In part II of his preview, Editor-in-Chief Chris Tom talks about what makes SWTOR unique and gives some final thoughts on his experiences.

PvP

PvP shouldn't get its own category because I know that most of you don't care, but I come from a long history of MMORPG PvP, so that's just too bad. It's quite easy to see the heavy PvP influence on SWTOR from BioWare's partner in crime, Mythic Entertainment. I was a big fan of Warhammer Online's underlying PvP systems, but I always felt that the gameplay engine of WAR couldn't match up to its overall vision. Generally speaking, Warhammer Online suffered from what I like to call the "floating number syndrome," where players would just run around pushing buttons, seeing numbers popping up, but never really feeling that they were contributing. The theoretical PvP mechanics of Warhammer Online, however, were great, so I'm very happy to see those same theories being put to good use with SWTOR's much smoother game engine. For example, taunts in SWTOR that work as regular tank abilities in PvE also work in PvP; when someone taunts a player, that player deals 30% less damage to every target, except the taunt user, for 6 seconds. Combining this with abilities like a Grappling Hook for snagging distant foes, and it really feels like you're physically protecting your healers, rather than chasing your enemies in circles, watching the numbers fly.

SWTOR currently features three separate PvP "warzones" for players to engage in: Huttball, Alderaan and the Voidstar. Alderaan and the Voidstar are fairly common PvP-styled maps, with the former being a capture the objective type of game, and the Voidstar an attack / defend map. Huttball, on the other hand, is a fascinating game that mixes European Handball with PvP. In Huttball, two teams are charged with the objective of grabbing a ball and bringing over the other team's goal line. The catch is that the Huttball arena (dubbed "The Pit") is filled with acid pools and flame traps, in addition to sporting plenty of ramps and ledges for players to hide on. 

If you get the chance to watch the PvP combat in Huttball, that's where SWTOR really shines. Little skirmishes dot the arena as players try to retain control of the Huttball while protecting their fellow allies. Smugglers and Imperial Agents crouch behind barriers, taking potshots at the millions of lightsaber wielding warriors who mill about, pushing and pulling each other around. Bounty Hunter and Troopers flit around on ledges and on the outskirts of the battle, occasionally grappling an enemy out of the fray for an easy kill. I think PvP fans will be in for a treat when they set foot in the Old Republic.

Overall

For some players, the name Star Wars instantly brings to mind the ambitiousness of SOE's Star Wars Galaxies, but this is not where you'll find that experience. If there was one criticism I would levy at SWTOR, it's the fact that BioWare is going through great pains to marry their signature style with an MMORPG framework. Contained within SWTOR is an incredibly fun solo / duo gameplay experience that would rival the content and scope of many offline RPGs. Unfortunately, it is that same experience that is clashing directly with SWTOR's MMORPG directive, and this is going to give BioWare some headaches in the future. SWTOR wants to deliver an intensely personal experience that lifts players onto the shoulders of the galaxy, but the euphoria of being named "Grand Champion of the Great Hunt" can quickly turn to ashes when you see the hundreds of other Bounty Hunters running out the door sporting that very same title.

In the end, however, SWTOR has a lot to offer as a game and as an MMORPG. While I have yet to see what endgame content looks like, I'll say that even though I was skeptical going into the Old Republic (this is true), I've been more than happy with my experiences thus far. BioWare isn't going to reinvent everything you know about MMORPGs, but you'll find an experience here that I don't think you'll be able to find anywhere else. If you can find a friend to play with (I played as a Powertech Bounty Hunter with a Sith Marauder), I guarantee you'll find that there's a lot of fun to be found in Star Wars: The Old Republic.

You can read Part I of our in-depth preview here!

Christopher "Pwyff" Tom, Editor-in-Chief.