[Mini games]

there are some new cards in PAZAAK, and I played a few hands last night -- it's a lot more fun than I remember!

[Early First Impression]

I'm now about 11+ hours in, and on the 2nd planet -- I have rare stutters for a second here and there, but honestly, it doesn't affect me in the slightest. I have the combat flowing so it only pauses when I first see an enemy, or switch targets, and am playing on Difficult (I figured I mastered the first, and it applies to the gameplay here, seeing as they're virtually identical). Of course, I'm going with force powers that're new, and I like the additions so far! Having them makes it ok that we don't instantly have a lightsaber, imho, as I can still whip out combo attacks with up to 2 others to kick ass. heh, And flurry is still my favorite melee attack!

 

I found the graphics to be superior, honestly. Not a whole helluva lot, but better -- backdrops seemed larger and more active than KOTOR's, and the animations look better as well. The characters also don't look goofy like they did in the last game -- the style is better, although there's plenty from the old game as well. If I've been disappointed with the graphics (and not really), it was when I saw my PC's head on an NPC (I'm the asian dude with bangs, Sentinel).

 

The gameplay is the same, and to me, that's a good thing -- I really enjoyed KOTOR's combat, and it allowed me to begin kickin ass immediately. I was relieved that the 'Y' button was still in effect, cuz I love hittin it after all enemies have been destroyed!

 

The voice-acting is superb -- I haven't heard a single annoying actor so far, and the dialgoue incites laughs, intentionally! Unlike the original RESIDENT EVIL, lol. It was one of my concerns, as I loved the dialogue in the first game. Also, the dialgoue options are better in variety, and there's more of them. Lastly, the dialogue options aren't nearly as black-n-white as the last, and that's a very good thing. Not to mention your characters and their motivations! They all got me guessing, and I'm simply enjoying the ride. I'm more than hooked, and very happy.

[Questions to the Devs]

great questions, many I was gonna ask....but I was wondering whether the Xbox version would support 16:9 HDTVs? It may seem like a minor thing, but for a game based on a movie franchise, I am hoping SWKOTOR II will be playable in widescreen!!

 

also, I have faith you guys will do well by the game, and truly make something brilliant. February 2K5 seems too far, and that's if all goes as planned -- but rest assured that many of us would wait if you all needed more time to add what you want and polish the game.