KotoR begins with a rather simple character creation page. Simple for RPG fans, but maybe a little daunting for occasional gamers of gamers that are not really into RPGs in general. Fortunately, for those who really do not want to waste time with such details, you can gloss over the issue thanks to the AutoGenerate button.

Once you have your character (with the name you chose), the game starts. You first escape from a doomed starship, learning the interface as you go. It is really rather simple, the only keyboard key you really need is for going forward, everything else is done with the mouse (normal, KotoR was ported from the Xbox). The interface is well done, and you won't ever fret when a combat situation arises, since the game automatically pauses to let you define targets and attack types for each character in your groupe.

Yes, you read that correctly. You can have up to three characters in mission at any one time, the others will have to wait in the hideout (later on, they will wait on the Ethan Hawk - a Falcon knockoff you end up stealing from a crime lord). So, when a combat sitation arises, you have up to three people on your side, which is far from being a luxury most of the time.

The game interface is pretty simple, what you can use tells you you can use it by displaying a box above the item with the item's name. A chest will have "chest" written on top of it. Click on the item, and a dialog will prompt you with the wares you can retrieve. One minor issue I have is that you cannot do a selective retrieval, if you want one thing in the list, you take it all. On the other hand, you are not limited on how many items you can carry, so the only major effect is to force you to hunt through the list when you want a specific item.

Besides, the list will not grow too long since you will almost certainly have to sell items for specific supplies - like medipacks for example. You will need quite a lot of those. And you will regularly find useful things in dead opponents, such as computer access cards, or at least slicer programs. Funny thing with computers in KotoR is that the developers want you to think that once you use a program, it is gone and you have to find another one. to retry the same thing. So you have to deal with computer hacking like you would deal with bullets for a handgun - have lots of reserves handy.

Combat in general is well done. All characters on screen are totally controlled by the game, you just tell the ones you control who to attack and what weapon to use. Otherwise, all the fancy footwork, the leaps, the parrying and dodging is all controlled by the game. I feel that there is a slight biais in favor of sabre-wielding fighters. The guys with guns are fine in ranged combat, but get a sabre in close and they practically cannot defend themselves.

As far as looting is concerned, KotoR obey the general RPG rule to the letter : pick up everything you can and leave no stone unturned, no door unopened. Of course, you will want to take advantage of the save slots available to make sure you do not open the wrong door before you are ready for what is on the other side ;-).

KotoR being an RPG of good length, it gets double brownie points for being a replayable experience. Indeed, you can choose to reload your previous save and replay what you just did, and the combat portions will not play exactly the same way. You can also vary your behaviour by choosing your responses in conversational situations. What you say and do does have an impact in the game, and not just on how far you balance towards the Light or Dark Side of the Force. The "people" you interact with will remember your deeds, too. Be unpleasant and threatening, and you may find yourself depending on someone who really doesn't like you ! Be just and honorable and your reputation will actually make some people help you without asking. It is an impressive achievement.

So, you can play KotoR a great many times before anything is going to get old. Maybe, just maybe, we will also get a scenario editor. Wouldn't that be a hoot ? I think the fanbase would just jump at such an occasion.

Time will tell.