Metascore
85 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 31
  2. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. The epic struggles of the universe are told in a cinematic, moving style. The interpersonal conflicts are brought out through rich dialogue and well thought-out storytelling.
  2. On the other side of the presentation scale, the music is absolutely brilliant. The Star Wars films have set a high bar for any derivative material, but, thankfully, this game lives up to the challenge.
  3. Obsidian hasn't strayed from a proven formula but they have added a few interesting and subtle touches that will delight RPG fans and Star Wars fan alike.
  4. A masterpiece. It is more than a worthy successor to the original game, and it continues the strong tradition that Bioware started with an epic space opera of morality and thought provoking decisions that affect the lives of both individuals and entire cultures.
  5. With around 50 hours (if you play both sides) of immersive RPGing and several different possible conclusions for both Dark and Light side players, you're getting good value for money. Just try not to sweat the ending too much.
  6. 90
    Well written, well composed, and full of imaginative ideas, if perhaps lacking a little polishing on the integration of those ideas.
  7. 90
    The quality of the characters, story and writing is the biggest draw as far as I was concerned and is certainly the game's greatest strength. The characters are full of quirks, idiosyncrasies and flaws, making them seem like realistic individuals rather than the tool of a games designer.
  8. 90
    Make no mistake; this is the definitive version of KOTOR II.
  9. This is a very good follow-up to the best single-player role-playing game in years, and that's OK with me. KOTOR II is a big, often complex, mature piece of storytelling-and I'll take it over anything that's been onscreen with the Star Wars name in 25 years.
  10. While it falters a little on the technical front in terms of graphics, KOTOR 2 is a great game that takes the classic gameplay of the original game and expands it with a brand new story and 30 to 40 more hours of gameplay.
  11. An adult plot, new techniques to unlock your team's back-story, exciting levels and planets, divergent light and dark paths, and a black sense of humor all contribute to a nicely rounded RPG. [Apr 2005, p.94]
  12. The game's finale however left me a little disappointed, because it ends too abruptly, leaving behind more questions than answers.
  13. This was a feature of the first game, but here you can turn even the most peaceable follower of the Light into a bitter and twisted receptacle of evil. Kind of. [PC Zone]
  14. 87
    More importantly, all these mechanics -- the moral slider, the influence system, combat, etc. -- are surrounded by a first rate story that's almost as mythic and fantastic as the films themselves.
  15. Some of the magic wasn't there this time, whether because KOTOR II is a sequel using a similar engine, thus removing the novelty of the game, or perhaps because Obsidian tried to do too much in the game, and the things that don't quite work or that were cut out due to time constraints have a negative influence.
  16. Sith Lords tends to exaggerate the best features and few flaws of its predecessor. Its environments are still linear and some are less polished, but the combat, character interactions, and story are all terrific. [Apr 2005, p.62]
  17. Whether you've played the first or not, KotOR 2 offers a complete RPG experience – with a full bodied story, a good experience points system and combat that's fairly satisfying.
  18. It's remarkable that the game's quest is every bit as big and complex as the original's. On the other hand, some unsightly technical issues and a general feeling of déjà vu will probably prevent you from feeling as strongly about The Sith Lords as you did or still do about the first game.
  19. The combat system, while boring at first, became much more appreciable once your party begins to grow in size.
  20. Despite some slightly dated looks, the deep plot will draw you in and the near-invincible power will continuously tempt you to the Dark side. I can't make any promises for "Episode III," but The Sith Lords will not disappoint.
  21. It's an effective sequel that makes the statement "If it isn't broken, don't fix it" ring true.
  22. there's nothing new or innovative in this sequel and thus is merely a good RPG. Fans of the original will probably find the story enjoyable but will feel like they are just replaying "KOTOR" with a different story.
  23. While in many ways this is a good thing, the weaker storyline detracts from its overall enjoyability.
  24. 80
    As good as the storyline and basic gameplay are, there are more than a few issues that keep this game from reaching the bar set by the first KotOR. The first: bugs. There a lot of them; most are just annoying, but a few are deadly.
  25. Very much Star Wars but this time with a lot of added depth, care, and a complete absence of laziness.
  26. The visuals in this classy RPG are solid, while the level design and locations alternate between the inspired and the merely functional.
  27. More new elements would have been welcome, but The Sith Lords is another epic and fascinating Star Wars adventure.
  28. But to get to all that good story, you're going to have to get past repetitive action and frequent bugs. If you experienced the combat in the first game, you'll find that it's almost identical this time through.
  29. All I know is that the horrible performance, a few random crashes, and other minor bugs have severely diminished my enjoyment of an otherwise addictive and excellently written Star Wars RPG.
  30. The interesting decisions and the gripping characters still manage to hook their addictive claws into the player and almost make it easy forget about the game's many shortcomings. In this case, "almost" is good enough.
  31. A really good RPG, but only if you're part of the lucky minority that can run the game with none of the huge technical problems everyone else is suffering from.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 210 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 83
  2. Negative: 17 out of 83
  1. AndrewB
    10
    I usually don't go into sites like this and rate my favorite game, but after seeing the rating I felt I had to give my opinion: this is simply one of the best RPGs I've played. Amazing interface, plotline, and interactivity. I have not been this impressed by a game in a long time. Full Review »
  2. KOTOR 2 has the misfortune of being named after an outstanding game. If it was a completely different Star Wars game it probably would have a better place in my heart but because it failed to live up to the expectations of its predecessor it will forever be doomed to sub-par. But even disregarding those failed expectations the game is simply average. Combat The melee combat is automatic and aside from occasional force spells is not very engrossing. The force spells are interesting and Force Lightning is always a blast but the melee feels like it could be done without you. If you started fighting and went to make a cup of tea the game might automatically win the fight for you before the kettle dings. You are really only needed for the more difficult fights and to move your characters from one encounter to the next. The main satisfaction is derived from waving around lightsabers. Dialogue There is enough dialogue to fill a book the size of War and Peace or a washer manual but instead of a plethora of well defined characters like Tolsky's masterpiece you find yourself talking to a washer manual with as much character as the soapy water within it. In the beginning there is plenty of people to meet but eventually you can predict what a characters next plot point will be 10 hours before it happens. I called the antagonist from the moment I met them and it was just a matter of time before my predictions were confirmed by their betrayal. Story In KOTOR you are a Sith Lord. In KOTOR 2 you are an old soldier. Why does the story need to exist? Who are you saving? What is your motivation? Why cant I just wave my lightsaber around for 20 hours? All these questions are unfortunately left unanswered and even unacknowledged. The plot is simply a device to move the character from one lightsaber battle to the next. I think the game wanted a character that anyone could relate to, a person with no outstanding qualities or past accomplishments that the player could then mold into an ultimate bad-ass. But there is no quest to save the galaxy or even defeat someone who is remotely capable of destroying a planet. You are simply a nobody who is trapped in the story of a nobody. In conclusion the only selling point of this game is the lightsabers. If you want to fantasize about yourself holding with a glowing hot stick then go for this game and skip all the dialogue and character interaction. But if you are looking for an engrossing and interactive game that will enhance your appreciation of the Star Wars universe then look elsewhere. Full Review »
  3. JonPlummer
    6
    Looks like a great game. Story line is completting and while the graphics are a bit sub-par by today's standards, they get the job done. This is essentially the same game engine as the first game which I would give a 10 out of 10 any day of the week. Here's the thing - It's buggy, really buggy to the point where I have given up until a patch. That just is not acceptable, especially considering the engine is essentially the same. Wait for the patch! before attempting this game. I give it a 6 based on the promise it shows. I hope I'm right when I can eventually play it. Full Review »