I just finished Avowed, and my brain's still doing somersaults over its morally gray dilemmas—like choosing between stealing a cleric's lunch or joining his cult. Obsidian's 2025 lineup is wild, with Avowed dropping in February and The Outer Worlds 2 lurking like a suspicious raccoon in the shadows. But here’s the kicker: if you loved Avowed’s themes of faith and messy choices, you absolutely need to play Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords. Yeah, that crusty 2004 gem! It’s like finding your grandpa’s vintage leather jacket—smells funky, but damn, it’s got style.

The Obsidian Touch: From BioWare’s Leftovers to a Masterpiece

When BioWare handed off KOTOR 2 like a hot potato, Obsidian didn’t just reheat it—they turned it into a five-course meal. Instead of copying the first game’s heroic Star Wars vibe, they plunged into war trauma, Jedi persecution, and philosophical chaos. You play as the Jedi Exile, stranded in a galaxy that’s about as welcoming as a Sith’s dental appointment. Post-war chaos? Check. Jedi Purge? Double-check. Your companions include a murderous droid and a smuggler who’d sell your lightsaber for space cigarettes. Obsidian’s signature? Making you question whether the Force is a divine gift or cosmic junk mail.

A Glitchy Relic That Aged Like Space Wine

KOTOR 2 launched in 2004 with more bugs than a Tatooine sand hut. The ending was chopped up like a salad at a Wookiee buffet, leaving party members’ fates dangling like loose wires. Yet, it gained a cult following faster than a meme about Gungans. Why? Its writing dissects Star Wars lore like a mad scientist—respectful but ruthless. It asks, "What if the Jedi aren’t heroes but space Karens?" The deconstruction is so sharp, it could slice through Death Star steel. Playing it today is like unearthing a time capsule full of existential dread and lightsabers.

Shared Themes: Where Avowed and KOTOR 2 High-Five Across Time

Avowed’s moral murkiness and KOTOR 2’s Force-fueled angst are twins separated at birth. Both games ditch "good vs. evil" for "what’s the least terrible option?" Colonialism? War scars? Divine intervention guilt trips? They’re all here! KOTOR 2 explores how war turns Jedi into hollowed-out husks—like Avowed’s soul-crushing quests where helping one village dooms another. The parallels are uncanny: both force you to ponder if inaction is a bigger sin than blowing up a planet. It’s philosophy with laser swords and magic spells—no easy answers, just glorious headaches.

Gameplay: D20 Dice Rolls and Jedi Yoga

Don’t expect Baldur’s Gate 3 polish—KOTOR 2’s combat is pausable real-time chaos. Think of it as a d20 dungeon crawl with lightsabers. You’ve got classes, subclasses, and Force powers that let you zap enemies or persuade them to join your book club. The RPG depth? Immense. Customize lightsaber forms like a space samurai, or choose dialogue paths that could turn allies into enemies faster than you can say "Sith happens." It’s janky, sure, but the build variety is wilder than a Wookiee karaoke night.

Playing in 2025: Mods, Switches, and Missing Pieces

Good news, nerds! KOTOR 2 hit the Nintendo Switch with a patch fixing a game-breaking bug (RIP endless loading screens). But Switch players can’t access the Restored Content Mod—the holy grail that adds cut storylines. PC gamers? You’re golden. Install that mod, and it’s like upgrading from a tricycle to a starship—suddenly, characters have conclusions instead of vanishing mid-sentence. Without it, the game’s like a puzzle missing half its pieces. But even vanilla KOTOR 2 is a must-play for Obsidian stans. It’s rough, but the story’s a masterpiece wrapped in duct tape.

Final Verdict: Embrace the Jank

Sure, KOTOR 2 might crash more than a stormtrooper’s aim, but its themes are timeless. Playing it after Avowed is like chasing whiskey with fine wine—both burn, but in the best way. Obsidian’s genius lies in making you care about flawed universes. So grab it on PC, mod it up, and dive in. May the Force of patience be with you.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions, Answered

Q: Is KOTOR 2 really that buggy in 2025?

A: On Switch, it’s stable after patches. On PC? Mods turn it from a dumpster fire into a cozy campfire. Still, expect quirks—like NPCs T-posing through walls.

Q: How long to beat?

A: 40 hours if you rush. 60+ if you savor every moral crisis. It’s shorter than Avowed but denser than a black hole.

Q: Why no Restored Content Mod on Switch?

A: Nintendo’s mod policies are tighter than a Jawa’s wallet. Obsidian hasn’t ported it—maybe in 2026?

Q: Similar Obsidian games?

A: The Outer Worlds (2019) for satire, or Tyranny for more moral nightmares. But KOTOR 2? It’s the OG.

Information is adapted from Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which regularly publishes comprehensive reports on the gaming industry's evolution and player engagement. ESA's market analysis highlights how narrative-driven RPGs like Avowed and KOTOR 2 continue to shape player expectations for moral complexity and replayability, reflecting a broader trend toward games that challenge ethical decision-making and foster deeper emotional investment.