Last month we gave you our initial impressions of The Old Republic after 30 hours of play. Now, 82 hours later, we think we're ready to give it a review score.
We won't say it's the 'definitive' verdict - in a year the game could be so transformed by patches and updates that it's unrecognisable - but for now, this is what we think about BioWare's ambitious online RPG.
One of the most compelling things about The Old Republic is, unarguably, the setting. Nauseating prequels aside, people still love Star Wars and want to be a part of that universe. That's one thing it offers straight out of the box - the chance to feel like a classic Star Wars character.
Each class (with the exception of the Imperial Agent, which is basically 'James Bond in space') represents an archetype from the films: you can be a wise-cracking smuggler with a Wookiee companion, a noble Jedi learning the ways of the Force, a merciless bounty hunter stalking criminals across the galaxy, or an evil Sith Lord.
The other draw is the fusion of typical MMO gameplay and single-player elements. At its core Old Republic is like any other online role-player, but the addition of story elements - interactive dialogue, branching paths - gives it some extra weight.
We found ourselves skipping most of the text-only 'dialogue' in World of Warcraft by about level 40, but here we're totally glued to the story even as we approach the level cap (currently 50). Admittedly, not all of the dialogue and story is top quality - Alderaan is especially tedious, recalling the dull 'space politics' of the dreaded prequels - but it eclipses anything else in the genre.
Sure, you might only be killing [insert arbitrary value] number of [insert enemy] for [insert NPC], but book-ending every mission with a plot, some of which offer multiple outcomes, gives you a rare feeling of motivation lacking in other MMOs. The way that even the most incidental characters have full voice acting really brings the narrative to life, albeit in a superficial way.
Each planet has its own problems and internal conflicts, and you find yourself in the middle of it all, either representing the Republic or the Empire. As a Sith, for example, you could help the local Imperial army quell a slave revolt, or squash an uprising.
Light and dark points are awarded for actions you perform and dialogue choices you select in cut-scenes, and you can be as kind-hearted or as wilfully evil as you desire. Another example of the game's effective marriage of single-player and MMO gameplay.
People power
The story elements are rich enough that you could theoretically play the entire game on your own and still enjoy it, but you'd be missing out on a lot. We can't speak for other servers, but on Nightmare Lands (where we reside), the community is overwhelmingly friendly and helpful.
If you're ever struggling with a boss, a quick plea for help in general chat will have someone rushing to your aid - often going out of their way. It helps to be part of a guild too, as you can easily form teams and share discoveries with other members.
Comments
19 comments so far...
rivariad on 18 Jan '12 said:
everything relies on wow and im so sick of it, i want an mmo with nothing familiar to what i've seen so far. absolutely nothing
FlacidDonkeyGuy on 18 Jan '12 said:
Everything relies on Everquest and im so sick of it, I want a MMO with nothing familiar to what i've seen so far. Absolutely nothing. Just like I want a 1st person shooter with the perspective from your boots
jdkoke on 18 Jan '12 said:
Every MMO relies on the internet and am sick o it. I want an MMO with nothing familiar to what av seen so far. Absolutely nothing. I want it to run by connecting to a wheely bin
...Anyway. I'm loving TOR, my bounty hunter is mid 30's now and still having a blast, Can't wait to hit 50 and also do all the other classes too. 8.5 seems fair to me
MPH on 18 Jan '12 said:
everything relies on cow and im so sick of it, i want a beefburger with nothing familiar to what i've seen so far. absolutely nothing
I do believe you've created a CVG meme!
wattz3 on 18 Jan '12 said:
Good Review ,i look forward to trying this WoW clone
adgr19 on 18 Jan '12 said:
everything relies on biscuits and im so sick of it, i want an mmo with nothing familiar to what i've seen so far. absolutely nothing apart from custard creams...
and maybe chocolate hobnobs
conceptwhite_fox on 18 Jan '12 said:
everything relies on cream cheese and im so sick of it, i want a cracker with nothing familiar to what i've seen so far. absolutely nothing
togrtc on 18 Jan '12 said:
This will never happen. At least not with current gaming technology.
Wollont on 18 Jan '12 said:
Currently, this is close to a scam. They charge your credit card but do not allow you to play the game. A lot of people have the issues with game updater that forces you to re-download the game again and again, not letting you in.
There are thousands of posts about this on the community boards, but the issue is not addressed. It is well-known for about a month, yet there are no steps to fix it. Customer support copy-pastes the "solution" to re-download the game for 100500th time which does NOT fix the issue.
I am a fan of Star Wars, but I do not recommend anyone to buy this game.
Skyblue on 19 Jan '12 said:
everything relies on our predisposition to want to sleep with our mothers and im so sick of it, i want a relationship with nothing familiar to what i've seen so far. absolutely nothing.
flashgoodall on 25 Jan '12 said:
Plagiarises a game that plagiarised everything that went before it. And yet it'll sell by the cockload just like WOW and continue to do so until way past it's sell by date. Expansion will follow expansion at 40 quid a pop plus subscription fees, milking the cash from the gormless t**ts that swallow this corporate dogs**t.
Get a grip and demand some innovation for your money.
jdkoke on 27 Jan '12 said:
You're a funny little person aren't you. Hate popular things by any chance?
*Oh n I didna like WoW
flashgoodall on 30 Jan '12 said:
Actually, I'm 6ft 2 and enjoyed WoW until muppets like you turned up to the party...I also live in the same town as my football club. Glory hunter.
jdkoke on 30 Jan '12 said:
Hahahaha oooh am impressed. I don't or neva have played WoW (past checkin it out), going to the 'party' as you call it wasn't appealing 'cus people like you play it and I didn't like the game. Also supported United since afore I even knew there were different leagues, passed on from my da to me and my brother (and my brother to his son) but fiteva makes you happy chief. Oh and I go to quite a lot of United games, at least as much as money allows me, I get most of my tickets fae Harry Griegs daughter.
*To enforce my glory hunting habits av also got United tattoos, I want to prove my status as chief glory hunter fan am in the Bishops
Cocopander on 24 Feb '12 said:
Okay... SWTOR has been out for a few months now. What is the concusses? I'm looking for a new MMO but I"ve been hot and cold about jumping in and scooping up a copy.
hixxy4 on 25 Feb '12 said:
I'm really bored of it. Played it solid for about 3 weeks, now just can't bring myself to turn it on.
durandill08 on 26 Feb '12 said:
As hixxy, I'm pretty disappointed of SWTOR now. This game seems interesting during the leveling but is empty in HL
vitiositas on 26 Feb '12 said:
Same as the above 2 posters, played from release + 1 month, just ended up not renewing my sub, nothing new in terms of the lategame or pvp, so i just got bored.
Off topic: Wonder when rift will go f2p so i can play that again
Anominos on 28 Feb '12 said:
i would like to play this game but the monthly subscription makes it almost impossible