[Jason Vines]

Because of LucasArts pressure to release the console version of the game before the 2004 holidays, Knights of the Old Republic II debuted unfinished. A few bugs remained, some storylines didn't conclude, and neither the light side nor the dark side endings satisfied many people. These weaknesses made the game but a pale shadow of its predecessor, which was the best Star Wars game ever.

Some modders have banded together to change that. Picking up where LucasArts and Obsidian left off, they have vowed to complete the game as much as they can, so KOTOR II can live up to its potential. They'll even add a few things to the game, too.

Find their web page here: KOTOR II Restoration Project.

I can't wait until the project is done. I always knew KOTOR II could have been a better game. I just hope this isn't a lesson to developers that they can release unfinished games and then expect the gaming community to complete them.

[-Oz-]

I've finally started playing the PC version of KotoR II, I'm not quite done with it yet. So far it's good, despite the many an error I have run across.

[Jason Vines]

-Oz-, on Jan 5 2006, 04:13 AM, said:

I've finally started playing the PC version of KotoR II, I'm not quite done with it yet. So far it's good, despite the many an error I have run across.

The first three-quarters of the game, on which the developers probably had more time to work, are amazing. The characterization, especially of Kreia, is compelling. And I love how intricately and philosophically Obsidian crafted the story. As its predecessor did, KOTOR II shows games have become just as legitimate an art form as movies, TV shows, and books.

Unfortunately, in the last quarter, the game falls apart. The level design becomes lazier, story threads peter out without resolution, and the story's ending--light or dark side--sucks. Also, frankly, the first three-quarters of the game rehash KOTOR I too much, setting entire planetary quests on Dantooine and Korriban. As for the game's original planets, Nar Shaddaa, Telos, and Onderon, the urban environments feel more like levels in a game than living, breathing cities.

The KOTOR II Restoration Project should resolve at least some of these issues, bringing story lines to resolution and beefing up the ending levels to what the developers had planned them to be.

[Jason Vines]

KOTOR II fans might be interested in this: KOTOR II Cut Content.

Looking through that stuff, I think KOTOR II, fine game though it was, could have been much better if LucasArts hadn't rushed Obsidian through development.