Should You Play Star Wars The Old Republic in 2023?

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Star Wars The Old Republic is an MMORPG which released in 2011 that immerses players in an epic journey across the expansive Star Wars universe
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Developed by Bioware and published by Electronic Arts, this game invites players to forge their own path, make alliances and uncover the mysteries of the Old Republic
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In this review, we explore the captivating storytelling and exciting gameplay mechanics that define Star Wars The Old Republic
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This game has garnered significant acclaim since its release. It currently boasts a pretty healthy player base with around a 24-hour peak of 7,500 co-current players on Steam
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Its success is further highlighted by its impressive lifetime revenue of over a billion dollars
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Initial reviews were overwhelmingly positive with respected sources such as IGN awarding the game a solid 9 out of 10 rating and on Steam it also has very positive reviews from players
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To ensure the game's continuous growth and content updates, Star Wars The Old Republic has undergone a transition in its development team
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BioWare the original developers are passing the torch to Broadsword Online Games who are renowned for their work on Ultima Online
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As part of this transition, half of the current development team will join Broad Sword, bringing their expertise and passion to the ongoing development of Star Wars The Old Republic
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With this new partnership, players can expect solid updates and dedicated support from the game's new team
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Star Wars The Old Republic's dedication to providing regular content updates ensures that players can look forward to a dynamic and evolving gaming experience
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The game's engaging storytelling, immersive world and exciting gameplay mechanics continue to captivate players, making Star Wars The Old Republic a standout MMORPG set in the beloved Star Wars universe
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I must mention that I am not a devoted Star Wars fan as the franchise has never quite captured my interest
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However, after delving into Star Wars The Old Republic, I find myself compelled to explore the movie franchise
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Surprisingly, the main story quest has completely hooked me, and I'm amazed by the fact there are multiple storylines depending on the character type you choose
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The level of engagement and the quality in storytelling is truly impressive
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making this game the first MMORPG since The Elder Scrolls Online that provided me with a captivating narrative experience that keeps me coming back for more
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The story segments in Star Wars The Old Republic are well-balanced and not overwhelming
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Interactions with NPCs are accompanied by cutscenes where players have to make decisions
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that shape their character's response in conversations. Following these exchanges, players embark on thrilling quests and engage in combat with adversaries
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What sets Star Wars The Old Republic apart is huge portions of the game are fully voice acted
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including the player's character, making the experience truly immersive and brilliant. However, one aspect that could be improved is the overall beginner experience
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As an MMO veteran with 20 years of experience, I found it fairly easy to jump into the game
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due to familiar controls, hotkeys and movement mechanics. The in-game help, however, primarily consists of lengthy on-screen text which many players
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may skip without reading, leading to potential difficulties later on. Some essential aspects, such as acquiring and using mounts or vehicles, could be better
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highlighted making it clearer where and how to obtain them. One noteworthy aspect of Star Wars
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The Old Republic is that it offers a completely free to play experience with no major paywalls
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Despite this my enjoyment of the game led me to purchase a 1 month subscription at level 15 and I
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was pleasantly surprised by the benefits that it provided. The subscription unlocked all of the
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latest DLC content, I also gained the ability to instantly create a level 70 character
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So for MMO enthusiasts aiming to reach the endgame swiftly, a single month of subscription allows for an unbelievably rapid progression
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However, I would suggest enjoying the experience and playing through the story content
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Star Wars The Old Republic excels in providing a robust character customisation system, offering players an extensive range of options to create unique and captivating characters
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From selecting your allegiance and choosing a specific character, to exploring various origin stories, the game allows for a highly personalized gaming experience
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Additionally, Star Wars The Old Republic presents a diverse selection of classes, each with its own distinctive playstyle and abilities
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Whether you yearn to wield a lightsaber as a noble Jedi Knight, or embrace the power of the dark side as a cunning Sith Inquisitor, there is a class tailored to fulfill every player's preference
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Furthermore, once in the game you have the opportunity to acquire or purchase new outfits
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enabling you to craft the perfect look for your Star Wars character
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With an abundance of customisation options, Star Wars The Old Republic truly empowers
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players to bring their envisioned character to life in the expansive Star Wars universe
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Star Wars The Old Republic offers a visually appealing experience for Star Wars enthusiasts The game showcases well crafted environments character models and visual effects that contribute to bringing the beloved Star Wars universe to life While the graphics may not reach mind levels they still provide an enjoyable and immersive backdrop for gameplay
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On the other hand, the sound design truly shines with iconic music and authentic sound effects that enhance the overall immersion
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from the distinctive hum of lightsabers to the intense blast of fire in battles
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The audio elements flawlessly complement the gameplay, ensuring an engaging experience for players
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However, after 20 hours of gameplay, listening to the swinging of lightsabers can get a little bit annoying
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Star Wars The Old Republic's greatest strength lies in its rich and expansive narrative
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drawing inspiration from the Star Wars lore. Players are given the choice to align themselves with either the Galactic Republic or the Sith Empire
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shaping their own destiny as they progress through the game. You make choices during cutscenes which dictate your character being on the light or the dark side
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and you'll view different scenarios depending on which options you decide to take
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The attention to detail in worldbuilding is commendable as players are transported to iconic locations from the Star Wars universe
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And the game captures the essence of the franchise admirably. Star Wars The Old Republic can sometimes give the impression of a solo RPG game
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particularly during the extensive portions of the early stages. The game's emphasis on storytelling and immersive narratives can create a sense of playing a single player game
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It's worth noting that player encounters may be infrequent until reaching a certain milestone or the main cities
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where the player base becomes more apparent. This aspect may appeal to those seeking a more personal and introspective gameplay experience
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but it could be less appealing for players who prioritise consistent multiplayer interactions
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The levelling experience in Star Wars The Old Republic is notably fast-paced
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with substantial XP rewards for completing the main story quests. By utilising XP boosts obtained during your journey, you are likely to out-level the content
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particularly if you focus on the main story quests. However, it is important to note that rushing through the leveling process is not recommended
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Instead, take the time to immerse yourself in the captivating storylines. Exploring alt characters is also encouraged as it allows you to experience different class specific story options
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In my personal playthrough, I dedicated myself to the purple story quests and eventually reached a level cap of 80
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However, upon reaching this milestone, I did find myself unsure of what to do next
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the game lacks explicit guidance on post-leveling activities and I realized that acquiring new and
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upgraded gear would be necessary since enemies at level 70 and beyond proved to be challenging
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opponents and there wasn't really much information on where I would pick up or find this new gear
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While progressing through the levels you also gain legacy levels which are shared among all of your
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characters. The legacy system unlocks various perks that apply account wide such as increased
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XP gain. As you accumulate more legacy levels, you have the opportunity to unlock additional
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benefits which can be purchased from the legacy screen which is a really nice little perk for
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even leveling characters that are at the level cap. So even though you're gaining more experience
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at the level cap, you can still progress your legacy level. Star Wars The Old Republic seamlessly
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blends traditional MMO mechanics with real-time tab target combat, resulting in a highly engaging
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gameplay experience. Despite its age, the game's combat feels impactful and effectively merges the
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Star Wars universe with MMO style combat. The combat system itself is intuitive and responsive
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granting players a diverse array of abilities and tactical choices. With a wide range of skills and
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passives to choose from, players have ample options to tailor their playstyle and these choices do not
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overly burden early game progression, allowing for flexibility in skill selection. I personally
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loved the Jedi Knight and the fact that you're able to shoot enemies off the side of buildings
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and off the side of structures to kill them instantly. I had so much fun going around just
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firing at people and insta-killing them. Adding depth and versatility to gameplay, Star Wars The
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Old Republic introduces companion characters. These companions can be customized and leveled up
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serving as valuable allies during your adventures. It's even possible to develop personal relationships
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with them, further immersing you in the game world. The companion's role can be adjusted to
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suit your needs, whether you require a tank, a healer, or damage dealer, allowing you to strategize
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and optimize your party composition as per your individual requirements. The developers have truly
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succeeded in transforming the conventional MMO format into something special by infusing it with
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the essence of the Star Wars universe. Star Wars The Old Republic stands apart from other MMOs
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with its refreshing and unique approach. Instead of traditional dungeons, we explore flashpoints
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Rather than raids, we engage in operations. PvP takes on a thrilling new dimension with aerial
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combat and overland PvP maps. Star Wars The Odd Republic encapsulates all the content one would
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expect from an MMORPG, but with a captivating twist that immerses players in the iconic world
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Star Wars. This innovative adaptation is what sets the game apart and contributes to its exceptional
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appeal, making it a truly standout experience in the MMO genre. Questing in Star Wars The Old
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Republic is a true delight offering an abundance of story missions that captivate players throughout their journey The main story quest in Star Wars The Old Republic ensures accessibility for players even during challenging battles
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Throughout these quests you are accompanied by formidable companions who possess high levels and contribute significantly to both damage and healing
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Additionally, during intense boss encounters, the game implements a mechanic where your character performs a restorative action
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resembling a prayer that rejuvenates their health when it reaches critically low levels
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This feature provides a safety net preventing players from falling in battle
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and allowing them to continue the thrilling journey of the main story quest
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without undue frustration or setback. The game presents a rich tapestry of main story quests
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engaging side quests and challenging flashpoints, which are group instances, that provide a diverse range of gameplay experiences
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The quality of writing shines through these quests with meticulously crafted narratives and memorable characters that draw players into the Star Wars universe
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PvE content in Star Wars The Old Republic also includes operations which are large-scale raids
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designed to test players' teamwork and coordination. These operations feature intense battles and require the collaboration of 8 or 16 players
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to overcome formidable bosses, providing a thrilling challenge for those seeking a more demanding gameplay experience
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While flashpoints can be completed solo for players who prefer to focus on the story
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they are intended as four-player content similar to dungeons. During my playthrough, I joined a flashpoint to fulfill a quest using the group finder
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Immersed in the engrossing dialogue, I didn't realize it was possible to skip it
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as I was thoroughly enjoying the narrative. However, I learned that some players prefer to rush through these interactions
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so it's worth considering the pacing preference of your group when you begin the flashpoints
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During the flashpoint I encountered a minor setback as I didn't yet possess a mount, causing me to lag behind my group who swiftly moved through the content
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Nevertheless, the experience was rewarding as my character gained a significant amount of experience and leveled up multiple times during the flashpoint
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The inclusion of dialogue options within a group added a fantastic dynamic, allowing the story to adapt based on the collective choices made by all group members
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This feature generated a sense of unpredictability, making the experience highly enjoyable, alibi time consuming
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In my first flashpoint, I accidentally chose the wrong dialogue option, leading to unintended consequences where a selection of NPCs were ejected out of the spacecraft and killed
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As a result, the game singled me out from the group, causing frustration among some members who decided to leave the instance
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Fortunately, my character level was scaled up to match the challenge, and with the assistance of one of my group members and our companions
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we managed to complete the Flashpoint successfully. Star Wars The Old Republic caters to competitive players with its vibrant PvP scene
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engage in thrilling player-versus-player battles across a variety of maps and game modes
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including warzones, arenas, and open-world PvP. I must note that my personal experience with PvP in Star Wars The Old Republic had its challenges
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During my first attempt at a warzone, I found myself kicked out of the group for not attacking
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anything for an extended period of time. However, I was trying to attack stuff
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This incident highlighted the potential need for more beginner-friendly tutorials to aid
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players in understanding and navigating through some of the various gameplay modes
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Prior to entering the warzone, no training or information is provided on PvP mechanics
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which can be off-putting for newcomers. It would have been beneficial to have a dedicated tutorial
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instance that offers flight training and introduces the basics of aerial combat. Such a tutorial would
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have eased players into the PvP gameplay, equipping them with knowledge and understanding to fully
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participate and enjoy the various PvP game modes. While my initial experience had its drawbacks
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Star Wars The Old Republic's PvP scene still offers opportunities for competitive play and
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thrilling encounters. With a bit more guidance for newcomers, the PvP content could become more
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accessible and engaging for players of all skill levels. Similar to other MMORPGs, Star Wars The
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Old Republic features an in-game store where players can purchase items using real-life currency
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However, what sets Star Wars The Old Republic apart is that a significant portion of the game
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can be enjoyed completely free of charge, which is pretty rare in the MMO genre. For players looking
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to enhance their experience, there is a subscription option available at £8.99 a month
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Subscribing provides various additional benefits including monthly store coins and increased level cap, boosted XP gain, improved reputation and renown, and more importantly, access to all expansions and content which you get to keep
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Unlike games such as World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2 or Final Fantasy XIV where individual expansions must be purchased separately at around £40 each, a subscription to Star Wars The Old Republic grants you access to the expansions without any extra cost
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Furthermore, subscribing allows you to create a boosted level 70 character, which can be advantageous if you wish to quickly level an alternative character
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Regarding the in-game store, it's worth noting that it's not a pay-to-win system
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Instead, the store primarily offers cosmetic items and convenience options. Players can choose to purchase items that allow them to skip certain aspects of gameplay or enhance convenience
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such as a level 80 boost with the relevant gear for £15
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While these purchases are not necessary for success in the game they do provide a means for players to progress rapidly if desired Guilds in Star Wars The Old Republic seem to be very well run and a very big part of the game
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Although it's not super easy to get into guilds, there's no kind of guild finder or anything like that that you can use to get yourself into a guild
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You will have to search for the chats. There is ways and means of finding guilds online as well
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And joining a guild is very much something you should look to do if you do decide to play Star Wars The Old Republic
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You get various different buffs from being in a guild, such as increased XP gain. You also gain access to various different progression groups that will get you into those operations
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those raid-style content, and that's really, really good as well. And there's lots of guilds out there that are willing to teach new players in how to do that content
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So we're going to take a look at some of the pros of Star Wars The Old Republic. So the captivating storytelling
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This game offers a rich and immersive narrative experience with multiple storylines
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depending on the chosen character type, the engaging main story quests, and well-crafted side quests keep players captivated throughout their journey
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and there is many, many hours of gameplay that you can enjoy
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The expansive Star Wars universe. The game successfully captures the essence of the Star Wars franchise
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featuring iconic locations, memorable characters, and attention to detail in world building
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Robust characters and customization. This game provides a wide array of options for creating unique and personalized characters
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allowing players to tailor their gaming experience, Engaging gameplay mechanics. This game seamlessly blends traditional MMO mechanics with real-time
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tab target combat, resulting in impactful and engaging gameplay. The inclusion of companion
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characters adds depth and versatility to the gameplay experience. Regular content updates
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The dedication to providing regular content updates ensures a dynamic and evolving gaming
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experience, keeping players engaged and invested in the game's ongoing development. It's free to
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play. The game allows players to experience a vast amount of content without having to spend
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any money. This game appeals to players whether you're a Star Wars fan or not. It's a great MMO
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game even for people who don't like Star Wars. You can still get yourself really really engaged
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in this game and there's lots and lots of content that you can enjoy and that is another massive pro
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for playing this game. Some of the cons. So the beginner experience could be improved. The in-game
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help primarily consists of lengthy on-screen text, which may be skipped by players, potentially
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leading to difficulties later on. Some essential aspects, such as acquiring and using mounts
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could be better highlighted, and some things you just, they're really hard to find. It could be
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better highlighted, and there could be better information provided. A lack of post-leveling
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guidance. Upon reaching the level cap, or completing the main story quest, the game kind
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lacks explicit direction on what to do next, leaving players unsure of their objectives
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Acquiring new and upgraded gear becomes necessary to face challenging enemies at high levels
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but a lack of information on where to find it. PvP can be challenging for newcomers, so the PvP experience in Star Wars The Old Republic
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may pose difficulties for beginners as there is limited information or tutorials provided
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on PvP mechanics. More beginner-friendly tutorials could improve accessibility and enjoyment for PvP-orientated players
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And finally, it sometimes feels like a solo RPG game. While not inherently negative, Star Wars The Old Republic can sometimes give the impression of a solo RPG game
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particularly during extensive portions of the early stages of the game. So should you play Star Wars The Old Republic in 2023
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Taking into account the aforementioned pros and cons, Star Wars The Old Republic remains a captivating MMORPG set in the beloved Star Wars universe
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If you are a fan of immersive storytelling, engaging gameplay mechanics and the iconic Star Wars lore, Star Wars The Old Republic offers a thrilling experience worth delving into
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The game consistently receives updates ensuring a dynamic and evolving gaming journey
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However, it is important to acknowledge the potential challenges faced by beginners and the need for self-directed progression beyond the level cap
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In the end, if you have a passion for the Star Wars franchise and appreciate the unique fusion of the MMO gameplay and narrative immersion
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Star Wars The Old Republic can deliver a gratifying and satisfying experience in 2023
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If you've been a long-time fan or player of MMORPG games, you may be seeking something fresh and distinct from the repetitive offerings of other games
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and Star Wars The Old Republic manages to achieve that. It successfully captures the essence of an MMO while providing a refreshing twist
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Don't miss out on the opportunity to try out this game in 2023
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Should You Play Star Wars The Old Republic in 2023?

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Should You Play Star Wars The Old Republic in 2023?

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