Game news Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic: What to expect from the KOTOR remake on PC and PS5?
The remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is no longer a pipe dream fueled by multiple rumors. KOTOR for friends will indeed be back on PC and PlayStation 5 at a date as yet unknown. What can we expect from this long-awaited project by fans?
KOTOR, a cult RPG
We should first come back to the phenomenon that was Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic when it was released in 2003 on Xbox and then PC. The RPG (for Role-Playing Game) developed by BioWare (Dragon Age, Mass Effect) and edited by the late LucasArts is rightly considered one of the best Star Wars adaptations ever made to date (2021). KOTOR had it all, and the fans weren’t wrong. This role-playing game respected the universe imagined by George Lucas, enriched it as rarely before, and put in the hands of the players the destiny of this distant galaxy, very distant.
The choices then had real consequences on the trajectory taken by the hero, his attraction to the dark and / or light side, on the world around him as well as on the characters encountered throughout the adventure. RPG requires, the avatar was gaining strength, and unlocked among other things new skills related or not to the Force. What’s more, KOTOR offered a so-called turn-based combat system, although the latter differs from the traditional turn-based on certain gameplay points. Finally, several mini-games during specific events were added to enhance the epic.
All the qualities mentioned above are ultimately little in the face of the all-powerful narrative power of Star Wars: Knights of the Republic. In 2003, BioWare’s pen quite simply stunned fans. Without disclosing unduly the scenario, here is the starting premise. KOTOR’s story begins 4000 years before the creation of the Galactic Empire (at the end of the prelogy). Darth Malak then unleashes his Sith armada on the Galactic Republic. Forced to take part in this conflict, a player-embodied Jedi travels the galaxy to put an end to the doings of the infamous Sith Lord.
KOTOR, un remake Next Gen
The announcement was probably a bombshell among Star Wars fans. A KOTOR remake … many gamers dreamed of it, and Aspyr Media did it. The studios just mentioned are in charge of the project in collaboration with LucasFilm Games. The presence of the label recently set up by Disney should thus guarantee a certain overall consistency with the universe imagined by George Lucas. Aspyr Media for its part is a studio founded in 1996. This Texan structure specializing in portages has previously worked on several Star Wars stamped games.. It was featured on the PlayStation 4 and Switch versions of Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Republic Commando as well as the iOS and Android versions of Knights of the Old Republic. Several veterans who previously officiated on the original game have also joined the ranks of Aspyr Media.
We ultimately know little or nothing about this remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. The RPG will be a console exclusive when it launches. Indeed, KOTOR will be released on an undisclosed date on PlayStation 5 and PC. The studios behind this project promise fans a real visual, technological and visual remake. Modern graphics, new gameplay features, respect for the storyline and the people who once made Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic famous, these are the commitments of Aspyr Media and LucasFilm Games.
KOTOR, a new hope
Fan expectations are high around the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake. A simple remaster is not possible. Aspyr Media and LucasFilm Games are well aware of the importance of such a project, and the reason is ultimately quite simple. This remake formalizes the entry of the cult RPG of BioWare into the Star Wars “by Disney” universe. Until now, the story of Revan and Darth Malak, canon without really being it, unofficially evolved in a gray zone. It is not the case anymore. KOTOR integrates them into the Star Wars universe, and that’s only doing justice to this story that has marked an entire generation of players.
According to Aspyr Media, and Lucasfilm Games’ presence on the project should be a guarantee, the remake will be faithful to the story as well as the characters from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Several adjustments and / or narrative additions are however to be expected. It would be surprising if the writers did not correct the few inconsistencies that could potentially destabilize the lore, while linking the different “historical” eras of the saga within a finally common chronology.
The remake of KOTOR could exploit the specificities of the DualSense. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers would give a whole different cachet to the use of the Force as well as to the power that emanates from such a power. As for the fights, Aspyr Media could be inspired by those of Final Fantasy VII Remake, between dynamism and active pause. The “free” exploration of the different planets would also be at the heart of the experience, and let’s dream a little while projecting ourselves without really believing in the immensity of space and its epic battles.
The narrative and playful structure should also evolve to correspond to the contemporary expectations of the players, or even exceed them. Without going so far as to distort the original work, KOTOR’s remake could gain depth and intensity by embracing some modern approaches to space opera, the Mass Effect saga in mind. Finally, an RPG in 2020 must offer avatar customization options (class, equipment, accoutrements, weapons, physical traits, skills, voices, etc.) worthy of the name … an essential feature to fully immerse them. Virtual Jedi that we are in this universe.
Star Wars: Knighs of the Old Republic Remake will join the Dark Side on PC and PlayStation 5 at an as yet unknown date.
