to truly get the "canon" experience, you must have owned the game before it came out on steam and include the mod "party swap". You need another version because mods outside the steam library don't seem to work with the steam version. Anyways. what the party Swap does is, it lets you recruit both the Handmaiden Briana and the Disciple Mical regardless of gender. in canon, Both Briana and Mical became Meetra Surik's students and part of the new Jedi council after Surik left for the unknown regions along with Atton Rand and Visas Marr and Mira with Mical becoming the grand master of the order. I get why they did this though, the gender you choose should have consequences, but I wish they did some other change because it messes with the canon that you can't have both without party swap. the reason it is called "party swap" is because, you only have 9 companion slots and you should have 10 companions, so Briana and Mical take up the same slot, so you swap them in and out, you can't have both in the party at the same time. you can only do so much with a mod I suppose. maybe they will come up with something that lets you use both. Since my old game is buggy, I bought the steam version and play it on occasion, I choose to play as a male because I prefer Briana over Mical. and that is the only reason. I like that Obsidian made the protagonist a woman (Canonically at least), it makes it different from most stories in fantasy. I love the morality system in this game. every companion starts at 50 when you first get them. for each influence gain or loss, you lose or gain 8. As you may have discovered, it is quite impossible to please everyone when playing the light side, but lucky for you, the player, you don't need to. T3-M4 is a light side character, it likes light side choices. Kreia, despite being neutral, prefers the dark side for example (this is not a secret). The others are cool with both. anyways, If you treat some of your companions badly, you lose influence with them and they will be oppositely aligned to you, you will progress their story, but they will be the opposite. so if you are dark, they will be light, while characters you gain influence with will mirror you. so you gain and lose in increments of 8. 58 influence and 42 influence unlock the same dialog, 66 influence and 34 unlock the same, 74 and 26, 82 and 18, 90 and 10 and finally 98 and 2. all these unlock the same part of the dialog with the companion in question. there is a mod added to Bao-durs remote where you can speak to it and ask what your influence with each companion is and it will tell you, very handy. but I don't think the steam version has it.
Another thing I found funny, is that the game tries to teach you how gaining experience in the game works. in the ruins of the enclave, near the end of the game. Zez-Kai-Ell says this "have you noticed how you have become stronger as you slay hundreds, the more you kill, the stronger you get". the first time I heard that I was like "well, yes, that's how XP works" :)
4:42:00 I completely agree with this. Vrook is the biggest pompous ass in the game, always was. Even if you don't play dark side, you want to kill him anyway. I'm not sure if it was ever intended or not. but Bao-Dur dies after that final planet. in Canon, I think he went to the Telos surface to help HK-47 and he dies there. That is why only the other 5 force user companions become members of the Jedi council. I don't know why, but Mira is by far my favourite companion, her humour is fantastic. I found that I like her best as a blaster Jedi. so in my party, she would have blaster pistols and a rifle and then heal and stuff like that while myself and Briana would be the melee characters that change the enemy head-on. Even in that final battle on Malacor, I prefer the run and gun tactic, running away with force speed, then turning to shoot Hanharr and then running again even if you can totally use lightsabers and just cut him to pieces if you have invested in the feats that give Mira more HP and such. I don't know, I just liked the run and gun thing. seeing you level up Mira as you turned her into a Jedi made me sad. level 22 scout, level 1 Jedi Sentinel. This is why I hold levels of my companions that can be turned into Jedi, hold them until after you turned them. Atton can be turned easily on Nar Shaddaa as soon as you arrive, so holding his levels until then is easy. Mira, can with the right dialogue choices also be turned before you leave the planet, but I usually do it after Duxun, you only need a few influence triggers after finishing all her Speech trees. The Handmaiden can be turned when you reach level 18, you need to spar with her 3 times, once at level 12, then 15 and then 18. the Disciple can be turned into a Jedi right after you pick him up, right outside the room you pick him up, just be light side (dark siders lose 1 influence with him right away), then go through all his speech trees and then he should be at 90 influence, which is enough to turn him into a Jedi. You only need to get to 90 with everyone to turn them into Jedi. what armour type you wear limits what powers you can use, like, force speed cannot be used in heavy armour, you can't use force lightning/storm either for some reason, but force wave works just fine. so be mindful of this when picking your feats and powers. 5:36:00 this conversation is of course a bit different if you choose to play as a Jedi Guardian, but we all know Sentinels are the best :) consular is the hardest to play, it is considered the game's hard mode. 5:50:10 what Malak means here is of course when she turned to the dark side in KotOR 1 :) 6:10:00 if you listen carefully at this whole conversation. the Jedi masters are explaining to the player how game mechanics work. Zez-Kai-El explains how experience in the game works, Master Vrook explains how level scaling works (when he says that the stronger you are in the force the stronger they are, that's level scaling). it's quite funny, I never noticed this until years after playing the game. 6:22:00 this conversation is so strange because it's made for the male exile, but not even the mod fixes this dialogue. for the female, it is the disciple that comes to talk to you, not Visas. The cutscenes after you have encountered 3 squads of HK units after that conversation with HK 47 is glorious. he tortures one of the HK-50 droids to reveal where the factory is. The HK factory is one of the most fun parts of the game in my opinion. you can pimp out HK 47's weapons, get all the best blaster mods, it's so much fun. in conclusion: this is such a beautifully flawed game. this is the best game I have ever played. I can easily say that I love this game.
So the original video got copyright nuked to hell following the release of the KotOR 2 Switch port - this is the re-release of the video with multiple small edits to mean it's actually publishable on youtube. Thank you all for sticking with me, thank you to my wonderful guest voice actors, and thank you for watching! Any likes or comments on this video might redeem it from the algorithm hell where it might get buried, so if you have the time or inclination, they'd be super super appreciated
An 8 hour video about the greatest most thought provoking star wars game of all time? Sign me up. There is only one certainty in life: You will lose influence with Kreia.
Influence Gained: Kreia Influence Lost: Kreia Light Side Points Gained Dark Side Points Gained Net Dark Side Shift Experience Gained: 6900 Maximum Force Points Increased Credits Gained: 69 Journal Updated
Hi there! Matt here, script editor and captioner extraordinaire. I will have the captions ready for this video as soon as possible. It's a BIG video though, so please bear with me.
I wondered what you were talking about in regards to the writer at the start of the video. So I did a little research. "Avellone published a denial of the allegations through Medium in June 2021 and stated he had filed a libel suit against two accusers in a California court.[70][71] This libel suit was settled in March 2023, with a settlement that "provides for a seven-figure payment" from the accusers to Avellone. Concurrently the two accusers retracted their original accusations, stating that "Mr. Avellone never sexually abused either of us," and that "We have no knowledge that he has ever sexually abused any women."[72][73][74] They also claimed in the same statement that their previous public statements with regards to Avellone had been "misinterpreted".[75] " Turns out the accusations are false and he's been paid compensation. Just thought I'd leave this here so fans don't get the wrong idea.
@@mogscugg2639 anyone who thinks they can claim SA because a guy is a jerk - well, those women belong in jail if they lied about being assaulted knowingly accusing someone falsely of a crime should get you double the prison sentence of the person you tried to frame
Dear SulMatul, I am speaking as someone whose life got basically shattered in the last year or so due to chronic anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, all of which made me quit school, and also developed an addiction due to chronic pain. So it is not a small thing when I say how thankful I am for your content. I am currently rewatching this video, and have done multiple watches of your Pathologic content. Thanks to people like you and Ruby from Codex Entry, there is just enough escapism for me to get through the day while I'm working on my health. Again, thank you so much for providing such good quality content. It means a lot to me, and to many others I am sure.
I just hit the UA-cam algorithm jackpot with this video. I’ve played the game so much that I just close my eyes, listen to your amazing storytelling and visualize everything going on.
I love the stuff the exile's apprentice is getting up to in the drawn scenes, just hanging out, vibing, living her best life, whilst her mentor tells a freaking eight hour story without pausing for breath because video editing is more powerful than even the force :p
ALL my love! The voice acting is MINT! This really gives a gorgeous extra boost to a story I've loved since it came out. This is very much like doing the ultimate female play through, none of the grinding and battles, all of the good story bits! Thank you so much for this!
Stories with things to say are awesome and make money. But they don't make the maximum possible amount of money, which is what mediocre stories without much to say make. It isn't a problem with consumers or creators, but the people up top directing everything.
Just finished watching all 8 hours of this video. Took me about a week to finish watching. This is an amazing analysis of KOTOR II & how it relates to real life,truly. I agree that this game has become a very intimate and therapeutic experience for me as well. I spent a lot of time over these past six months, watching videos of Kreia speaking specifically, and it feels like she’s speaking to me directly. Her words hold more weight when you’ve been through traumatic situations in your life, are deeply ashamed of yourself, but are still trying to find the strength to pick yourself up and keep moving forward. I liked the ending where you spoke on actively choosing to heal rather than waiting around and doing nothing. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, WE DO! We either make the active choice to heal or the active choice to follow the darkness our traumas cast on our lives. The best scene in the game that conveys this type of cognitive dissonance is where you gather the Jedi Masters on dantooine. Vrook: You we’re deafened Kreia: At last you could hear Kavar: You were broken Kreia: You were whole Zez Kai Ell: You were blinded Kreia: And at last….you SAW I don’t think we will see another game of this type of magnificence within our lifetime.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees/plays the game this way. It's become a very intimate and therapeutic experience for me over the years. The contemplative nature of the story. The characters that put up so many walls (or Pazaak games) to hide the vulnerable, broken core underneath. And I think all of them show it, at one point or another. I'm not finished the video yet but I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the relationship between the Exile and Bao-dur. I'm someone who isn't proud of a lot of things I've done, and like many characters in this game I've been unable to forgive myself and restore what was lost. It's a weight I've carried (Bang) and like Bao-Dur maybe there is no "blood on my hands", just, as the Exile says, "the blood my guilt forces me to imagine." I don't recall many parts of the game where there is only one dialogue option, but when you follow the path of making Bao-Dur a jedi, there is a part where he says how much anger he had felt because of the Mandalorians, Czerka, and Revan. The Exile's only response is, "What about me, for giving the order?" I don't know why but that exchange makes me v emotional. It's just such a human, honest question. Like, well, we both seem to hate ourselves for pretty much the same reason. So you hate me too right..? Nope. Sorry for the length of the comment here but then again this is almost an eight hour video so maybe I can be forgiven lol. But as someone who struggles with anger and depression this game truly has been a great comfort to me in very dark times. It reminds me that many of us feel broken and desperate to forget or leave behind our pain. The people around us can offer more comfort and wisdom than a hundred years in exile. And there is always hope for redemption when there is someone who is willing to forgive. If my use of the word broken seems wrong when referring to the state of myself and the characters, it's not something I see as irreparable. Like a broken bone we need time and solid foundation to grow strong again. Now... reach out
@@SulMatul I genuinely enjoy this game though a pretty big flaw in the story is you really don't get too many grey choices. You often only get a choice to be good or bad to an extreme like with the beggar scenario with Kreia berating you regardless of your choice most of the time. I certainly disagree with what most of Kreia says but it be nice if you had more choices to be either neutral or ambiguous instead of just straight on heroic or villainous.
This, surprisingly, was healing. It nourished a part of my soul I didn’t realize needed to be nourished. Recently I’ve been getting back into Star Wars, I came expecting to learn more about the lore, and now I feel so… touched. I’ve experienced some trauma recently, and I guess Star Wars is a source of comfort for me since it takes me back to being a kid, making up characters and worlds in the universe. I can’t even put it into words, I’m still healing too, and this came at the right time. I’ve watched it in increments, and finished it today. This video is a work of art, the amount of care you put into this, is astounding. Thank you for creating this.
Was halfway through watching this over several days when it got removed. Glad it’s up again and thank you for doing so! I love entertaining the ideas of the Jedi and the Sith and for someone to discuss these and more over the greatest game that explores those ideas is fantastic Thanks again
A deeply personal video essay which is also a terrific retelling of the game that was and what it could have been. Congratulations to everyone involved in the production of this massive work!
Kreia is Arren Kae; it is all but confirmed in the game: * Every mention of Revan's teachers mentions Kae as his first or primary teacher (at minimum, his only female teacher). Kreia likewise states that she was Revan's first (and last) teacher. All the master likewise name Kae / Kreia as the reason for his fall. (Atris also calls out that "Kreia" is not Kreia's name). * The Disciple specifically recognizes Kreia before anyone else and is confused as to why she is doing what she is doing. He would have been around to know Kae before she left for the wars (considering he also knew Revan, Malak & the Exile before they left for the wars as well). * Kreia has unique dialogue for both approval & disapproval on Nar Shaddaa regarding Aida & Lootra, revealing herself to have been hurt by a "Lootra" in the past (likely Yusanis abandoning her on Malachor, or him otherwise leaving her for his first wife & daughters). She praises you when you encourage them to look out for each other and others, but will tear into Lootra's "weakness" if you don't give him such encouragement. * Kae & Kreia were both thought to have died on Malachor V - no other female jedi are called out this specifically (this is the same time when the master's declare Kreia as the one responsible for Revan's fall in front of the Exile, like they did in the holorecording). * Kreia is the only one in the game familiar with Brianna's mother, and actively dodges the question on 'how' she knows about Kae. She also hesitates before calling Kae beautiful; Atton likely identifies that Kreia used to be beautiful before going through the hell that age [and war] have put her through. A bit of arrogance, perhaps? Why else would Kreia call out such a superficial trait in Kae specifically? She doesn't do such for anyone else (sans when answering the Exile on how she perceives the Exile). * Kreia will go out of her way to turn Brianna away from you & romance if your influence with Visas is higher than Brianna, and regardless of influence she puts extra pressure on you to avoid romancing & avoid training Brianna. Not so for anyone else that you can train. It would make sense that Kreia doesn't want her daughter following her path - a small mercy amid how she is willing to manipulate her daughter. * The only one who doesn't mention Kae as a master of Revan is Kreia. She does mention Xhar (calling him a fool), but that is the only one she calls by name. Yet she doesn't think Kae is important enough to mention, while everyone else who discusses Revan's training does mention Kae as one of his teacher's? * "Kreia" itself could be seen as a synthesis between her prior names: Arren Kae & Darth Traya. ** More in terms of narrative construction: why would they be different characters? Why all the focus on Kae compared to any other master of Revan if she's ultimately inconsequential to the game and barely has any lore relevance on her own (as being Brianna's mother would not be enough to devote to her the place of Revan's only named female master)? What is Kreia's actual backstory before her time as Darth Traya if she is not Kae (remember that nothing she says can be trusted outright - no one that would have known her calls her Kreia, Atris confirms her name isn't Kreia, and the other masters only confirm she 'caused Revan's fall' and was thought to have died on Malachor V). If these two characters are not one in the same, then both end up as incomplete characters - Kae becomes superfluous, while Kreia becomes somewhat nonsensical in her motivations from the lack of background (and as the game, Kreia & Exile all point out, history is important. It isn't something the writers would have just left out. And it would take more than war to make Kreia as jaded as she is. She had to go through personal tragedy & betrayal too, beyond Revan making his own decisions and falling victim to the Force. Someone or something had to break her own heart too).
Honestly, this video is probably at the top of my favorites list, definitely so as far as game retrospectives go. Its a perfect blend of a playthrough w/ commentary, character breakdown, and your own personal story told in tandem with Meetra's story in game. The creativity you put into it, from the immersive dialogue you add to her character to the 4th wall breaking "FUCK YOU VROOK" moments that I guarantee made everyone chuckle because we we've all said it too at one point or another in the game, make this video so easy to get lost in. You've completely transformed the way I experience this game. It adds so much emotion to a game from an era when capturing all of those emotions and thoughts wasn't quite possible, and still might not be. And as a quick side note if you do read this, thank you so much for your irl work in the medical field. In spite of all the hatred and cruelty the world has shown, you chose to go out and help others instead. We may live in a world without the force, but we do have the Jedi exile walking among us. And she makes amazing youtube videos! May the force be with you, always
What makes listening to the Jedi absolutely *insufferable* is how they claim to know your emotions better than you do. "You didn't do this because of the reason you just said, you did it because of the reason I am telling you." It's infuriating and I hate it, and it makes the experience of listening to this video for the 6th time this week simply immaculate every time.
If your upbringing was anything like mine, the reason it rankles you so much is that it reminds you of how your parents/siblings/people at your church tried to get inside your head and acted like they had some special knowledge of your own private thoughts and feelings which you simply weren't privy to, or "You'll understand later, trust me." ... *Sigh*
That isn't what they are saying. They are saying there is an additional element to what has been happening around you - that you are, to an extent, a "Typhoid Mary" of the Force, unwittingly harming everything connected to you (which is everywhere you've been and everyone you've met) because of what happened at Malachor V (they don't have a solution beyond cutting you off from everything, while only the player / Exile can make the decision to confront and overcome the trauma of that event). They are saying those around you are the ones not entirely acting of their own free will (something Mira, Atton, Brianna & Mical all confirm if you kill a random innocent with them in the party - Mira even confirms it outside of dialogue if you ask her why she is suddenly killing so easily even though she hates killing). It is important to remember that this game is not purely a Heroine's Journey - it is also a deconstruction of the Force, and the influence it has over all things in the Star Wars universe.
@@DBArtsCreators Both of these are true. Yes, the Exile is a walking cosmic horror that influences the people around them, but the Jedi Masters wrongly interpret this as the Exile being a leech that uses their followers as pawns (because the Masters ultimately care about themselves more than others, and see the Exile’s influence as a threat, which in turn influences the conclusion they reach). They reframe the Exile’s suffering at Malachor V as a “crucible” that taught a lesson, rather than a traumatic event that the Exile is still recovering from. In the end, Visas tells the Exile why people follow them: because they are a natural leader, nothing more. It’s a quality they’ve always had, and isn’t defined by their trauma.
Just finished, I'm always overjoyed to see my favourite game being discussed after so many years later. This was a wonderful and deeply personal video which has touched me greatly, thank for going to what must have been an enormous effort to create it. I must also add that your perspective and analysis of the game was extremely refreshing, one which granted me the experience of seeing an artwork I know so intimately in a new light. That is a rare and precious gift for which I must again express my gratitude. On a final gushing note, you also have a beautifully soft yet soulful voice which had a profoundly calming effect on me.
When i found this video. I thought that I was gonna be for yet another long form review and critique ala Salt Factory style. But what I was treated to was a far deeper, far more intricate and detailed breakdown. Philosophy, trauma, healing, friendship, and far more. Not only is this my favorite breakdown of my favorite Star Wars game of all time. But it's a way to educate others on how trauma affects us, those around us and how we move forward from that trauma rather than letting it consume us and keeping us trapped in the dark. SulMatul has done a phenomenal job with this video and never having heard of her channel before seeing this video, I think this was the best way I could have ever found it. Creators like her and those who helped her in creating this video are the reason I love seeing super long form content on this platform. And I hope I can see more from her in the future. Thank you for this video Sulmatul. You've brought so much justice to this overly cut gem of a game.
The strange thing about the dark side exile is that her existence is absolutely vital to serve as a counterpoint to why the light side ending isn’t horrifically melancholy. I’m also of the opinion that Hanhaar is the most interesting wookie in star wars, though that may be due to kreia-proximity.
It’s a ridiculous complaint after 8 hours of incredible content, but I was surprised you didn’t highlight how dysfunctional the Exile’s crew is, and how many conversations between them either threaten or include violence.
@@MattSkylar I suppose it's ridiculous less because there wasn't time to analyze everything, but rather because I rather obviously loved the hell out of this video, given that I spent eight hours watching it. To enjoy something that much and then follow up with only a negative critique is, frankly, ridiculous.
Interesting video so far (will take a while to watch it all so I can comment at greater length. Just one minor correction: Telos is apparently restored to some extent by either the Ithorians or Czerka though each rebuilds the planet in its own image. If Czerka restores it, Kreia's end game prophesy seems to imply it is rebuild as a city of steel dedicated to material concerns: "Telos shall recover, Czerka shall make it a place of machines and sciences, it will run smoothly and cold like a machine, but it will not forget the time Saul Kareth orbitted it and brought fire to it. It shall learn to defend itself against war and it shall never again be caught defenceless." By comparison, siding with the Ithorians produces this result: "under the care of the herds of Ithor the surface of Telos will bloom again and its golden fields shall again habour scientists and thinkers. Complacent and peaceful it shall forget the time that Saul Kareth orbitied it and brought fire to its skies. But it shall be a homeworld to others and streach out across the galaxy and bring life." It's a bit reminiscent to me of the two cities built by the inheritors of Begum's Fortune in the novel by the same name. This aspect seems to be even more consistent with your larger point regarding trauma in the sense that one choice eventually heals the planet not only physically but also its intersubjective sense of identity while the other permanently alters it into something shaped by the trauma and the cause of not allowing any harm to come to it ever again. I can think of quite a few real-life societies which once faced a similar crossroads and went both ways.
Okay, sorry this is long but I’ve just had the most amazing revelation about this game during this video and wanted to show my appreciation for you making this video since it has cemented the idea to me that this is the best game ever. Okay here goes: the entirety of KOTOR II, the entire game, is an exploration of the idea that Jolee Bindo brings up when talking with Revan about love. I had this idea after the confrontation with the council members. The exile forms bonds and leads everyone she meets in the ways of the light using compassion-she loves them, and she is not wrong for loving them as the rest of the Jedi council seems to think she is. The Jedi council is afraid of the exiles power of love, of the connections that she forms using it, and their hysteria culminates in their deeming the exile as a sith, as a threat, because those connections formed with love could be dangerous and those who follow the exile could be dragged down with her. They think the exile’s compassion and love borne from the trauma experienced at malachor v is a threat, so they try to kill/cut her off from the force to prevent her from loving and bonding with others. The exile is the mirror image of Darth Nihilus. While darth nihilus feeds off of the force in others and preys on all life to selfishly feed himself, the exile forms connections with all life through love and compassion and bolsters that life. Darth nihilus is the representation of a parasitic relationship, of someone who twists love (connections, life) for their own selfish gain; the exile is the representation of selfless love that forms strong and caring relationships. With all of this in mind, the absolutely existential and cosmic hypocrisy of the Jedi reveals itself. The greatest flaw in their teachings becomes apparent; they teach that love should be avoided because it can lead to the dark side, to bad things, when in fact love is what saves people. In the words of Jolee Bindo (because I can’t say it better): “The Jedi, with their damnable sense of over-caution, would tell you love is something to avoid. Thankfully, anyone who’s even partially alive knows that’s not true. Love doesn’t lead to the dark side. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled…. But passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love…. that’s what they should teach you to beware. But love, itself, will save you…. not condemn you.” “Love causes pain, certainly. Inevitably, love is going to lead to as much sorrow and regret as it does joy.” “How you deal with the bad part of love is what determines your character, what determines the dark side’s hold over you.” It is amazing how contradictory the Jedi teachings are in light of all this. The very thing they claim to uphold-love-is the one thing that they avoid and actually excommunicate members of their order for practicing. Ironic. Well then, the only logical conclusion I can draw is that Jolee Bindo and the exile are the only true Jedi we have ever seen in Star Wars media; they are perfect-perfect in their acknowledgment of their imperfection, and their willingness to do what they thinks is right. This is the main reason that makes KOTOR 2 such a satisfying game to play for me when I play it light-sided; you get to become the truest form of a Jedi in the face of such twisted hypocrisy from those who claim to be Jedi, and in the face of nihilistic doom that is kreia’s teachings. Bottom line, thank you so much for making this video, it really fleshed out some of the ideas I kind of had regarding the game already but didn’t quite grasp and put together to form a meaningful conclusion. The way you narrate and put such emotion into it is just amazing-so is the editing, just awesome. I also love how your analysis revealed so many more themes I didn’t discuss above that I never even realized were there right in front of me when playing this game! Genuinely made me tear up at the end :’)
2:25:40 I remember as a kid being frustrated at Atton because I thought he was screwing me over and wouldn't teach me the cool mind shielding ability. But I get what he meant now, once you affirm in your head you're "playing Pazaak to shield your thoughts" the thought in it of itself leaves the door open to have your mind read, so you must trick your mind into JUST playing Pazaak because you want to play Pazaak in your head. Fucking. Genius.
whenever i get weird cringe thoughts or memories i just beatbox or imagine music in my head as loud as possible to numb the brain, basically the same thing. thanks ayn rand
I made a couple of comments on the previous video mainly stating that the timeline for Brianna never knowing her mother to be slightly strange since it was 10 years after her birth that her mother was found out (and assuming that her mother went straight onto the Mando wars she would be 20 by the start of kotor 2), indicating that she would have had 10 years to know her mother. While there are certainly explanations, I mentioned that it is possible that she had her memories altered (by force users). I also mentioned that framing Kreia as simply an abuser is unfair as for the most part her actions do not lead to the exile's trauma (in fact one could argue that her bringing the exile back led to the exile resolving their trauma and finding mechanisms to cope with it)
@@BobMcBobJr It's amazing how upfront and honest she is throughout the game in regards to who she is/was. There are very few stories where the mentor character will state that they are responsible for so much of the stories events and actively explain what caused them.
Finally finished it- this was absolutely wonderful, and the end brought me to tears. Thank you so much for making this - KOTOR2 is one of my favorite games of all time in large part due to the excellent story. The lens you brought to it here shines a new light on it, and hit close to home for me due to my own internal struggles. I'm going to have to find my way back to the Force - make some tough decisions. Apathy is death, and I much prefer living.
Wow. It's taken me a couple of sittings to watch the video and process all that you've said and I'm glad I found it. This was so beautiful and honest and tender. I cried in the end for you, for myself and for all those out there who've been on the exile's path. Thank you. I cannot express my gratitude sufficiently. As someone who loves to dive deep into Star Wars for political, philosophical and spiritual reasons, this video was food for my soul. Also as someone who's had a turbulent journey with gender, this video helped me empathise stronger with you and with myself in the past. I will not stop talking about this video.
This is a really special video - probably my favorite analysis of KOTOR II out there. I've been playing this game for over a decade now, and there are story beats, themes and messages that I didn't quite pick up until I watched this. Thank you so much for your work in putting this together, and congratulations on an excellent final - I think the best kind of art is the one that you get something constructive from once you're done experiencing it, and this video certainly fit the bill.
I’ve had this on my to-watch list for a while and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here. But it was perfect timing as I had a day to just listen as the day went on. Your use of the heroine’s journey to examine the story was fantastic and gave me a much deeper understanding of the story. (And taught me that the concept exists) Thank you for this awesome experience. And for sharing your personal story and how it paralleled the feelings of the game’s narrative.
I regret that I have but one like to give. :) Thank you so very much for making this monster of a video - you played The Exile to _perfection_, to the point that my brain was more interpreting this as 'audiobook' or 'the movie of' than 'analysis'. Hearing your concluding notes, I can understand why the role of The Exile was such a natural fit for you, and I hope you'll take it as the compliment I mean when I say I expect I'll be hearing your voice speaking her lines the next time I play. In part because of your performance and in part because of just how moving the story is, I'm not ashamed to say there were a few parts where I was nearly in tears. I also want to thank you for the service you've done - there are several people I know that I think would really, really appreciate the story of KOTOR 2 but either aren't hardcore gamers or just don't have the time in the foreseeable future to play an RPG this big and sprawling - but a 'movie of', that they can take at their leisure, with the unimportant bits (such as most of the fighting) cut out? I suspect that might be a much more palatable option for them. Also, made me so happy to hear someone defending The Last Jedi, even in passing. It's surely flawed, but it is by far the most _interesting_ of the Sequel Trilogy, and that's in no small part due to the risks it took in trying to deconstruct (and reconstruct) some of the setting's axioms. Bravo!
So many people think Kreiya straight up killed the Jedi counsel, if you point out what she said they'll say she was a liar, but watching the scene again you can clearly see she has no reason to lie, she wants you to hate her, and the counsel dies, who were those words left for if that was the result? She cut their connection to the force and they chose death, whether that was a fair test to thrust on them or not is beside the point, it was a test they could have passed, and they refused.
No, that's not how it worked and its troublesome that people work along this interpretation despite the the story depicting evidently otherwise. Claiming they "chose death", or that they "could have passed and they refused" or implying they had any sort of option doesn't follow: *Choice* is a decision we can actively make in conscious consent, a state of awareness. The only way the Exile survived is through unconscious bodily reaction, and working with the expectation that they "chose" it because their bodies didn't unconsciously react quickly enough without active input of their own is a gross misinterpretation of choice. There is no such thing as simply blocking someone off from the Force resulting in death unless the aggressor actively CHOOSES to take it that far, which is what Kreia does, in fact that's explicitly what the Masters are currently in the process of doing to the Exile just in the moment before Kreia steps in. Cutting someone off from the Force isn't a violent technique. It's just Force Sever and requires great concentration and power; It's actually a Jedi technique. The difference between Force Sever and Force Drain is that while Sever Force creates a Force Wall around the individual that cuts the individual off from the Force, the amount of prolonged pressure determining how permanent the affect will be (like how oxygen supply can cause permanent loss of some functions), Force Drain does the same thing but instead of putting a blocker in front of them until most of their midichlorians(*1*), or Force connection, runs out of "oxygen supply", aka deafened, you instead form an unwilling Force Bond with the victim and violently sap their connection for yourself by bursting each and every midichlorian(*1*) at once. Functionally similar powers but taken to the highest level. The exile survived this because her midichlorians(*1*) stopped responding out of instinctual fear of overstimulus, BEFORE they were all bursted at once, or she would also not be alive. Traya does not simply Sever their Force connection or they too would be alive, and the game establishes such a difference. The exile's body responded to the trauma unconsciously out of fear before she died, and even she did not understand how her connection was lost. She actually thinks the Council used Force Sever on her and this is repeated in her questioning the Council, "why did you cut me off from the Force?" Kreia herself is trying to understand how the Exile survived when she appears to be void of the Force's influence. And we know these Masters had not even the slightest clue how Force Drain works. The whole game repeats the message that Force Drain is a power forgotten to all except Darth Malak, Darth Revan, the ancient Sith, and the Triumvirate. Kreia knows the Jedi have no understanding of Force Drain and are clueless in how to defend against it.
(*1*) footnote to explain the use of midichlorians before anyone tries to argue it invalidates this message when it doesn't. Midichlorian is simply the proper term for the translation conduit between a person's body and the connection to the energy field that binds them to the universe. "Midichlorians" while not stated as such in KOTOR, still exist as an overarching part of the meta narrative, and just aren't given the label - listen to the Exile talking to Disciple about the energy field of the universe or Kreia educating the Exile on the Force being a sieve in which Force Wielders draw upon, and how that draw can be utilized. While it is not categorized as such, it is valid denotation so I don't have to repeat "intermediary essence conductor between universe and self" every time, when the concepts are functionally the same. And despite what people may think, all Star Wars stories were scrutinized to be consistent with established continuity by LFL Holocron. While creative liberties granted freedoms to write new complexities to the Force, stories could not disrupt or misinterpret the general meta scope of what was Star Wars. Logical cosistency is important and Star Wars, before the buy out, valued such consistencies.
Just finished the whole video, thank you for doing this, amazing work. Love the way you narrated everything, sort of turns the game into a movie. Also loved all the little edits and such, bursted out in laughter at many moments. Kotor 2 is my favourite game of all time, it's lessons have been etched into my soul, Kreia was basically my parent when I grew up haha. You know what's crazy, I've been researching about dissociation recently and realised that's something I did as a child to survive the trauma I experienced, and why all my life I've always felt separated from reality, and also the feeling of carrying around a black hole in my heart, and why I have difficulty feeling my feelings sometimes. Anyway, you started talking about it and it all just clicked in my head, why I love the game so much, why I resonate with the exile so much. Actually I'm currently living out an exile of my own. Since the end of 2022, I've been living in a tent, moving from place to place until settling in this national park for the last year. I'm typing this in my tent now. but hearing your wisdom has made me realise maybe I need to connect with others again to reconnect to "the force" again, to reconnect to my heart again. I've always felt broken, empty, a shell, apathetic, powerless. You have shown me a path forward with these video and I thank you for that. It's rare to find someone else in the world that I resonate with, and you, I find resonance. Also thanks again for opening up and being vulnerable at the end of the video. I'm sorry to hear about the trauma you endured :( I'm glad you have healed from it though, even if it's just a little :) Anyway, excellent work once again making a top notch 8 hour video on the best story ever made.
I'm two hours in and I'm LOVING the video so far! It's like watching a deeply interesting video essay and a let's play simultaneously. I played this game when I was around 9 years old. Since english wasn't my first language, and since I had only started learning it a year earlier, I had troubles understanding the dialogue at times. That atmosphere though, that's something I will never forget. Never before had anything Star Wars related made me feel genuinely unnerved. It almost felt like a horror game, in some aspects. It's a shame that the franchise as a whole didn't seem to learn too much from this game, but I'm very glad that we at least got this.
I don’t usually leave many comments, but I wanted to thank you for the video - it was beautiful. Kotor2 is one of my favourite games, for many of the same reasons you named here. Mostly just for relating to the exile, but there were some other things I took with me. Like you, I also have a trauma history, and the game had quite an impact on me, when I first played it at 14/15-ish. If it’s okay, I’ve written down some of the ways in which it has impacted me and some of the thoughts I have on the game. There was the willingness to criticise the things I love, which has helped a lot in nuance. You’ve already mentioned that though. But there was also - ironically - the true lesson of strength. For me that translated into trusting myself to make decisions, to trust that others didn’t always know better than me and that I was capable enough on my own. It can feel dangerous standing by your own opinion, but at the end of the day, there’s no one else who’d know what’s good for you better than yourself, is there? Lastly, and slightly related to the above point, is just the fact that choices matter, and that our choices make us who we are - not what we’ve been through. I don’t want to get too into it, but for a long time I thought I was a bad person, and as dumb as I feel saying it, but this game was part of the realisation for me - that I could choose to be a good person, and that I wasn’t doomed to hurt everyone I care about. No one is born good or bad, it’s all in how we choose to act towards other people. And that is the reason why I personally can not bring myself to hate Kreia - because that is what I interpret her lesson to be. To trust your own judgment and make the choices you believe in - without regrets. Her whole thing is getting rid of the force (practically destiny or god), and she admires the exile and Revan, who she perceives to be “free” to act as they choose. Unfortunately Kreia just chose the most manipulative and abuse way to teach her lesson?? 🥴 Completely unnecessary and counter-intuitive, if you think about it. Anyway, I apologise for the long comment and the personal nature of this. The ending of the video just.. kinda struck a cord lol. Once again, thanks!!
Here to feed the algorithm again! I had a really good comment about how Attons pazakk trick is actually a grounding techniques used to make the mind let go of extreme emotions, its a component of many kinds of therapy and I love tidbits like that in this game. Which lets be honest is part of what makes it a true classic for me
A top notched narration and explanation of KOTOR II. This game has far more subtle interaction than just about any game I have ever played, and I like the fact that your narration gives context and explanation that I lacked as a younger person when I first played this wonderful game. Thank you.
The light side and dark side versions of the Exile both correspond to different reactions to trauma that I've seen in my life. On the Light Side: The Exile goes through the difficult and painful journey of digging up and confronting the past. It sucks, it hurts and people like the Jedi Council will judge you. But you learn from all of it and slowly become a different, better person. Sometimes you have to deal with people like Atris who will always see you in the worst possible way. But you heal, you move on and you're better for it. On the Dark Side: The Exile bathes in the pain and the hurt to such an extreme that they let it control them. They lash out at everything and everyone while being obsessed with hurting the people they hold responsible for their pained state. It might feel good in the moment but it leaves the world and people around them worse. In this corrupted state the Exile never heals because they are never able to let go of their trauma. If you refuse to move on then might find yourself like Darth Sion or Hanharr. A slave to your own pain.
The fact that I, a chronically online gender haver and Star Wars fan, have never come across this video until now is insane. I cannot wait to binge the entire thing
So I've just finished watching your video after a couple of days, and I must say that this is one of those YT videos I'm going to be rewatching for years to come. Thank you so much for your hard work!
Hands down the best literary retrospective of KOTOR 2 I’ve found on UA-cam. You’re a really great writer, and your points about the game’s metaphors for several aspects of the Heroine’s Journey, trauma, abuse, and healing are super insightful. Thanks a lot !
I attempted to beat Kotor2 twice and both times became frustrated with various aspects of the gameplay. But I loved the story and the characters, and this video feels like the definitive way to experience those aspects of the game. (Your voiceover for the Exile elevates the material that much more!)
Always related pretty hard to this game as a usmc veteran myself. Incredibly written game once restored. Thank you for this unreal video about one of my favorite games! Found you after I listed to your feature on signalis.
I'm so glad this is back. I loved it when I first saw it but I only got part way as it was my entertainment during my commute so I am grinning ear to ear
Never expected youtube to recommend me this gem. I mean, I though Salt Factory's video was taking on each detail, but you take it for entirely another level. Such personal approach to the story of the exhile. appreciate you sharing how this story resonates with you. And of course all the animations and illustrations are such a neat touch. That was wonderful.
I just wanted to say that this is in my list of greatest youtube videos I've ever watched. That was magnificent - an excellent analysis of one of the best games I've ever played. Thank you for your work on this - I cannot imagine how hard something of this magnitude must have been.
Already 2.5 hours in, will come back to finish later. amazing job. Never played this game but I've heard a lot about it and I love that u gave it a similar script treatment to ur pathologic vids. Although I love straight analysis, you pace it really well with the "narrative>analysis>narrative" pattern u got going on here. Hope that makes sense lol
I am popping this in as I just start watching, I am ecstatic to see such a long and cool looking video and you are 100% correct to infodump Kreia quotes on people!
As someone who's really burned out on Campbell's Funtime Sphere, I really enjoyed learning about the Heroine's Journey framework a lot. The way it centers connection is profoundly refreshing, contrasted with the Hero's cycle ending in their alienation.
This is probably the best KOTOR 2 retrospective video I've watched, honestly. I really loved how you read out your character's dialogue, included artwork and other original content, included guest voice actors, and really dug into every aspect of the game you could. Your perspective on the game and the effort put into the video shows an intense appreciation of this masterpiece, and I couldn't be more pleased about that. To that end, minor feedback: In-game speech portions are just a bit loud in comparison to your speech.
Crazy to see what to see what the Ashkhan of the Urshilaku tribe got up to after accepting the outlander as the Nerevarine and surviving the Red Year. Guess the ash storms really do fuck up one's voice.
Knights of the Old Republic 2 is brilliant, but your playthrough and commentary add a truly beautiful perspective to it. I have half a mind to download the audio from your video and play it as a long form podcast. Thank you so much for sharing this with the world.
glad you were able to re upload was half way through and then watched a little more through mirror then that went down. THANKS FOR THE HARD WORK GETTING IT BACK UP!
Thank you so much for this. I've been listening to this every night as I cook dinner. It's the most immersive play through I've ever seen. Your commentary made the game so much more enjoyable. Thank you again
I just wanted to tell you that this is an absolutely wonderful video and I wanted to thank you for making it. You've done a great job and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. :-)
Thank you for making this. This video is my introduction to your channel. I love the lens you put onto this, the story you craft with your own experiences and meanings. Mid watching I look at your various sources and something your thumbnail artist posted 4 years ago resonated heavily; "The best parts of KOTOR are what happened in your head." I fully agree, which means each time I see someone else's story/experiences of this or most things, I get to see new best parts. I'm glad this game helped in some way, that you felt seen and empathized with, that you were known and that you choose such. Besides of all of that, I really love all the effort put in. An 8 HOUR video, with literary analysis, music and songs, art and animations and an interpretation of the whole thing while also preserving the base itself. I love the passion. I suppose in a way, I love you. The kind of love one has for someone who is willing to share their wounds and their feelings both, which helps me with my own. Thank you. This was an amazing watch over 3 days, and has provoked so many feelings, so much happiness and second hand catharsis.
This video was a beautiful journey through my favorite game ever. Thank you so much for putting this together alongside your heartfelt perspective on the narrative, brilliant editing, and fantastic voice acting. Thank you so much. And may the force be with you, always.
KotOR 2 has been my favorite video game since I was 14 years old and blissfully unaware of my various impending mental health struggles and queer realizations, but even before becoming conscious of all that, it resonated so deeply with me. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s gone back to it again and again over the years only for it to fit our lives better and better each time. This analysis is beautiful; your Exile is a true gem; I can’t thank you and your collaborators enough for all your hard work. Baby’s first 8 hour UA-cam analysis experience is 1000000000/10. I will definitely be rewatching this a lot
One of the best video analysis I have ever seen. You should be very proud of your work. This isint just a passion project made during the pandemic, your takes and your analysis goes above and beyond. Happy pride month, and thank you for this amazing piece of star wars history.
It took me a full week to find the time to make it through this, but it has become a parallel to a struggle I've been dealing with. something you may know too well. thank you for this. your roleplaying, your dissection, your honesty, and beauty and truth. it was worth every single minute. thank you.
This was an incredible video. The amount of work and thought you put into my favourite Star Wars story is staggering. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with us.
I've probably watched a dozen video essays on KotOR 2 at this point, but I think this is the best one. You really drilled down to the emotional core of why I love this game. Character development and emotional resonance have always been what I'm drawn to in storytelling, and you covered that perfectly. Thank you for making this, it was a joy to watch. I particularly enjoyed you playing out the important dialogue in the video. The dialogue is the biggest strength of the game, but many videos gloss over it and fail to capture the real fun of the game as a result. It ends up making the examination feel hollow, though I guess that's appropriate considering the themes of the game funnily enough. EDIT: Also, I really appreciated how much you covered the theme of trauma and healing. It's a subject that hits close to home. I guess a lot of people can say that. I don't know, I just really liked the way you talked about it. It made me reflect on some things in my life and feel positive about the ways I've moved past things and changed for the better.
Wow, just got done watching all 8 hours and this is an amazing piece of work. So much thought and effort into this and every moment in those 8 hours were so well done. You have me sobbing at your final thoughts as I also realised just how similar I am to the exiles story. And is why I love KOTOR 2 so much without realising it. Thank you so much for this
Making my way through and I really want to say that I love the way you're discussing the companion characters. I feel like KOTOR2 gets overlooked in a lot of discussion around characters in RPGs (IMO because it was just never as popular as the games you typically see in those discussions), but it has incredibly interesting ways of presenting some of them. The one in particular that always stuck out to me was Atton and you have done a lovely job of pointing out exactly what the things about Atton are that make his story compelling. It isn't just a story of possible redemption or a tragic backstory for the cocky rogue, it's someone being incredibly uncomfortable with even the idea of telling their own story and the player not being allowed to force it. The way KOTOR2 spaces out the reveals on your companions (though at times kind of frustrating), is a good idea that works in practice more than it doesn't. Even the most forgettable companions in KOTOR2 (lookin at you, G0-T0) are, to my mind, more impactful than *most* of what you can find in its contemporaries. Plus, I think the sort of mentor-mentee dynamic is done so beautifully in this game. Not just the relationship between Kreia and the Exile, but in the Exile and their possible disciples. Each character in the crew teaches you *something* even if they don't realize it. It's an incredible give and take that is so much more interesting than "You have the Force in you boy, take this laser sword and join my monastic order of weirdo wizards." Atton's strategies for combatting having his thoughts read is a pretty obvious example of this, but my favorite will always be Bao-Dur's perspective on Malachor V. Getting to see that event through the eyes of someone much closer to the boots on the ground than the lofty Jedi General is so meaningful. A sentiment that you and your animatic artist have captured beautifully. ANYWAY: thanks for making this. It's great.
Rewatching this video after a full year of serious health issues and very recently realizing that I was trans I just have to say: Thank you for this video. Kotor 2 was really important in changing how i looked at media, and hell i took my name from the handmaiden cuz of what i realize now was nearly 2 decades of gender envy. Your work is amazing and the world is better for it. Now to load up kotor 2 one more time.
I cried watching this video. I've played and completed this game more times than any other. The gameplay mechanics aren't amazing by any stretch of the imagination. It's fun for sure, but that's not why I've played this one more than a dozen times. This is the game that I chose a name, my chosen name. This video made me feel seen and I love you for it! Thank you for this beautiful analysis of an amazing gaming experience. I didn't realize it at the time, but this game definitely helped me to deal with a lot of trauma in my life.
i just finished this - absolutely incredible, i have no doubts that this will become one of the long videos i come back to over and over again - it never loses me to long windedness or monotony. you have a very beautiful, calming voice and your other voice talent is amazing as well.
I'm only 1 hour into watching as I type this, so forgive me if I bring up something that is addressed in the video later. That first confrontation with Atris was one of the most satisfying experiences I ever had in a computer game. The beauty of it is that it's driven 100% by the strength of the writing and the characterization of the two people engaged in the dialogue - and YOU control one of them. The dialogue choices you make carry so much nuance, and the effects they have on Atris have so many layers to them. And the subtext to it is romantic, not sexual - love, not lust. That's such an important distinction that is often ignored in most shallow video game "romances". It exacerbates Atris' own internal conflicts and doubts about whether she made the right choice, which she then projects as pure hostility and certainty. The plot was about stopping the Sith, but the game was about the Exile - or, rather, who the player makes her into. Atris, Kreia, Sion, Atton, Mira, Bao Dur are all forever changed by their interactions with Exile - not just the choices you make, but how and why you made them. It stays with me to this day.
Only partway through, but I need to comment. Or I'll forget. The move into act 2, with the whole transitioning to a new self theme... I haven't played since before starting my own transition, but I somehow missed that and I freakin' love it. I adore your voice, by the way. Very relaxing.
I did that drawing of atris (50:07) a couple years ago and seeing it here was a nice surprise! KOTOR 2 is such a special videogame to me, I'm loving the video so far
I'm a year late to this but just in case you still read these comments I want to say thank you. I grew up on all kinds of Star Wars at a really early age and love it so much, the OT, the prequels, the KotORs, SWTOR, many books, but I've felt so muddled for so long. Guilt over liking KotOR 2 because of the writer, guilt over liking any of it now that my money goes to a horrible megacorporation, sadness at how much everybody hates what they once loved. All these things, constant efforts by Disney to recycle those feelings ad nauseum and the genuine tiring of everybody myself included kind of made me forget how genuine and strong my love is. And I wanted to say to you that 2 hours in your video is already helping me feel centered, relaxed, appreciative, connected, and a heck of a lot better in a time when it's really needed. Thank you so so much your video is wonderful and your insight, narration, and passion really shine, and I can't shake the feeling you're a sort of Jedi Exile too in that way. Thanks again ^_^ PS: I played through KotOR 2 last summer and was surprised to find that there is a second, more true message than Nihilism that I think you picked up on as well. Playing through it, when I followed Kreia's insight but not her advice and looked past Jedi, Sith, looked past past and future, and tried to do what I felt was right for the characters and worlds around me in the moment, the game *responded.* Even when directly disobeying her she actually seemed to appreciate when I made an effort to strike balances and be adaptable. It actually made me kind of creeped out how much the whole game started to change when I understood this actual message, that Kreia doesn't want you to be her perfect student, not to be nihilistic etc, she knows it's flawed, and living both sides of life and personally suffering while using that to understand how to empathize with others and share in both commonalities and differences is something *every* *single* *character* is on the path towards and *actively* drew strength from as I was playing, even Kreia herself. It was insane I can't express how much the whole game started to tangibly shift when I played it that way. For all its countless flaws and its writer's unforgivable ones this is a masterpiece beyond what words can say and while watching your video it's striking me just how much I have learned from it. Again thanks for your efforts I think this will be a comfort video for me as much as the game is itself for many, and thanks for reading my nonsense whoever's doing so, I appreciate you too :)
Just finished the video in one sitting, I was hooked, and I agree with your parting thoughts, you really are like the exile in all the best ways. Thanks for sharing it means a lot to many
to truly get the "canon" experience, you must have owned the game before it came out on steam and include the mod "party swap". You need another version because mods outside the steam library don't seem to work with the steam version. Anyways. what the party Swap does is, it lets you recruit both the Handmaiden Briana and the Disciple Mical regardless of gender. in canon, Both Briana and Mical became Meetra Surik's students and part of the new Jedi council after Surik left for the unknown regions along with Atton Rand and Visas Marr and Mira with Mical becoming the grand master of the order.
I get why they did this though, the gender you choose should have consequences, but I wish they did some other change because it messes with the canon that you can't have both without party swap. the reason it is called "party swap" is because, you only have 9 companion slots and you should have 10 companions, so Briana and Mical take up the same slot, so you swap them in and out, you can't have both in the party at the same time. you can only do so much with a mod I suppose. maybe they will come up with something that lets you use both.
Since my old game is buggy, I bought the steam version and play it on occasion, I choose to play as a male because I prefer Briana over Mical. and that is the only reason.
I like that Obsidian made the protagonist a woman (Canonically at least), it makes it different from most stories in fantasy.
I love the morality system in this game. every companion starts at 50 when you first get them. for each influence gain or loss, you lose or gain 8. As you may have discovered, it is quite impossible to please everyone when playing the light side, but lucky for you, the player, you don't need to. T3-M4 is a light side character, it likes light side choices. Kreia, despite being neutral, prefers the dark side for example (this is not a secret). The others are cool with both. anyways, If you treat some of your companions badly, you lose influence with them and they will be oppositely aligned to you, you will progress their story, but they will be the opposite. so if you are dark, they will be light, while characters you gain influence with will mirror you.
so you gain and lose in increments of 8. 58 influence and 42 influence unlock the same dialog, 66 influence and 34 unlock the same, 74 and 26, 82 and 18, 90 and 10 and finally 98 and 2. all these unlock the same part of the dialog with the companion in question. there is a mod added to Bao-durs remote where you can speak to it and ask what your influence with each companion is and it will tell you, very handy. but I don't think the steam version has it.
Another thing I found funny, is that the game tries to teach you how gaining experience in the game works. in the ruins of the enclave, near the end of the game. Zez-Kai-Ell says this "have you noticed how you have become stronger as you slay hundreds, the more you kill, the stronger you get". the first time I heard that I was like "well, yes, that's how XP works" :)
4:42:00 I completely agree with this. Vrook is the biggest pompous ass in the game, always was. Even if you don't play dark side, you want to kill him anyway.
I'm not sure if it was ever intended or not. but Bao-Dur dies after that final planet. in Canon, I think he went to the Telos surface to help HK-47 and he dies there. That is why only the other 5 force user companions become members of the Jedi council. I don't know why, but Mira is by far my favourite companion, her humour is fantastic. I found that I like her best as a blaster Jedi. so in my party, she would have blaster pistols and a rifle and then heal and stuff like that while myself and Briana would be the melee characters that change the enemy head-on. Even in that final battle on Malacor, I prefer the run and gun tactic, running away with force speed, then turning to shoot Hanharr and then running again even if you can totally use lightsabers and just cut him to pieces if you have invested in the feats that give Mira more HP and such. I don't know, I just liked the run and gun thing.
seeing you level up Mira as you turned her into a Jedi made me sad. level 22 scout, level 1 Jedi Sentinel. This is why I hold levels of my companions that can be turned into Jedi, hold them until after you turned them. Atton can be turned easily on Nar Shaddaa as soon as you arrive, so holding his levels until then is easy. Mira, can with the right dialogue choices also be turned before you leave the planet, but I usually do it after Duxun, you only need a few influence triggers after finishing all her Speech trees. The Handmaiden can be turned when you reach level 18, you need to spar with her 3 times, once at level 12, then 15 and then 18. the Disciple can be turned into a Jedi right after you pick him up, right outside the room you pick him up, just be light side (dark siders lose 1 influence with him right away), then go through all his speech trees and then he should be at 90 influence, which is enough to turn him into a Jedi. You only need to get to 90 with everyone to turn them into Jedi.
what armour type you wear limits what powers you can use, like, force speed cannot be used in heavy armour, you can't use force lightning/storm either for some reason, but force wave works just fine. so be mindful of this when picking your feats and powers.
5:36:00 this conversation is of course a bit different if you choose to play as a Jedi Guardian, but we all know Sentinels are the best :) consular is the hardest to play, it is considered the game's hard mode.
5:50:10 what Malak means here is of course when she turned to the dark side in KotOR 1 :)
6:10:00 if you listen carefully at this whole conversation. the Jedi masters are explaining to the player how game mechanics work. Zez-Kai-El explains how experience in the game works, Master Vrook explains how level scaling works (when he says that the stronger you are in the force the stronger they are, that's level scaling). it's quite funny, I never noticed this until years after playing the game.
6:22:00 this conversation is so strange because it's made for the male exile, but not even the mod fixes this dialogue. for the female, it is the disciple that comes to talk to you, not Visas.
The cutscenes after you have encountered 3 squads of HK units after that conversation with HK 47 is glorious. he tortures one of the HK-50 droids to reveal where the factory is. The HK factory is one of the most fun parts of the game in my opinion. you can pimp out HK 47's weapons, get all the best blaster mods, it's so much fun.
in conclusion: this is such a beautifully flawed game. this is the best game I have ever played. I can easily say that I love this game.
Party swap seems to work with the steam version at least for me
@@Kaarl_Mills interesting, I need to try it again then, I couldn't get it to work, need to try again then
could you edit out handmaidens name. it is a spoiler since much of the game is left where you dont know her name
So the original video got copyright nuked to hell following the release of the KotOR 2 Switch port - this is the re-release of the video with multiple small edits to mean it's actually publishable on youtube.
Thank you all for sticking with me, thank you to my wonderful guest voice actors, and thank you for watching!
Any likes or comments on this video might redeem it from the algorithm hell where it might get buried, so if you have the time or inclination, they'd be super super appreciated
the game is getting fresh blood! better nuke all the free advertising for it
So glad you got things solved, thank you for the video and reupload! Hope to finish watching it soon :p
Thank you for creating this work of art, philosophy and beauty.
The algorithm needs praise for delivering this video to me. Loved this video, amazing job!
Best 8hrs of my life
"I'm having a lot of emotional issues because of the Force."
The Exile: "Have you tried turning it off and back on again?"
Sion: "Gee, tha-"
*Procceds to drop dead and turns into a pile of dust*
@@sayvionwashington1939
Influence gained: Kreia
A prayer to the algorithm gods for a fruitful harvest.
🙏
🙏
🙏🏻
Hey your one of my favorites :)
🙏
An 8 hour video about the greatest most thought provoking star wars game of all time? Sign me up.
There is only one certainty in life:
You will lose influence with Kreia.
Influence Gained: Kreia
Influence Lost: Kreia
Light Side Points Gained
Dark Side Points Gained
Net Dark Side Shift
Experience Gained: 6900
Maximum Force Points Increased
Credits Gained: 69
Journal Updated
@@0th_Law my entire play through
That, and that Atris is the biggest bitch in all of Star Wars, lol
@@0th_Law thanks I needed those extra points and creds😊
@@0th_Law BALANCE in the force as they say and as kreia would say "Well executed, you have created an echo!"
Hi there! Matt here, script editor and captioner extraordinaire. I will have the captions ready for this video as soon as possible. It's a BIG video though, so please bear with me.
Thank you for your services to the good of humanity (genuine you are amazing for working on captions for such a huge video)
Thank you a lot
I wondered what you were talking about in regards to the writer at the start of the video. So I did a little research.
"Avellone published a denial of the allegations through Medium in June 2021 and stated he had filed a libel suit against two accusers in a California court.[70][71] This libel suit was settled in March 2023, with a settlement that "provides for a seven-figure payment" from the accusers to Avellone. Concurrently the two accusers retracted their original accusations, stating that "Mr. Avellone never sexually abused either of us," and that "We have no knowledge that he has ever sexually abused any women."[72][73][74] They also claimed in the same statement that their previous public statements with regards to Avellone had been "misinterpreted".[75] "
Turns out the accusations are false and he's been paid compensation.
Just thought I'd leave this here so fans don't get the wrong idea.
Apparently he's a jerk interpersonally but thats WAY better than SA
@@mogscugg2639 anyone who thinks they can claim SA because a guy is a jerk - well, those women belong in jail if they lied about being assaulted
knowingly accusing someone falsely of a crime should get you double the prison sentence of the person you tried to frame
@@Bjorick dude they retracted their statements after settling out of court, calm down
Dear SulMatul, I am speaking as someone whose life got basically shattered in the last year or so due to chronic anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, all of which made me quit school, and also developed an addiction due to chronic pain. So it is not a small thing when I say how thankful I am for your content. I am currently rewatching this video, and have done multiple watches of your Pathologic content. Thanks to people like you and Ruby from Codex Entry, there is just enough escapism for me to get through the day while I'm working on my health.
Again, thank you so much for providing such good quality content. It means a lot to me, and to many others I am sure.
I just hit the UA-cam algorithm jackpot with this video.
I’ve played the game so much that I just close my eyes, listen to your amazing storytelling and visualize everything going on.
I love the stuff the exile's apprentice is getting up to in the drawn scenes, just hanging out, vibing, living her best life, whilst her mentor tells a freaking eight hour story without pausing for breath because video editing is more powerful than even the force :p
ALL my love! The voice acting is MINT! This really gives a gorgeous extra boost to a story I've loved since it came out.
This is very much like doing the ultimate female play through, none of the grinding and battles, all of the good story bits!
Thank you so much for this!
Thank you so much!
Now why can’t we get any Star Wars movies or shows this good. I’m three hours into this and I’m blown away.
It's hard enough getting books written this well
It really is a video game.. awesome, too.. pre-disney... pre-woke. And Kreia...
Strong female character from hell.. ❤❤❤
for real. kotor 2 is still kind of an unknown game as well but it is a gem.
@@zariouu facts
Stories with things to say are awesome and make money. But they don't make the maximum possible amount of money, which is what mediocre stories without much to say make. It isn't a problem with consumers or creators, but the people up top directing everything.
"we can't use the john williams audio? we'll get sued?" SPEAK OF THE DEVIL AND HE SHALL APPEAR
Just finished watching all 8 hours of this video. Took me about a week to finish watching. This is an amazing analysis of KOTOR II & how it relates to real life,truly. I agree that this game has become a very intimate and therapeutic experience for me as well. I spent a lot of time over these past six months, watching videos of Kreia speaking specifically, and it feels like she’s speaking to me directly. Her words hold more weight when you’ve been through traumatic situations in your life, are deeply ashamed of yourself, but are still trying to find the strength to pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
I liked the ending where you spoke on actively choosing to heal rather than waiting around and doing nothing. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, WE DO! We either make the active choice to heal or the active choice to follow the darkness our traumas cast on our lives.
The best scene in the game that conveys this type of cognitive dissonance is where you gather the Jedi Masters on dantooine.
Vrook: You we’re deafened
Kreia: At last you could hear
Kavar: You were broken
Kreia: You were whole
Zez Kai Ell: You were blinded
Kreia: And at last….you SAW
I don’t think we will see another game of this type of magnificence within our lifetime.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees/plays the game this way. It's become a very intimate and therapeutic experience for me over the years. The contemplative nature of the story. The characters that put up so many walls (or Pazaak games) to hide the vulnerable, broken core underneath. And I think all of them show it, at one point or another. I'm not finished the video yet but I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the relationship between the Exile and Bao-dur.
I'm someone who isn't proud of a lot of things I've done, and like many characters in this game I've been unable to forgive myself and restore what was lost. It's a weight I've carried (Bang) and like Bao-Dur maybe there is no "blood on my hands", just, as the Exile says, "the blood my guilt forces me to imagine." I don't recall many parts of the game where there is only one dialogue option, but when you follow the path of making Bao-Dur a jedi, there is a part where he says how much anger he had felt because of the Mandalorians, Czerka, and Revan. The Exile's only response is, "What about me, for giving the order?"
I don't know why but that exchange makes me v emotional. It's just such a human, honest question. Like, well, we both seem to hate ourselves for pretty much the same reason. So you hate me too right..? Nope.
Sorry for the length of the comment here but then again this is almost an eight hour video so maybe I can be forgiven lol. But as someone who struggles with anger and depression this game truly has been a great comfort to me in very dark times. It reminds me that many of us feel broken and desperate to forget or leave behind our pain. The people around us can offer more comfort and wisdom than a hundred years in exile. And there is always hope for redemption when there is someone who is willing to forgive.
If my use of the word broken seems wrong when referring to the state of myself and the characters, it's not something I see as irreparable. Like a broken bone we need time and solid foundation to grow strong again.
Now... reach out
I’m really really glad this game has helped you, at least in some small way
@@SulMatul your video leaves a good echo :) thank you for taking the time and effort to examine it so thoughtfully
@@SulMatul I genuinely enjoy this game though a pretty big flaw in the story is you really don't get too many grey choices. You often only get a choice to be good or bad to an extreme like with the beggar scenario with Kreia berating you regardless of your choice most of the time. I certainly disagree with what most of Kreia says but it be nice if you had more choices to be either neutral or ambiguous instead of just straight on heroic or villainous.
Sick subtle cowboy bebop reference there bro. 👌
Not me getting chills at the last line of this comment 😅
This, surprisingly, was healing. It nourished a part of my soul I didn’t realize needed to be nourished. Recently I’ve been getting back into Star Wars, I came expecting to learn more about the lore, and now I feel so… touched. I’ve experienced some trauma recently, and I guess Star Wars is a source of comfort for me since it takes me back to being a kid, making up characters and worlds in the universe. I can’t even put it into words, I’m still healing too, and this came at the right time. I’ve watched it in increments, and finished it today. This video is a work of art, the amount of care you put into this, is astounding. Thank you for creating this.
Was halfway through watching this over several days when it got removed. Glad it’s up again and thank you for doing so!
I love entertaining the ideas of the Jedi and the Sith and for someone to discuss these and more over the greatest game that explores those ideas is fantastic
Thanks again
May the almighty algorithm raise this video to prominence.
A deeply personal video essay which is also a terrific retelling of the game that was and what it could have been. Congratulations to everyone involved in the production of this massive work!
Kreia is Arren Kae; it is all but confirmed in the game:
* Every mention of Revan's teachers mentions Kae as his first or primary teacher (at minimum, his only female teacher). Kreia likewise states that she was Revan's first (and last) teacher. All the master likewise name Kae / Kreia as the reason for his fall. (Atris also calls out that "Kreia" is not Kreia's name).
* The Disciple specifically recognizes Kreia before anyone else and is confused as to why she is doing what she is doing. He would have been around to know Kae before she left for the wars (considering he also knew Revan, Malak & the Exile before they left for the wars as well).
* Kreia has unique dialogue for both approval & disapproval on Nar Shaddaa regarding Aida & Lootra, revealing herself to have been hurt by a "Lootra" in the past (likely Yusanis abandoning her on Malachor, or him otherwise leaving her for his first wife & daughters). She praises you when you encourage them to look out for each other and others, but will tear into Lootra's "weakness" if you don't give him such encouragement.
* Kae & Kreia were both thought to have died on Malachor V - no other female jedi are called out this specifically (this is the same time when the master's declare Kreia as the one responsible for Revan's fall in front of the Exile, like they did in the holorecording).
* Kreia is the only one in the game familiar with Brianna's mother, and actively dodges the question on 'how' she knows about Kae. She also hesitates before calling Kae beautiful; Atton likely identifies that Kreia used to be beautiful before going through the hell that age [and war] have put her through. A bit of arrogance, perhaps? Why else would Kreia call out such a superficial trait in Kae specifically? She doesn't do such for anyone else (sans when answering the Exile on how she perceives the Exile).
* Kreia will go out of her way to turn Brianna away from you & romance if your influence with Visas is higher than Brianna, and regardless of influence she puts extra pressure on you to avoid romancing & avoid training Brianna. Not so for anyone else that you can train. It would make sense that Kreia doesn't want her daughter following her path - a small mercy amid how she is willing to manipulate her daughter.
* The only one who doesn't mention Kae as a master of Revan is Kreia. She does mention Xhar (calling him a fool), but that is the only one she calls by name. Yet she doesn't think Kae is important enough to mention, while everyone else who discusses Revan's training does mention Kae as one of his teacher's?
* "Kreia" itself could be seen as a synthesis between her prior names: Arren Kae & Darth Traya.
** More in terms of narrative construction: why would they be different characters? Why all the focus on Kae compared to any other master of Revan if she's ultimately inconsequential to the game and barely has any lore relevance on her own (as being Brianna's mother would not be enough to devote to her the place of Revan's only named female master)? What is Kreia's actual backstory before her time as Darth Traya if she is not Kae (remember that nothing she says can be trusted outright - no one that would have known her calls her Kreia, Atris confirms her name isn't Kreia, and the other masters only confirm she 'caused Revan's fall' and was thought to have died on Malachor V). If these two characters are not one in the same, then both end up as incomplete characters - Kae becomes superfluous, while Kreia becomes somewhat nonsensical in her motivations from the lack of background (and as the game, Kreia & Exile all point out, history is important. It isn't something the writers would have just left out. And it would take more than war to make Kreia as jaded as she is. She had to go through personal tragedy & betrayal too, beyond Revan making his own decisions and falling victim to the Force. Someone or something had to break her own heart too).
Honestly, this video is probably at the top of my favorites list, definitely so as far as game retrospectives go.
Its a perfect blend of a playthrough w/ commentary, character breakdown, and your own personal story told in tandem with Meetra's story in game. The creativity you put into it, from the immersive dialogue you add to her character to the 4th wall breaking "FUCK YOU VROOK" moments that I guarantee made everyone chuckle because we we've all said it too at one point or another in the game, make this video so easy to get lost in. You've completely transformed the way I experience this game. It adds so much emotion to a game from an era when capturing all of those emotions and thoughts wasn't quite possible, and still might not be.
And as a quick side note if you do read this, thank you so much for your irl work in the medical field. In spite of all the hatred and cruelty the world has shown, you chose to go out and help others instead.
We may live in a world without the force, but we do have the Jedi exile walking among us. And she makes amazing youtube videos!
May the force be with you, always
Kreia: "there are some techniques in the force to which there is no defense"
Sion: "yeah like these hands lol"
For fuckin real lmao. Forgot the absolute beatdown he gave her until the clip played.
@bahamut560 dude she got absolutely bamboozled in their round 1. Lmao.
Sion: Go, go, gadget steel chair
*THWACK!*
Dude Sion took each 1v1 they had HOME. ☠️ how she ended up as master twice is crazy to me.
@@jonnygraham2372is pretty obvious that she looks poorly upon that time too. Look how her students turned out.
Came for the eight hour philosophical review of my favorite game.
Stayed for the messy break-up allegory between the Exile and Atris.
R.I.P. Atris she would have loved the concept of blooding kyber crystals 😭
What makes listening to the Jedi absolutely *insufferable* is how they claim to know your emotions better than you do. "You didn't do this because of the reason you just said, you did it because of the reason I am telling you." It's infuriating and I hate it, and it makes the experience of listening to this video for the 6th time this week simply immaculate every time.
If your upbringing was anything like mine, the reason it rankles you so much is that it reminds you of how your parents/siblings/people at your church tried to get inside your head and acted like they had some special knowledge of your own private thoughts and feelings which you simply weren't privy to, or "You'll understand later, trust me."
... *Sigh*
That isn't what they are saying. They are saying there is an additional element to what has been happening around you - that you are, to an extent, a "Typhoid Mary" of the Force, unwittingly harming everything connected to you (which is everywhere you've been and everyone you've met) because of what happened at Malachor V (they don't have a solution beyond cutting you off from everything, while only the player / Exile can make the decision to confront and overcome the trauma of that event). They are saying those around you are the ones not entirely acting of their own free will (something Mira, Atton, Brianna & Mical all confirm if you kill a random innocent with them in the party - Mira even confirms it outside of dialogue if you ask her why she is suddenly killing so easily even though she hates killing).
It is important to remember that this game is not purely a Heroine's Journey - it is also a deconstruction of the Force, and the influence it has over all things in the Star Wars universe.
@@DBArtsCreators Both of these are true. Yes, the Exile is a walking cosmic horror that influences the people around them, but the Jedi Masters wrongly interpret this as the Exile being a leech that uses their followers as pawns (because the Masters ultimately care about themselves more than others, and see the Exile’s influence as a threat, which in turn influences the conclusion they reach). They reframe the Exile’s suffering at Malachor V as a “crucible” that taught a lesson, rather than a traumatic event that the Exile is still recovering from.
In the end, Visas tells the Exile why people follow them: because they are a natural leader, nothing more. It’s a quality they’ve always had, and isn’t defined by their trauma.
This is one of the greatest pieces of SW content on the internet. Thank you.
God the illustrator action of the duel is so good! The way when it cuts to their feet it looks like dancing for a moment? Beautiful!
It's based on Utena vs Wakaba
Have I ever played this game? No. Have I ever watched any STARWARS movies? No. Am I going to watch all of this? Yes.
Just finished, I'm always overjoyed to see my favourite game being discussed after so many years later. This was a wonderful and deeply personal video which has touched me greatly, thank for going to what must have been an enormous effort to create it. I must also add that your perspective and analysis of the game was extremely refreshing, one which granted me the experience of seeing an artwork I know so intimately in a new light. That is a rare and precious gift for which I must again express my gratitude. On a final gushing note, you also have a beautifully soft yet soulful voice which had a profoundly calming effect on me.
For those interested the author was Chris Avellone and the accusers retracted their accusations after a liable suit was found in Chris's favor.
Apparently avellone is a jerk interpersonally but to be fair if I wrote planescape I'd be a little egotistical too
Great video.
Would watch twice (thrice, four times and more).
I would love this video on a T-Shirt!
Huh, didn't expect you here
When i found this video. I thought that I was gonna be for yet another long form review and critique ala Salt Factory style. But what I was treated to was a far deeper, far more intricate and detailed breakdown. Philosophy, trauma, healing, friendship, and far more. Not only is this my favorite breakdown of my favorite Star Wars game of all time. But it's a way to educate others on how trauma affects us, those around us and how we move forward from that trauma rather than letting it consume us and keeping us trapped in the dark. SulMatul has done a phenomenal job with this video and never having heard of her channel before seeing this video, I think this was the best way I could have ever found it. Creators like her and those who helped her in creating this video are the reason I love seeing super long form content on this platform. And I hope I can see more from her in the future. Thank you for this video Sulmatul. You've brought so much justice to this overly cut gem of a game.
The strange thing about the dark side exile is that her existence is absolutely vital to serve as a counterpoint to why the light side ending isn’t horrifically melancholy. I’m also of the opinion that Hanhaar is the most interesting wookie in star wars, though that may be due to kreia-proximity.
It’s a ridiculous complaint after 8 hours of incredible content, but I was surprised you didn’t highlight how dysfunctional the Exile’s crew is, and how many conversations between them either threaten or include violence.
Kotor 1: A gang of misfits coming together towards a common goal.
Kotor 2: As toxic as a Jekk' Jekk Tar cantina.
Why is that a ridiculous complaint for an 8 hour video? You would think a video that long would touch upon it more than a shorter video
@@MattSkylar I suppose it's ridiculous less because there wasn't time to analyze everything, but rather because I rather obviously loved the hell out of this video, given that I spent eight hours watching it. To enjoy something that much and then follow up with only a negative critique is, frankly, ridiculous.
Interesting video so far (will take a while to watch it all so I can comment at greater length. Just one minor correction: Telos is apparently restored to some extent by either the Ithorians or Czerka though each rebuilds the planet in its own image.
If Czerka restores it, Kreia's end game prophesy seems to imply it is rebuild as a city of steel dedicated to material concerns: "Telos shall recover, Czerka shall make it a place of machines and sciences, it will run smoothly and cold like a machine, but it will not forget the time Saul Kareth orbitted it and brought fire to it. It shall learn to defend itself against war and it shall never again be caught defenceless."
By comparison, siding with the Ithorians produces this result: "under the care of the herds of Ithor the surface of Telos will bloom again and its golden fields shall again habour scientists and thinkers. Complacent and peaceful it shall forget the time that Saul Kareth orbitied it and brought fire to its skies. But it shall be a homeworld to others and streach out across the galaxy and bring life."
It's a bit reminiscent to me of the two cities built by the inheritors of Begum's Fortune in the novel by the same name. This aspect seems to be even more consistent with your larger point regarding trauma in the sense that one choice eventually heals the planet not only physically but also its intersubjective sense of identity while the other permanently alters it into something shaped by the trauma and the cause of not allowing any harm to come to it ever again. I can think of quite a few real-life societies which once faced a similar crossroads and went both ways.
deep!
Okay, sorry this is long but I’ve just had the most amazing revelation about this game during this video and wanted to show my appreciation for you making this video since it has cemented the idea to me that this is the best game ever. Okay here goes: the entirety of KOTOR II, the entire game, is an exploration of the idea that Jolee Bindo brings up when talking with Revan about love. I had this idea after the confrontation with the council members. The exile forms bonds and leads everyone she meets in the ways of the light using compassion-she loves them, and she is not wrong for loving them as the rest of the Jedi council seems to think she is. The Jedi council is afraid of the exiles power of love, of the connections that she forms using it, and their hysteria culminates in their deeming the exile as a sith, as a threat, because those connections formed with love could be dangerous and those who follow the exile could be dragged down with her. They think the exile’s compassion and love borne from the trauma experienced at malachor v is a threat, so they try to kill/cut her off from the force to prevent her from loving and bonding with others. The exile is the mirror image of Darth Nihilus. While darth nihilus feeds off of the force in others and preys on all life to selfishly feed himself, the exile forms connections with all life through love and compassion and bolsters that life. Darth nihilus is the representation of a parasitic relationship, of someone who twists love (connections, life) for their own selfish gain; the exile is the representation of selfless love that forms strong and caring relationships. With all of this in mind, the absolutely existential and cosmic hypocrisy of the Jedi reveals itself. The greatest flaw in their teachings becomes apparent; they teach that love should be avoided because it can lead to the dark side, to bad things, when in fact love is what saves people. In the words of Jolee Bindo (because I can’t say it better): “The Jedi, with their damnable sense of over-caution, would tell you love is something to avoid. Thankfully, anyone who’s even partially alive knows that’s not true. Love doesn’t lead to the dark side. Passion can lead to rage and fear, and can be controlled…. But passion is not the same thing as love. Controlling your passions while being in love…. that’s what they should teach you to beware. But love, itself, will save you…. not condemn you.” “Love causes pain, certainly. Inevitably, love is going to lead to as much sorrow and regret as it does joy.” “How you deal with the bad part of love is what determines your character, what determines the dark side’s hold over you.” It is amazing how contradictory the Jedi teachings are in light of all this. The very thing they claim to uphold-love-is the one thing that they avoid and actually excommunicate members of their order for practicing. Ironic. Well then, the only logical conclusion I can draw is that Jolee Bindo and the exile are the only true Jedi we have ever seen in Star Wars media; they are perfect-perfect in their acknowledgment of their imperfection, and their willingness to do what they thinks is right. This is the main reason that makes KOTOR 2 such a satisfying game to play for me when I play it light-sided; you get to become the truest form of a Jedi in the face of such twisted hypocrisy from those who claim to be Jedi, and in the face of nihilistic doom that is kreia’s teachings.
Bottom line, thank you so much for making this video, it really fleshed out some of the ideas I kind of had regarding the game already but didn’t quite grasp and put together to form a meaningful conclusion. The way you narrate and put such emotion into it is just amazing-so is the editing, just awesome. I also love how your analysis revealed so many more themes I didn’t discuss above that I never even realized were there right in front of me when playing this game!
Genuinely made me tear up at the end :’)
2:25:40 I remember as a kid being frustrated at Atton because I thought he was screwing me over and wouldn't teach me the cool mind shielding ability.
But I get what he meant now, once you affirm in your head you're "playing Pazaak to shield your thoughts" the thought in it of itself leaves the door open to have your mind read, so you must trick your mind into JUST playing Pazaak because you want to play Pazaak in your head.
Fucking. Genius.
whenever i get weird cringe thoughts or memories i just beatbox or imagine music in my head as loud as possible to numb the brain, basically the same thing. thanks ayn rand
clever
@@imbetter599you invented meditation, congrats
@@rakino4418 yes, yes i did.
I made a couple of comments on the previous video mainly stating that the timeline for Brianna never knowing her mother to be slightly strange since it was 10 years after her birth that her mother was found out (and assuming that her mother went straight onto the Mando wars she would be 20 by the start of kotor 2), indicating that she would have had 10 years to know her mother. While there are certainly explanations, I mentioned that it is possible that she had her memories altered (by force users).
I also mentioned that framing Kreia as simply an abuser is unfair as for the most part her actions do not lead to the exile's trauma (in fact one could argue that her bringing the exile back led to the exile resolving their trauma and finding mechanisms to cope with it)
It really is interesting that, while she lies or hides things often, her advice is always in earnest, trying to help the exile.
@@BobMcBobJr It's amazing how upfront and honest she is throughout the game in regards to who she is/was. There are very few stories where the mentor character will state that they are responsible for so much of the stories events and actively explain what caused them.
So glad this is back, I can finally finish this masterpiece analysis.
Finally finished it- this was absolutely wonderful, and the end brought me to tears. Thank you so much for making this - KOTOR2 is one of my favorite games of all time in large part due to the excellent story.
The lens you brought to it here shines a new light on it, and hit close to home for me due to my own internal struggles.
I'm going to have to find my way back to the Force - make some tough decisions. Apathy is death, and I much prefer living.
Wow. It's taken me a couple of sittings to watch the video and process all that you've said and I'm glad I found it. This was so beautiful and honest and tender. I cried in the end for you, for myself and for all those out there who've been on the exile's path. Thank you. I cannot express my gratitude sufficiently. As someone who loves to dive deep into Star Wars for political, philosophical and spiritual reasons, this video was food for my soul.
Also as someone who's had a turbulent journey with gender, this video helped me empathise stronger with you and with myself in the past. I will not stop talking about this video.
This is a really special video - probably my favorite analysis of KOTOR II out there. I've been playing this game for over a decade now, and there are story beats, themes and messages that I didn't quite pick up until I watched this. Thank you so much for your work in putting this together, and congratulations on an excellent final - I think the best kind of art is the one that you get something constructive from once you're done experiencing it, and this video certainly fit the bill.
I’ve had this on my to-watch list for a while and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get here. But it was perfect timing as I had a day to just listen as the day went on.
Your use of the heroine’s journey to examine the story was fantastic and gave me a much deeper understanding of the story. (And taught me that the concept exists)
Thank you for this awesome experience. And for sharing your personal story and how it paralleled the feelings of the game’s narrative.
Yay, it's back!
I really needed this right now, it's 5 am and I just woke up from a real bad anxiety attack.
I regret that I have but one like to give. :) Thank you so very much for making this monster of a video - you played The Exile to _perfection_, to the point that my brain was more interpreting this as 'audiobook' or 'the movie of' than 'analysis'. Hearing your concluding notes, I can understand why the role of The Exile was such a natural fit for you, and I hope you'll take it as the compliment I mean when I say I expect I'll be hearing your voice speaking her lines the next time I play.
In part because of your performance and in part because of just how moving the story is, I'm not ashamed to say there were a few parts where I was nearly in tears.
I also want to thank you for the service you've done - there are several people I know that I think would really, really appreciate the story of KOTOR 2 but either aren't hardcore gamers or just don't have the time in the foreseeable future to play an RPG this big and sprawling - but a 'movie of', that they can take at their leisure, with the unimportant bits (such as most of the fighting) cut out? I suspect that might be a much more palatable option for them.
Also, made me so happy to hear someone defending The Last Jedi, even in passing. It's surely flawed, but it is by far the most _interesting_ of the Sequel Trilogy, and that's in no small part due to the risks it took in trying to deconstruct (and reconstruct) some of the setting's axioms.
Bravo!
So many people think Kreiya straight up killed the Jedi counsel, if you point out what she said they'll say she was a liar, but watching the scene again you can clearly see she has no reason to lie, she wants you to hate her, and the counsel dies, who were those words left for if that was the result? She cut their connection to the force and they chose death, whether that was a fair test to thrust on them or not is beside the point, it was a test they could have passed, and they refused.
No, that's not how it worked and its troublesome that people work along this interpretation despite the the story depicting evidently otherwise. Claiming they "chose death", or that they "could have passed and they refused" or implying they had any sort of option doesn't follow: *Choice* is a decision we can actively make in conscious consent, a state of awareness. The only way the Exile survived is through unconscious bodily reaction, and working with the expectation that they "chose" it because their bodies didn't unconsciously react quickly enough without active input of their own is a gross misinterpretation of choice.
There is no such thing as simply blocking someone off from the Force resulting in death unless the aggressor actively CHOOSES to take it that far, which is what Kreia does, in fact that's explicitly what the Masters are currently in the process of doing to the Exile just in the moment before Kreia steps in. Cutting someone off from the Force isn't a violent technique. It's just Force Sever and requires great concentration and power; It's actually a Jedi technique.
The difference between Force Sever and Force Drain is that while Sever Force creates a Force Wall around the individual that cuts the individual off from the Force, the amount of prolonged pressure determining how permanent the affect will be (like how oxygen supply can cause permanent loss of some functions), Force Drain does the same thing but instead of putting a blocker in front of them until most of their midichlorians(*1*), or Force connection, runs out of "oxygen supply", aka deafened, you instead form an unwilling Force Bond with the victim and violently sap their connection for yourself by bursting each and every midichlorian(*1*) at once. Functionally similar powers but taken to the highest level. The exile survived this because her midichlorians(*1*) stopped responding out of instinctual fear of overstimulus, BEFORE they were all bursted at once, or she would also not be alive. Traya does not simply Sever their Force connection or they too would be alive, and the game establishes such a difference.
The exile's body responded to the trauma unconsciously out of fear before she died, and even she did not understand how her connection was lost. She actually thinks the Council used Force Sever on her and this is repeated in her questioning the Council, "why did you cut me off from the Force?" Kreia herself is trying to understand how the Exile survived when she appears to be void of the Force's influence. And we know these Masters had not even the slightest clue how Force Drain works. The whole game repeats the message that Force Drain is a power forgotten to all except Darth Malak, Darth Revan, the ancient Sith, and the Triumvirate. Kreia knows the Jedi have no understanding of Force Drain and are clueless in how to defend against it.
(*1*) footnote to explain the use of midichlorians before anyone tries to argue it invalidates this message when it doesn't. Midichlorian is simply the proper term for the translation conduit between a person's body and the connection to the energy field that binds them to the universe. "Midichlorians" while not stated as such in KOTOR, still exist as an overarching part of the meta narrative, and just aren't given the label - listen to the Exile talking to Disciple about the energy field of the universe or Kreia educating the Exile on the Force being a sieve in which Force Wielders draw upon, and how that draw can be utilized.
While it is not categorized as such, it is valid denotation so I don't have to repeat "intermediary essence conductor between universe and self" every time, when the concepts are functionally the same. And despite what people may think, all Star Wars stories were scrutinized to be consistent with established continuity by LFL Holocron. While creative liberties granted freedoms to write new complexities to the Force, stories could not disrupt or misinterpret the general meta scope of what was Star Wars. Logical cosistency is important and Star Wars, before the buy out, valued such consistencies.
Just finished the whole video, thank you for doing this, amazing work. Love the way you narrated everything, sort of turns the game into a movie. Also loved all the little edits and such, bursted out in laughter at many moments. Kotor 2 is my favourite game of all time, it's lessons have been etched into my soul, Kreia was basically my parent when I grew up haha.
You know what's crazy, I've been researching about dissociation recently and realised that's something I did as a child to survive the trauma I experienced, and why all my life I've always felt separated from reality, and also the feeling of carrying around a black hole in my heart, and why I have difficulty feeling my feelings sometimes. Anyway, you started talking about it and it all just clicked in my head, why I love the game so much, why I resonate with the exile so much.
Actually I'm currently living out an exile of my own. Since the end of 2022, I've been living in a tent, moving from place to place until settling in this national park for the last year. I'm typing this in my tent now. but hearing your wisdom has made me realise maybe I need to connect with others again to reconnect to "the force" again, to reconnect to my heart again. I've always felt broken, empty, a shell, apathetic, powerless. You have shown me a path forward with these video and I thank you for that. It's rare to find someone else in the world that I resonate with, and you, I find resonance.
Also thanks again for opening up and being vulnerable at the end of the video. I'm sorry to hear about the trauma you endured :( I'm glad you have healed from it though, even if it's just a little :)
Anyway, excellent work once again making a top notch 8 hour video on the best story ever made.
I'm two hours in and I'm LOVING the video so far! It's like watching a deeply interesting video essay and a let's play simultaneously.
I played this game when I was around 9 years old. Since english wasn't my first language, and since I had only started learning it a year earlier, I had troubles understanding the dialogue at times. That atmosphere though, that's something I will never forget. Never before had anything Star Wars related made me feel genuinely unnerved. It almost felt like a horror game, in some aspects. It's a shame that the franchise as a whole didn't seem to learn too much from this game, but I'm very glad that we at least got this.
I don’t usually leave many comments, but I wanted to thank you for the video - it was beautiful. Kotor2 is one of my favourite games, for many of the same reasons you named here. Mostly just for relating to the exile, but there were some other things I took with me.
Like you, I also have a trauma history, and the game had quite an impact on me, when I first played it at 14/15-ish. If it’s okay, I’ve written down some of the ways in which it has impacted me and some of the thoughts I have on the game.
There was the willingness to criticise the things I love, which has helped a lot in nuance. You’ve already mentioned that though.
But there was also - ironically - the true lesson of strength. For me that translated into trusting myself to make decisions, to trust that others didn’t always know better than me and that I was capable enough on my own. It can feel dangerous standing by your own opinion, but at the end of the day, there’s no one else who’d know what’s good for you better than yourself, is there?
Lastly, and slightly related to the above point, is just the fact that choices matter, and that our choices make us who we are - not what we’ve been through. I don’t want to get too into it, but for a long time I thought I was a bad person, and as dumb as I feel saying it, but this game was part of the realisation for me - that I could choose to be a good person, and that I wasn’t doomed to hurt everyone I care about. No one is born good or bad, it’s all in how we choose to act towards other people.
And that is the reason why I personally can not bring myself to hate Kreia - because that is what I interpret her lesson to be. To trust your own judgment and make the choices you believe in - without regrets. Her whole thing is getting rid of the force (practically destiny or god), and she admires the exile and Revan, who she perceives to be “free” to act as they choose. Unfortunately Kreia just chose the most manipulative and abuse way to teach her lesson?? 🥴 Completely unnecessary and counter-intuitive, if you think about it.
Anyway, I apologise for the long comment and the personal nature of this. The ending of the video just.. kinda struck a cord lol. Once again, thanks!!
I'm glad this is back! You're analyzing is beautifully written and captivating this hefty video is going to be a treat ❤
wonderful video to watch over 3-4 days in bits and pieces, very happy to have struck it out till the end !
Here to feed the algorithm again! I had a really good comment about how Attons pazakk trick is actually a grounding techniques used to make the mind let go of extreme emotions, its a component of many kinds of therapy and I love tidbits like that in this game. Which lets be honest is part of what makes it a true classic for me
huh, I never thought about it that way, but it makes so much sense!
A top notched narration and explanation of KOTOR II. This game has far more subtle interaction than just about any game I have ever played, and I like the fact that your narration gives context and explanation that I lacked as a younger person when I first played this wonderful game. Thank you.
>Click on an 8 hour Kotor 2 video
> Snow In Summer plays in the first minute
Oh this is gonna be great
"Its gonna rot you! The signs are already in your face" Atton declares, even crustier than dark Meetra
"Please, stop being an evil dipshit, you're ruining my beautiful face."
"Hmm...nah."
"PLEASE! WOMEN KEEP TELLING ME I LOOK 50, I'M 26!"
The light side and dark side versions of the Exile both correspond to different reactions to trauma that I've seen in my life.
On the Light Side: The Exile goes through the difficult and painful journey of digging up and confronting the past. It sucks, it hurts and people like the Jedi Council will judge you. But you learn from all of it and slowly become a different, better person. Sometimes you have to deal with people like Atris who will always see you in the worst possible way. But you heal, you move on and you're better for it.
On the Dark Side: The Exile bathes in the pain and the hurt to such an extreme that they let it control them. They lash out at everything and everyone while being obsessed with hurting the people they hold responsible for their pained state. It might feel good in the moment but it leaves the world and people around them worse. In this corrupted state the Exile never heals because they are never able to let go of their trauma.
If you refuse to move on then might find yourself like Darth Sion or Hanharr. A slave to your own pain.
The fact that I, a chronically online gender haver and Star Wars fan, have never come across this video until now is insane. I cannot wait to binge the entire thing
So I've just finished watching your video after a couple of days, and I must say that this is one of those YT videos I'm going to be rewatching for years to come. Thank you so much for your hard work!
Hands down the best literary retrospective of KOTOR 2 I’ve found on UA-cam. You’re a really great writer, and your points about the game’s metaphors for several aspects of the Heroine’s Journey, trauma, abuse, and healing are super insightful. Thanks a lot !
I attempted to beat Kotor2 twice and both times became frustrated with various aspects of the gameplay. But I loved the story and the characters, and this video feels like the definitive way to experience those aspects of the game. (Your voiceover for the Exile elevates the material that much more!)
Always related pretty hard to this game as a usmc veteran myself. Incredibly written game once restored. Thank you for this unreal video about one of my favorite games! Found you after I listed to your feature on signalis.
I'm so glad this is back. I loved it when I first saw it but I only got part way as it was my entertainment during my commute so I am grinning ear to ear
''Please excuse me if i find this a touch too relatable.''
That was the point you won yourself a new sub. I think i am going to enjoy this video.
I was waiting for it to get reuploaded. You're really underrated. I love long form Vidya game analysis
Incredible video. I watched it over the course of a week. The ending story you told was touching, and relatable for me. Thank you.
Never expected youtube to recommend me this gem. I mean, I though Salt Factory's video was taking on each detail, but you take it for entirely another level. Such personal approach to the story of the exhile. appreciate you sharing how this story resonates with you. And of course all the animations and illustrations are such a neat touch. That was wonderful.
I just wanted to say that this is in my list of greatest youtube videos I've ever watched. That was magnificent - an excellent analysis of one of the best games I've ever played. Thank you for your work on this - I cannot imagine how hard something of this magnitude must have been.
Already 2.5 hours in, will come back to finish later. amazing job. Never played this game but I've heard a lot about it and I love that u gave it a similar script treatment to ur pathologic vids. Although I love straight analysis, you pace it really well with the "narrative>analysis>narrative" pattern u got going on here. Hope that makes sense lol
You really owe it to yourself to play this game. You can even get it on android these days.
I am popping this in as I just start watching, I am ecstatic to see such a long and cool looking video and you are 100% correct to infodump Kreia quotes on people!
As someone who's really burned out on Campbell's Funtime Sphere, I really enjoyed learning about the Heroine's Journey framework a lot. The way it centers connection is profoundly refreshing, contrasted with the Hero's cycle ending in their alienation.
This is probably the best KOTOR 2 retrospective video I've watched, honestly.
I really loved how you read out your character's dialogue, included artwork and other original content, included guest voice actors, and really dug into every aspect of the game you could.
Your perspective on the game and the effort put into the video shows an intense appreciation of this masterpiece, and I couldn't be more pleased about that.
To that end, minor feedback: In-game speech portions are just a bit loud in comparison to your speech.
Ooh this is going to be my "put on while going to sleep" for like a month. KOTOR 2, and silky smooth voice. Yes please
Crazy to see what to see what the Ashkhan of the Urshilaku tribe got up to after accepting the outlander as the Nerevarine and surviving the Red Year. Guess the ash storms really do fuck up one's voice.
Knights of the Old Republic 2 is brilliant, but your playthrough and commentary add a truly beautiful perspective to it. I have half a mind to download the audio from your video and play it as a long form podcast.
Thank you so much for sharing this with the world.
glad you were able to re upload was half way through and then watched a little more through mirror then that went down. THANKS FOR THE HARD WORK GETTING IT BACK UP!
Using those bespoke animations to fill out 'off-camera' bits of story is a brilliant touch. Well done!
Thank you so much for this. I've been listening to this every night as I cook dinner. It's the most immersive play through I've ever seen. Your commentary made the game so much more enjoyable. Thank you again
I just wanted to tell you that this is an absolutely wonderful video and I wanted to thank you for making it. You've done a great job and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. :-)
Thank you for making this. This video is my introduction to your channel. I love the lens you put onto this, the story you craft with your own experiences and meanings. Mid watching I look at your various sources and something your thumbnail artist posted 4 years ago resonated heavily; "The best parts of KOTOR are what happened in your head." I fully agree, which means each time I see someone else's story/experiences of this or most things, I get to see new best parts.
I'm glad this game helped in some way, that you felt seen and empathized with, that you were known and that you choose such.
Besides of all of that, I really love all the effort put in. An 8 HOUR video, with literary analysis, music and songs, art and animations and an interpretation of the whole thing while also preserving the base itself. I love the passion. I suppose in a way, I love you. The kind of love one has for someone who is willing to share their wounds and their feelings both, which helps me with my own.
Thank you.
This was an amazing watch over 3 days, and has provoked so many feelings, so much happiness and second hand catharsis.
Any chance that this video will be re-written and updated now that Avellone isn't persona non grata? Because as it stands it does him a disservice.
This video was a beautiful journey through my favorite game ever. Thank you so much for putting this together alongside your heartfelt perspective on the narrative, brilliant editing, and fantastic voice acting.
Thank you so much. And may the force be with you, always.
KotOR 2 has been my favorite video game since I was 14 years old and blissfully unaware of my various impending mental health struggles and queer realizations, but even before becoming conscious of all that, it resonated so deeply with me. I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s gone back to it again and again over the years only for it to fit our lives better and better each time. This analysis is beautiful; your Exile is a true gem; I can’t thank you and your collaborators enough for all your hard work. Baby’s first 8 hour UA-cam analysis experience is 1000000000/10. I will definitely be rewatching this a lot
One of the best video analysis I have ever seen. You should be very proud of your work. This isint just a passion project made during the pandemic, your takes and your analysis goes above and beyond. Happy pride month, and thank you for this amazing piece of star wars history.
It took me a full week to find the time to make it through this, but it has become a parallel to a struggle I've been dealing with. something you may know too well. thank you for this. your roleplaying, your dissection, your honesty, and beauty and truth. it was worth every single minute. thank you.
Loved this unique take on this great game. Thanks for taking the time to make it❤
Finished the video, great stuff.
Especially that ending which really hit emotionally.
Throwing this into the Essential Star Wars Analysis playlist.
FINE! I will watch it again! Its really good and it is about my favorite game anyway. Great Video!
This was an incredible video. The amount of work and thought you put into my favourite Star Wars story is staggering.
Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with us.
I've probably watched a dozen video essays on KotOR 2 at this point, but I think this is the best one. You really drilled down to the emotional core of why I love this game. Character development and emotional resonance have always been what I'm drawn to in storytelling, and you covered that perfectly. Thank you for making this, it was a joy to watch.
I particularly enjoyed you playing out the important dialogue in the video. The dialogue is the biggest strength of the game, but many videos gloss over it and fail to capture the real fun of the game as a result. It ends up making the examination feel hollow, though I guess that's appropriate considering the themes of the game funnily enough.
EDIT: Also, I really appreciated how much you covered the theme of trauma and healing. It's a subject that hits close to home. I guess a lot of people can say that. I don't know, I just really liked the way you talked about it. It made me reflect on some things in my life and feel positive about the ways I've moved past things and changed for the better.
I’m glad this spoke to you and meant something to you, thank you for watching!
Loved it the first time around! So let's watch it again.
Wow, just got done watching all 8 hours and this is an amazing piece of work. So much thought and effort into this and every moment in those 8 hours were so well done. You have me sobbing at your final thoughts as I also realised just how similar I am to the exiles story. And is why I love KOTOR 2 so much without realising it. Thank you so much for this
This is the most beautiful take on kotor 2 I've ever heard. Thank you so much for this and for sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Making my way through and I really want to say that I love the way you're discussing the companion characters. I feel like KOTOR2 gets overlooked in a lot of discussion around characters in RPGs (IMO because it was just never as popular as the games you typically see in those discussions), but it has incredibly interesting ways of presenting some of them. The one in particular that always stuck out to me was Atton and you have done a lovely job of pointing out exactly what the things about Atton are that make his story compelling. It isn't just a story of possible redemption or a tragic backstory for the cocky rogue, it's someone being incredibly uncomfortable with even the idea of telling their own story and the player not being allowed to force it. The way KOTOR2 spaces out the reveals on your companions (though at times kind of frustrating), is a good idea that works in practice more than it doesn't. Even the most forgettable companions in KOTOR2 (lookin at you, G0-T0) are, to my mind, more impactful than *most* of what you can find in its contemporaries.
Plus, I think the sort of mentor-mentee dynamic is done so beautifully in this game. Not just the relationship between Kreia and the Exile, but in the Exile and their possible disciples. Each character in the crew teaches you *something* even if they don't realize it. It's an incredible give and take that is so much more interesting than "You have the Force in you boy, take this laser sword and join my monastic order of weirdo wizards." Atton's strategies for combatting having his thoughts read is a pretty obvious example of this, but my favorite will always be Bao-Dur's perspective on Malachor V. Getting to see that event through the eyes of someone much closer to the boots on the ground than the lofty Jedi General is so meaningful. A sentiment that you and your animatic artist have captured beautifully.
ANYWAY: thanks for making this. It's great.
Rewatching this video after a full year of serious health issues and very recently realizing that I was trans I just have to say: Thank you for this video.
Kotor 2 was really important in changing how i looked at media, and hell i took my name from the handmaiden cuz of what i realize now was nearly 2 decades of gender envy.
Your work is amazing and the world is better for it.
Now to load up kotor 2 one more time.
this video, your editing, your narration - it's all so soothing and listenable. I put this video on before bed and it lulls me to sleep. Well done
I cried watching this video. I've played and completed this game more times than any other. The gameplay mechanics aren't amazing by any stretch of the imagination. It's fun for sure, but that's not why I've played this one more than a dozen times. This is the game that I chose a name, my chosen name. This video made me feel seen and I love you for it! Thank you for this beautiful analysis of an amazing gaming experience. I didn't realize it at the time, but this game definitely helped me to deal with a lot of trauma in my life.
i just finished this - absolutely incredible, i have no doubts that this will become one of the long videos i come back to over and over again - it never loses me to long windedness or monotony. you have a very beautiful, calming voice and your other voice talent is amazing as well.
I'm only 1 hour into watching as I type this, so forgive me if I bring up something that is addressed in the video later. That first confrontation with Atris was one of the most satisfying experiences I ever had in a computer game. The beauty of it is that it's driven 100% by the strength of the writing and the characterization of the two people engaged in the dialogue - and YOU control one of them. The dialogue choices you make carry so much nuance, and the effects they have on Atris have so many layers to them. And the subtext to it is romantic, not sexual - love, not lust. That's such an important distinction that is often ignored in most shallow video game "romances". It exacerbates Atris' own internal conflicts and doubts about whether she made the right choice, which she then projects as pure hostility and certainty. The plot was about stopping the Sith, but the game was about the Exile - or, rather, who the player makes her into. Atris, Kreia, Sion, Atton, Mira, Bao Dur are all forever changed by their interactions with Exile - not just the choices you make, but how and why you made them. It stays with me to this day.
Only partway through, but I need to comment. Or I'll forget.
The move into act 2, with the whole transitioning to a new self theme... I haven't played since before starting my own transition, but I somehow missed that and I freakin' love it.
I adore your voice, by the way. Very relaxing.
I did that drawing of atris (50:07) a couple years ago and seeing it here was a nice surprise! KOTOR 2 is such a special videogame to me, I'm loving the video so far
omfg!! Hells yeah I love your stuff
Epic
I'm a year late to this but just in case you still read these comments I want to say thank you. I grew up on all kinds of Star Wars at a really early age and love it so much, the OT, the prequels, the KotORs, SWTOR, many books, but I've felt so muddled for so long. Guilt over liking KotOR 2 because of the writer, guilt over liking any of it now that my money goes to a horrible megacorporation, sadness at how much everybody hates what they once loved. All these things, constant efforts by Disney to recycle those feelings ad nauseum and the genuine tiring of everybody myself included kind of made me forget how genuine and strong my love is. And I wanted to say to you that 2 hours in your video is already helping me feel centered, relaxed, appreciative, connected, and a heck of a lot better in a time when it's really needed. Thank you so so much your video is wonderful and your insight, narration, and passion really shine, and I can't shake the feeling you're a sort of Jedi Exile too in that way. Thanks again ^_^
PS: I played through KotOR 2 last summer and was surprised to find that there is a second, more true message than Nihilism that I think you picked up on as well. Playing through it, when I followed Kreia's insight but not her advice and looked past Jedi, Sith, looked past past and future, and tried to do what I felt was right for the characters and worlds around me in the moment, the game *responded.* Even when directly disobeying her she actually seemed to appreciate when I made an effort to strike balances and be adaptable. It actually made me kind of creeped out how much the whole game started to change when I understood this actual message, that Kreia doesn't want you to be her perfect student, not to be nihilistic etc, she knows it's flawed, and living both sides of life and personally suffering while using that to understand how to empathize with others and share in both commonalities and differences is something *every* *single* *character* is on the path towards and *actively* drew strength from as I was playing, even Kreia herself. It was insane I can't express how much the whole game started to tangibly shift when I played it that way. For all its countless flaws and its writer's unforgivable ones this is a masterpiece beyond what words can say and while watching your video it's striking me just how much I have learned from it. Again thanks for your efforts I think this will be a comfort video for me as much as the game is itself for many, and thanks for reading my nonsense whoever's doing so, I appreciate you too :)
Just finished the video in one sitting, I was hooked, and I agree with your parting thoughts, you really are like the exile in all the best ways. Thanks for sharing it means a lot to many