NOTE FOR THE READERS:  I am going to be updating this numerous times throughout my adventures in The Old Republic.  Keep coming back to this page for more info.

UPDATE 1-4-12: Scroll down for update one of many.

With Christmas slowly inching it's way out of our minds, boys and girls around the world feverishly begin to play with their favorite toys, whether it be a remote-controlled car, a Barbie dream house, or a new Xbox, PS3 or PC gaming system.  For me, my favorite toy did not come on Christmas morning, however.  No, this toy came about from the wonderful gifts of parents and grandparents on Christmas day.  I am talking about Bioware's new, epic mmo, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and after putting around twenty-five hours into it in just three days, I can tell you this: the force is strong with this game.  (I am sorry.  I had to put that somewhere in here).

 Let me begin by saying this, I LOVE STAR WARS!  The universe George Lucas created 30+ years ago epitomizes the very root of nerd-living and -thinking.  Aliens, giant, walking dogs, galaxies upon galaxies to explore, good vs. evil, love and anger; it truly is a magical experience.  Even those who do not walk the nerd path can equally see it's charm and love it all the same.  I still remember as a child going to the see Star Wars: The Empires Strikes Back in theaters, sitting in the front row of the movie theater (Because I was an idiot), and just drooling over the epic battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire on Hoth.  Darn, those AT-ATs were gorgeous.

 As the opportunity of getting The Old Republic lingered in my mind, I had to take action.  I went down to my local Wal-Mart and picked up a copy of the game, along with a usb keyboard, because I have a laptop, and I do not want to play an mmo on a laptop keyboard.  No, thanks.  I get home, rip open the packaging, and installed the game.  While the game was installing, I did not some heavy research on the different classes and characters that were offered to me.  Would I spend my time inflicting pain on the weak and downtrodden as a servant of the Emperor, or would I stay in the light and bring down the Empire once and for all? 

After a few moments of thinking, I decided to do the best of both worlds.  I chose the Empire (Mainly because I have heard and read that the Empire has way more interesting story arcs than the Rebel Alliance), but with a twist.

 I am playing as a Zabrak Sith Inquisitor (Nerdware is my name if you ever want to play together).  The Zabrak are a very independent race, basically Darth Maul if you have ever seen The Phantom Menace.  The twist is, I am being as good as possible.  Every chance I get to be good, I am.  Sure, I am still a feared member of the empire, but I ultimately want to use my powers for the greater good.  I like to think of my character as a spy for the Rebel Alliance.  No, there is no option of doing that that I am aware of.  I wish, though.

 I have played many mmos but not to the point of a fully leveled character with end-game gear and guilds and yadda-yadda.  I do, however, know the basic ends and outs of them.  You have your fetch quests, your raids, your dance parties, your loot, your myriad amount of players.  But, The Old Republic is different.  Bioware added in something completely new to the mmo genre: an interesting story, filled with cutscenes and a fully fetched out moral system.  This new addition alone is what drew me into the mmo in the first place.  I get so bored with other mmos because the basic components of an mmo bore me to tears.  I need some initiative to keep me going while I am playing a game, and the story-based addition to The Old Republic is exactly what I needed.

 After I had set up everything, I got thrown into The Old Republic with little knowledge of what the story was about, but they clear that up real fast.  Not only is the story interesting and engaging, but it has a steady pace that lets you clearly grip what is going on in this massive world.  You have a starting area, starting quests, beginner loot and all of that.  But, there is something about the way The Old Republic lets you take control of your player that feels really satisfactory.

 I just got out of the opening area, so I have a long way to go on my trek to becoming Sith Master, but I really cannot wait to play this game some more.  In fact, I am going to end this article so I can go play.  Come back for more entries on this topic.

 If you have been playing, what do you think about it?  How has your experience been?

 UPDATE: I am back for an update on The Old Republic.  Spoilers: It is still pretty awesome.

 I am finally off of the starting zone, I have met and recruited two companions to fight along side me to end those stupid "Rebel Without A Cause" mercenaries, I have been gifted a warship to aid me in my adventures, I have received better armor, weapons, items, the whole shabang.  And, guess what, I am still in Chapter 1.

 My prediction about the game is holding rather strong.  The game is still boasting a myriad amount of content to unlock and explore.  I cannot tell you how many missions I have abandon because there is just so much to do in that game.  Unfortunately, most of those missions MUST be done in a party of atleast three, so if you do not have any friends online to play with, or you cannot find people to help you finish the quest, you should probably just move on.

 As of right now, I am level 18 with two companions like I stated before.  The main story is still as interesting as it was from the beginning.  I have discovered two new worlds outside the opening world and the first world they send you after training.  I truly cannot understand how Bioware pulled it off, but somehow, they succeeded in bringing this universe to life.

 As I progress through the story and game, I will continue to come back to this article and update on more information, and towards the end of my journey, I will review this game and give you guys all the information you need to know.  Stay tuned, and may the force be with you, always.