I’m deeply hesitant to get involved with Massively Mutliplayer Online games. The bad MMOs are unintentionally boring with a lot of grinding and pointless travel. But the transcendent ones seem to bend space and time making an afternoon go by in an instant. They’re that fun, and I admit, addicting.
But I don’t play MMOs; I have a relationship with them. Taking on an MMO is like dating. They take time and commitment. Some entries like “Asheron’s Call” don’t hold my interest for more than three weeks. They seem deep at first but end up feeling like work. Other titles such as “DC Universe Online” fail to offer anything new aside from a different setting and a few gimmicks. The attraction is just superficial. And I always judge other MMOs to my first love — “EverQuest.” That game was my sole obsession in the summer of 1999.
And that brings me to “Star Wars: The Old Republic.” It’s the biggest MMO released since Blizzard’s “World of Warcraft.” It also happens to be the most important video game Electronic Arts has ever released. It’s taken years to develop and millions of dollars to produce.
It’s a big gamble, but one that’s likely to pay off. I’ve been playing “The Old Republic” for the past week and so far the early parts have made a good impression. Learning from its predecessors, the MMO has all the elements for success. It features a huge world to explore, plenty of enemies to fight, social tools for friends and incentives to level up.
But what separates it from other MMOs is that BioWare adds it own touch with a morality system and a deep story. For fans clamoring for another sequel to “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” this is what they’ve been waiting for. It’s done so well that players could swear they’re playing a single-player campaign.
They’ll pick from one of eight classes, each with its own distinct narrative set thousands of years before the age of Solos and Skywalkers. “The Old Republic” slowly introduces players to the concepts and logic of the genre. The combat is reminiscent of “World of Warcraft,” where players hit buttons to activate powers and attacks. They’ll loot enemies and turn in treasure for more money. Eventually, players gain levels and can defeat more powerful enemies, gaining access to more of “The Old Republic.”
What shapes this familiar formula and gives it the oomph to carry players through is how they’re wrapped up in a cinematic tale complete with voiced characters. Players will have to make decisions that have a tangible outcome on how the story turns out.
For example, although they can be a Sith Warrior, their choices can align them more with the light side. Even if they’re a Jedi, there’s still the opportunity to murder, scheme and steal. I suppose they can say they’re a Sith spy trying to be a member of the Order. The plot fosters a sense of role-playing, and fans become invested in who their characters are instead of trying to power their way to an uber-being capable of laying waste to monster hordes and show off godlike powers.
Eventually though, as with all MMOs, players will have to join a group. It’s required for some of the heroic quests or the more difficult ones that offer better gear or power-ups. BioWare made this process easier, too, with a system that makes finding a group easier. On top of that, players have AI-controlled companions whom they can call on to offer support.
As in other BioWare titles, players can gain their crew members’ affection and customize them. It adds more weight to player’s actions. They can even order them around so that they do the dirty work in MMOs such as selling useless loot to make space in player’s inventory or take on quests to improve skills.
From my initial impression, it feels like I’ll be getting involved with another MMO. “The Old Republic” has lured me back in to the genre with its narrative-driven player arcs and it’s convenient gameplay mechanics. If the game keeps this pace up into the later levels, then BioWare and LucasArts’ new MMO should be a keeper.
Contact Gieson Cacho at 510-735-7076 or gcacho@bayareanews group.com. Read his blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei.