Plot Summary
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) plunges players into a galaxy set thousands of years before the Skywalker saga, amidst a brutal war between the Galactic Republic and the resurgent Sith Empire led by the mysterious Darth Malak. You begin as a Republic soldier aboard the starship Endar Spire, which is attacked by a massive Sith fleet.
After a harrowing escape from the Endar Spire, you find yourself stranded on the densely populated planet Taris. Your primary objective becomes finding Jedi Master Bastila Shan, a crucial figure in the Republic's war effort, who was also aboard the Endar Spire. Navigating the crime-ridden underworld and stratified society of Taris, you gather allies and uncover fragments of your own forgotten past, hinting at a deeper connection to the Force.
Your journey eventually leads you to the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine. Here, you undergo Jedi training and learn that you are one of the few Force-sensitives capable of wielding a lightsaber. The Jedi Council tasks you with a critical mission: to find the Star Forge, an ancient Rakatan superweapon that could turn the tide of the war. This quest takes you across the galaxy, visiting diverse planets like the desert world of Tatooine, the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk, the aquatic planet of Manaan, and the Sith-controlled Korriban.
Along the way, you assemble a diverse crew of companions, each with their own stories and motivations, including the cynical assassin droid HK-47, the loyal soldier Carth Onasi, and the enigmatic Jedi Bastila Shan. As you gather the Star Map fragments needed to locate the Star Forge, you also uncover a shocking truth about your own identity and your connection to Darth Malak and the Sith.
The narrative culminates in a dramatic confrontation with Darth Malak, where the true nature of your character is revealed, leading to a climactic battle that will decide the fate of the Republic and the galaxy. Your choices throughout the game, particularly regarding the Light Side and Dark Side of the Force, will ultimately determine your character's destiny and the ending you achieve.