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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
 GAMES: 
Beginning approximately five years after the events of the first Knights of the Old Republic, The Sith Lords takes players on an entirely new journey as they assume the role of what is believed to be the last Jedi in the galaxy. The game features a cast of memorable returning characters and sinister new villains. Using more than 30 new Force powers, players can turn weak-minded enemies against one another in combat with "Force confusion" or see through doors and view character alignment with "Force sight." Assigned to protect the Old Republic and the Jedi Order from the terrifying Dark Lords of the Sith, players must explore and battle through seven diverse worlds while being challenged whether to choose the light side of the Force or surrender to the lure of the dark side. [LucasArts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 95
Worth Playing
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.
 94
eToychest
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.
93
Game Chronicles
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.
92
Gamer's Hell
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.
90
GamePro
Make no mistake; this is the definitive version of KOTOR II.
90
GameBiz
Well written, well composed, and full of imaginative ideas, if perhaps lacking a little polishing on the integration of those ideas.
90
Play.tm
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.
90
Computer Gaming World
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.
90
Boomtown
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.
89
PC Format
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]
89
Computer Games Online RO
The game’s finale however left me a little disappointed, because it ends too abruptly, leaving behind more questions than answers.
89
GameZone
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.
88
Computer and Video Games
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]
87
Game Over Online
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.
87
IGN
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.
87
PC Gamer
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]
86
Jolt Online Gaming UK
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.
85
GameSpot
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.
84
2404.org
The combat system, while boring at first, became much more appreciable once your party begins to grow in size.
83
Game Revolution
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.
82
My Gamer
It’s an effective sequel that makes the statement “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” ring true.
81
PC Gameworld
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.
80
GameSpy
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.
80
Armchair Empire
While in many ways this is a good thing, the weaker storyline detracts from its overall enjoyability.
80
Sydney Morning Herald
More new elements would have been welcome, but The Sith Lords is another epic and fascinating Star Wars adventure.
80
Times Online
The visuals in this classy RPG are solid, while the level design and locations alternate between the inspired and the merely functional.
80
Gamer.tv
Very much Star Wars but this time with a lot of added depth, care, and a complete absence of laziness.
75
Detroit Free Press
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.
73
ActionTrip
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.
70
GameShark
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.
70
Thunderbolt
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.
Master Boredom gave it a7: Kris K gave it a4: David W gave it a1: [Anonymous] gave it a3: Nick C. gave it a9: John M. gave it a9: Jeremy E. gave it a6: |
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