[PC] Review Roundup - Star Wars: The Old Republic

GameSpot - 8/10 - "Don't come to it seeking the next online revolution. In fact, when you heard that the developers of Mass Effect were making an MMOG, this is the one you probably predicted: a prototypical online game with the standard BioWare trappings layered on top of them. The surprises are few, but The Old Republic is nonetheless an online RPG of uncommon quality. And with a broad, overarching story to guide you through, you might even reach maximum level with a smile on your face, even if you are one to abandon an MMOG before that point. Such is the power of a beloved universe with so many tales still left to tell."

IGN - 9/10 - "I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Old Republic is a stand-out, wonderfully crafted MMO. The story elements deliver on every front, the vocal performances are excellent, and some genuinely clever innovations have been applied to PvP combat. There’s also a massive volume of content to keep you hooked for a long time. But it’s important to keep in mind that The Old Republic doesn’t stray too far from standard MMO mechanics. If the target-attack style of combat and the repetitive quests of other MMOs has thrown you off in the past, then extra consideration needs to be taken. Even then, though, The Old Republic is worth a try. The characterization and settings are superb, regardless of what you think of the genre. BioWare has a lot of room for improvement and expansion, and I’m really excited to see where The Old Republic goes in the next few years. You should be, too."

Eurogamer - 8/10 - "Under the surface and behind all that talk, The Old Republic is just that, old: a deeply traditional framework for an online game that is in dire need of a refresh and is currently struggling to sustain WOW. It's well placed for success right now, but it might not be long before The Old Republic finds itself just as vulnerable as its inspiration to a hungry breed of more innovative games.
BioWare has done what many thought might be impossible, and delivered the world's second ever triple-A MMO. That is a mighty achievement and a huge relief. But it may yet turn out to be too little - or rather, too much - too late."

PC Gamer - 93/100 - "The Old Republic plunges players into the Star Wars universe we’ve always wanted to live in, and succeeds as both and RPG and an MMO. And perhaps just as thrilling, there’s an oversized Bantha’s worth of potential in expanding areas like space combat and the companion system, or in adding new features like guild housing. This one’s got a long, bright future ahead of it."

GameSpy - 4/5 - "Consider this: a derivative product isn't always a bad product. As George Lucas himself showed almost 35 years ago, you can create a movie that's little more than a flashy concoction of Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress, Flash Gordon serials, and Frank Herbert's Dune, and millions of people will call it one of the greatest achievements in cinema. Star Wars: The Old Republic doesn't quite reach those heights, but it does represent what may be the last game of its kind to be worthy of a subscription fee. It succeeds as both an MMORPG and a Star Wars game -- and if you're feeling burned by the past 12 years' worth of Lucas' meddling, I leave you with a final bit of reassurance: In all of my travels, I've never once come across a mention of a midichlorian or a Gungan. That's gotta be worth something, right?"

View the original article here