I really enjoyed this game, too. I found it pretty difficult on every play through, after the first part of the first one, when I realized I could save my exp. and gain more jedi levels, but once I got there it was cake with extra icing.
The duels side quest was particularly difficult, but the right buffs and grenades helped a lot.
I can't remember the kind of jedi I chose, but it was the one that got the most force powers and force points. At high levels, not much could save against whatever he threw at them, and he could use dark side abilities, like life leech, with penalty and still have plenty of force power in reserve... not to mention getting to max out so many useful force powers full skill trees, and a fast force power recharge rate.
This is a game I miss. Not surprising, as it was made by bioware, and built on the same engine as Neverwinter Nights (D&D 3.0), which I played many years prior and loved more than any other game, ever. The game was great out of the box, but it had a magical community that created some very incredible mods. With all the downloadable content it was hands down the best RPG video game I've ever played. Once the mod that added all the 3.x prestige classes and/or templates (even Demilich!!), and the community started putting out some Epic level campaigns it was an entirely new game over and over again.
Edit to add... One thing I would complain about is that the really high level equipment seemed to favor specific builds, meaning to really max out a really strong force power build, to include the ability to wear the +5 wis/dex robes, once had to be light side, and to get to use the cool warrior enhancements one had to lean dark. I actually played this through an iphone app, so I didn't have access to cool community mods like NWN, but I bet it was the absolute bomb on PC.
Yeah, KOTOR is one of the best RPGs I’ve played as well. It’s up there with Skyrim and Dragon Age for me but it’s been a while since I played too.
It sounds like you might’ve played as a dark Consular with a Scout starting class for the extra Force Points and regen. That’s a fun one. Dark Side powers are a lot of fun. I’m playing as a Scoundrel Consular for the Sneak Attack bonus damage from Dark Side Powers and the extra defense and evasiveness. Can’t wait to try Plague and Death Field and Force Storm. Last time I played, I went the Light-Side Jedi Guardian route which was an unstoppable melee tank with Force Push and some more defensive perks.
I remember there being some late-game head gear that was for Light Side only and did decent Wisdom buff, while the Dark Side equivalent which might’ve been head gear too was rather lackluster in comparison. I guess they don’t want us having too much fun playing the Dark Side.
Can’t wait to play KOTOR twice and then check out KOTOR 2 which I’m fresh to since I’ve never played but I’m highly looking forward to.
I played KOTOR 2, and I think it could've been better, but was a good game none the less. I liked the way force powers worked more than the 1st, but I think it only matched the first in ways thst it could've surpassec so maybe I just had my hopes too high. Definitely worth the play, though.