Star Wars: The Old Republic
When thinking about “story” and “MMORPG,” one cannot overlook Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR). After all, the story was already one of the major reasons to check out BioWare’s MMORPG.
SWTOR takes place in the well-known “Star Wars” universe, but many millennia before the events of the films. Back then, Jedi and Sith, as well as the Republic and the Empire, were at war with each other. Almost all missions are voiced and feature dialogue options, creating a true role-playing flair. Particularly in the eight main campaigns—one independent story for each class—there are numerous decisions that influence the course of the story.
The last two expansions (“Knights of the Eternal Throne” and “Knights of the Fallen Empire”) were packed with story, but the gameplay was largely identical across all classes, with only small nuances. Major choices with different story outcomes also add replay value here. And that is a good thing because once you’ve completed the eight base campaigns, you at least get some variety in the newer expansions.
SWTOR also has the great advantage of being free to play. Players can play through the eight class campaigns without restrictions. Only the newest expansions require a subscription. However, one month is usually sufficient time for even casual players to complete the story.
What the story is about: The conflict between the Republic and the Empire in the past of the “Star Wars” universe. Each of the eight class stories addresses a different aspect of the war and focuses on different areas of warfare.
Who the story is suited for: Fans of classic BioWare titles with dialogue options, multi-layered characters, an immersive story, and full voice acting.
More about the game: That’s why players still love SWTOR 12 years after its release
