Staff Blog: Mobile Wednesday: KOTOR and XCom!

Mobile Wednesday: KOTOR and XCom!

On 09/17/2014 at 05:08 PM by Matt Snee

kotor

One of the most impressive game ports on iOS is without a doubt KOTOR, or Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, considered by many to be one of the best RPG's of all time. Let's be serious: the fact you can play this classic game on iPads and later model iPhones is pretty damn amazing. It's definitely one of my favorite games, and I have of course been putting in my time playing it since its release. The port includes cleaned up, higher res graphics, and a touch-based control system that works great. It's one of the best games of all time, and also now one of the best games you can get on iOS.

If you haven't ever played KOTOR, and have an iOS device, I certainly recommend it, even if you are only a slight starwars fan. It's a great RPG, with a great, deep story, interesting characters, and an intelligent spin on the universe that's much classier than say... the prequels.

Who knows if KOTOR 2 will make it on iOS devices... the game is famously unfinished (though you can get the "Restored" version on PC's) and is considered a lesser game by many. Though personally, KOTOR2 is my favorite game OF ALL TIME, despite its drawbacks. (if you're curious about KOTOR 2, ask me in the comments down below about it. I definitely recommend it.)

Unfortunately, like many mobile releases, it's not available on Android operating systems yet. Of course, Android users are busy playing phone-based emulators, so there.

KOTOR is a great game, and a great port on iOS, though the file size is large, and you can even have cloud saves so you can play it while switching between multiple devices. Again, having it on an iPad is cool, but the fact you can play it on a phone knocks it out of the park.

xcom

Xcom: Enemy Unknown is another fine port for iOS, a remake of the classic series that first appeared on Xbox and PS3 to rave reviews, and is now available on both iOS and Android. A turn based strategy game at its core, you get to manage your troops and do battle with aliens across various urban and non-urban landscapes. You can customize your troops weapons, skills, names, and appearance, and you can also manage your Xcom base, where you research technology among other fun things.

This is also a great port that lends itself well to the touch screen and mobile play. I loved playing it on consoles, but having it on a handheld is a completely different experience, no doubt.

If you haven't played this game and you like turn based combat or strategy games, I wholeheartedly recommend you check it out. You won't be sorry.

Super Step Contributing Writer

09/17/2014 at 05:20 PM

I think I'd like having an RPG on my phone. Too bad I don't see an iPhone in my future.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

09/17/2014 at 09:10 PM

What kind of phone do u have?

09/17/2014 at 09:14 PM

LG Optimus V. It's an older one, as I've had it since 2011, but even http://ting.com can't beat the $35/mo I get with Virgin Mobile and it hasn't broken yet.

09/17/2014 at 09:20 PM

I have an old iphone. Its a little too small for games but im considering getting one of the new ones. Might wait though i dont really need one and id rather use the money and trade in my ipad for an ipad mini instead.

U can get phones more advanced than mine now for free... The iphone 5c is free if u sign up for a two year contract. But that would probably depend on the monthly rate which i imagine would be more than what u are paying nOw.

i am contract free and not paying much now and i might leave it at that for the moment.

jgusw

09/17/2014 at 08:02 PM

I wish I had a ipad to play KotOR on.

Its definitely nice man. They upgraded the graphics and it looks better than ever.

daftman

09/17/2014 at 11:53 PM

I think it's crazy that you can play these on mobile devices. And now BioShock as well! I tend to stick to smaller experiences on my phone but I think it's cool that they're there.

09/18/2014 at 04:42 AM

yeah I can understand that. I tend to gravitate towards rpg's and strategy and puzzle games on iOS because they work better with touch screens. There's a lot of cool platformers and stuff but I always find the controls frustrating. I would like to get an iOS controller sometime though and try that out.

09/18/2014 at 07:32 PM

Controller support is becoming really prevalent. I'm hoping to get one on Black Friday but I don't know which to go for. There are so many and they all have problems

KnightDriver

09/18/2014 at 02:23 AM

I've played about half of KOTOR 1. At some point I want to go finish it and do KOTOR 2. I have both on Xbox. XCom too. I have it, need time to play it.

you should definitely play all of them. great games, man!

Alex-C25

09/18/2014 at 01:02 PM

Though impressive, I can't see myself playing this kinds of ports. I'm not a big fan of touch controls and not a big fan of the small screen of my Iphone. Maybe Ipad, but I don't have one and I don't plan to have.

09/18/2014 at 01:25 PM

i can understand that. I honestly really dig it though.

NSonic79

I can't even get into my copy of KOTOR on the original Xbox. I can't see myself even trying this on my tablet. I'm not even sure my Acer A500 could even handle these types of games.

I wonder how they compare to their console conterparts. Hopefully better than what became of Bioshock on iOS.

09/18/2014 at 01:33 PM

yeah I think RPG's and strategy games translate a LOT better than action games, not only because you don't need tight controls, but because you can start and stop playing at any time.

goaztecs

09/23/2014 at 11:02 AM

This is the game I should have bought instead of the NBA 2K game for my flight. This would probably be the only way I would actually finish KOTOR because I haven't had the urge to fire up the old X-Box. I think Target has a deal on iTunes cards so I might buy this game.

09/23/2014 at 11:07 AM

you should man, it's a great edition. The turret scene sucks, but once you get past that it's smooth sailing.

PixlBit