This game is my favorite PC game of all time. Before I write this review I have to say, the TSLCRM is a required mod to play it. The review is written with the mod in mind, as without it, the game isn't complete and although the game is still good, the mod makes is infinitly better adding more plots, quests, items, characters, and significantly enhancing the ending. The other mods that is downloadable are a great addition as well, but I highly recommend downloading all of them from Deadly Stream, otherwise, just get TSLCRM from the Workshop.

I will also draw up my personal opinions of this game, compared to the first KotOR.

The game is amazing. This is quite possibly the best single player RPG of all time.

For starters, the character creation and customization allows you to create a unique character, from a skillful blaster wielding jedi able to create weapon/armor mods that are almost OP, to a duel-wielding sith Assassin that can kill in seconds. Every starting class is distinct in how they level up, and you will be granted a choice of a "prestige" class that is basically an enhanced version of the starters, unlocking many powerful Feats and Powers. Your character also builds upon story events which I find very unique as the game does so in such a natural feeling way. The characers you run into, are all unique in how they play in game, but building them at times can be a bit more limited as they're usually there for a certain role.

Compared to KotOR I, I feel like the building is several times better in having more variety, more levels, and more Feats/Powers. The level cap is 50, so high in fact, you may never see that level.

Now this section will be a bit short, simply put, combat is very fun with it being a mix of real time, and turn based, and depending on your party and build, you will be able to confront enemies in a variety of ways. The combat compared to the first KotOR is much improved and seemingly more balanced.

Now, the characters have great personalities and fantastic backstories that you unlock though gaining their trust with a great influence system. Almost all of them are a joy to have in a playthrough, although depending on the character you are building, you may miss out on a few of the characters, which for some may be a negative, is a fantastic point to replay the game as the ending will change. Now, some characters do seem to come out in front of others in terms of plot importance and dialogue, but they all have a place in the story and depending on the type of character you want, they will show and speak up more.
Not only are your allies great, the villains are almost better, and often, more interesting. The game takes place, thousands of years before anything happens in the Phantom Menace, and it shows off the darkest, most powerful Sith Lords, showing what happens when you are met with power so immense, that you cannot control it without sacrifice. All of the lords you face have very deep metaphors behind them when in connection to your character and in the overall plotline.

KotOR I does stuff better and some stuff worse, character progression, in terms of story and building, feels more unrealistic as it feels like the characters are on a timer to reveal what they have to say, but the characters just feel so natural in the Star Wars universe, that I honestly don't really care, when in KotOR II, the characters seem to only tell you things when a event triggers a memory of something to tell you, or you break them to tell you, which I like. I have to admit, the main villains in II, are a lot more interesting than the first, and truly show the darkest of the Force.

Quests in this game are almost all unique. Very little "go there and kill them/find an item" and sometimes, there are many ways to do a quest, peacefully, quietly, or through pure violence, and they often have a consequence. KotOR I is pretty much the same way, with good choices and many unique quests, although consequence sometimes isn't even appearent. KotOR I also is very black and white with the choices, rather than being gray.

This game takes place in a very interesting time period of the Star Wars universe, it shows some of the ancient masters of the force, the struggles of the Republic, and the great ancient wars that nearly wiped out, or completely wiped out many different planets and even species. Now this is the pinnacle of Star Wars story/lore telling, along with the first KotOR I. Not only does this game show off the best Dark Lords of the entire Star Wars Universe, but it also shows off some of the greatest masters, generals, and wars that have happened that changed the galaxy of Star Wars forever. The game connects really well with KotOR I and I suggest playing that game first.

This story is very mature in comparison of the first and is extremely gray, showing the evils of the Jedi, and the compromises, good of the Sith. The true Sith are still the bad guys, but the overall idea of the Sith, is portrayed more of a darker shade of gray, than being completely black. In terms of philosophy, I REALLY enjoyed this portrayal of the Force, and is my personal canon of the entirety of Star Wars, especially after the simplification and breaking of lore on how the Force works in The Force Awakens.

The choices you will have to make, can, and often will, change the story and are honestly quite difficult to choose. Compared to the original The games overall storytelling is fantastic, better in many ways always reminding you of the mysteriousness of the force and how it kinda works (because you can never truly comprehend the nature of the Force), and how it connects to philosophy in the real world. The pacing at the beginning of the game may be slow for many, but honestly adds to the experience for me, showing great buildup, while KotOR I's pacing is honestly perfect for practically anyone. Although replays can get annoying going through Peragus your 5th+ time.

For ten dollars you get a game that you can put at LEAST a hundred hours into. I can easily put in a few hundred more hours and still find new stuff especially considering I have never done a dark side playthrough. The modding community is still kicking, still making more fantastic mods, and I really hope they keep putting out more mods and posting the mods that died with the Kotor filefront (RIP). Buy this amazing game even if you are not a Star Wars fan, but if you are, you NEED this game.

MUSTHAVE/10