I don't think it's really fair to put all the blame on Obsidian. Whose idea was it to rush the game out before Christmas? I really don't know, I'm asking. Was it Lucas Arts' idea? Microsoft's idea? Obsidian's?
Anyway, the first game came out in July of 2003. This game came out in December 2004. What's that, 15 or 16 months between games? Would it have hurt to delay this game to spring 2005, or maybe even summer 2005? Many people who are complaining about bugs and glitches, probably would be complaining and saying things like, "What's taking them so long to release the game", or "I can't wait for KOTOR 2:TSL." If everyone had been patient, the game might have been released later and with less problems. I guess you can't please everyone. Release the game too late, people complain. Release the game too early, people complain.
Also, some people seem to have selective memories regarding KOTOR and KOTOR:TSL. Complaining about the bugs or problems in KOTOR:TSL, but forgetting the problems in the first KOTOR. The first game had slowdown, low framerates, long loading times, the Carth glitch, and the problem some had with the galaxy droid. So many of the same problems found in KOTOR:TSL were also found in the first game. Yet, all hail Bioware and slam Obsidian.
So can any of you be sure that this game wouldn't have any bugs or glitches if Bioware had developed it?
Regarding the random generator, I think it's a good idea. I like the idea of not knowing what you'll get when you open boxes or footlockers, or visit the shops.
Regarding the topic creator wanting to visit the star forge again. Why would you want to? What purpose would there be in that? Also not being able to go to some other places on Dantooine that you could in the first game. The only places missing are the Sandral home and the cavern where you found the star forge map.