Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II - The Sith Lords

Story and setting

Five years after the first Knights of the Old Republic, the Jedi Order has been hunted almost to extinction and the Republic is close to breaking point. You play as the Jedi Exile, a former Knight cast out after the Mandalorian Wars. Wounded, isolated and cut off from the Force, the Exile becomes the target of several factions while travelling between six planets and rebuilding a party of allies.

The Sith Lords is less interested in a simple battle between heroes and villains than its predecessor. Choices still move the Exile towards the light or dark side, but conversations, loyalties and personal history matter just as much as combat. The story is notably more melancholy and morally ambiguous, with companions such as Kreia given unusually prominent roles in questioning what the Force, the Jedi and the Sith actually represent.

How it plays

This is a party-based, third-person RPG rather than an open-world game. You create the Exile as a Jedi Guardian, Jedi Consular or Jedi Sentinel, then develop attributes, skills, feats and Force powers as you gain experience. Up to two companions can accompany you at once, and your decisions can increase or reduce their influence. That relationship system can unlock extra conversations, reveal more of their histories and, in some cases, change how they develop.

Combat combines real-time movement with a pause-and-queue system built on round-based, D20-style rules. You can switch between party members, pause to assign attacks or Force powers, use equipment and exploit different strengths in melee, ranged and Force combat. New systems include prestige classes, lightsaber forms, additional Force powers, more detailed item upgrades and expanded crafting. It remains deliberately tactical rather than an action game, and it rewards planning more than button pressing.

Platforms, updates and performance

The game is available on the original Xbox, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility, Windows PC, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. The current Xbox listing shows the digital Xbox version at £8.99 and supports Xbox One X enhancement. There is no PlayStation version, so it is not part of the PlayStation Plus catalogue. The Switch version launched at £12.59 in the UK; PC and mobile prices depend on the storefront and any active sale.

The modern Steam release is the most flexible version. It adds achievements, gamepad support, widescreen and native-resolution support up to 4K and 5K, Steam Cloud saves, Steam Workshop support and a number of bug fixes. Steam Workshop also makes it straightforward to install the fan-made Sith Lords Restored Content Mod, although that remains a modification rather than official downloadable content.

The Switch release received an Aspyr hotfix addressing crashes after certain cut-scenes, crashes with some mid-to-late-game saves and a loading-loop problem during the Peragus sequence. The promised official Restored Content DLC for Switch was cancelled in June 2023. As a result, the Switch version contains the original game and its fixes, but not the planned extra mission, expanded dialogue or revised ending.

Reception and legacy

The original release was well received despite its technical roughness. GameSpot awarded it 8.5/10, IGN scored it 9.3/10 and the Xbox version holds an 86/100 Metacritic score. Praise centred on the writing, companions, atmosphere and the way Obsidian expanded the role-playing systems. Criticism focused on bugs, reused technology, uneven pacing and an ending that feels less complete than the build-up deserves.

The later Switch port was judged more cautiously. Nintendo Life awarded it 7/10, praising its deep RPG systems and story while highlighting bugs, performance problems and dated presentation. The underlying game remains compelling, but the platform matters: PC offers the best access to community fixes and restored content, while Xbox provides the simplest console route.

Is it worth playing now?

Yes, provided you approach it as an old RPG rather than a modern action game. The combat is slow by current standards, the environments are visibly dated and the unmodified release still shows signs of its compressed development schedule. Frequent saving is sensible, particularly on Switch and mobile.

The strongest recommendation is the Steam version with the Restored Content Mod installed before starting a new playthrough. It is not essential, and the unmodified game still contains the original campaign, but the mod repairs bugs and reinstates material that helps the later sections feel more coherent. Play the first Knights of the Old Republic beforehand if possible: The Sith Lords can stand alone, but its references, returning characters and consequences land much better with that context.