Summary
For its time,Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic(KOTOR)set the standard forStar Warsgamesin terms of its turn-based RPG gameplay and great story that put players in the driving seat of a space opera epic.KOTORhas players traveling the stars across numerous explorable planets and open environments, such as Dantooine’s grassland plains.
The planets inKOTORare diverse andfilled with the scum and villainyone would typically expect from aStar Warsgame. However, some planets are arguably better than others.
System
Lehon system
Players visit the remote planet of Lehon in the final chapters ofKOTOR. Home to the ancient Rakatan people, Lehon was used by Revan to operate the star forge and later, as a redeemed Jedi, to destroy it.
While Lehon is a visually impressive (for the time) planet with great-looking beaches that likely make it a good vacation destination for space holidaymakers, there is little to do here besides fighting a Rancor, resulting in it being one of the least impressive planets inKOTOR.
Pyrshak system
Manann is an explorable planet and a water world, home to the aquatic species known as the Selkath. A proud and frequently stubborn species, the Selkath built a vast metropolis known as Ahto City to control the harvest rate of the rare medicinal substance known as kolto. When the player lands on the planet, the Sith and the Republic have agendas for harvesting the rare substance, with the Sith plotting to overthrow the Selkath as part of the plan.
Manaan is the most monotonous planet inKOTORto explore, consisting of a vast city that gets tiresome after doingthe same laps for various side questsand story missions. While Manaan has some interesting explorable areas, such as a Sith base and the underwater regions, it lacks in variety compared to the other planets that feature inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Taris system
Another city-based planet, Taris, is the first planet players visit as they start the story ofKOTOR. Unlike Manaan, Taris mixes up its city-based gameplay with a couple of cantinas, multiple levels of exploration from the underworld to the city’s high rises, and even a dueling mini-game that pits the player against duelers such as Bendak Starkiller.
Taris has it all, with exceptional variety in level design and gameplay mechanics. Unfortunately, players have little time to get acquainted with the busy metropolis, as Darth Malak, searching for the Jedi Bastila Shan, blows up Tarisin infamous Sith lord fashion.
Tatoo system
The famous sand planet of Tatooine has captured the hearts ofStar Warsfans since 1977’s Star Wars: Episode 4 — A New Hope. InKOTOR, players must visit Tatooine to uncover one of the game’s star maps, fighting everything from Tusken Raiders to a giant Krayt Dragon to find the map.
On Tatooine, the player’s character, Revan, must seek the help of the Sand People to find the star map, gaining the trust of the tribe chief in the process. While Tatooine inKOTORis not the best imagining of the desert planet, it is one ofStar Wars' best in video games, providing players with vastopen sands to explore and secrets to discover.
Dantooine system
While Dantooine is not the most celebrated planet compared to the likes of Taris and Manaan, it still manages to capture the magic ofStar Wars. It is here that players learn the ways of the Force via the Jedi Enclave. Dantooine features vast open grasslands for players to explore, rogue Mandalorian Neo Crusaders to vanquish, and even a dark Jedi to defeat.
Dantooine marks the first step that players will make on their journey to become a Jedi or a Sith, giving them a taste of what it’s like to wield the Force. The planet feels lived in by the Jedi, acting as a haven for Force users while under threat from Darth Malak and his cronies. Dantooine captures the charm of what it would be like to live and train as a Jedi.
Kashyyyk system
The Wookiee planet of Kashyyyk is one of thebest planets inKOTOR. Upon flying to the jungle world, players must travel to the vast depths of the planet to uncover a star map, fighting numerous beasts, such as the Jedi killer Terentatek. Kashyyyk is also home to one ofthe best Jedi inKOTOR, Jolee Bindo a hermit living in the planet’s shadowlands.
Jolee assists Revan in his quest for the star map and solves a Wookiee family dispute between companion Zaalbar and his chieftain brother. The Kashyyyk map inKOTORis massive, featuring multiple levels for players to explore. Just in terms of size alone, Kashyyyk is easily one of thebest planets inKOTOR.
Horuset system
The ancient homeland of the Sith and the location of the Sith Academy, Korriban, is the best planet inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. It offers an entire dark side academy to explore, the port of Dreshdae, and an area known as the Valley of the Sith Lords for players to journey to.
While the Sith Academy is fascinating and has an interesting story, the Valley of the Sith Lords is by far the best location on the planet.The valley lets players explore thevarious tombs of powerful Sith Lordsfor rare loot, each with its own unique set of challenges and traps to overcome. From fighting multiple Terentatek to defeating the ancient dark Jedi and Sith Ajunta Pall, Korriban is full ofStar Warslore and mystery.
