Add RPG developer extraordinaire BioWare into the mix - a company that continues to carve a stellar reputation with no fewer than three next-gen IPs currently doing the rounds – and you have a sure-fire recipe for success. With Dragon Age: Origins released to widespread rapturous praise and Mass Effect and its feverishly anticipated sequel are unanimously regarded as the greatest sci-fi role-players in recent memory, the Canadian dev can do no wrong.
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| “This is what you get for spilling my pint!” | One lightsaber = good. Two lightsabers = awesome. |
And as if that wasn’t enough, their third IP sees the seemingly unstoppable developer teaming up with Lucasarts to create a brand new Star Wars MMORPG, following in the footsteps of a triumphant brace of single-player Knights Of The Old Republic titles, the Old Republic is set 3,500 years prior to the events on the films.
Lead into a room modelled on the stark white interior of the Death Star (complete with sliding doors and everything), we were granted an opportunity to get an early first look and brief hands-on with the game during EA’s Winter Showcase as well as an unveiling of the remaining three classes that had previously been kept under wraps, more on which later.
Starting with an assigned class – in this particular case, a female Sith Inquisitor called Alia – we find ourselves trawling through labyrinthine caverns to find our first NPC issued quest. Interacting with an eccentric fellow by the name of Ephram Zell, the dialogue system utilises a similar interface to that featured in Mass Effect, making it instantly familiar as we engage in a bout of conversation with a select variety of responses to choose from.
Our accepted quest involves navigating through mines and exploring the connecting tombs, which have become overrun by reprogrammed mining droids. As we enter the open tomb arena, the enemies stand inactive, patiently awaiting our approach, as is usually the case in the majority of MMOs. Dispatching the errant droids is a swift and easy task, thanks to a superb fighting system, making the area safe enough for us to retrieve an excavated artefact that must then be returned to Zell.
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| High calibre sniper rifle faces off against twin hairdryers. Who will emerge victorious? | Putting down pets is a brutal affair in the Star Wars universe. |
As MMO quests go, it’s little more than a standard fetch objective that does little to shake up the traditional formula, but it’s the quality and fluidity of the combat that really impresses. Essentially the mechanics still involve the incessant clicking of mouse buttons, but the results played out on screen flow beautifully, replicate the grace and athleticism of a seasoned lightsaber wielder with aplomb.
This is no mean feat for an MMO and while cleaving our way through bands of monstrous Flesh Raiders (ugly, violent creatures with blasters and blades) later on, our Sith Inquisitor bats away laser blasts with deft flicks of her lightsaber, even when her back is turned. There’re also plenty of secondary skills discretely tucked away in a bar at the foot of the HUD, which includes a tasty Force push to stun and knock enemies back. No doubt the obligatory Force lightning is sure to follow as you gradually level up.
Moreover, the characters are remarkably well rendered, especially for a game featuring a cast of thousands. Even the NPCs are impeccably animated and excellently voiced. Hopefully this level of quality should remain consistent throughout the game, with each character fully voiced in English, French and German. Clearly the story – as with every BioWare title – plays an integral part in The Old Republic, with our guide on the day stating that the overall vision for the game has always been, “genuine emotion and engagement.”
They’re certainly on the right track with SWTOR and the generous choice of classes will cater to Star Wars fans of all shapes and sizes. The Jedi Knight, Sith Warrior, Han Solo aping Smuggler, Boba Fett-esque Bounty Hunter and newly revealed Imperial Agent, Yoda-like Jedi Consular and evil, lightning bolt-chucking Emperor style Sith Inquisitor class types each possess branching job specialities. So for example, you’ll be able to customise your Smuggler by adopting either the scoundrel or gunslinger fields with each granting unique perks such as an underhand ‘dirty kick’ or useful headshot boost.
Every class type is also endowed with a companion character that follows you throughout the story, aiding your progress with complementary abilities. Our Sith Inquisitor is joined by Khem Val, The Dashade (catchy name) and Xalek, The Kaleesh (also catchy) who add abilities such as force draining powers; damage absorption and close-quarters combat expertise to our already formidable repertoire.
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| The Smuggler class with what appears to be a trooper companion. We’d prefer the company of a seven-foot tall Wookie any day. | The vistas look suitably epic and in keeping with the sweeping majesty of the Star Wars universe. |
Sith and Jedi will always be joined by an Apprentice and Padawan respectively, whereas a Smuggler will enjoy the charismatic aid of a Wookie, presumably providing persistent cries of “wuuurgh” just like Chewbacca. We’ve yet to find out the companion characters that will accompany the other classes, but we look forward to finding out, hopefully in the near future.
SWTOR is set to deliver a signature BioWare experience, with all of the requisite story-driven and character-based trimmings you could hope for. That the gameplay already feels slick and intuitive is the dead Ewok in the Sarlacc pit (or cherry on the cake – whatever you prefer). We just love the fact that whichever path you assume through The Old Republic’s story, you’ll always be playing the hero right off the bat which is most definitely a very good thing in our book. SWTOR is undoubtedly a title you’ll want to keep an eye on in the coming months.
