While the reveal trailer for Knights of the Old Republic Remake may have been brief, developer Aspyr was able to give some more information on what to expect. The most crucial bit of information, and something that many fans had been questioning since rumors began, was that the KOTOR Remake would be built from the ground up. This is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot in the video game industry, but it has special importance in the case of KOTOR. While the original game is of legendary status, remaking KOTOR on a fundamental level is realistically the only option to help the game succeed in today’s industry.
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KOTOR’s Original Gameplay Is From A Different Time
There’s no denying how much of an impact the original Knights of the Old Republic has had on the RPG genre. It proved to be a landmark title for BioWare and paved the way for future RPG icons like the Mass Effect series. That being said, KOTOR’s combat systems are severely outdated compared to modern RPGs. It worked similarly to how tabletop RPGs use different traits to affect combat, and while it worked twenty years ago, it likely wouldn’t get the same reception today. The KOTOR Remake’s lightsaber combat doesn’t have much other choice than to change, or else it would risk alienating many current RPG players.
The Evolution Of Star Wars Games Since KOTOR
While Knights of the Old Republic laid the foundation for today’s Star Wars games, the franchise’s gaming scene has changed dramatically since KOTOR. Titles like The Force Unleashed and Jedi: Fallen Order have done exciting things with Star Wars, especially when it comes to their narrative presentation. It would be for the best if KOTOR Remake didn’t change much about its iconic story, but there are so many more cinematic opportunities for storytelling. The KOTOR Remake reveal trailer demonstrated as much with its epic reveal of Revan, and the same can be done for the whole game to elevate it from the original.
The Precedent Set By Final Fantasy 7 Remake
When looking for examples of why Knights of the Old Republic Remake needs to be built from the ground up, the best game to look at would be Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Square Enix’s magnum opus was remade in grand fashion compared to its source material, with a reworked combat system and enhanced exploration mechanics. It brought Final Fantasy 7 into the modern age of gaming, and it was a decision that paid off spectacularly. KOTOR is in an almost identical position to FF7, and there’s likely to be many comparisons leading up to KOTOR Remake’s release. If the game fails to innovate in the ways that FF7 Remake did, it could leave many fans wanting for a more ambitious title that reinvigorates the KOTOR formula.
The Knights of the Old Republic Remake has been a long time coming for many Star Wars fans, so it’s going to be crucial that Aspyr gets it right. This is going to be a big project for Aspyr after a series of classic Star Wars remasters, so the developer is sure to have a lot of eyes on it for the foreseeable future. Although the game is still regarded as a legendary RPG, it’s in need of a major renovation for today’s generation. The game has no projected release window as of right now, so fans will just have to keep their eyes peeled for any updates on the KOTOR Remake in the future.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake is currently in development.
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