When it was released in 2004, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic proved resoundingly popular, so much so that it got a sequel and an MMORPG spin-off. The series received critical acclaim and has become an icon on several fronts. It was extremely influential on the RPG genre, so much so that Bioware went on to make several major RPG franchises. It is also commonly viewed as one of the best Star Wars games and still has a dedicated fanbase today.
There is a rumor about a remake of Knights of the Old Republic being in production by Aspyr Media, which has a history of porting and remastering Star Wars games. While not much is known about it, there is already talk about possible changes. As well-loved as it was, Knights of the Old Republic does show its age now. Its graphics are dated and its role-playing mechanics have been refined and improved in many games since. A remake of the game could re-introduce a great game to younger players and provide a means for some of the original game's content to be incorporated into the new Star Wars canon.
But it is also an opportunity to revisit and rework aspects of the original game, especially those which show their age. Aspyr could take advantage of advancements in game design since the original's release to drastically improve the game.
7 What Should Change: Customization
Both Knights of the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords offered some pretty solid character options for the time, but it does show its age today. The player can choose their character's gender and abilities, but they are limited to choosing from a few pre-designed faces. Many later RPGs, including those of Bioware, offer a much wider range of options. This would be a great thing to see included n the remake.
Additionally, both games only allow the player to be a human, when there is a wide range of different species across the galaxy. It would be exciting to have the option to play as one of them instead. There are probably too many different aliens in the Star Wars universe to include everything, but even just having some iconic ones such as Twi'leks, Togruta, Rodians, Duros, and Aqualish would be a nice change.
6 What Should Change: More Room For Story Variations
Knights of the Old Republic was very fond of choices that shape the story, but there are limits to how far one can go. Some plot developments happen regardless of the player's choices. While this may have been great at the time, it does look crude next to something like Mass Effect. Mostly they come in the form of clear-cut "light side" and "dark side" options, usually through a conflict that the player is expected to take a side on based on their alignment. One faction is "good," the other "bad." It would be cool to see other options. For example, what if there was a way the player could complete Taris without siding with one of the swoop gangs?
This could also lead to different outcomes from major events. In the Leviathan level, the heroes are trying to escape from a ship before the arrival of the main antagonist Darth Malak. In the original game, Malak is able to intercept them. But if we wanted to make it more interesting, then perhaps there could be factors in place that determine their success. Depending on player decisions they could either successfully escape the Leviathan before Malak's arrival or get intercepted by him, and perhaps leave open different outcomes from the confrontation.
5 What to Keep: Settings
Knights of the Old Republic goes to great lengths to develop some unique worlds to be explored, with Tattoine being the only planet that had at that point been seen in the films- Kashyyk would not appear on film until Revenge of the Sith (unless you count the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special).
From the classist and xenophobic dystopia of Taris to the Sith homeworld of Korriban to the mysterious "unknown world" containing the history of a forgotten empire, the player encounters a variety of interesting settings. It would undoubtedly be exciting to see these worlds revisited in high-definition graphics.
4 What Should Change: More Varied Character Arcs
The original game has somewhat fixed arcs for each party member. This is particularly notable in the dark side ending, where the player has to kill several party members while a few remain on their side. Exactly which ones stay and which ones are killed is pre-determined. An interesting angle would be a mechanic where the player can perform actions that gain or lose trust from their allies - which, in turn, affect their part in the climax. Mission Vao is one of the party members the player has to eliminate in the dark side ending but imagine if there was also a version of events where the player could instead earn her trust and turn her to the dark side.
It could also lead to some interesting variations in existing storylines. The original game had a major plot development where Bastila is captured and later turned to the dark side. What if there were a few more variations? Such as one where Bastila's capture is entirely averted and she stays in the party. Or maybe one where she is captured but the outcome varies depending on her relationship with the player, like one where she sides with Malak and one where she resists his influence. Or perhaps one where it is instead the player who turns Bastila to the dark side.
3 What Should Change: More Romantic Options
The original game only had three romantic options. A male protagonist could romance Bastilla, and a female protagonist could romance Carth. But Knights of the Old Republic was also notable for introducing Juhani, an alternative love interest for a female player character and the first openly gay character in the entire Star Wars franchise. For a long time, she was the only LGBT character in Star Wars until Resistance and The Rise of Skywalker, nearly two decades later. Knights of the Old Republic II did not even acknowledge Juhani and just assumed a female protagonist romanced Carth.
However, a lot of RPGs since Knights of the Old Republic, including several by Bioware, have been more open to giving the player more romantic options. Presumably, if the game is going to be remade, Juhani would be included as well.
2 What to Keep: The Core Party
Aside from its story, Knights of the Old Republic had an assortment of great characters that quickly earned the affection of fans. The full game includes a total of nine different companions (ten including Trask Ulgo), who each have their own unique personalities. Every fan of the game has their favorite teammates.
Whether it is the sass-talking but kindhearted Mission Vao or the endlessly bloodthirsty HK-47, the player has a variety of choices. It would only make sense for them to return in the remake. This could be a great opportunity to breathe new life into some old fan favorites and even add a bit more depth to their stories.
1 What Should Change: The Big Twist
Knights of the Old Republic was well-loved for its story, which took initial fans by surprise with a major twist. The player character was actually Revan - the presumed-dead sith lord responsible for the entire war starting. It has become one of the most iconic video game plot twists, right up there with Bioshock's "Would You Kindly."
Unfortunately, while the twist may have shocked the game's initial players, it has since become well-known. This does leave the problem of how to approach it in the remake, seeing as it would hardly be shocking after becoming so iconic yet it is such a big part of the story. There are a few different options that could be used. One possibility would be to simply not present it as a twist and have the reveal occur earlier. Another approach might be to try and subvert expectations with a different twist - for instance, if one of the players' teammates was actually Revan.