KOTOR II to KOTOR

[Amrita007]

I played the second one ages ago and loved it to pieces. I was going to wait for the remake, but it seems to be going the way all starwars has. Do you think this will be good out of order?

[WickedRequiem]

Not really.
I mean, mechanically Kotor 2 is superior, so you'll feel like you're missing something if you go from kotor2 to kotor.

Storyline wise, kotor2 builds off of kotor, so... it's like watching Part 2 of a movie and then going back to watching part 1.
Not saying it won't work... because StarWars has used that format before (original trilogy --> prequel trilogy).
But there's going to be a lots of characters that you'll be seeing in kotor2 that you just don't get to fully appreciate if you don't play Kotor first.

[Amrita007]

Ah well miss the bus I suppose. Shame I hate missing great games.

[WickedRequiem]

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood.

If you've already played Kotor2 and was thinking about playing kotor1, sure, why not?
I guess you'll sort of be like "oh, that's what that guy in kotor2 was supposed to be cool. Because what happened in kotoro1. etc etc".

[Unseen]

None of the characters but the villains were compelling in kotor2. The first games team are classic starwars and you won't love a starwars main group since han and lukes crew.
Kotor2 had awful dry team members. The villains were cool and sinister but the main games recruits were just bad and I didn't like any of them. Even the last guy, the luke skywalker rip off was such a terribly luke warm generic jedi I wondered what obsidian was even thinking when they made kotor2.

KOTOR1 is well worth playing more than 2, 2 was a bit more refined in graphics, moves, and other features but its really not worth it considering that 2 is a straightforward rpg hallway. No real open ended anything. KOTOR1 is honestly a bit limited for an rpg as well but you have way more freedom.

I strongly encourage people who played 2 to try 1, the music score is also better in 1. Really at the time these games were released in most every game magazine and website kotor1 got 9s and 10s. Kotor2 got lukewarm reviews some even gave it 6's. The sudden popularity and focus on 2 has always been odd to me. Considering 2's strongest point is darth nihlus and his design. Artistically. Almost everything else in 2 was bland, even irritating from gameplay perspectives. Kotor2 even has an oppressive feeling of, not being able to do anything except moving forward. No freedom, nothing is open ended, the heros you get have no personality and are constantly negative and edgy. Except for the last jedi dude who feels just out of place given the tone of the game. Kotor1 is well worth going back to it is one of the greatest starwars games ever made.

However on technicalities and modern features KOTOR2 is way more supported which is a real shame because I have been through KOTOR1 at least 3 or 4 times. I have only played KOTOR2 once and had no desire ever in my life to replay it. KOTOR1 is vastly superior to 2 in every way. I highly suggest if the op liked kotor2 to play kotor1 and not wait for a remake that will butcher the amazing characters in kotor1.

Characters like mission, jolee, canderous, HK, bastila, zaalbar and more who just ooze fun personality and make kotor2 crew look like a bunch of bland edgelords. You actually feel like this crew greatly respects, even loves each other. I really don't understand the newfound popularity in kotor2 or obsidian imo they did a terribly dull and negative job with kotor2 and I wasn't compelled to ever play it again.

You also control revin the big man of the whole series and one of the strongest jedi/sith who ever lived who has a story about redemption and overcoming sin and evil. Or not... Depending on your choices. The planted who is this in kotor2 could not even come close to revin.

The music in kotor2 also felt planted and repeated, even dull and generic at times. The music in kotor1 is breathtaking ambiance and truly feels alive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQTWteCcRSw

Themes like this..
Some of the best original music in starwars since duel of fates. This game is a true classic and I will say again the greatest original starwars game ever made. KOTOR2 does not compare to 1 and I don't think kotor2 is a bad starwars game, but its just not very likable not to me, not after playing 1 first I had no desire to ever replay 2. 1 I have played more than 3 or 4 times and I have never played a sith, to heartbreaking. I highly suggest the OP play kotor1.

[temps]

If I was you, I would suggest waiting a while so the story of KOTOR 2 is no longer fresh in your head. Then go back and re-play the whole series starting with KOTOR 1.

I also suggest not waiting for the remake. KOTOR is a classic. Both of them.

[wildnike]

On an average Steam sale you can pick up Kotor I for like 3 USD. It takes about 20 hrs of your time and if you're looking for a refresh on the duology and some fresh waves of nostalgia I'd give it a hefty recommend.

It's important however to understand why you liked the second game. If you liked it for its story, characters, and player character, then you may not like Kotor I since those don't really hold much of a candle IMO. Especially the villain.

However, if you liked it because of the mechanics, gameplay, and the feel of being a jedi wrecking all kinds of nonsense and want the feeling of a powerful player character exploring a wide wide world, Kotor I would definitely be your cup of tea. It's probably the most "Star Wars-y" Star Wars video game and that comes with all the bells and whistles attached to it.

Additionally as pointed out by others, it would be a good way to experience Kotor II again -- perhaps with the Restored Content mod -- through the lens of what it built off and deconstructed.

Lots of avenues, but waiting for a potential remake lost in development hell is probably not the optimal avenue to take.

[dprog1995]

Kotor 1 has a much better final act than kotor 2 though.

Even the TSLRCM mod couldn't fix that huge issue of Kotor 2.

[Dethlane]

Stories of both games almost don't interwine, so you can safely play first game after experiencing second. Also, if you liked second game, you're missing a LOT if you don't play first one.

[Unseen]

Originally posted by wildnike:

On an average Steam sale you can pick up Kotor I for like 3 USD. It takes about 20 hrs of your time and if you're looking for a refresh on the duology and some fresh waves of nostalgia I'd give it a hefty recommend.

It's important however to understand why you liked the second game. If you liked it for its story, characters, and player character, then you may not like Kotor I since those don't really hold much of a candle IMO. Especially the villain.

However, if you liked it because of the mechanics, gameplay, and the feel of being a jedi wrecking all kinds of nonsense and want the feeling of a powerful player character exploring a wide wide world, Kotor I would definitely be your cup of tea. It's probably the most "Star Wars-y" Star Wars video game and that comes with all the bells and whistles attached to it.

Additionally as pointed out by others, it would be a good way to experience Kotor II again -- perhaps with the Restored Content mod -- through the lens of what it built off and deconstructed.

Lots of avenues, but waiting for a potential remake lost in development hell is probably not the optimal avenue to take.

I dunno I kinda thought malak was a lot more believable then, guy who gets his power from some void, and an angry old witch, plus burn victim.

[macdaddymario]

You'd be fine going from 2 to 1. I made the same mistake when I was younger. Played about halfway through the second game before a buddy forced me to stop and play the first instead.

Both stories are enjoyable, and while there were some QoL improvements made to the second game, and the introduction of making most of your party Jedi/Sith became an option as examples, you're not going to miss too much from the second game going back and playing the first one after the fact. You may come to appreciate some scenes in the second one more, such as on Korriban with the holocron or the scene after Nhilus is defeated, that one with the specific character.

The latter of all of that helps to lift up the second game's story, which it needed, given the third act of it all. It's unquestionable that the first game's story overall was better, in terms of pacing and leaving fewer questions unanswered. So if anything, playing the first one after the second one will only help to elevate the second's story, even if it in the end doesn't come close to feeling as complete as the first.

[Bersaglieri]

actually i played and beat KOTOR 2 before KOTOR 1 myself back when I had it for Xbox (I actually still do lol). I actually enjoyed it in the end. Watching things connect that way and it was actually very fun and interesting. While the combat isnt QUITE as good it's still really close and you catch on quick enough. Really the motions of combat arent as fluent and you dont get the various lightsaber styles its just standard w/e. The way you use force abilities and attacks are the same and the only other thing I can really say is that I would suggest if going jedi do a guardian build with a single blade, full perks in dueling skill, and invest in Force Valor and Force Speed and you'll be tough as nails. I also invest in toughness and conditioning as well but thats just me.

[Unseen]

KOTOR1 has always been better than 2. The reviews prove this, and yet bioware won't give this game the time of day.

Kotor2 is the gaming equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.

Originally posted by Bersaglieri:

actually i played and beat KOTOR 2 before KOTOR 1 myself back when I had it for Xbox (I actually still do lol). I actually enjoyed it in the end. Watching things connect that way and it was actually very fun and interesting. While the combat isnt QUITE as good it's still really close and you catch on quick enough. Really the motions of combat arent as fluent and you dont get the various lightsaber styles its just standard w/e. The way you use force abilities and attacks are the same and the only other thing I can really say is that I would suggest if going jedi do a guardian build with a single blade, full perks in dueling skill, and invest in Force Valor and Force Speed and you'll be tough as nails. I also invest in toughness and conditioning as well but thats just me.

I played kotor1 first years before I ever signed onto steam. I was amazed at how terrible kotor2 was compared to it. Pure drivel, negative, straightforward, adds some extra moves and levels which feels pointless since its a hallway rpg. The characters are bland and negative, even your own party members. The only cool character at all is nihlilis and that's cause he has a cool mask.

Just my opinion the game is 1 dimensional, not meaning any insult or disrespect if you liked 2 more I don't care what you like. What I care about is the fact that my fav starwars rpg is spit upon by lucasarts as well as many other starwars games. It's not fun, has no open ended anything not even repsawning enemies, confusing and dumb segments that are not fun (stealth mission with the droid zzzz). The way people are jumping into kotor2 and acting as if kotor1 is some inferior game they will play later is amazing. How did this narrow hallway rpg with downright evil talking points get to be a cult fan favorite and the epic first one which is one of the greatest starwars games ever made get regulated to an unfixable box? With no added anything.

I started witcher at number 1 as well, assassin creed I started at number1. Pathologic I started at num1. I don't like to jump ahead of a series and with kotor there's no reason not to start at 1 cause imo 2 is awful.

[Bersaglieri]

Originally posted by Unseen:

KOTOR1 has always been better than 2. The reviews prove this, and yet bioware won't give this game the time of day.

Kotor2 is the gaming equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.

Originally posted by Bersaglieri:

actually i played and beat KOTOR 2 before KOTOR 1 myself back when I had it for Xbox (I actually still do lol). I actually enjoyed it in the end. Watching things connect that way and it was actually very fun and interesting. While the combat isnt QUITE as good it's still really close and you catch on quick enough. Really the motions of combat arent as fluent and you dont get the various lightsaber styles its just standard w/e. The way you use force abilities and attacks are the same and the only other thing I can really say is that I would suggest if going jedi do a guardian build with a single blade, full perks in dueling skill, and invest in Force Valor and Force Speed and you'll be tough as nails. I also invest in toughness and conditioning as well but thats just me.

I played kotor1 first years before I ever signed onto steam. I was amazed at how terrible kotor2 was compared to it. Pure drivel, negative, straightforward, adds some extra moves and levels which feels pointless since its a hallway rpg. The characters are bland and negative, even your own party members. The only cool character at all is nihlilis and that's cause he has a cool mask.

Just my opinion the game is 1 dimensional, not meaning any insult or disrespect if you liked 2 more I don't care what you like. What I care about is the fact that my fav starwars rpg is spit upon by lucasarts as well as many other starwars games. It's not fun, has no open ended anything not even repsawning enemies, confusing and dumb segments that are not fun (stealth mission with the droid zzzz). The way people are jumping into kotor2 and acting as if kotor1 is some inferior game they will play later is amazing. How did this narrow hallway rpg with downright evil talking points get to be a cult fan favorite and the epic first one which is one of the greatest starwars games ever made get regulated to an unfixable box? With no added anything.

I started witcher at number 1 as well, assassin creed I started at number1. Pathologic I started at num1. I don't like to jump ahead of a series and with kotor there's no reason not to start at 1 cause imo 2 is awful.

matter of opinion. I hated Mission, Zalbaar, Carth, and Bastilla. Baodur was boring for sure but I liked Visas and the Handmaden and Kreia loads. And when Canderous became Mandalore I thought that was badass. I also liked Malak more than Revan, I liked Sion more than Nihilus, my favorite movie character is Count Dooku and my favorite SW character of all time is Darth Malgus pre-retcon. KOTOR 2 combat is more refined, period. And I like the various lightsaber styles and the more fluent movements in combat and such. I also hated Manaan aside from it's amazing theme music and I hated Taris and Telos equally. Kashyyk also seemed very uneventful aside from picking up Bindo.

[Deathjester]

I played Kotor 2 first, it was pretty fun to see what everyone was talking about in Kotor 2 when i finally did play Kotor 1. Gameplay wise they are both really similar, with mods you can even get robes and armor used in K2, the only major difference is the influence system (which sucks) and the lack of second weapon slot.