KotOR II First Impressions - Gameplay

*** possible spoilers ***

Although I’ve added links to certain items for people who aren’t familiar with KotOR, this post assumes an audience familiar with the first game. However, links aren’t available for all the items.

Either way, read at your own risk!

NOTE: The playable character (PC), Sora, and the “I” are one and the same.

• Modifications have been made to the Ebon Hawk (EH), though I’m not sure they’re an improvement. They don’t make anything worse, at least. Or so far.
• The aliens’ speech has been sped up, just as I hoped. However, the subtitles sometimes go to the next screen too quickly, and I end up having to check the Messages to re-read the dialogue. Well, six of one, half a dozen of the other, I suppose.
• So far, I’ve seen a Sullustan and a Quarren, both of which are nice additions. I hope to see more than just the species that appear in KotOR, but not Selkath.
• You don’t find as much equipment and credits compared to KotOR. At least, so far.
• You’re now able to create and break stuff down. Like you can make weapons, but you have to have a certain number of components (or chemicals depending on what the item is you want to make), that you either find along the way or from breaking down equipment you have no use for.
• When walking outside Peragus II in a spacesuit, your pace is way quicker, thank the Force. I was expecting to make a bouncy hop when I took my first step before ssslllllooooowwwwwlllllyyyyy landing on the catwalk. You don’t get that loud clunk that each footfall generates, which I liked the sound of. Or maybe you do, but you move too quickly to really hear it. Well, whatever. I can give up that sound effect to be able to move quickly in space, and hopefully underwater, if that comes up.
• Obsidian did a great job of identifying Revan’s gender when the playable character (PC) and Atton Rand first discuss the Sith War. Atton refers to Revan as one sex and the PC either agrees or corrects him. This ought to put an end to the lame, sexist flame wars. I hope so, anyway.
• On Citadel Station you can race swoops. At first I turned it down because I don’t have one, but they provide you with one. Also, Sora (my PC) has a high charisma value, pretty high persuade, and Affect Mind, so she successfully convinces the Twi’lek in charge to take practice runs for free–every time.
• I also didn’t realize that I have a Pazaak side deck, because it isn’t listed in the inventory. I only found out because I got the option to ask Atton to teach me how to play.
• They’ve created “advanced” side cards that you can buy. They change positive numbers into negative, but I can’t remember if it works the other way, too. One card I bought allows you to change threes and sixes, and the other one I purchased enables you to change twos and fours.