Besides the previously posted early game access news, there's still plenty of good stuff out there regarding Star Wars: The Old Republic from the past week. As always we'll start with content coming from the official TOR site.
The latest character progression video has been released and this go 'round we learn a bit more about the Sith Inquisitor.
TomsHardware.com has a lengthy multipage article explaining what they like and dislike about the game while also detailing PC hardware requirements.
Gamespot.com reports on TOR having over 2 million beta test subscribers and that gamers logged an average of 12 hours during the massive Thanksgiving weekend beta test.
G4TV.com has added the Sith Inquisitor to their growing collection of character class guides for Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Destructoid.com previews TOR from the perspective of a Sith Warrior:
"What catches your eye are the huge imposing spaces, the detailed buildings and the frequently ornate gear. While the character animations are very poor and the style is slightly deformed, it will probably stand the test of time well. An overused comparison, but I still think a legitimate one is the art design of World of Warcraft. Blizzard took a similar route, focussing on a creative use of space, bright and bold colors and over the top armor and weapons rather than sharp, realistic graphics. And seven years on, it still manages to look great, if dated.
When my time in Dromund Kaas came to an end and I said cheerio to the slaves, giant monuments, deadly jungle and Imperial politics, my Dark Lord boss gave me a ship and sent me on my way. There were whole worlds just begging to be explored, ships to blow up and other players to embarass with my lightsaber, but all that is going to have to wait. Star Wars: The Old Republic launches on December 20, just in time to be set aside for familial responsibilities and holiday drunkenness. Unfortunate timing."
NowGamer.com likes what they've seen and consider The Old Republic to be a viable competitor for WOW:
"It?s hard for any MMO to make it past WoW these days, but as Blizzard?s long-reigning champion begins to bleed subscribers, the time might be right for BioWare to step in and begin the charge anew.
And it?s done so in a surprising way: the mechanics underpinning Star Wars: The Old Republic are, on paper at least, similar to most other MMOs on the market. Yet all the same it manages to tweak it in such a way it feels fresh and new, with some even stating their interest because it doesn?t feel like an MMO.
Maybe it?s the Star Wars license and the level of sheen displayed here, or maybe it?s the subtle alterations to combat that make it fast and fun yet recognisable to any MMO player. It?s hard to pinpoint, really, but it?s easy to consider that Star Wars The Old Republic could easily become the next big thing for MMO gaming."