Star Wars Knights Of The Old Republic 2 Character Creation
Ah, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords. A game that some love, some tolerate, and some… well, let's just say have feelings about. But today, we're not talking about the story, or the combat, or even the amazing soundtrack. Nope, we're diving deep into something truly critical. The character creation screen.
You boot up the game. Excitement is high! You're about to forge your destiny as a powerful Force-user in a galaxy far, far away. You click "New Game." And then… the menu appears. A blank slate. A digital void of potential. And then it hits you. The choices.
First up, the face. Now, KOTOR 2 gives you a decent selection, right? A few rugged looks, some wise old-timers, maybe a scoundrel with a hint of roguish charm. But let's be honest. Most of us end up picking the one that looks the least like a potato. It’s a relatable struggle. You scroll through, trying to find that perfect blend of "I'm about to save the galaxy" and "I probably haven't slept in three days."
Then comes the hair. Oh, the hair. Some styles are perfectly sculpted. Others… well, they look like they were styled by a confused Wookiee. You know the ones. That gravity-defying mop that defies all logic. You try to imagine your chosen character sporting that particular hairdo. Does it scream "hero"? Or "has a secret, unhealthy obsession with bantha fur"? It's a gamble.
And the skin color! Now, this is where things get really interesting. You’ve got your standard humans, sure. But then you get to the alien options. Some look cool. Others look like they were designed by someone who’d only ever seen a fuzzy sock and a disgruntled frog. You find yourself wondering, "What's their backstory? Did they get into a fight with a paint mixer?"
But the real test, the ultimate crucible of character creation, is the name. This is your legacy! This is what everyone will call you. This is what will echo through the halls of Jedi temples and Sith strongholds. And what do most of us do? We go with something ridiculously epic. Or hilariously mundane.
You might try to craft a name that sounds authentically Star Wars. Something like, "Zarathus the Unyielding." Or "Lyra Shadowwalker." You feel a surge of pride. This is good. This is the name.
Then you remember that time you accidentally typed "Sir Reginald Fluffernutter" into a character creation screen for a dark and gritty game. And you think, "Maybe I should go with that again." Because why not? Who’s going to stop you? The moral police of the galaxy?
It's the unspoken agreement, isn't it? The secret handshake of KOTOR 2 players. We're all secretly putting ourselves into the game, or our favorite inside jokes. I bet there's a legion of players out there named "Bob" or "Kevin." And you know what? I respect that. Bob the Jedi Master. It has a certain ring to it.
And let's not forget the voice. You pick your character, you give them a name, and then you hear them speak for the first time. Is it deep and gravelly? High and squeaky? Does it sound like they’ve been gargling space dust? You just hope it doesn’t clash too horribly with your vision of a stoic, brooding hero.
Sometimes, you create a character you’re genuinely proud of. They look cool. They sound cool. Their name is epic. You’re ready to face the galaxy. And then, an hour into the game, you’ve seen them get punched in the face approximately seventeen times, and their epic name is now associated with a lot of grunting and falling over. The illusion shatters. But hey, that’s the fun of it!
It's the freedom to be whoever you want, even if "whoever" is a surprisingly hairy alien named Barry who inexplicably wields a lightsaber. The beauty of KOTOR 2's character creation isn't about perfection. It's about the journey. The hilarious, slightly bizarre journey from a blank character model to a legend. Or at least, to a legend named Steve.
So, the next time you start up a new game of KOTOR 2, take a moment. Appreciate the weirdness. Embrace the silliness. And whatever you do, don't judge your fellow players if their character looks like they lost a fight with a barber. We've all been there. We're all just trying to make our mark on the galaxy. One ridiculously named, oddly coiffed avatar at a time.