'Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic' Now Available for iPad

Last week, news leaked that Bioware and LucasArts' Star Wars RPG Knights of the Old Republic would be coming to the iPad, and as of today, the game is available for download from the App Store.

Originally released 10 years ago, KotOR is based on the Dungeons & Dragons d20 role-playing system, which has contributed to its popularity. In the game, players choose from three character classes, picking a Jedi subclass later in the game.

Combat is round-based and characters can use Feats and Force powers to battle. Players can recruit two additional companions, who will participate in combat and unlock quest and dialog options in the game. KotOR features a light-and-dark alignment system that tracks both actions and dialog choices to determine the final outcome of the plot.

IGN posted a review of the iPad game this morning, declaring the iPad's touch interface to be well designed, with the exception of movement, which requires guiding character movement with a finger on the screen.

The iPad's touch interface is largely an improvement over the original, save for a few reservations. First, the good: the pause-and-play combat works like a charm, letting you select your attacks and items quickly. It's pulled off beautifully.

Navigating the menus and sorting equipment is also made mostly better by the advent of touch controls, except for a few instances like the Powers menu in which the icons

If the new controls have one Achilles' Heel, though, it's in the movement. Running from place to place involves dragging and then holding a finger to guide your Jedi in the proper direction. This inevitably blocks a significant chunk of the screen with your hand, and worse yet, makes for awkward running in general.

Despite its minor control issues, IGN found the game to be a "must-play," rating it an 8.8 overall. Our sister site TouchArcade will also have a more extensive review of the gameplay available later today.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic can be downloaded from the App Store for $9.99. [Direct Link]