THE VERDICT: 9.0
STORYTELLING: 9.0
GAMEPLAY: 7.0
VISUALS: 8.5
AUDIO: 10
COMMUNITY: 9.5
REPLAY VALUE: 10
SUMMARY:
The Old Republic offers a lot more than most MMO's upon
launch. However, there is still much to improve upon before it starts breaking any records. What it lacks in typical community aspects of its genre it makes up for in that rich and engaging Bioware storytelling we've come to love over the years.
THE FINE LINE BETWEEN MMO AND RPG...
Reviewed by The Passive Lion
I told myself that I wasn't going to write this review as a fan, nor would I conduct the ratings as a pure skeptic either. Instead, I've provided to the best of my ability what I believe to be the solid truth behind what has been accomplished thus far. Now if you please, allow me to explain myself!
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S​torytelling: Yes, this always comes first. A game with poor visuals and decent gameplay can earn a decent rating if it has the core correct. Bioware wasn't whispering sweet nothings when they stated that they would introduce the fourth pillar of story into the genre that is MMO gaming. Every class has its own unique story, each voiced by very talented actors. You'll immediately fall in love with the characters and feel like you have carved a place in the galaxy.

Gameplay: This is the next most important element of any game. It doesn't matter how good the story is, if I can't bear to trudge through the gameplay to find the best moments, it isn't worth it. Here is where I believe The Old Republic is lacking. Despite their attempt to cover up what looks like a daily grind...it is what it is. There are still retrieval missions, go here kill that and collect its skull missions, just about everything you can do in an MMO happens at some point or another while on a planet. The only difference is that now you can choose to kill your quest giver when you get back. The way combat is handled is fairly simplistic and is light on the pallet of an inexperienced MMO gamer. Bioware, I'm sure, does this to encourage fans not entrenched in the genre to give the next in line of the series a shot despite the fact that it isn't a single-player RPG. Still, Bioware missed the mark on engaging intense MMO fans but rather created a glorified RPG, which isn't at all bad if you aren't a social gamer.
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Visuals: The Old Republic is by far one of the most visually impressive MMOs that I've seen. But of course, coming from Star Wars Galaxies, just about anything more colorful will look like gold. Don't get me wrong, I did some research. While it may just be personal preference, I find their animations and rendering much smoother in comparison to titles like WoW or DCUO. It is a shame though that most players need to sacrifice graphics for performance, often lowering the breath taking visuals to nothingness so that they can PvP appropriately. I was among those few (until I decided to get a much needed major graphics card upgrade). Nowadays with all of their new updates to the performance of the game, I'm unable to determine if the same problems I had earlier still exist for lower end PC users.
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Audio: ​Anything LucasArts has a hand in always sounds beautiful. Blaster shots ricochet off plasteel cylinders, lightsabers ignite and connect with ferocity, and dirty kicks and sneaky stabs land with such intensity that you feel for the poor NPC as it hits the floor. Alright, maybe I went a little to far on that last one. The point is, Star Wars always does their sound design right no matter who is in control of the game. Cannon perfection, ladies and gentlemen. Nothing more to it than that.
Community: Now I know that I mentioned before how Star Wars the Old Republic really isn't the best game for MMO Social Butterflies, and it isn't. However, on the off chance you do decide to group up with players and complete a particularly dangerous mission, the friendliness is outstanding. The Old Republic has a pretty special community comprised of what I consider to be normal, kind and helpful gamers. Sure, you got you're trolls and bad apples in every bunch, but compared to some communities like those seen in League of Legends, Call of Duty, or even Star Wars Galaxies back in the day, these guys are generally easy going. Well, at least I can only speak for the server I'm apart of (Jung Ma). I imagine this would make starting a guild fairly simple and quite rewarding, if not for the fact that there aren't a whole lot of unique community things to do at level cap...yet.

​Replay Value: You better believe this one got a high rating. Look at it like this. There are two factions. Each faction has four classes. Each of the classes has about four different species choices to start with and two specializations as you hit level 10. Also keep in mind that each of the eight total classes has its own unique story. That is a lot of possibilities. To put it all in perspective, I've been casual on and off playing since early access and in one year I haven't even finished my third character. There definitely is enough to keep you busy until expansions release (unless of course you no life you're way through the whole thing which I don't recommend doing with any game).

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Summary: So there you have it! A full detailed look at my opinion on Bioware's latest multiplayer game. The Old Republic offers at lot more than most MMOs upon launch. However, there is still much to improve upon before it starts breaking any records. What it lacks in typical community aspects of its genre it makes up for in that rich and engaging Bioware storytelling we've come to love over the years.
SCREENSHOTS
Much of the Old Republic's combat is very entertaining to watch with colorful displays of force abilities and engaging connecting lightsaber duels.
There is no short supply of firepower in this MMO. Be prepared to devastate NPC's and Players.
The Old Republic encourages ideal groups of four to quest together and complete objectives.
No challenge for you is too large, no creature too dangerous or ferocious. All fear your skill, like this Acklay who is begging for surrender.
What Bounty Hunter brings in targets without a full suit of Mandolorian gear? Plenty. But not you, right? It's just too cool to pass up.
Who is the real agent in this scene? The lady with the gun? One of the two sith twins? Or the unsuspecting alien in the background?
Much like its previous non-MMO titles, TOR features full connecting lightsabers when in combat with anything else that is wielding a sword-like weapon.
If you look this good, why not stop for a few snapshots before engaging the enemy?
Who cares about the twin suns and scorching deserts of Tatooine? You're a bounty hunter for pete's sake and you're going to wear that armor you spent the last hour working towards!
