Star Wars: The Old Republic

That will change as BioWare continues to support the game after release. Star Wars: The Old Republic proves itself to be a competent MMO, one that, unlike so many of its ill-fated contemporaries, is sure to find significant popularity. But as with all newly-birthed MMO titles, there is work to be done.

Star Wars: The Old Republic (TOR) comes with a buffet of a story for an MMO, but you only get to fill your plate once. From decisions as significant as choosing your character’s class specialization to events as trivial as responding to dialog.

3,600 years before Luke Skywalker was bulls-eyeing womp rats in his T-16, the galaxy was enveloped in an all-out war. After over 20 years of fighting, the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic met to forge Treaty of Coruscant.

The BioWare team's herculean attempt to create a living, breathing Star Wars universe speaks to their ability as top-rate game designers.

BioWare released Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and I was crushed as it was only for Xbox and I didn't own one at the time, but then a PC version arrived and all was well - for a while - until we heard no news of a BioWare follow-up.

The surprises are few, but The Old Republic is nonetheless an online RPG of uncommon quality. And with a broad, overarching story to guide you through, you might even reach maximum level with a smile on your face, even if you are one to abandon an MMOG before that point. Such is the power of a beloved universe with so many tales still left to tell.

I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Old Republic is a stand-out, wonderfully crafted MMO. The story elements deliver on every front, the vocal performances are excellent, and some genuinely clever innovations have been applied to PvP combat.

This has to be one of (if not THE) best MMO launches I've ever seen – the game is sublimely deep...