Before I begin, let me put down the foundation for the game. Yes, it's that big. The first question that comes to mind is: What is a MMORPG? The acronym means Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game translated literally. To the hardcore gamer this is life, like mental addiction. If you like to play RPGs, this will be your virtual drug. Try it once and you'll be hooked, constantly looking for your daily fix. I didn't believe it would happen to me, but as I write this review, I am starting to twitch thinking about getting out of work so I can take down some Vynock on the plains of Corellia. Sick, I tell you, sick. Thankfully, Jody just made it into work, as I need all the support I can get. Hold me.

The slogan for the game is "Experience the greatest saga ever told -- yours," and that about sums up what you are going to partake in. At the start of the game, you will decide what type of character you want to play from a Human to a Twi'lek, even a noble Wookiee. The adventures you have from that point are up to you, taking on the role of a Combat Medic, a Droid Engineer, a Commando, or even a Jedi. As for myself, I am trying to become a Smuggler on Corellia. Why fight my real calling in life; I'm a scoundrel. There is almost no limit to the path you can take, doing as little or as much as you would like. The game is about interaction, working with other players toward a common goal, or dealing with the NPCs in the game. The NPCs you may encounter may even be from movies or novels. Since the game is constantly being updated, no one knows what will be in the cantina the next day. Be sure to hold your DL-44 close, ready to take someone down.

Gameplay:

This game is like nothing I have ever seen before, nor could I have imagined it. The environments are massive. Once you've decided on the planet of your choice, you will be transported to the starport of one of the cities. Movement is rather simple, either by mouse click or the cursor keys. It takes a bit to get used to, but thankfully you are in a world with others trying to make their way in the galaxy, too. If you have trouble, just ask someone. Most people are willing to teach you the ropes since it's to their benefit as they gain experience for teaching new characters. A detailed instruction manual is good, but I found the online version, called the Holocron, to be the most helpful. It explains what to do and where to go, but what determines your destiny is your own imagination.

Since the game is an online ONLY game, it promotes social behavior. Any given player will not be able to be great at every skill in the game, so things like bargaining, charm, or services will be your personal skills to make you more powerful. For example, an artisan creates items like weapons, clothing, and armor, while a scout hunts the animals used to make the armor. If you see players gathering, you can trade bone and hide to someone for a helmet. If you don't want to trade that way, there is a bazaar in each town where items can be bought or sold. You have to be cunning to make the best deals. Characters are not limited to one skill. You can mix and match skills to create your own somewhat unique character class. This means that someone could be an entertainer by trade, but also be a crack shot with a carbine.

Considering how many players are in each galaxy, the game runs amazingly smooth. There are multiple servers to choose from, so finding the one that has the best connection to you is the key. Each account may only have one character in any galaxy at a time. You can play multiple characters, but they will never be able to interact. The galaxies are self-contained, but duplicates of each other. For example, there is a Yavin IV for everyone, just not the same galaxy.

Graphics:

Two words: absolutely beautiful! The worlds are recreated in such a way that you will feel like you are there in the movie. The detail of the characters is incredible, along with the wildlife. Lighting, shadows, and weather are done near perfect. There is only a small price to pay for this quality, and that is you will need a powerful PC with an top notch video card. I'm listing the specs so there are no surprises:

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
OS: Windows 98/2000/ME/XP
Processor: Pentium III 933 MHz or Higher
Video Card: 32 MB 3D Video Card
Hard Drive: 2.0 MB
CD-ROM: 4x or Faster
RAM: 256 MB RAM

RECOMMENDED SYSTEM CONFIGURATION:
Processor: Pentium IV 1.5 GHz or Higher
Video Card: 64 MB 3D Video Card
RAM: 512 MB RAM

Music / Sound:

This is Star Wars, what are you expecting? Typical of the movies of the same title, the music is great. The best part of the music is that it changes as the time of day does, or for example, when you get attacked it becomes more intense. Get chased by a Sand Panther outside of Coronet just once, and you will understand. Don't worry if you get shredded; think cloning. The sounds are quality, too, with subtle changes in the frequencies of a pistol to a rifle. The animals, droids, and the environments all have their own sounds.

Voice / Acting:

Voice seems to be quite limited, except perhaps when you take on scripted missions, such as visiting the Emperor's Retreat on Naboo. So far I have only heard the instructional computer, as well as a few Imperial guards. I would  rate this as average, but I reserve the right to give it more points when I get choked by Lord Vader himself. Sick, looking forward to feeling the Force Grip around my neck. I hope whatever I do is very illegal, so I can have my team break me out of a prison in the Empire.

Replay Value:

If you like RPGs, then this may be the game for you. It is open-ended, with no clear quest or goal to finish in order to complete the game. If you start in a particular profession, then find out you don't like it, you can just abandon it and try something else. It's my understanding from the things I've read that the only way to "win" the game is to become a Jedi Master. The time period is set during the Original Trilogy, so the Jedi are scarce. The way to unlock a Jedi is secret, and no character to date has become one. The developers are constantly updating the game, allowing for new professions, and even upgrades such as new planets and vehicles to pilot. You could literally end up playing this game for a year and still have things you haven't done or seen. But like the graphics, there is a price to pay. MMORPGs work on a monthly fee taken from your credit card:

FEES:
Month-to-month: $14.99 per month
Three months: $14.00 per month
Six months: $13.00 per month
Twelve months: $12.00 per month

The Skinny:

Personally, this is in the top three of my favorite Star Wars games of all time, and that is saying a lot considering I have been playing with them since the Atari 2600. Those that need to win a game might find a broad game not to their liking. I prefer not being limited to a script to follow, not to mention hearing constant spoilers from your friends about what is ahead of you. Like people, the characters are different and have different experiences. If you have the time to dedicate to this, and no, not your entire life, then it's worth adding to your collection. Just be sure that your PC will be able to handle it, and I highly recommend a broadband connection so you get the same results I did. If you are looking for someone to adventure with, and are in the same galaxy as me (Naritus), look for the the highest concentration of dead Swoopers -- I will be there. Or ask Jody, she will give out my character name -- by request only!

(David Ruchalski feels that a day on Corellia isn't complete until all hostile targets surrounding Coronet have been eliminated. His personal goal for this game is to not become a Jedi, but kill anyone who dares to become one, destroying their hopes and dreams.)

See game info, screenshots, trailers, and more on the Lucasarts website!

(Screenshots from official website used by permission of Lucasfilm.)

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