" I recommend this for anyone who likes any of the following: a) Role Playing Games, b) Star Wars, c) Quality video games, d) Not being referred to as a retarded dingus for not playing this game. "

      Title: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic by Bioware

      Format: X-Box RPG

      Reviewing Monkey: Chimpan-A

      The Hype: It's here at last people. Finally a full board, in depth, roleplaying video game experience in the Star Wars Universe. Will you join the light in a battle to save the galaxy…or will you fall to the dark and revel in petty insults and cackling at young Jedi from your throne? Only time will tell. And while normally this is where I'd put a "And may the force be with you" joke, I figure everyone saw that coming, and just made it for themselves… If you didn't, feel free to make one now, I'll wait…

      What This Monkey Thought...

      Graphics: The environments for this game are bloody gorgeous and there is some truly breathtaking scenery to be experienced. The character models were equally well done with a lot of character in each face. My only beef with them is that they were used a bit too often and quickly become repetitive. Once you've seen old man #23, you'll be seeing the same old man until you're blue in the face. Speaking of repeating things, they really needed to make cinematic scenes more readily escaped. If I had to watch sith fighters coming for my ship one more time, I was going to have to force choke someone. In any case, the graphics are clearly superior to much of what we've seen and they really are a joy to watch. I love the look of a customized double-sided lightsaber in just my color…and it's a great example of the kind of things the X-Box is capable of pumping out. 4 out of 5

      Playability: Right here is what you all came for, ladies and gents. Is this game fun to play? Let's just say if they could liquefy it, I'd be shooting it up right about now. Many a sleepless night and a few missed days of work followed my acquisition of KotOR (as the kids are callin' it). Let me break it down for you monkeys who aren't force sensitive. You start off with one of three classes (and two genders). Those of you familiar with Wizard's D20 Star Wars products will be immediately at home with character generation. Those of you who don't know D&D from S&M can let the computer make your character for you. The story follows a young republic recruit (namely, you) as they try to save the galaxy from the Sith (the game takes place 4000 years before episode 1). You gather your motley crew of helpers both, human and non, and adventure about.
          The biggest question most role players are asking about KotOR is "Is this game like Morrowind"? Well, let me say this, it's not quite as free form as Morrowind (in fact, it's relatively linear), but there are enough options and paths to take (to multiple endings, no less) that it will feel like it is. From picking your class to picking your allegiances, this game lets you take your own ride through this roller coaster game. The story is great, with unseen twists and turns… I think if this game had been released in place of Episode One there would be a lot more happy Star Wars fans out there right now. The game is practically cinematic as it is. All of the lines are voice acted, all of the aliens speak their languages (Rodian, Huttese, Shriiwook, you name it). Combat is comprised of a real time turn based system… I.e. the system actually goes in turns, but you can opt to run it in real time. You issue orders to your party members, and they execute them. You can pause combat at any time to change the orders, or issue new ones. The combat animations are excellent. Watching a lightsaber duel will make you remember why you love 'sabers in the first place. 5 out of 5

      Multiplayer and Replayability: There is no multiplayer, I'll just get that out of the way now. Thing is, I don't really care; the game is more than fun enough with one person. As far as playing it again goes… depending on your choice to go either light side or dark side, There's always at least one more way to play the game. Honestly though, Playing each of the three different classes, or even the different genders yield up a different game in and of itself. Besides all that, the game is just plain fun, it take very little coaxing to play the game a second, third, even fourth time. And just to sweeten the cake, new content will be eventually downloadable from X-Box Live. 5 out of 5

      The Verdict:

Now as a Game Monkey, I am actually contractually required to nitpick about games I review (subsection 15 article VII- "Required amount of Poo Flinging"). The thing about Knights of the Old Republic is that my only gripes are nitpicking ones. They reuses character models, I'd prefer to be able to skip some cut scenes here and there, but honestly: Who cares? This game is what the console Star Wars roleplayer has been waiting a whole helluva long time for. Bioware has produced an outstanding product that takes you deep into the Star Wars universe, hands you a Lightsaber , then says "You're on your own kid, go to it". I recommend this for anyone who likes any of the following: a) Role Playing Games, b) Star Wars, c) Quality video games, d) Not being referred to as a retarded dingus for not playing this game.

      The Good: An awesome romp in the Star Wars universe, enough character and storyline options to choke a Rancor.

      The Bad: What did I say again, I forgot… I was too busy playing this awesome game to remember whatever nitpicky problems I had.

      The Overall Ugly: Lucas may be running Star Wars into a place his fans don't like, but as long as he keeps licensing it out to people like Bioware, the Star Wars love will never die.

      What it's Worth: Your left testicle and first-born child. If they ask you for 50 bucks, consider yourself lucky and try not yell, "Sucker!" as you run off with your purchase…