Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republicand its sequel represent two of the best Star Wars games ever made. Developed by Bioware and Obsidian, respectively, the KOTOR games crafted core storylines from before George Lucas’ original film trilogy, in the Old Republic era. They established characters and themes that would bleed into everything that came after within the illustrious mythos.
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The space opera mega-franchise of Jedi and Sith is at its best when focusing upon transcendent heroes and villains - and their choices. KOTOR delivers some of the best player choice in gaming, alongside a cast of intriguing characters, side missions, and meaningful additions to the lore of this galaxy far away and even longer ago. The best quotes from Knights of the Old Republic showcase how these games influenced the medium and why Star Wars will never, ever die.
13“I Guess Stupidity And Ignorance Will Never Go Out Of Style.”
Quote: “You’d think people would be a little more tolerant of others in this day and age. sigh I guess stupidity and ignorance will never go out of style.” ~ Carth Onasi
Carth Onasi, aka Fleet, is a Republic hero from the Mandalorian wars and one of your most reliable companions in the game. A quick-witted expert pilot, Carth is just as surprised as you that in a diverse galaxy so advanced and intertwined close-mindedness and prejudice still run rampant.
12"What Greater Weapon Is There Than To Turn An Enemy To Your Cause?”
Quote: “What greater weapon is there than to turn an enemy to your cause? To use their own knowledge against them?” ~ Bastila Shan
Bastila Shan is a “battle meditator” Jedi Master harboring great wisdom — and many secrets. She’s Force-bonded to your player character in KOTOR and your conversations with her unveil much of the rich storyline’s threads as you progress.
Every time Bastila speaks, she does it with impeccable composure. And she’s probably saying something more valuable than you realize.
11“I Don’t Hold A Grudge Against Revan.”
Quote: “I don’t hold a grudge against Revan, and neither do any of my people. It was the greatest moment of my life to be in that battle.” ~ Canderous Ordo
The Mandalorian Neo-Crusader, Canderous Ordo, is your no-nonsense ultra warrior with a holistic battle philosophy. He exhibits unending respect for any being that can defeat him in combat.
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The Mandalorians are the boogeyman from the last great war, narrowly defeated by the Jedi Revan and Malak before they could take the Republic — and potentially the galaxy. Like a true Mandalorian, Ordo speaks of the glory that was battling Revan, even in defeat.
Quote: “The Jedi, with their damnable sense of overcaution, would tell you love is something to avoid. Thankfully, anyone who’s even partially alive knows that’s not true. Love doesn’t lead to the dark side.” ~ Jolee Bindo
Ex-Jedi Jolee Bindo becomes one of your wisest counselors, often speaking on the failings of the Jedi and the regrets of his own storied past. This old man Jedi Master fought against Exar Kun and now joins you to atone for his own past sins. Your war draws him out of self-exile and back to heroism — and preaching on the power of love.
9“Conflict Forces One To Better Oneself.”
Quote: “It is conflict that improves the lot of civilization and the single being both. Conflict forces one to better oneself. It forces change, growth, adaptation, evolution, or death. These are not our laws, but the universe’s.” ~ Yuthura Ban
Yuthura Ban is a Sith apprentice you must persuade to allow your entry into the Sith Academy on Korriban, to delve the tombs there for ancient artifacts. While training with her as a double agent, she makes a compelling case for the power of the Dark Side. You may almost start to believe Yuthura… until she starts betraying everybody.
8“It Can Feed On The Dark Side That Is Within All Of Us!”
Quote: “The Star Forge is more than just a space station. In some ways, it is like a living creature. It hungers. And it can feed on the dark side that is within all of us!”
At the dreaded Star Forge, a superweapon of infinite consequence developed by the Rakatan Infinite Empire in ancient times, you finally meet Darth Malak. He is your dogged foe for the whole of your journey, a wicked and overpowering Sith Lord. Here at the site of your final showdown, Malak reveals the true power of the Star Forge — it’s sentient and can feed on the darkness within us all!
7“You Carry Something That Weighs You Down.”
Quote: “Your stance, your walk tells me you are a Jedi. Your walk is heavy, you carry something that weighs you down.” ~ Kreia
Kreia, the mysterious grey ex-Jedi and carrier of many profound truths, is your primary guide in KOTOR II: The Sith Lords. Perceptive and phantom-like, she speaks with a crisp, incisive voice.
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Kreia’s philosophy is her own and you’ve probably heard nothing else like it in the Star Wars mythos. You would do well to listen to every word she has to say.
6“The Jedi… The Sith… You Don’t Get It, Do You? To The Galaxy, They’re The Same Thing.”
Quote: “The Jedi… the Sith… you don’t get it, do you? To the galaxy, they’re the same thing: just men and women with too much power, squabbling over religion, while the rest of us burn.” ~ Atton Rand
Atton Rand is a pilot and ex-Jedi hunter from Alderaan who works alongside your Exiled Jedi all the way to the endgame at Malachor V. Complex and critical, this character provides a voice to the common man. A practical worshipper of Darth Revan, Atton cracks wise but then lets his actions speak the loudest.
5“Every Choice We Make Sends Echoes Through The Force.”
Quote: “Every choice we make, whether we know it or not, sends echoes through the Force. It can awaken feelings, ignite passions, hate, anger, fear — where none existed before.” ~ Atris
The Jedi historian Atris provides a foil to your player character — and Kreia. She reviles you for joining Revan and Malak to fight the Mandalorians. Fiercely loyal to the code, she blames Jedi like you for muddying the ethics of the Order. Through her, in a meta sense, you begin to understand the grand implications of every choice you make within the game.
4“That Belief Will Always Rule You.”
Quote: “It is to surrender yourself, to make yourself a slave to a teaching or belief, that makes it so that belief will always rule you.” ~ Kreia
Through repeated conversations, Kreia reveals her philosophy of the “contrast” in its fullness. She believes that the Jedi Order’s restrictions upon passion, freedom, and conflict are their downfall. Adherence to a singular belief disallows adaptation in a complex world, where threats and opportunities are always arising.
