store, and then there are the DLCs that Bethesda has used. Both of these methods are annoying, but they do not detract from a game. The fact that you can lose your account and all data attached to it if you cease paying for it is, by contrast, a live issue for any game. _____ My soap box aside, this is an extremely fun game that -- at least in terms of storyline -- does something that other MMOs do not: allow multiple players to determine the course of a story by taking a vote of what action to take. The lightside/ darkside choices and dialogue should be familiar to KOTOR fans, and TOR has expanded this to the multiplayer. Now, what I have trouble with is the wait times during Instances (that is to say those areas where multiple players go together and determine the course of the story during an event). If a player is lagging behind -- looting and so forth -- then you will have to wait on that person to catch up before you can move on. There is no skipping waiting for that person, and so this can destroy your experience. Bioware could have allowed the player to forgo their part in the story, or just teleport them to their team to cut the annoyance on the press of a button, but no. And I'm not even going to go into teamwork, any online gamer should know matching yourself with random people will make that stitchy. It's just all the sitting, and the waiting, that ruins the experience. This is true for all the minor snatch-and-grab quests that are annoying, even when you are by yourself. How I want the ability to "fast travel" like on Oblivion or Skyrim (and I'm not trolling, but seriously -- why can't a different company use that system to cut down unnecessary travel time). It is not as if they are trying to make Star Wars realistic.... _____ But within these things is the sandbox experience, and the cool, novel features that have yet to be ironed out. When they are the story portion will be vastly improved. The writing itself is still Bioware quality, even though I've found character responses to often be repetitive this is to be expected with a work so massive as this. Combat matches the KOTOR/ WOW style that everyone is talking about, so I'm not going to go into that. I will just say that it stays true to KOTOR enough that I'm not complaining, though the fact that you have to go to a "Trainer" instead of acquring abilities "through the Force," as was explained in the previous KOTOR makes leveling annoying at times and -- in addition -- questions the validity of those previous Star Wars games. Does a Jedi acquire his abilities through practice and from force within, as KOTOR implied? Or does he/she need a master to acquire these abilities, as TOR is now suggesting? I'm not going to force the fact that it makes TOR unnecessarily like WOW in this respect. Finding and paying trainers are a hassle. Nothing that would block a player from getting an "unfair advantage," they are simply an annoyance: why doesn't Bioware make you file an income tax in the game every year while they are at it? Furthermore, it disturbs the lore of Star Wars. Since Dark Forces II there has been both lore that a person gains abilities through experience (which makes sense) but this must first be instigated after learning the basics from a master or other teaching source (also makes sense). Why is TOR suddenly violating this lore? For "game balance?" It just seems like an unnecessary kick in the crotch. _____ In summary, this is a good game but it still has quirks which need to be resolved. If these were resolved, then you're looking at a fantastic game. If Bioware would stop playing the role of King John, like Blizzard, and stop levying a game tax, then you are looking at a 10. Though, really, it would probably be like a 94% due to the graphical glitches and the general look which is outdated. But graphics are forgivable. As are the timing quirks and slow pacing. But a slow game that charges $15/month?... NO. Now if you are rich and have too much time on your hands: this is a game for you.… Expand
  77. DustyPig
    Mar 6, 2013
    7
    I've never been immersed in an MMO before, but I felt like giving SWTOR a try due to it being, well, a Star Wars game. It didn't make me like the combat system commonly used in an MMO, but I began to see why someone would. The graphics aren't great but they do the Star Wars world justice; after all, who sees Star Wars for the realistic and detailed content? Being a Sith Lord is awesome,I've never been immersed in an MMO before, but I felt like giving SWTOR a try due to it being, well, a Star Wars game. It didn't make me like the combat system commonly used in an MMO, but I began to see why someone would. The graphics aren't great but they do the Star Wars world justice; after all, who sees Star Wars for the realistic and detailed content? Being a Sith Lord is awesome, and anyone who appreciates Star Wars will enjoy emulating their favourite character or creating their own. The free to play option is decent; it's annoying to get less XP and be forced to grind to progress in the story, but it doesn't feel restricting in terms of PVP battles and space missions. Overall, my main complaint is the grinding, but it's only bad because of the story focus something that is rare in MMOs. And if the player finds it that bad, all they need to do is get a subscription.… Expand
  78. Falrinth
    Feb 1, 2012
    7
    Game casts a spell on me whenever i do questing and immerse myself in the lore, which is easy, because of the full voiceover. I love questing and doing flashpoints. They made it excellent, its going in right direction! At this point my vote would be: 9/10.
    However its mmorpg and as mmorpg i have bought it. At this moment the mmo part of the game is not very enjoyable (excluding the 4man    Game casts a spell on me whenever i do questing and immerse myself in the lore, which is easy, because of the full voiceover. I love questing and doing flashpoints. They made it excellent, its going in right direction! At this point my vote would be: 9/10.
    However its mmorpg and as mmorpg i have bought it. At this moment the mmo part of the game is not very enjoyable (excluding the 4man flashpoints), due to horrid performance (dont aim for mmo part of swtor like warzones unless you have i5 CPU or higher unless you like PvP with 5-18fps). They simply overdosed polygons in the warzones not thinking about performance at all... Interface in many places is rushed and not working as intended, let alone be comfortable.
    Its beta - but that shoudlnt suprise anyone anymore, becouse thats usuall EA and other low quality producers' strategy.

    So far it wont score more than 7 from me. There is a chance they gonna improve some things soon, becouse some parts of the game are really outstanding and cool.    … Expand
  79. ufte34
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    hold on a sec, i see where this is going those people who are calming to reach max level, gave the game a rating of 0 on the first day, is that even possible (not even possible if you got access to the game before 5 days of release)?. those people who compares the game with XXX gave a rating of 1 or 2. those people who reached level 32 gave the game rating of 0(it's been 6 hours since thehold on a sec, i see where this is going those people who are calming to reach max level, gave the game a rating of 0 on the first day, is that even possible (not even possible if you got access to the game before 5 days of release)?. those people who compares the game with XXX gave a rating of 1 or 2. those people who reached level 32 gave the game rating of 0(it's been 6 hours since the game has been released). those people who are complain about a game being a grind gave the rating of 0-2, note to self if you are going to play an MMO it's a grind. those people who say it's a clone of another XXX mmo, every MMO has been an clone of others, get your brains examined. any one who compares this game to WOW gave a rating of 0. and most of those people never even played SWTOR.… Expand
  80. dobserver
    Oct 8, 2013
    7
    I did have fun playing this game as I do like Star Wars Lore and do prefer solo-ing MMOs unless I have to group up. Thus this may not be a game for everyone if you like the more MMO aspects of it. I have a feeling EA and Bioware were trying to be greedy in targeting both sets of audiences and charging a premium for it.

    Story: Was decent with the voice acting and the quests seem to try    I did have fun playing this game as I do like Star Wars Lore and do prefer solo-ing MMOs unless I have to group up. Thus this may not be a game for everyone if you like the more MMO aspects of it. I have a feeling EA and Bioware were trying to be greedy in targeting both sets of audiences and charging a premium for it.

    Story: Was decent with the voice acting and the quests seem to try and tie into the main story a lot better than some other MMOs I played. It's a bit weak at times, but not bad for an MMO.

    Gameplay: I like the variety of skills that you can choose to use on your toolbar or expanded toolbar, BUT the animations do not link very well with the key press and the cooldowns are all over the place. Combat seemed to be just punching buttons and hoping for the best. IF the key presses matched the animations, it would have been okay.

    Sounds and video were decent. Sometimes a bit glitchy. I would say the gameplay is a bit slow, it takes forever to get past the initial hold your hand levels and I found travelling to be slow, even when I had a speeder. Was surprised to find so much voice acting in an MMO, a nice bioware touch.

    Found classes and character limitation to be a bit limiting. Though it was kind of cool that each character had a distinct story (sadly not very customizeable) but quite deep good effort.

    Recommend this game if you have patience, are a Star Wars fan and prefer solo PVE. Else, pass.

    Not worth buying at all since the core of the game has some problems.    … Expand
  81. proscure
    Jan 17, 2012
    7
    Narrative(story) wise this games tops WoW by far. But unfortunatly the questing is dreadfull. Most of the same after a few lvls. The Ship/Companion/Gatherings are also things i feel very positive about.
    Also the flashpoints are nice cause there is a story in it which evolves as you progress.
    But I still feel like i want to skip quests and just experience the story. So there is where it    Narrative(story) wise this games tops WoW by far. But unfortunatly the questing is dreadfull. Most of the same after a few lvls. The Ship/Companion/Gatherings are also things i feel very positive about.
    Also the flashpoints are nice cause there is a story in it which evolves as you progress.

    But I still feel like i want to skip quests and just experience the story. So there is where it fails for me.    … Expand
  82. Ngamok
    Jan 13, 2012
    7
    Great Space Themed MMO with voice overs. I have tried the Smuggler, Trooper, Bounty Hunter and Imperial Agent and love the stories they have associated with them. Game has some flaws and important issues needed with MMOs that are being released today. No guild functionality, dual specs are required, UI customization and moving UI elements around. Graphics and worlds look amazing. So IGreat Space Themed MMO with voice overs. I have tried the Smuggler, Trooper, Bounty Hunter and Imperial Agent and love the stories they have associated with them. Game has some flaws and important issues needed with MMOs that are being released today. No guild functionality, dual specs are required, UI customization and moving UI elements around. Graphics and worlds look amazing. So I give it a 7 because of launching with some basic stuff missing. But the story and voice overs are amazing.… Expand
  83. Ordish
    Nov 23, 2012
    7
    Just because it is Star Wars the game starts with a score of 5 instead of zero. There is a lot to like about Star Wars: The Old Republic, and there is a lot that could have been done better. The Good:
    The graphics are good and mesh very well with the whole Star Wars universe. The sound effects are excellent also keeping in line with the Star Wars universe. The greatest strength of this    Just because it is Star Wars the game starts with a score of 5 instead of zero. There is a lot to like about Star Wars: The Old Republic, and there is a lot that could have been done better. The Good:
    The graphics are good and mesh very well with the whole Star Wars universe. The sound effects are excellent also keeping in line with the Star Wars universe. The greatest strength of this title is the story line, which is both compelling and action packed. The story makes good use of decisions affecting your character build. The Bad: After more than a decade of MMO's that use the age old, and tired, grind fest for leveling, this game will leave you feeling less than original. The story line is good but not even a fresh coat of paint will cover up a bad base coat. The game play is typical of most MMO's of the last decade. Get quest, kill x number of bad things, return to quest giver for reward. Rinse, repeat. Overall, you can't beat the price (free) and if you are a Star Wars fan you will likely enjoy many parts of the game. Just not for very long.    … Expand
  84. IriathZhul
    Jan 21, 2012
    7
    I should probably start by saying that I don't actually have a subscription. I'm just speaking from tail-end-of-beta experience. I enjoyed the game, I really did. And then I completed the Sith Warrior storyline and realized that what had kept me going was the amazing story.

    The stories and roleplaying and characters in this game are stunning. The tragic fact, however, is that you'd have    I should probably start by saying that I don't actually have a subscription. I'm just speaking from tail-end-of-beta experience. I enjoyed the game, I really did. And then I completed the Sith Warrior storyline and realized that what had kept me going was the amazing story.

    The stories and roleplaying and characters in this game are stunning. The tragic fact, however, is that you'd have to roll 8 different alts to experience all 8 stories, or 16 if you want to see the different sides of those stories, not to mention the infinite permutations by going back and forth. Anyways, I say this game is fun and I'm happy for people who enjoy it, I really am, but there's a reason I didn't subscribe--it doesn't function enough as an MMO to make up for the rather "blah" end-game material. I end by reiterating a lot of other people's wishes--this game should have been singleplayer. Bioware could have made the "Dragon Age" of Star Wars RPGs and it would have been legendary, and they went for an MMO instead. At least they'll make enough money from it to fund better games in the future.    … Expand
  85. Sevvy88
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    For years many gamers have watched and waited for a game that would pique their interest in the same way WoW did (and for many continues to) did years ago. The MMO market has been a dreadful one, and Bioware promised alot with this game. Did they deliver? Early signs are pointing, for the most part, yes. The game is extremely well put together. The zones flow well, the story clicks along,For years many gamers have watched and waited for a game that would pique their interest in the same way WoW did (and for many continues to) did years ago. The MMO market has been a dreadful one, and Bioware promised alot with this game. Did they deliver? Early signs are pointing, for the most part, yes. The game is extremely well put together. The zones flow well, the story clicks along, and the combat is solid, albeit traditional. If WoW expanded upon Everquest in all the right ways, then I believe SW:TOR continues this trend. MMO veterans will feel comfortable immediately with the UI and combat, but before you walk out, give it a chance. The story is what Bioware has been pushing HARD for this game, and at first I was skeptical. Let me tell you, the story in WoW never interested me, and I am an AVID reader to boot. Not the case with SW:TOR. I find myself "stepping into my character's shoes" quite constantly. The voice overs add immersion and, get this, Bioware did a FANTASTIC job of making sure that even if you are grouped, voice overs can be seamless. The voice acting is not Hollywood level, but for a video game, it is certainly above standard. Bioware is famous for their storytelling in games, and SW:TOR absolutely shines here. Gameplay wise the game strikes a fair balance between fairly easy and challenging. The game will require you to group at times to complete certain missions, many of which your companion will not be enough to make up the difference of lacking another player's help. I welcome this return of group questing. Fear not though, group quests are not overdone. There are far more solo quests than group quests, and while the solo quests are fairly easy, they are not insulting to the player's intelligence. That may be because I am still learning my class. :) Those who claimed this would be a "single player MMO" are only imposing that on themselves at this point. The most fun I have had in game has been in groups, and I find FREQUENT opportunities to play with others.

    The instances are fun and click along at a nice pace, here again, the story does wonders. Watching your group members gasp at you when, despite all of their choices, you win the conversation roll and choose a dark side option will never get old. It creates alot of opportunity for discussion and friendly banter. Great stuff. The instances are very do-able, but again, I didn't feel like my intelligence was insulted.

    Crafting feels traditional in some respects, but contains a twist: you can send your companion to gather materials and run "crew skill missions" for you while you quest, group in an instance, or just chill out in a city socializing. This is a GREAT addition. I've never met someone who enjoyed farming. There are still many nodes in the open game world for players to collect for materials as they quest as well. Again, Bioware striking a great balance. That really is the name of the game here: balance. Bioware didn't re-invent the wheel by any means, they kept it simple and traditional in many ways, but the spins they have put on it are refreshing and fun. If you are looking for a game that is unlike any MMO ever, then sadly, you will probably be disappointed, the game is by no means a "WoW clone" anymore than WoW was an "EQ clone." Good ideas build off of one another, they don't exist in vacuums. So why the 7 and not a 10 or a 9? Well, because the game can improve in many ways. There are still many bugs afflicting players, and Bioware's support team has been less than transparent about them. The UI cannot be customized, not even resized, and quite frankly, I find it maddening and unacceptable. The game could use better group forming tools, as right now you simply much spam a chat channel for a group. High res textures are also not working. The game still needs alot of love, and I don't think anyone will deny that if they take an honest look at the state of things.

    Overall, the game is solid, and I truly believe it has great potential to see success. Personally I am having a BLAST, and haven't enjoyed an MMO this much since my first journeys in WoW back in 2006. Great jobs Bioware, now just keep up the good work. That's going to be the hardest part... and the true test.    … Expand
  86. kendrickdk
    Jun 20, 2014
    7
    It is definitely a great game. The combat system is out of date but there is no denying that the voice over and story is top notch. If they would just update the combat system this game would be a real contender.
  87. Superfly3176
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    Personally I like this game, it doesn't really do anything out of the ordinary but does some good things for the genre. Questing feels immersive, as a sith sorcerer every quest feels like I'm doing something to help win a war. The voice acting is above average, but it's new for the MMO genre. I can't count how many times I've accepted a quest in wow, and went right to the bottom where itPersonally I like this game, it doesn't really do anything out of the ordinary but does some good things for the genre. Questing feels immersive, as a sith sorcerer every quest feels like I'm doing something to help win a war. The voice acting is above average, but it's new for the MMO genre. I can't count how many times I've accepted a quest in wow, and went right to the bottom where it said "Collect x number of y". SW:TOR doesn't leave you feeling detached.

    The main quest for a sith seems to be pretty good so far, I'm level 20 on the 3rd planet. Combat is smooth, but not as smooth as wow's is. It seems to have a little bit of delay and just lacks that polished fluidity.

    Crafting/Collecting skills are half great, half a major pain. You can set your companions to do crafting or collecting missions, which really streamlines your leveling. The problem is it take forever for them to do it. One minute to craft a belt? Come on now. It also doesn't seem easy to find materials for things you need to craft.

    The game has more faults, while there's a lot of group quests, there doesn't feel like there's a lot of bosses or instances thus far up to level 20. Feels like there's less opportunity to group up in instances. It leads me to wonder if I decide to play Jedi 3 months down the road if there will be anyone around to do the group quests.

    The worlds don't seem very big during the first 2 planets, although I'm on the 3rd one and it feels much larger then the previous two. But even still for an entire plant to feel like it's the size of one zone in wow (think duskwood is just about korriban). The difference is SWTOR puts you in a lot of tunnels and "sub zones" for quests.

    Overall I'd give it a 6.5/10, it has potential but unless they come up with some endgame this is just going to be a leveling ordeal, in which case they should have just made it single player.    … Expand
  88. DeathTouch
    Dec 20, 2011
    7
    Can use some more polishing, but have been enjoying myself quite a bit. All I can say is get a friend(s) to group with and have fun, better yet get into a guild with like minded people.
  89. 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
  90. CStormdancer
    Dec 21, 2011
    7
    The thing that defines and separates The Old Republic is story. The whole game is wrapped around it both for good and ill. If you like RPG's then you will likely enjoy TOR because at its heart that is what it is. It borrows its format from other Bioware games where your choices shape the game for you at least to a point. The stories in most cases are enjoyable however there are someThe thing that defines and separates The Old Republic is story. The whole game is wrapped around it both for good and ill. If you like RPG's then you will likely enjoy TOR because at its heart that is what it is. It borrows its format from other Bioware games where your choices shape the game for you at least to a point. The stories in most cases are enjoyable however there are some themes on the Imperial side that become trite. Primarily the Empire in many cases comes off as completely incompetent. I believe that this was done in an attempt to make the player feel heroic. The game play follows the successful model of WoW. Some people criticise this but I find it handy. This game doesn't have a steep learning curve because its play style is already familiar. You can jump in and enjoy the story and the game play right away. Sometimes the game play lacks challenge. However I beleive that is because due to the large number of quest on each planet. If you do all the quest on a planet you will out level the next planets quest. Throw in exp for falshpoints, or pvp or space combat and you can make the game very simple. if you out level the game try doing heroics solo and you will find some challenges. The crafting system is very similar to wow but does have a nice wrinkle to it with the ability to reverse engineer items in order to get better schematics. it offers a little more than WoW in crafting but doesn't become burdensome. The companion system has its ups and downs. While companions stories become interesting you constantly have to be concerned with your faction with them. Some of the companions abilites mesh better with certain class choices. Also your morality choices can please or displease your companion. If your making them happy its all gravy. if your not making them happy you sometimes feel a little animosity towards them. The games reliance on story while its biggest strength does have a few issues. It makes the game very linear. You are pushed along a certain path. You can deviate a bit but largely there is one way to go. So there is less freedom in this game during leveling. However this is something most MMO's suffer from. The gear system is very familiar as it borrows greatly from wow. There are a large amount of armors in the game and the modification system allows for players to customize their gear and if they care to put in the time they can maintain a certain look. The system was far more robust in beta but regrettably they have dumbed it down. Still you do have a lot more options to customize your appearance. They are reportedly coming out with a more robust system for altering the color of gear. They have abandoned their "fit to chest" option for this system. It is a little disappointing but if they come through with their promise then it will be worth it. One criticism I have is that the game revolves around story which is a huge draw for roleplayers. Yet many roleplaying tools are sadly missing from the game. You cannot sit in chairs, many emotes do not have animations and such. I am hoping that this will be addressed. All and all I think the game has a lot of [promise. However there are many things still missing. To be fare it is unreasonable to assume that a new game will have all the features of games that have had years to establish themselves. I have give the game a 7 because while I find it enjoyable I think Bioware has a lot of work to do for the game to reach its potential. I am willing to give them that time.… Expand
  91. Jirekianu
    Dec 22, 2011
    7
    This game over all has the makings of a good game. It's got some innovation but at the same time mechanics that are familiar enough to not be put off by something completely new or untested. Now that's not to say what's the same is always better. But sometimes games will trade being unique for what works. In this instance bioware has raised the bar in regards to missions/quests and theThis game over all has the makings of a good game. It's got some innovation but at the same time mechanics that are familiar enough to not be put off by something completely new or untested. Now that's not to say what's the same is always better. But sometimes games will trade being unique for what works. In this instance bioware has raised the bar in regards to missions/quests and the investment you have in the characters. The voice acting has quality, and the dialogue is reasonably well written. My only complaints are the lack of polish with things that shouldn't need polishing. No anti-aliasing for graphics. You can't friend someone unless they're online. And even on lower settings a mid-range pc has trouble running the game smoothly. (this wouldn't be a problem if the lower settings were giving you the bang for your figurative buck.)… Expand
  92. 200mg
    Dec 22, 2011
    7
    My MMO Credentials: WoW, AOC, WaR, Aion, Rift

    SWOTR is great, the allegations of this being "WoW with VO" are wildly inaccurate. The game play is fun and fast paced, the story is deep, and all of the accompanying media (voice and music) are extremely well done. They have done a splendid job of Star Wars universe immersion. One only has to play the game for a short period of time before    My MMO Credentials: WoW, AOC, WaR, Aion, Rift

    SWOTR is great, the allegations of this being "WoW with VO" are wildly inaccurate. The game play is fun and fast paced, the story is deep, and all of the accompanying media (voice and music) are extremely well done.

    They have done a splendid job of Star Wars universe immersion. One only has to play the game for a short period of time before it becomes apparent that SWOTR is not a status quo MMO. For Star Wars fans this is a must play. For non Star Wars fans looking for a new mmo universe to migrate to, SWOTR offers you a less "grindy" and fresh new take on a gaming genre desperately seeking new play styles.

    As of 12/23/11 1:21AM CST SWOTR has garnered a 5.9 user score on meta, this is blasphemy! 10/10 all the way. This game is great!    … Expand
  93. kamryu
    Dec 23, 2011
    7
    2 out of 3 story (at times generic and predictable but the addition of voice acting makes you care unless your one of those people looking for a grind fest where you can just pick up a quest go do it level up and get your gear soon as possible,plenty of choice quest wise also)
    1 out of 3 game play (yes its a wow clone)
    2 out of 3 Social/Multiplayer (people calling it a solo game full of    2 out of 3 story (at times generic and predictable but the addition of voice acting makes you care unless your one of those people looking for a grind fest where you can just pick up a quest go do it level up and get your gear soon as possible,plenty of choice quest wise also)
    1 out of 3 game play (yes its a wow clone)
    2 out of 3 Social/Multiplayer (people calling it a solo game full of **** they are not gonna do a flashpoint solo or a heroic unless they are over leveled for them same as any other MMO also the addition of social conversation choices adds a good little mix to it never know if your party member wins the role you might be about to kill a ton of innocents or end up having to go the long way round).
    1 out of 2 for graphics (cartoony one or two bugs)
    1 out of 2 customization very limited character image choice races seem to similar only 4 body types user interface not very customizable, on the plus the advance class system means not all consular are going to be the same you ll become a sage or a shadow knight becomes guardian or sentinel and this is before you start deciding on a talent tree to advance through.
    total 7 out of 10.

    Now into some nitty gritty. As I said sometimes the quests can be predictable for instance training a militia you know is going to be a case of go out kill some things and return (boring and predictable) but at the same time you ll get some quests which will make you have to decide for instance recover some medical supplies for the army only to find out refugees are the ones who stole it and they need them you ll be presented with a social choice leave them with the refugees or take them back for the army this in turn has an effect on whether your light side or dark side points go up (some grey would be nice like splitting the supplies between the two). The voice acting is good and if your someone who actually CARES about story and reasons why your doing things you ll enjoy it if however your one of those people who plays games like wow and never even reads the quest because all that matters to you is what is the reward for doing it then it will be nothing more than annoying to you.
    Gameplay is such a clone of all other previous MMO's its almost an insult the few features such as cover (limited to smuggler and imperial agent) add some interest but otherwise be prepared to be playing as you always have (oh yeah no auto attack which personally I feel is actually a good thing) I would have gave 0 out of 3 for this but truth is the system does work it might be boring but reality is the click buttons feature works (just as point and click works for fps I are not going to give an fps review 0 because its point and click why should I give tor 0 because its the same as the others).
    Social would be 3 if not for the simple fact planets are instanced so you don't see lots of people sure you can chat with them and if you want you can chance the instance your on to another version of it very easily just bring up world map and click the pull down menu for it down the bottom right. Flashpoints are pretty good again the addition of rolling on decisions within them adds a nice element never forget how annoyed my first group was when I passed on the free money at the end of our first instance and won the roll meaning no one got the money to you this may seem annoying the point is it adds a new layer of social interaction your going to care about who you group with and such. Heroics also add to social interaction since your not going to solo these quests yourself they are designed for group each planet has around a minimum 3 or 4 of these and they each tell a story its not just a case of go kill this elite mob because well its an elite mob sure your going to be killing an elite mob but before your killing it your going to run around sabotaging his ship because he is using it to smuggle slaves.
    Graphics are cartoony and have a few glitches I would not say it doe snot work the thing is its an MMO it needs a wide audience so of course its not going to be the best graphically and people who expect it are the same people who have blown thousands on their PC not everyone can afford to graphics score for me is out of 2 cause I don't prioritize them.

    People saying not a WoW killer and scoring 0 saying just a WoW clone your not reviewing the game your comparing it to WoW there thats not a review.    … Expand
  94. bobby_bouscher
    Dec 23, 2011
    7
    This is not a very innovative game, more like an extension of World of Warcraft with a Star Wars skin. It is no doubt a fun and well made game, but very traditional. For those looking for innovation I would recommend researching Guild Wars 2, where they are turning the traditional mmo model upside down, in a good way!

    SWTOR will definitely be a more than sufficient placeholder for me in    This is not a very innovative game, more like an extension of World of Warcraft with a Star Wars skin. It is no doubt a fun and well made game, but very traditional. For those looking for innovation I would recommend researching Guild Wars 2, where they are turning the traditional mmo model upside down, in a good way!

    SWTOR will definitely be a more than sufficient placeholder for me in the meantime!    … Expand
  95. Dominii
    Dec 26, 2011
    7
    In many respects The Old Republic is identical to WoW: its static battle mechanics, the levelling system, uninteresting skill trees, equipment durability, crafting without player customization. In some respects, improved: character alignment, companions, crew skills. Its triumph is the story. Unlike any other MMO, The Old Rebublic, gives players a reason to listen to and follow everyIn many respects The Old Republic is identical to WoW: its static battle mechanics, the levelling system, uninteresting skill trees, equipment durability, crafting without player customization. In some respects, improved: character alignment, companions, crew skills. Its triumph is the story. Unlike any other MMO, The Old Rebublic, gives players a reason to listen to and follow every quest, even the minor quests. The main arcs take you across each world. They branch into other stories, create relationships with NPCs who update you from time to time with their goings on reminding you that had you not done or said something that they'd be in jail, in the dumps, or in a ditch. The dialogue options, albeit a feature familiar to BioWare and its players, force you to choose between being true to yourself, or sucking up for favors. Every choice has the possibility to impact your companions' favor of you and the reward outcome. Suck up and garner favor and fortune. Answer genuinely, and watch all of the other Jedi wave their enhanced sabers at you and your basic training blade. The story is why I play and will continue to play. This game could be great, it could rival WoW in popularity, players, and South Park parodies, but it needs to be the next step in MMOs, and not what WoW should have been when it launched. What could make this game great?

    The battle system is likely too large and too complex in code to receive an overhaul. Instead, we should hope and ask for skills that require thinking and tactics; no one likes every battle following the same sequence, no matter who you're fighting, of 3-5-4-1-2. The crafting system needs to allow real player customization. Not recipes, but the ability to take raw ingredients to make whatever you want, with the stats you want in the colors that you want (granted you meet the level requirements). It could also do with more interactive, though please not mindless WoW gathering, crafting missions where player input during a companion's crew mission affects the outcome, your alignment, their affection, and possibly the availability of quests. "Hey, Dominii, I found the treasure, but it's guarded by a local tribe. Should I destroy the village if they get in my way, or should we abandon this one?"    … Expand
  96. ericlprimero
    Dec 28, 2011
    7
    Solid MMO which will probably get much better. A few things really annoy me. Light-side options are unbearably wussy. No combat logger as of yet. LFG system is not up to par. No AA. Companion system could use a bit of work. Otherwise, I am looking forward to playing this game for a long time.
  97. Hushups
    Jan 1, 2012
    7
    This game is a solid MMO and if you enjoy MMOs and Star Wars you'll be fine. The voice acting is great and the story lines are very enjoyable. However, that's about as far as this game goes in terms of giving you something new and refreshing. The voice acted story lines still give you quests that you've been doing for the last 10 years in MMOs. Go kill, go gather, go destroy structure, goThis game is a solid MMO and if you enjoy MMOs and Star Wars you'll be fine. The voice acting is great and the story lines are very enjoyable. However, that's about as far as this game goes in terms of giving you something new and refreshing. The voice acted story lines still give you quests that you've been doing for the last 10 years in MMOs. Go kill, go gather, go destroy structure, go retrieve/place/find item, go talk to/locate/rescue person. As you progress further into the game and the story comes up less and less you're left with any other MMO on the market. Throw in some early launch bugs and a lot of load screens (traveling especially will require you to load from screen to screen to screen) and it's easy to lose interest. I give this rating an extra point for the smooth launch, placing it at a 7 overall and 6 in terms of being an "innovated MMO experience."… Expand
  98. Mehowee
    Jan 5, 2012
    7
    A decent MMORPG that has followed in the footsteps of WoW but created a separate world with a range of innovative features and items, i.e. pvp, pve, spacebattles that die-hard stars wars fans will definitely appreciate. The focus is on the story lines while involving characters, this makes levelling up interesting.
  99. ristlin
    Jan 6, 2012
    7
    Read a review from someone who has actually played the game to max level and tried a mix of PvP and endgame content. The core of this game comprises two core elements: story-driven and Star Wars. And to be quite honest, if you don't love both of these with equal weight you won't like this game. This is a Knight of the Old Republic successor that has been given a facelift and a whole lot ofRead a review from someone who has actually played the game to max level and tried a mix of PvP and endgame content. The core of this game comprises two core elements: story-driven and Star Wars. And to be quite honest, if you don't love both of these with equal weight you won't like this game. This is a Knight of the Old Republic successor that has been given a facelift and a whole lot of real estate to allow for multiple stories to run in parallel. So you create your hero alongside other players of the same faction and, later on, next to the occasional enemy. For some, this trait alone breaks the whole attempt of immersion. But let's be real, every game's immersion breaks down at some point, and the ability to close the chat box (the lack of chat bubbles as well as the option to remove the name of other player's companions) makes for an easy solution to the common complaint of "story is moot when immersion is broken so early." The Companion system in an MMO is, simply put, revolutionary. It's well balanced to give you more roleplaying choices (gearing up, following companion side-quests, etc.) as well as eliminating much of the tediousness of crafting. Crafting also has a depth to it that rewards persistence. On the other hand, crafting is unfortunately on the bottom rung toward gear, being eclipsed rather early by PvE and PvP content. Unfortunately this game is far from perfect. The PvP, though ambitious in some respects, falls short of the whole Star WarsÂ… Expand
  100. 23skidoo
    Jan 6, 2012
    7
    While this game may not be for everyone I have found it really enjoyable so far. I think that the varying scores indicate just how diverse the gaming community has become in what it seeks in an MMO. That said, I think the gameplay, interface, PVP (currently imbalanced), and questing seem fairly polished for a newly released MMO. I played vanilla WOW and can remember that the state ofWhile this game may not be for everyone I have found it really enjoyable so far. I think that the varying scores indicate just how diverse the gaming community has become in what it seeks in an MMO. That said, I think the gameplay, interface, PVP (currently imbalanced), and questing seem fairly polished for a newly released MMO. I played vanilla WOW and can remember that the state of issues people had were similar at the time but perhaps not judged so harshly due to it's innovation. SWTOR while not necessarily innovative appeals to me more than other MMO's mostly because it is a sci-fi universe and I find myself tired of the Sword & Sorcery fantasy settings brought forward in other recent MMO's. I feel I should give SWTOR a 10 to counteract all the 0's that have been given that seem unduly harsh, but I'm giving it a 9 instead because I do feel there are some issues that need to be addressed, such as PVP balance before this game deserves it.… Expand
Page:

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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »