Star Wars: The Old Republic

First off, I'll just say this is a beautiful game. Bioware's storytelling is fantastic, the graphics are great, and the combat makes you feel like you are your class. With that out of the way, the rest of the review: Story: Set 3,000 years before the events of Episode III in the Star Wars saga, war embroils the Republic. The evil Sith Empire, pushed out of the known regions of the Galaxy so long ago have returned, striking from the storm-battered jungle world Dromund Kaas. They announce their arrival with the Sacking of Coruscant, the infamous siege of the Republic's Crown Jewel and the seat of civilization. The Jedi Temple was burned to the ground and the Knights themselves slaughtered by Darth Malgus (the Vader of this era and a boss in an endgame Flashpoint). The player can side with the Republic as a Jedi (Knight/Consular), Trooper, or Smuggler; or can choose a darker path and join the Empire as a Sith (Warrior/Inquisitor), Bounty Hunter, or Imperial Agent. Each class has it's own storyline, and can choose one of two Advanced Classes at level 10. Violence: Sci-fi violence is most decidedly in this game. Enemies will be mowed down by blasterfire, lightsabers, explosives, and Force attacks. No blood is shown, but enemies will fall to the ground in a realistic way with a look of horror on their faces. Corpses disappear shortly after being looted. In the Sith Warrior arc on Korriban, three prisoners may be executed, but it is up to the player whether or not to do so. The Inquisitor arc on the same world is given a main quest to torture a prisoner with Force lightning, and may do so with almost a cheerful manner. If it's a younger player, the Jedi Knight arc is rather clean of nihilistic behavior, instead favoring large battles and epic lightsaber duels. Sex: Flirtatious banter can be spoken by the player should they so choose, but will be clearly marked with a [Flirt] in the dialogue selection wheel. Strong reference is given to players sleeping with each other, but when this begins to happen, the screen fades to black and fades in again after the scene. After one of these scenes in one of the arcs, a female companion is seen putting her clothes back on while humming the Imperial March. Smuggler and Agent characters will have much more of these scenes. Additionally, one quest on Coruscant takes players to a seedy nightclub where scantily clad females are present. Outfits like those Princess Leia wore in Episode 6 are available for use on Female companions and avatars. Language: Occasional usage of d--- and h--- . Drinking/Drugs/Smoking: Players can visit Cantinas and purchase fictitious drinks and meals (Corellian Cocktail, Rodian Mayonnaise Sandwich, etc). Several quests on the level 20 Planet Nar Shaddaa revolve around the refinement and trafficking of spice, the Star Wars version of narcotics. Republic players can help a group of addicts break addiction to such substances by destroying a spice lord's refinement plants. Role Models: Not much to say. Players can be Light Side or Dark Side regardless of Class. Light Side choices will spare lives and do good, while Dark Side choices kill mercilessly and generally be evil. Grand Master Satele Shan and Governer/Supreme Chancellor Saresh are both strong female characters and good role models, and Colonel Jace Malcolm is incredibly courageous. Don't look for good role models in the Dark Side, though. The Emperor bent on destroying all life and the gluttonous (and often-teased) Darth Baras will leave you disappointed. All in all, it's a great game, but if you have a younger Jedi who wants to adventure in Star Wars, set them up with Clone Wars Adventures first. They may not be ready for this one.