Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicstill holds a special place in the hearts of manyStar Warsfans even 21 years after its initial release. It set a standard against which most modernStar Warsgames likeStar Wars Jedi: SurvivorandStar Wars Outlawsare graded. This is due in part toStar Wars: KOTOR’s ensnaring narrative, memorable characters, and deep world building. Since the release ofStar Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lordsin 2004,KOTORplayers have been clamoring for more content from this era to sink their teeth into. Luckily for them, the ongoing trend of remaking classic games — seen with titles such as last year’sResident Evil 4andDead Space— has now set its sights on this iconicStar Warsfranchise.
Saber Interactive announced in 2021 that they would be taking over from Aspyr Media to helm a remake ofStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Though there had been some radio silence since that left many wondering if the project had been canned, a press release earlier this month from Aleph Capital Partners and Crestview Partners — two firms that recently invested in Saber Interactive — confirmed that theKOTORremake is still in development alongside other Saber IP-related titles likeA Quiet Place: The Road AheadandJurassic Park: Survival. While the road to this remake’s release will likely include some challenges, Saber Interactive has demonstrated its ability to addressKOTOR’s biggest hurdle thanks to the developer’s most recent release,Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
The Difficulties of Reviving a Game Series
When it comes to making a follow-up to a classic video game, time can be a developer’s biggest enemy. Not just the crunch to get a title prepped for its launch date, but the span of years since the original game’s release can also be a hindrance. Such a large gap between entries in a series can kill momentum for the subsequent game. Excitement dies down as many fear the upcoming release is dead itself, while others let the game drift away from their memory as they move on to other franchises.
In addition to a lack of anticipation, going years between releases — or decades in the case ofKOTOR— allows for quite the buildup of nostalgia in the minds of fans. The original title develops an aura of perfection that any new entry would struggle to compete with. It mirrors the issue that many legacy sequels, reboots, and remakes in the realm of cinema struggle with, as was seen with thenegative receptionfor Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destinyand theStar Warssequel trilogy.
Why Saber Can Successfully Bring Back KOTOR
Luckily for fans ofKOTOR, Saber Interactive has already proved that they are capable of reviving aged video game franchises. The developer releasedWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2earlier this month. Despite releasing 13 years after its predecessor,Space Marine 2has been met with wide acclaim from critics and players alike. The game expertly built upon the original game by respecting the foundational blocks of its gameplay while simultaneously adding enough nuance to bring the game into the modern age. It similarly carried over the first game’s story — continuing a narrative that fans thought was dead in the water — but also made it an accessible entrypoint for newcomers to theSpace Marineseries and theWarhammer 40,000loreas a whole.
These factors ensured thatWarhammer 40,000:Space Marine 2would feel like a fitting sequel for fans of the original while still making the new game appealing to a mass audience. This is a difficult balance to strike, and Saber Interactive has the capability to do so with a thoughtful design philosophy. If the developer can continue this trend with theKOTORremake, then players looking for a way to experience a beloved game through a new lense as well as those looking to dip their toes into the series for the first time are in for a treat.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
WHERE TO PLAY
Choose Your Path.It is four thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. You are the last hope of the Jedi Order. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side? Hero or villain, saviour or conqueror… you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy!A brand new Star Wars role-playing experience with unique characters, creatures, vehicles and planets.Learn to use the Force with over 40 different powers and build your own lightsaber.Adventure through some of the most popular Star Wars locations, including Tatooine and the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk.Choose your party from nine customisable characters, including Twi’leks, droids and Wookiees.Travel to eight enormous worlds in your own starship, the Ebon Hawk.
