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News: Tom Morello stars in Guitar Hero III
Activision has announced that Tom Morello, from Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, will guest star as a boss character in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. Click here to read the article.
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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, is the first Star Wars RPG to be released for the Xbox. You play, well…you, as you take on Darth Malak and the rest of the Sith Army. You have access to 10 different characters to control over the game, and you will fly through more than 5 different worlds to complete your quest.
The gameplay in KOTOR is fantastic. During most of the game, you can have up to 3 different characters traveling with you at all times. The best aspect of the game, however, is your ability to choose the path you take.
Are you a Good Samaritan, who helps those in need and gives money to the poor? Or are you evil, and kill those who have little and take what they do have? The choice is yours.
As in most RPG’s, your characters level up with experience, and you can equip them with the items of your choice. However, in KOTOR, you have access to hoards of different weapons, ranging from pistols and blasters, to double-bladed swords and lightsabers. Some may find that the beginning of the game is boring, because of the lack of a lightsaber.
However, it is well worth the time spent to achieve the rank of Jedi. Another great aspect of the game is that when you come around a corner and see a group of enemies, the game pauses and you give each character a command, whether it be for you to strike over and over with melee attacks, or for another party member to toss a grenade. This is a tremendous advantage in battles where you are greatly outnumbered.
The only real gameplay flaw is that it sometimes takes a couple of seconds for the enemy to react, but that is a very small flaw.
The graphics in the game are also extremely good. Faces of enemies or allies aren’t blurred, but every detail has been specifically drawn. The environments are life-like, and sand blows in the wind. Look at the sun, and you’ll be blinded.
I also thought that the sound in the game was spectacular. The voice-overs were done especially well. It’s not like one of those Japanese movies that have been translated into American voices. When someone says something, they say it right then, not 3 seconds later. Also, one of my favorite sounds, is of the lightsaber, it sounds just like the lightsaber from the movies, perfectly done. However, once in a while, sounds can become monotonous. This really only happens in long battles where you hear all kinds of lightsabers swinging over and over.
If you are looking for a game with excellent replayability value, this is it. Playing just the first time through will probably easily take you 25 hours, but there are also numerous side-quests to perform. The one thing that gives it the best replayability value, is the fact that not only can you choose to be good or bad, there are even 2 entirely different endings depending on which you choose!
Overall, Star Wars: KOTOR is easily my favorite game so far for Xbox, and also one of the best game I have EVER played. My only complaint is that sometimes the occasional puzzle is VERY difficult. If you aren’t the best puzzle solver, I would suggest picking up Prima Games’ official strategy guide, as it would definitely come in handy.
Report Card:
Gameplay = 9.5
Graphics = 9.5
Audio = 9
Replay Value = 10
Overall: 9.5/10
Click here for the KOTOR gallery!
Click here for the KOTOR website!
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