Marketplace.comStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic takes place just a few years after the Mandolorian Wars thousands of years before the events in the Star Wars movies we know and love. Two Jedi master Revan and his apprentice Malak led the Republics forces to victory and pursued the Mandalorians into deep space only to return as Dark Jedi at the head of a huge fleet of Sith warships. Only the Force powers of the Jedi Bastila prevented the Sith from overwhelming the Republics weakened forces. At the start of the game Malak has usurped control of the Sith by Predictionraying Revan and has attacked the ship carrying Bastila and yourself. In true Star Wars style the game begins with a bang.The storyline could have been a standard coming-of-age yarn but is instead a genuinely interesting adventure told with humor compassion and respect for the source material. Your character has a mystical bond with Bastila and the two of you share some kind of connection to the Sith villains Darth Malak and Darth Revan. The games planet-hopping adventures are driven by your exploration of these connections and how they relate to your larger goal of discovering the source of the Siths sudden fleet. During your adventure you can explore side quests minor (such as racing swoops or Gaming) and major (such as uncovering the fascinating back stories of your companions). Star Wars fans will get a kick out of the rich lore introduced in the game particularly the Tatooine storyline that reveals the origin and history of the Sand People.Gameplay is an abbreviated form of Wizards of the Coasts d20 Star Wars RPG game system--anyone who has played Dungeons & Dragons will be familiar with the abilities stats feats and bonuses in this game. The player creates a character as a member of one of three starting classes (soldier smuggler scout) and then later chooses a Jedi class (guardian consular sentinel). Joining the players character are other Jedi warriors thieves droids a wookiee and even a Mandolorian. Unlike the faceless non-player characters of other games each member of the supporting cast has an intriguing history and even agenda. Up to two of these other characters can join your character at any time. Depending on who you chose to take with you new dialogue and even intra-party arguments come into the game (put the Mandalorian veteran with the Republic patriot and youll see sparks fly). Combat is real-time turn-based meaning the turns are seamless but the player has the option of pausing the action at any time to issue orders or direct any character to use a certain Force power ability feat or item.Graphics range from adequate to exceptional. Building and character models are not impressive--about what you get in GTA 3. Lightsaber graphics and environmental effects (like waving grass clouds and weather) bring the world to life. Battles are just brilliant with characters pumping out blaster fire at Jedi who dash dodge and even deflect the bolts back toward their assailants. Complete with sounds straight out of the movies the thrilling combat is pure Star Wars.All in all Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a masterpiece of Star Wars gaming. The pacing balance of action and dialogue clever puzzles and quests and loving attention to detail have set the bar very high for role-playing games in general and Star Wars games in particular. Consider this a must-have game.--Mike FehlauerPros: Captivating storyline Clever dialogue Star Wars feel True story and dialogue support for either Light Side or Dark Side play Brilliant combat graphics Fascinating characters (the loyal--and homicidal--droid HK-47 is truly unique) Cons: Occasional bugs in dialogue movie playback Cannot transfer equipped gear Predictionween characters while on your shipProduct DescriptionStar Wars role playing experience with evolving characters including humans droids & wookiees.From the ManufacturerLong before the Galactic Civil War an epic drama begins. Engage in this saga set in the Golden Age of the Republic - over 4 000 years before the first Star Wars film when both Jedi and Sith number in the thousands. With the Galaxy reeling from a recent conflict with the Dark Lords the ongoing battle Predictionween the Jedi and the Sith rages on. Your actions determine the outcome of this colossal galactic war - and your destiny as a Jedi.