Dear readers (if there are any),
I usually don't get very excited about new planets introduced in the game. I mean, there are some planets that are bound to appear (like Tatooine for example. It has been in 90% of Lucas Arts games, hasn't it?), others are expected - like Manaan, Kashyyyk & Alderaan. But sometimes developers give us this priceless little jewel that make our day. And so it has been in the case of Taris and me.
Did any of you expect to go back to that planet? I know I didn't. And now I will be able to, because Taris is back and it looks just great. But first things first.
For those of you who haven't played KotOR 1 or are not really into star wars saga (sinners!) I will give a brief reminder of the events connected with Taris.
Taris was an ecumenopolis like Corusscant or Nar-Shaddaa (planet is one big city). Striken by poverty and famine the city divded into many social classes, leaving poor citizens struggling to survive and the rich tending to themselves. What is more, is the fact that the city is controlled by the Sith, causing even bigger unrest among Taris citizens.
That is the way of things when we first encounter Taris in the beginning of KotOR 1, when we crash-land on one of the city's upper levels. As it is in so many beginnings of books/games/movies we don't know much about ourselves and we first crawl around our personality and quests only to discover greater plot strongly connected to our fate. And so we learn that we are acctually an extremaly killled soldier of the republic and that it is essentail for us to find a Jedi named Bastila Shan. Our exploration finally leads us to finding and rescueing noble Jedi and making our way of the planet.
However, in the meanwhile, a Dark Lord of the Sith - Darth Malak is also looking for Bastila. As he is making no real progress he decides not to waste anymore time and generally wipes out the whole planet. And so, he gathers the Sith Armada and bombs Taris.
Our heroes manage to leave Taris in the most dramatic last moment and that is how the planet's story ends. Or so we have thought. [If you want to know more details about Taris and its wider story, click here ]
Few days ago an info and a video have been released concering return to Taris [ wanna see? click here ]. I must say I was more than excited about it. Why? Because Taris is more than another place to explore. Let me elaborate - First of all it is the first planet that we encounter in KotOR, and lets face it - everybody loves Kotor :D Secondly, we have been witnesses and participants of the planet's story and now, we can see how our previous hero's deeds influenced the planet. And they have! The long-story-short is that Taris is now a wasteland. Devastaded by Sith fleet there is little of city left on the planet. It is a jungle with debree and it looks awesome! Inhabited mostly by Rakghouls it will be an extremaly interesting and challanging place to explore.
But really it is not the exploration or challange that made me happy about that planet. What made me excited is what Taris really represents. It is a symbol of event on the scale of Death Star destroying Alderaan. Wheather you are playing Republic or the Empire, Taris will be a place of great interest to you and while walking on the planet's surface, you are bound to get motivated to kick some opponent's ass. Why?
Well think of yourelf as a representative of the Republic for a moment. You fight for justice, honor and peace.You know, all the lame-good values. You see a planet struggling, basicly collapsing from the inside. And as a good guy, you figure there has to be a way of helping people of Taris. And then the planet gets wiped. Milions of people die, city is torn aparat, your struggle to help others ends, with one order from a Sith. Impactfull isn't it? Taris is a symbol, a living monument for the Republic. Symbol of Sith resolve, proof that there is no turning back for them and that they have to be stopped at all costs. But it is also a monument of Jedi's failure. After all, the whole planet was bombarded due to Bastila. And so - the it represents the fact that everyone of you will influence not only your own gaming experiance, but also the fate of the galaxy. And now dear Republic players, try to carry this thought while playing. Maybe some mean-ass bastard will go after you?
And now transform yourself into an Empire player. Your vision of Taris will be completely different. Even though the whole planet will be a monument for you as well, it will represent something else. While exploring Taris, you will see a museum. Museum of Sith art. Taris will be a symbol of power, determination and Sith ideology. 'Do what must be done (...) Do not hestiate, show no mercy'. On Taris - you are The Man. Its story is your story. The best chapters of it. Its the best proof that one can mess with you but cannot take you down. However, you can take them down. And their friends. And Allies. And Homes. And maybe a planet or two on the way. Strength is all that matters in the war and you got it. Taris is all you will need to get inspiration and motivation for further struggles during the war. Be proud - there is nothing that can stop you.
And so now you see how I got excited about discovering Taris. There have been many interesting planets introduced by Bioware, but there are none like Taris. It is meaningful, full of story and probably the closest planet to you out there. As soon as I will be able to, I'll visit it. And I hope to meet you out there.
At ease!
Menti
P.S. From technical issues - Sliv is working on an improved banner for our site, it should be on very soon. Also I am working on another extended article - Story so far, but it is going to be a long one, so I will be releasing it in segments, so please be patient. And that is all guys, thank for reading!
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