Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (2024)

Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (1)

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Though there's not been much recent news directly about the game, work on the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) remake is ongoing. That said, since we've not seen updates since the enigmatic teaser in 2021, it seems likely that the role-playing game (RPG) is still in the early stages of development.

In the original KOTOR, you play as a mysterious Force user who finds themself embroiled in a war between the Galactic Republic and the sinister forces of Darth Malgus. If you're lost, don't worry, KOTOR is set thousands of years before the Star Wars movies, an approach that gave the game much more room to maneuver when it came to telling its own unique story. With this freedom, the original KOTOR could offer a tale full of memorable characters, weighty moral choices, and fantastic setpieces.

The KOTOR remake is coming courtesy of Saber Interactive, a US-based developer that, until very recently, was owned by the Embracer Group - a Swedish media conglomerate. However, the original KOTOR was developed by BioWare, a veteran studio well known for crafting some of the best RPGs and the best story games. We've gathered every spec of information about the upcoming game, in order to figure out if Saber will be able to live up to BioWare's legacy. Read on to learn more and to see our predictions.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake: cut to the chase

  • What is it? A remake of the classic Star Wars RPG
  • When is it coming out? TBC
  • What can I play it on? PS5 (as a timed console exclusive)]
  • Who's making it? Saber Interactive

Star Wars KOTOR remake release date and platforms

Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (2)

A release date for the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake hasn’t been confirmed yet. Given the lack of material available for the game from official sources, we don’t expect to get another look at this Star Wars RPG any time soon. The first developer, Aspyr, confirmed that the game was still in early development before Saber Interactive took over, and now, Saber has separated from parent group Embracer, reportedly taking KOTOR with them.

Since its split from Embracer Group earlier this year, Saber has confirmed that KOTOR Remake is still in development. No further details have been given.

However, we do know that the KOTOR remake will launch as a timed console exclusive on PS5. That means it could come to Xbox Series X|S and PC after a short while, though an Xbox release date or window hasn’t been confirmed yet, either.

Knights of the Old Republic remake trailer

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake was officially announced at the PlayStation Showcase 2021, with a brief teaser trailer. The trailer, seen below, has the voice of Bastilla Shan, one of the recruitable characters in the original title, and shows off a pivotal villain from the story: Darth Revan.

In a strange turn of events, the trailer has since been de-listed from the official PlayStation YouTube channel, though it remains accessible on other channels. It's unknown as to whether or not this is a reflection of development trouble or simply a quirk of Sony's media department.

We haven't seen any more trailers since this first look, but if you want to keep your eye out for more, then check out PlayStation's official Youtube channel.

Knights of the Old Republic remake story and setting

Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (3)

Set over 4,000 years before the films, where the Sith are skittering about in the shadows, the original game has you play as a Force-user who finds themself in a war between the Galactic Republic and the evil forces of Darth Malak.

Unlike the Star Wars films, the Sith of KOTOR have an empire of their own and are a force to be reckoned with, making them a much more concrete threat. Indeed, the events of KOTOR take place against the backdrop of an ongoing war, with the opening taking place in the aftermath of a battle with a Sith armada. It's likely that the remake will follow a similar, if not identical path.

It’s hard to overestimate just how influential this game was upon its original release. For the time, the BioWare-developed original offered unparalleled choice when directing your character's story and personality. The player was able to make numerous decisions throughout the game that would affect the trajectory of the narrative, an innovation that would go on to influence Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and a host of other later RPGs. KOTOR was an impressively open take on the Star Wars universe, released during a time when the franchise still felt like it had mysterious uncharted corners of lore to explore.

KOTOR is also known for its memorable companion characters, too. Each with their own goals and backstories, the RPG's supporting cast is well-written and memorable. It'll be exciting to see how Saber approaches the likes of the stoic Bastila Shan or the amusingly amoral HK-47.

Knights of the Old Republic remake gameplay

Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (4)

The original Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic title was an RPG that saw players travel to different planets and choose various plot decisions that would slowly progress the narrative and allow you to collect either Light Side or Dark Side points. These points would eventually determine whether your character walked the path of the Dark Side or the Light Side, while also allowing access to certain powers.

We don't know exactly how closely Saber will follow the original KOTOR in the Remake, but it seems very likely that we'll see Light Side and Dark Side points return in some form, since this sort of duality is fundamental to the Star Wars setting.

Combat in the original KOTOR was a hybrid of traditional 'computer role-playing game' (CRPG} mechanics and more modern action-oriented offerings. Battles could be paused mid-flow to give you time to think, but the engagements themselves would play out in real-time.You could also queue up different attacks and techniques.

We haven't seen any footage for the remake yet, but players can expect it to stay largely similar to the original. “We’re rebuilding one of the greatest RPGs of all time for a new generation", Aspyr’s Lead Producer, Ryan Treadwell, said in a PlayStation Blog post, "while maintaining the integrity of the story and characters that we’ve come to cherish". That said, since the KOTOR remake is no longer in Aspyr's hands, it's not yet been confirmed if Sabre take a similar approach - though a stark departure from Treadwell's goals does seem unlikely.

Knights of the Old Republic remake news

Embracer Group sells off Saber Interactive studios and assets
Beacon Interactive, a holding company created by Saber co-founder Matthew Karch, purchased Saber alongside a range of subsidiary studios and ongoing projects, including the KOTOR remake. Given Embracer's recent instability, this could mean good things for Saber and, by extension, for the remake.

KOTOR Trailer delisted from Sony's YouTube channel
The announcement trailer for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has been taken down from Sony's official YouTube channel. Saber Interactive and its parent company at the time, Embracer Group, reportedly declined to comment on this move (via TheGamer), stoking fears that the game may be stuck in development limbo.

Who is making the Knights of the Old Republic Remake?
After what seemed like an indefinite pause in development under Aspyr, the parent organization Embracer Group has confirmed that Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake will be under new management. Embracer wrote in a blog post that the change was made to “ensure the quality bar is where we need it to be for the title.”

The responsibility has now passed up the chain to Aspyr's parent company Saber Interactive to complete the development of the RPG. Saber Interactive was already reportedly overseeing the production of KOTOR Remake, so this switch hopefully means that we won't see a massive change in direction for this anticipated sci-fi title.

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Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (5)

Cat Bussell

Staff Writer

Cat Bussell is a Staff Writer at TechRadar Gaming. Hailing from the crooked spires of London, Cat is an experienced writer and journalist. As seen on Wargamer.com, TheGamer.com, and Superjumpmagazine.com, Cat is here to bring you coverage from all corners of the video game world. An inveterate RPG maven and strategy game enjoyer, Cat is known for her love of rich narratives; both story-driven and emergent.

With contributions from

  • Elie GouldFeatures Writer
  • Vic HoodAssociate Editor, TechRadar Gaming
  • Jake Green

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Star Wars KOTOR remake - everything we know so far (2024)

FAQs

Is the KOTOR remake still happening? ›

Saber Interactive is still working on it, and according to the CEO, it's "alive and well." Speaking to IGN in an interview today, Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch confirmed that the company took KOTOR with it during its split from Embracer Group, and that the game is still in active development.

Is KOTOR 3 ever coming out? ›

KOTOR III was canceled by LucasArts in 2005, but its story was adapted into a tie-in novel. Star Wars: The Old Republic - Revan picked up after the KOTOR games, continuing elements of the planned KOTOR III storyline. While unlikely, the desire for KOTOR III to be developed into a video game still exists among fans.

How long does it take to 100% KOTOR? ›

When focusing on the main objectives, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is about 29 Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 48 Hours to obtain 100% completion.

Is KOTOR no longer canon? ›

KotOR was a vital part of the old Star Wars Expanded Universe, complemented by a range of novels and comics. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the House of Mouse made a difficult choice; the Expanded Universe was declared non-canon, or “Legends.” Sadly, that included KotOR.

How many years between KOTOR 1 and 2? ›

Knights of the Old Republic II starts five years after the events of the first game and follows the story of The Exile, a Jedi Knight who was exiled from the Jedi Order. During this time, the Jedi Order has been almost completely wiped out by the Sith.

Is Kotor remake alive and well? ›

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Remake is "alive and well," according to Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch. He revealed this during a recent interview with IGN, where he also confirmed Saber took Star Wars: KOTOR Remake with it following its split from Embracer Group.

What is the max Jedi level in KOTOR? ›

Optimizing jedi levels for your main character

The level cap is 20. Your main character will start as either a soldier, scout, or scoundel, and become a jedi shortly after leaving Taris.

How many KOTOR endings are there? ›

While players can make countless choices as they explore the galaxy in KOTOR, there are only three major endings outside of a strange hidden dance routine ending. For players who embrace the Dark Side of the Force there is only a single ending, during which Revan kills various companions.

Is Darth Nihilus canon? ›

An iconic video game character became canon with Star Wars Episode IX. Introduced in the classic Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games, Darth Nihilus was a wound in the Force, more of a malicious presence than flesh and blood.

When did Revan become canon? ›

An ancient Sith Lord named Revan was reestablished in the current Star Wars canon with a mention in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary, a 2019 reference book written by Lucasfilm Story Group member Pablo Hidalgo.

Will the Kotor remake be the same story? ›

Continuity. The game is intended as a faithful one-to-one remake of the original game from the ground up. As the original Knights of the Old Republic is part of the Star Wars Legends continuity, the Remake is also considered as such at this time.

Will Knights of the Old Republic remake be turn based? ›

According to CBR, it appears that the KOTOR remake might be changing its gameplay aspects. Aspyr Media may be going for something like God of War instead of the classic turn-based RPG style of gaming. This would be a bit of a departure from the usual turn-based strategy.

Who is the CEO of Kotor remake? ›

Jedi survivor. Knights of the Old Republic Remake is still "alive and well", said Saber Interactive boss Matthew Karch, despite the company's split from Embracer.

Did KOTOR win the game of the year? ›

Reception. The general critical response of Knights of the Old Republic was overwhelmingly positive. KotOR won numerous awards, including Game Developers Choice Awards' game of the year, BAFTA Games Awards' best Xbox game of the year, and Interactive Achievement Awards for best console RPG and best computer RPG.

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