Baldur's Gate 3 studio Larian should remake Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is one of the greatest video games of all time and I believe most who have played it would also likely agree.

When I first played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic in 2003 on the original Xbox, it was my first proper introduction to the RPG genre, the Western variety I’ll add. To say that I adore this game would be an understatement. Spending countless hours into the early morning crafting my very own Star Wars story, which usually resulted in an evil Sith ending, was a joy.

Check out the Knights of the Old Republic remake teaser below!

It was also my first proper introduction to BioWare, a love affair that would cross over into Mass Effect and eventually Dragon Age. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic would receive a sequel the following year but this time, BioWare would not be at the helm (presumably working on the first Mass Effect). Another famed RPG developer, Obsidian Entertainment, would be in charge, eventually releasing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords.

Not including the long-running MMORPG, Star Wars: The Old Republic on PC, it’s now been 20 long years since we’ve had a single-player game in this iconic RPG series with fans desperate to see its return. So imagine all the excitement when a remake of the original Knights of the Old Republic was announced at Sony’s State of Play event in 2021 as a timed PlayStation 5 exclusive with a teaser trailer featuring the Sith Lord, Revan.

LucasArts

It was an exciting moment, let me tell you. However, there were concerns that instead of BioWare or Obsidian Entertainment developing the remake, it would instead be handled by Aspyr. At this point, Aspyr had handled some ports, which included both Knights of the Old Republic games for the Nintendo Switch. Surely, for a remake as high profile and beloved as this one, it would be best handled by a team with the experience and the talents to do this game justice, right?

Well, those concerns would soon be justified following news on the remake going radio silent, its publisher, Embracer Group (it was previously SIE), would hand over the developmental reins to Saber Interactive, a studio that is part of the Aspr family and with experience in handling more high-profile games such as World War Z. But still, would Saber Interactive do this remake the justice that it deserves? I’ve not had much confidence in either developer handling a project such as this one and at this moment, my concerns haven't changed. Plus, nearly three years have passed since the announcement of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake and we’re yet to see any gameplay, let alone a release date.

Larian Studios

It would be a fair assumption that this remake may have been lost in the dreaded development hell but perhaps Saber Interactive is making excellent progress, I can only hope. But I just wish, now that Larian Studios’ is done with Baldur’s Gate 3 and with no plans of a sequel or DLC, it would be handed the honour of developing the Star Wars: Knights of the Republic remake from scratch.

Even if it takes four more years from this point, it would be worth its weight in gold. Larian Studios has vast experience with the RPG genre with the Divinity series - and with Baldur’s Gate 3, it has created one of the best and most critically acclaimed video games of all time. I believe with the concoction of the Belgian studio's passion, dedication and talents, there would be no better studio to create an RPG worthy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic’s legendary status.

I know it’s wishful thinking and it may never happen, but if the gaming gods are listening, please give the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake to Larian Studios.