STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™
STAR WARS™: The Old Republic™ is the only massively multiplayer online game with a Free-to-Play option that puts you at the center of your own story-driven STAR WARS™ saga. Play as a Jedi, a Sith, a Bounty Hunter, or as one of many other iconic STAR WARS roles and explore the galaxy far, far away over three thousand years before the classic films. With 6 narrative expansions, become the hero of your own STAR WARS adventure as you choose your path down the Light or Dark side of the Force™.
Create your legacy. Make meaningful choices throughout your journey and become the hero of your personal STAR WARS saga. The game includes an interactive storyline with cinematic dialogue and full voiceover for all in-game characters.
A growing world awaits. For more than 10 years, players have been able to live out their own STAR WARS stories. With the most recent Onslaught expansion, STAR WARS: The Old Republic continues to deliver ongoing content through regular updates.
8 Unique Stories, 16 Combat Styles. Do you prefer the elegance of a lightsaber or the reliability of a good blaster by your side? Choose from one of 8 iconic, unique storylines, allowing you to create your own personal STAR WARS story. The Legacy of the Sith Expansion also introduces Combat Styles! Players can now separate their Class Story from gameplay style for an even greater customization experience. This frees up Advanced Class options as characters can choose any Advanced Class within the Tech or Force playstyle! Play as a Trooper wielding a Sniper Rifle, or a Sith Inquisitor with a lightsaber in each hand, or even secretly use Dark Side powers while posing as a member of the Jedi Order.
Explore numerous planets. Hoth, Tatooine, Alderaan, and over 20 other unique and vibrant planets offer exciting exploration and thrilling adventures around every corner!
Multiplayer gameplay. Gather your allies to face challenging encounters against enemy bosses in Flashpoints and Operations, or battle against other players in Player vs. Player Warzones, Arenas, or Galactic Starfighter missions!
Galactic Strongholds Want to take a break from the inter-galactic traveling and adventure? Kick back and relax with our player housing system called Galactic Strongholds! Whether it’s overlooking the sandy dunes of Tatooine, the bright cityscape of Nar Shaddaa, or the tranquil mountains of Alderaan, there’s a Stronghold for everyone. These destinations and more are available for your galactic homestead!
Cartel Market. Only the slickest items can make their way to the Cartel Market, the premium marketplace for the galaxy’s most sought-after commodities. Players wishing to buy things here will need to purchase in-game currency called Cartel Coins. Learn more about what Cartel Coins can unlock on our Cartel Coins Page.
Subscriber Benefits. STAR WARS: The Old Republic offers an optional subscription that allows you to experience even more of the STAR WARS universe. Benefits include an increased level cap of 80 and access to the most recent expansions: Legacy of the Sith, Onslaught, Knights of the Eternal Throne, and Knights of the Fallen Empire. In addition, you will receive a monthly Cartel Coin Grant, increased XP, and more. Details on Subscriber Benefits can be found on our Subscriber Page.
Steam User 411
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Star Wars The Old Republic Review
The Wars Across The Stars
The war has been raging for decades, and this time your story will take part in it. Decades before the classical star wars, we all know, and love existed.
This is the old republic, and you choose which side you want to take part in. And what may lie ahead is only up to you to tell.
The Game of The Play
Star Wars The Old Republic is a HUGE game with a large variety of content, a game that keeps getting updated with patch notes and new content.
The player gets the choice to choose which side, what class or specification, and even customize their character. Each class on either side has its own main story. Concluding to more stories and more gameplay for the player.
Game Mechanics
The battle mechanics can be toggled in settings for your comfort within the games possibility. The only missing mechanic the game does not support by default or as an option is “mouse-lock” The player currently needs to hold down the right mouse button to lock the mouse.
Some games have mouse lock on default, which lets the player press a button to free the mouse instead. Unfortunately, this game does not include that setting.
It is not as simple as point and shoot; the player's weapon has a certain shooting range that the enemy needs to be within to shoot/attack.
Further away, it will indicate the enemy is too far away and is unable to shoot.
By default, after eliminating an enemy, the lock-on will switch to the nearest enemy.
While lightsabers can deflect blaster bolts from far to close distances, they can only inflict damage on the enemy at close distances.
Character Qualifications
Like I briefly said in the gameplay, when the player starts with a new character, they will choose which side they want to play on. Since each side has its own story and missions.
There are four-character qualifications on both sides. Each qualification has a certain number of selectable styles or character specifications.
Missions & Stories
Each qualification contains its own story and missions, and each story takes place in different locations. All intros are different, and all missions are unalike, so there is plenty of content that the player can explore and try out.
In total, there are eight stories the player can try out and complete. And each time, they can replay the story, but with another type of playing style. (aka specification)
Character Tabs
Gear
The gear tab is where the player can see and select their gear from their inventory. They can see what damage the player does, what survivability they have, and how much support they have. Inventory can be upgraded with a bit of in-game currency.
Outfitter
The outfitter can rearrange the color of the players clothing if they are compatible with the system.
Here, the player can make and save outfits for their character.
Character Tabs
Gear
The gear tab is where the player can see and select their gear from their inventory. They can see what damage the player does, what survivability they have, and how much support they have. Inventory can be upgraded with a bit of in-game currency.
Companion
Some companions give the player the option of choosing their armor and weapons. If the player has a companion who allows gear arranging, the player can change their gear in the companion tab.
Galactic Starfighter
This tab can be opened when the (H) button is pressed.
Ships
The ship tab has four smaller tabs containing Strike Fighter, Scout, Bomber, and Gunship. Each small tab contains four ships, but the player can only buy three of them with game currency; the fourth ship is real money.
There, the player can both look at ships and buy new ones, as each ship has its own little description.
Components
The components tab contains of two categories with smaller tabs. Major Components and Minor Components. The components can be upgraded by the player with in-game money.
Major Components
Primary Weapons
Primary Weapons
Secondary Weapons
Shields
Engines
Minor Components
Capacitor
Magazine
Reactor
Thrusters
Visual & Audio
Visuals
For a game that was made in 2011, the graphic design, animation movements, and overall experience within the game are truly good.
Smooth structures, detailed character bodies and outfits, animations, decent effects on shooting, grandees, etc.
The game looks good, and depending on their progress and story, they will see a lot of different elements, including cities, frontlines, and space.
Audio
Voice Dialogs
Most of the main mission NPC interactions have voiced dialogue scenes, both for the NPC and the player, with three optional word choices. Some might sound more gory, while others are more passive.
Depending on the dialog choice, it can change the view of you by your companions or the NPC to whom you are talking.
Sound & Music
While in the game, the player will hear blasters shooting, hover bikes racing, and either NPCs chatting or footsteps from fellow players.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Gameplay
Character Class/Specification
Visuals & Audio
Story/ies
Content
Choices
Cosmetics/Character Designing
Cons
No Mouse-Lock
NPC Loading Error
No Simple Crouching
No background music (nothing big)
My final little thoughts
SWTOR is a very large game with hundreds of hours of content, and I did not want to rush the review but also not take too long with it.
My experience during the time I played this game was mixed, but like most games, after a few hours, it gets better. Some mechanics you’ll have to learn, and others you simply need to get used to.
There isn’t much to say about the gameplay since it all runs smoothly and is mostly story-based in the game.
But all in all, I highly recommend this game. It might look and be a bit old, but trust me, it's better than some new games in this era.
For full review check our curator
Rating: 9.5/10
Are We The God Guys?
Steam User 400
this game taught me not to trust british people
Steam User 200
I have played SWTOR on and off almost since it's release.
Pro's:
1.Story Rich, player-driven and interactive.
2.Classes have a lot of diversity and functionality.
3.Professions are directly related to the Server's economy.
Con's:
1.No Oceanic Server's, however, the delay isn't too bad when compared with other games.
2. Player Numbers have been in decline but isn't too bad.
3. Bot's have amassed Hundreds of Billions of Credits which most player's buy now;
4. Economy is seriously damaged, Everything is controlled, bought out and listed for unreasonable prices by old wealth players or undercut in vast quantities, whether that's Cartel Market Items, Profession equipment or other.
5. Virtually no Customer Support, ticket's are not acknowledged or tracked.
6. After ending a subscription status, your new status becomes "Preferred" and they cap how much money you can access on a character to only, 1,000,000, relatively isn't much at all as most player's have 1,000,000,000.
7. PVE Raid's aren't really that good.
8. Story lore is rich but it stagnates and often carries on, similar to the TV series "Lost", ifykyk.
9. Expansions haven't released any new features just new story and a few different items but nothing new.
10. You cannot Use addon's like other MMORPG's can, you can customise the User Interface, Metrics are sourced through 3rd party recording software that most Guild Member's require you to download or you cannot do raids with them (Extra Inconvenience).
11. Graphics is getting dated but was good during it's release.
SCORE = 7/10
Summary:
Overall it's a fun Game and in my Opinion Top 3 for all MMORPG's, that are currently available (02/05/2023).
Note: You will become addicted if you love Star Wars and haven't played many MMORPG's. The effect does last in short bursts, usually between 2-4 weeks if you are a new player, if you are returning i cannot last more than 2 weeks.
Thank you for reading.
Steam User 112
I have been playing this game since it was in the Beta phase (I have more than 10k hours played since the game wasn't on Steam when I started) and I can honestly admit that this is a "must-have" for every true Star Wars fan out there.
I'll try to list some of its features that I find the most appealing:
+ amazing and immersive lore based on the STAR WARS Expanded Universe as well as some original ideas
+ a variety of classes and specializations to choose from (Warrior, Inquisitor, Agent, Bounty Hunter, Knight, Sage, Smuggler, Commando, each with their own unique story and companions)
+ approximately 31 planets and locations to explore (some of them well known to casual fans, others to more hardcore fans)
+ loads of class and planet story content as well as endgame content to choose from (Flashpoints, Operations, 4 expansions and several smaller story add-ons
+ a plethora of armors, weapons, accessories, races and general cosmetics to customize your character any way you like
+ absolutely stunning music composed by John Williams but also Jeremy Soule and Mark Griskey and many other well known artists which make the experience even more immersive
+ a fairly simple skill and ability rotation system
However the game also has its share of faults:
- game is 12 years old so the graphics and game engine is fairly outdated
- poorly written game engine makes any bigger PvP/Operation fight a real problem in terms of FPS (can be 5-10 FPS with 16+ players even on lower graphic settings)
- story and content updates are not that frequent so you might find yourself bored after you've initially cleared all the endgame content
- open-world PvP is almost non-existent in a lot of planets
- ranked PvP is plagued with "win-traders" and elitists making the experience very unpleasant at times
- in order to fully enjoy the game (without any restrictions) you need to buy a subscription (approx. 10 EUR/month), otherwise you won't get access to most endgame content and best gear
- the Galactic Trade Network is still a bit out of control when it comes to prices and inflation which can be discouraging and overwhelming for new players
- most of the nicer cosmetic items are either incredibly overpriced on the GTN or you have to pay for them with Cartel Coins using real money
- no new classes/specializations have been added to the game since launch making it a bit boring in terms of gameplay
The MMO genre has had its peak a while ago and so did this game but it is by no means dying or dead as some people would claim. It is an exciting and enthralling set of stories embedded in the Star Wars and KotoR games lore which I will always find far superior to what Di$ney has been serving to the fans over the last several years.
I highly recommend Star Wars: The Old Republic to anyone who consider themselves fans of the franchise.
Choose the Light Side, choose the Dark Side, choose the Republic, choose the Empire, and finally - just choose to have fun and may the Force be with you!
Steam User 124
One day when I was a child, I received a random copy of Star Wars Insider magazine. On the front cover was a Jedi staring determinedly ahead, a green lightsaber ignited in one hand, her other palm stretching outward, breaking free from chains around her arms and neck. Emblazoned across the image were the words "The Old Republic".
Something about that image captured my imagination, and has never quite let go.
Every day after school was finished I would log onto swtor.com and watch through the marvellous catalogue of videos there. I couldn't wait to see what new material awaited me as I logged in. Perhaps it was another instalment in the ongoing history of the galaxy as narrated by Jedi Master Gnost-Dural, who hoped the uncover the origins of the Sith and forge a pathway for peace by looking to the past. Maybe it was another developer dispatch, where you could hear excited employees talk passionately about what they were working on - a writer discussing ever branching character paths, a concept artist creating the design language for a new faction, a composer crafting the soundscape for a strange new world...
By the time the game was finally released, I had already fallen completely in love with it, and to my great satisfaction and lasting joy, the game deserved every bit of that love. Even now, some 12 years later, the original 8 class stories constitute hundreds of hours of pure Star Wars delight. Every planet is oozing (sometimes quite literally) with atmosphere, every companion is wonderfully fleshed out, every class is satisfying to learn, and every story is a little slice of Star Wars distilled into its essence and served to you on a silver platter. And that's just the base game! A decade of DLC and new material has been added to the game, and it's horizons have been pushed ever onward.
Of course, over the years my interest in the game has waxed and waned. It's has its share of issues - it's far from a perfect game, and there's plenty within it worthy of criticism and improvement. But the truth is that in spite of everything, I still love this game. It captured a little bit of magic for me as a child, and somehow that bit of magic always seems to be waiting there for me when I come back. 4000 hours is quite a bit of time. 5 months, 3 weeks and 6 days - that or thereabouts. Quite a bit of time for me to sum up my experience of.
One day, eventually, the game will come to an end, as all things do. When that time comes I'll be able to look back over all those hours spent on my ship with Kira, Scourge and Doc, with Mako, Torian, Gault and Blizz, hours spent battling the evils of the Empire with my Jedi Knight, raising Cain as my bounty hunter, and talking my way out of trouble with my smuggler, hours spent raiding the palace of the dread masters with friends, duelling it out in the sand dunes of Tatooine, endlessly rearranging my strongholds, and exploring the galaxy from the Core Worlds to the edge of the Unknown Regions.
And so, when I look back on all those hours spent and all those cherished memories, I know I wouldn't have it any other way.
May the force be with you, always.
Steam User 83
Don't let my limited hours in Steam fool you, I've played The Old Republic since day 1.
I first heard about this game in 2007 and created my SWTOR account in October 2009, shortly after account creation became possible.
I pre-ordered the Collector's Edition and got into early access, a week before launch, in December 2011.
I fell into this game, HARD and played several hours per day for the next two years. I was raid officer for my guild and made a lot of great friends. Despite its many flaws, I appreciated the story and world that Bioware created. It would never have lived up to the hype that a mega fan could put into it, waiting for its release for YEARS.
I moved on from the game, checking in every so often and playing for a few days after each big expansion release.
I was very worried when I heard the game was being taken over by Broadsword, but honestly? The core experience is very much in-tact.
The Good:
-Game runs very smooth these days, between iterative improvements to the client, moving to 64-bit, cloud hosted servers, and hardware advances, it's very easy to play at a locked 120fps and experience little to no latency.
-The Free Player value is 100% here, but I would recommend subscribing for at LEAST one month to get preferred status + adding a security token which will net you cartel coins every month. These can be used to purchase inventory expansion, account wide legacy perks, and specific character perks like vehicle speed boosts and experience boosts to certain categories.
-The original 8 class stories and 1-50 experience can keep a casual player busy for months, and there's some real gems there.
-I appreciate that it's very easy for me to come back and enjoy the game as I want without subscribing. FFXIV has a meme-worthy free trial, but once you subscribe, you must remain subscribed to keep playing.
-PvP in this game has always felt unique, while it's completely instanced and locked to either 8x8 or 4x4 matches -- it's a lot of fun and rewards every role. My main for years was a Smuggler healer and the amount of tricks I could pull to stay alive and hinder the enemy squad is fantastic.
-Many Quality of Life changes have been implemented which helps speed up a lot of the back tracking and more tedious parts of the leveling grind.
-I have not personally messed with the newer combat stances system, but it seems awesome that you can play through a story using an alternate combat style so you're not locked into playing something you don't enjoy just to finish up the class story.
-The expansion content, especially the solo-player focused stuff with Knights of the Fallen Empire + Eternal Throne is definitely a blast to play through. It's been said over and over, but if you just wanted KOTOR3, you could load up as either a Jedi Knight or Sith Warrior, play through your class story and the expansion content completely as a solo player and not be disappointed. (although personally, I found the Agent, Inquisitor, and Trooper story lines to be the best -- YMMV)
-Strongholds, Guild Capital Ships, and the Conquest system are all AMAZING additions that offer a TON of flair which makes the game feel a lot more like an MMO.
The Meh:
-The game has been plagued since launch with its Engine. There's loading screens a plenty and visual glitches all over the place. You may enjoy the long coats, capes, and Twi'lek Lekku tails, but the clipping animations in cutscenes sure don't. I haven't seen any game breaking things in years, but there's definitely some immersion breaking to an otherwise cinematic experience.
-The graphics got a bit of polish last year, but it's really hard to tell. While I've always appreciated the stylized look, sort of Clone Wars meets WoW -- the style isn't the issue, it's everything around it. There's loads of pop-in, stuttered shadows, blurry textures, character detail issues, etc etc. I'm playing at the absolute max settings with a PC that can easily crunch this without breaking a sweat, but the visuals take a dive all the time. One thing's changed since launch though, the annoying hitching and frame skips seem to have gone away entirely.
-Those coming from WoW addons will be very frustrated with the lack of customization to the interface and lack of tools for the game. I'm sure there's some unofficial DPS counters and reshade out there -- but nothing is endorsed / supported by Broadsword.
-Starfighter is really the epitome of meh. Some people love it, but I was disappointed with its implementation.
The Ugly:
-Depending on which server you choose, there's definite lulls where queue times for PvP or Dungeons just crawl. They've adjusted things so members of any faction (and from what I understand, almost any role) can cross-play for DF content, which almost certainly was needed, but gone are the Halcyon days of instant pop queues.
-The end game economy is in late stage capitalism. I haven't played in years, have millions in my bank, and I'm very, very poor. Luckily I'm a dad now and only hop on casually to get some PvP and Heroics in once in a blue now, but if I were someone who was interested in Endgame Raiding / Crafting, I would imagine it would take some time to build your funds and would definitely require a subscription + cartel coin purchases. . which leads to:
-There's no direct power on sale, per se -- but like many games in this category (sub turned F2P with far lower population since launch) -- the fastest way to earn in-game credits to accumulate power is by selling cosmetics purchased with real world money. It's in every game these days, and everything you expect to see is here, daily login rewards, season pass loot, purchasable packs with random cosmetics, etc etc.
All in all, if you're a fan of Star Wars and enjoy WoW's style of tab target combat, this is a great game to pick up and put some time into. It's never going to be the best MMO, but for what it is, it's a ton of fun and you can't beat the price.
Steam User 86
Graphics and gameplay hold up surprisingly well considering how old the game is. Story is really good. They keep updating it, which is a bonus. Community is really supportive from what I've seen, and I'd say its pretty active too.
Not too pay-to-win either, which is saying a lot for an MMO. You can get pretty far for free, even farther if you have a friend or find a friendly player who will give you items, and really accessible for 5$ maxmimum (which is all you need to pay to unlock preferred status).
Best part about starting to play this game now is that you have literally 10 years of content to catch up on, so you'll never run out or get bored.
One big note: if you DO want to spend money on this game, do it on the official site, and not through Steam. From what I've seen, Steam is buggy with this game and won't link properly so your purchase wont show up. Just don't even risk it.
Update 1000+ hours later: its only been a few months. its a game thats worth it