Revitalizing KOTOR: Bringing Back Its Best Feature

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic was notably absent from the PlayStation Showcase, and Embracer’s CEO has dismissed questions about the highly anticipated remake, leaving fans in the dark. However, the fact that the remake is still in development means that fans should not lose hope. The original game laid a solid foundation for modern adaptations, and many of its features can be easily adapted to contemporary sensibilities. As such, there are several features that should make a return.

KOTOR's storytelling and writing are still relevant to the way many modern Star Wars stories are told, so there is little need to change or improve upon them. While turn-based combat will likely be altered, a graphical upgrade is almost guaranteed. One feature that made a significant impact in KOTOR is the Pazaak mini-game, although it can often be overlooked in favor of more exciting activities. However, the remake should pay more attention to Pazaak and embrace it as a key point of interest.

KOTOR’s Pazaak Could Be on the Level of The Witcher’s Gwent

The concept of Pazaak during the Old Republic era may be familiar to fans who have encountered similar mini-games in the past. Incorporating this collectible card game into the game's broader features would be a fantastic addition. While not all attempts at card or collectible-based mini-games have been successful, such as Splatoon 3's Tableturf Battle, Pazaak could be reintroduced and made an integral part of gameplay as players explore various planets. Pazaak is akin to the casino game Blackjack but with more strategic decisions for players to make regarding whether to stay or bump and aiming to reach a score of 20.

Cards with associable numbers can either increase or decrease the score in KOTOR, and they can be collected or purchased from various planets. Players can choose to either stand or end their turn depending on the cards they hold, and if they possess minus cards, numbers higher than 20 can still be whittled down.

However, Pazaak has one downside, which is that it doesn't incorporate any Star Wars lore or references. Unlike Gwent, where players can learn about The Witcher's geopolitical allegiances, races, and creatures through the game's cards and play styles.

Pazaak could be even more enjoyable in the upcoming remake if it included cards featuring alien races or creatures from the Star Wars universe. Although the game would remain structurally the same as in KOTOR, small cosmetic changes to the cards and accompanying lore entries would allow players to further immerse themselves in the game's universe.

This approach is similar to Horizon's Machine Strike, which uses game pieces to further explore the franchise's mechanical animals. While Pazaak may not be as innovative in terms of its rules, it is still a popular mini-game found in modern AAA games. KOTOR has already included Pazaak in its original version, making it a perfect addition to Saber Interactive's upcoming remake.

The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake is in development.