Star Wars: The Old Republic

While EA and BioWare weren't giving out a release date for The Old Republic at Gamescom 2011, they were showing off some of the high level content that'll be included. As you might know at this point, The Old Republic is a traditionally-styled MMO set in the Star Wars universe that lets you play on the side of the Empire or the Republic. You'll be able to engage in fully-voiced conversations with NPCs to take on quests and solo the content if you wish, quest as a group, or jump into some of the more specialized challenges designed to encourage teamwork.

These challenges include Flashpoints, basically dungeons, which are accessible while you're leveling, PvP Warzones that challenge you to take down real players instead of computer-controlled enemies, as well as Operations, essentially BioWare's version of raids.

For those who like PvP, it sounds like the Huttball Warzone may be fun to try. There's a kind of game show aspect to this mode, as players from both Republic and Empire sides are mixed together to participate in a challenge that's like if American football was mixed with an especially deadly version of American Gladiators. Because the teams are mixed it means Jedi can fight Jedi and Sith can fight Sith. The overall goal is to grab an energy ball near the center of a square map and run or pass it across a line along the outside, like scoring a touchdown in football. Of course when murderous psychopaths wielding light sabers are running around, it's not quite as easy.

It's possible to jar loose the ball from the carrier by attacking, but you'll need to do so before the ball carrier passes to a teammate. There are also numerous environmental obstacles to avoid littered around the arena, including corrosive pools and flaming sections of elevated walkway. It contributes to making the mode seem like one of the least self-serious aspects of The Old Republic, which could serve as a nice change of pace if you've otherwise been busy hacking away at towering bosses in Operations.

BioWare showed off the Eternity Vault Operation, an underground network that houses a huge power both the Republic and Empire are interested in. Before reaching its front gate encircled by snowy terrain, you have to take a drop pod down from a ship circling overhead. There's no loading screen to pass the time of the journey – you watch the drop pod streak through the sky and slam into the surface. Then as you approach the door the Vault, its defense whir into action.

Droids blanket the ground and do their best to wipe out your group. They're aided by two tall turret towers on either side of the battle zone that can absorb a decent amount of damage before they're disabled by your lighting attacks, light saber throws and blaster fire.

After a few waves of droid a colossal boss drops down into the arena that wiped the group demoing at Gamescom. This thing can sweep its arm across the screen and inflict significant knock back against any combatants in the vicinity, as well as launch variety of missile attacks. From time to time it'll collapse into an inactive state, at which point it's a good idea to go hit it with as many light sabers as you can. If that doesn't kill it, it'll return to shooting missiles. Thankfully it's possible to take some cover by running behind the smoking debris the turret towers, but of course while you're hiding you're not doing any damage.

Considering the length of development time and what's been shown off so far, it seems as though there will be no lack of content when Star Wars: The Old Republic launches. Hopefully a release date is announced soon.

by Charles Onyett

Posted in: Coming Soon