The Disney's Star Wars canon, the KOTOR remake could revive the character's origin story.
Calls for a KOTOR remake have rung loudly throughout the years, with its story garnering and love from the Star Wars community. KOTOR told the story of Darth Revan, a warrior who walked both the Light and Dark Sides of the Force. Aspyr and Sony revealed little about KOTOR - Remake, with PlayStation's 2021 Showcase only featuring a brief reveal trailer without gameplay. No release date has been confirmed for the project, meaning Star Wars fans could be waiting several years before playing it. This should give developers time to rework KOTOR's mechanics and systems, making it an experience worthy of a modern-day release.
While certain areas of KOTOR need to be improved to help the game succeed for more modern audiences, Aspyr and Sony have had significant amounts of work done for them. BioWare's Knights of the Old Republic was a brilliant addition to the company's Golden Age. Though BioWare will have no part in the remake's development, its RPG experience was unparalleled during KOTOR 2, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age Origins' releases. Mass Effect Legendary Edition's recent release has proven the viable profits of older RPGs, and KOTOR could be Aspyr and Sony's way into an active gaming market.
KOTOR - Remake Should Change Its Graphics
Like most games from the early '00s, the original Knights of the Old Republic features now-dated graphics that may hinder playability for modern gamers. Current PCs and the PlayStation 5 are far more capable than systems that existed during the original's release in 2003. No gameplay for the KOTOR remake has been shown, with the reveal trailer only providing a minute-long cinematic and a voiceover. If the graphics in the trailer match what Aspyr and Sony can produce on PlayStation 5 and PC, fans of KOTOR and Star Wars alike are in for a treat with KOTOR - Remake.
KOTOR's Side Quests And Companion Stories Shouldn't Change
Though Darth Revan was KOTOR's protagonist, they weren't the only character with a compelling story and emotional depth. The Ebon Hawk, Revan's ship, was home to nine different companions. Each companion had a complicated history that ultimately connected with Revan's life. This made the character's revelation at the climax of KOTOR even more impactful.
The choices made throughout the game reflect in players' relationship with their crew, improving the RPG's immersion and consequences. Similarly, KOTOR's remake should refrain from changing the original's side quests. Different Star Wars planets featured side quests that expanded on the stories of characters that live there, filling the in-game universe with exciting stories that Aspyr should not remove.
KOTOR's Early-Game Pacing And Progression Should Change In The Remake
One of the original KOTOR's mistakes was the pacing of its early levels, which stifled players with railroaded corridors that failed to capture the game's strengths. KOTOR's original tutorial introduced players to the basics of looting and combat - which were equally essential mechanics - but failed to encourage exploration, explore dialogue, offer side quests, and introduce preliminary companion mechanics. This slow buildup to the game's most entertaining aspects could chase new players away. Aspyr could fix the opening mission by adding optional objectives introducing these systems and working toward KOTOR's Dark Side and Light Side points.
KOTOR - Remake Shouldn't Change Combat
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has a combat system similar to some MMOs (like Star Wars: The Old Republic), which some may argue is a strange choice for a single-player title. Despite the mixed opinions and criticisms of this combat style, it was a vital part of KOTOR's gameplay. Reworking the title's combat could take precious funding away from other improvements like graphics or audio enhancements. Other Star Wars titles like Jedi: Fallen Order have a much more action-packed combat system, but KOTOR - Remake's combat could benefit from a less-is-more mindset.
KOTOR's Player Choices Should Change For The Remake
This may introduce a more controversial change, but giving players new opportunities to decide the fate of their galaxy could propel the remake's popularity further than its predecessor. KOTOR had an extremely customizable experience, encouraging players to pave their path across the stars. Despite the current number of choices in Knights of the Old Republic, many had little narrative impact.
Expanding on the existing dialogue in-game and implementing steeper narrative penalties for player choices could increase immersion. KOTOR's Light Side and Dark Side system could be utilized for more effective consequences, and impact more than just character relationships and appearance.
KOTOR's Orignal Endings Shouldn't Change
Depending on players' choices, Darth Revan can reclaim their place as the Dark Lord of the Sith or return to the Jedi Order. These endings had lasting effects on the Star Wars galaxy and affected Knights of the Old Republic II. Each choice makes narrative sense for a troubled character like Revan, whose legacy has danced between Light and Dark. The consequences of both their lives consistently overshadow their redemption, crafting the perfect tragic hero. While neither option offers a perfect ending for Revan's tale, they each reflect the culmination of Revan's actions. KOTOR is an RPG, and despite issues that may arise with Star Wars canon, its remake should still allow players to choose the ultimate fate for their characters.
Darth Malak's Fate Should Change In KOTOR - Remake
Like many other enemies in the game, players cannot spare Darth Malak. Malak's death is a significant event that Knights of the Old Republic's remake should change, especially if the game will initiate Revan's return to Star Wars' spotlight. Light Side Revans should have the opportunity to spare and redeem their former partner, while Dark Side Revans should have the chance to reclaim their Sith apprentice (despite Malak's betrayal). Darth Malak shared many experiences with Darth Revan, including their defection from the Jedi Order and role in the Mandalorian Wars. Despite his betrayal, Malak deserved a second chance like Revan.
BioWare's original KOTOR was a unique Star Wars gaming experience back in 2003 and can be an equally fantastic remake. Aspyr and Sony have an opportunity to capitalize on an era of remakes but could also put their own creative twists on the title to improve gameplay, graphics, and narrative. Knights of the Old Republic - Remake has no release date but is confirmed as a PlayStation 5 console exclusive that will also release on PC.
