Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - Sith Lords (PC)

The remnants of 2004 saw the release of the sequel to Bafta award winning game of the year (2003) Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. KOTOR 2: The Sith Lords, this time made by Obsidian Entertainment instead of Bioware, takes place 5 years after the events of the first game. Those that are familiar with the original, will know that the majority of the game is open to your own playing style and moral choices - Light vs. Dark or on the fence Neutral - and because of this, the games ending differs as do the characters who played a part. With such freedom, KOTOR2 had a blank canvas to do with what they wish. In the end they decided to go down the darker path, setting the game in a time where the jedi numbers have been obliterated by the sith and making your character play another pivotal role in the fate of the galaxy. Take control of the jedi Exile, prove your past just or make amends, choose your prestige class, mould those around you in your image of heroism or dish out the insults to keep them in line - Dark, Light or Neutral, as the back of the case says: "This Time Your Choices Affect Everyone Around You".

Unlike the first Knights game, Sith Lords starts with an out of the ordinary tutorial of T3-M4, the trusty bleeps and bloops utility droid, roaming around the Ebon Hawk (the main ship used in both 1 & 2) fixing various devices and in the end, saving you and your transport. After playing it once, you won't play it again as it serves only to tie in as to why your character is in the initial situation and why the ship is with them. This tutorial is skippable however but even the 'real' beginning is a complete bore. After customising your characters appearance, stats and class (Scoundrel, Soldier, Scout) you awaken in a kolto tank in nothing but your stylish lycra skivvies. Dazed and disorientated you regain your composure and try to figure out whats going on, in a seemingly abandoned mining facility on the asteroid, Peragus. You bump into 2 recruited characters quickly: Kreia, a mysterious old witch that has an extraordinary knowledge of the jedi and the force and Atton, an imprisoned young pilot with a hidden past. Kreia is a key character (voiced spectacularly by Sara Kestelman) serving as a master type character and beacon of wisdom, especially as she helps you rekindle your connection with the force, of which you have been stripped by the jedi council, for reasons unknown to start, but free for interpretation. Something unique to this game - events that happened before the game are discussed and are judged by you - defend your shaded actions or repent, its up to you.

After finding your bearings, equipment (and clothes!) you trudge your way through a hostile droid infested, industrial nightmare, with the help of your new teammates (and tutorial droid T3). After being hunted by undead antagonist Darth Sion, or as Atton affectionately names him "Sleeps with vibroblades", you escape on the Ebon Hawk, the facility self destructing, taking out an entire asteroid belt - all of which is magnificently displayed in FMV fashion, just as good if not better than the predecessors graphics. No.2 has 6 worlds to explore, 2 of which were included in the original (Dantooine & Korriban) but vary and offer new explorations. Travel to a mandalorian based jungle moon Dxun, pollution fogged metropolis Nar Shaddaa, war torn save-the-environment Telos and the eastern like dust city space port of Onderon. While the landscapes do prove to be a new, larger experience they don't quite match up to the extravagance of the first game. The reason to explore is to find the skattered jedi council masters and learn from them, gaining new information on your past and 'stances' (these help you adjust to battles, whether its against blasters, force powers or being overwhelmed in numbers). You can even exact your revenge should you find the 'master's' words too condescending and attitudes unapologetic.

Original characters of different species/races join you throughout your journey, some only when certain specifications are met, ie. if male, you are accompanied by a silver haired Handmaiden, if female, a male disciple. The same goes for morality, be an evil git and recruit a butchering wookie, play by the rules and receive the aid of a well travelled huntress. Every teammate has their own special stories and huge varying dialogue. They can also become trained in the ways of the jedi. The battle system is exactly the same as the first game as is the method in which you progress physically. Once you get through enough of the game you get yet another big choice - choosing what type of jedi you will become. Unlike the first game, you don't choose one of three classes (Guardian, Sentinel, Consular) instead, 6 new choices based on your alignment - the 'good' classes jedi weapon master, jedi master, or jedi watchman, and the 'bad' ones, sith marauder, sith lord, and sith assassin. Each class unveils new traits and abilities for battle and conversations and changes the speeds of your levelling. The Sith Lords can be played and enjoyed without the experience of the original, though I wouldn't recommend it as you'd be missing out, but you are in for a far darker game that pushes you to make tough decisions and ultimately makes the dark side choices more beneficial.

Shamefully, composer Jeremy Soule did not take part in this game, and it shows as the music is downplayed and only pops up now and then for battles, otherwise its pretty ambient and menacing. The low points though, unfortunately ruin what should be the best, most stable parts of the game. The ending is a clear indication of running out of time and simply not meeting the schedule. Endings don't really exist to be frank. Glitches also occur without the aid of the patches (characters get caught behind walls and the game cannot always progress). Amongst the competition, this game still stands taller and better, compared to the original.. well thats why I've docked one star. Totally playable and more than satisfying for anyone who played games in the franchise. Pray for a 3rd installment.