“You don’t know the power of the dark side,” Darth Vader tells Luke Skywalker in The Return of the Jedi. If Luke had taken time out to play Knights of the Old Republic II — The Sith Lords, he would have done. Here, players decide whether they want their Jedi hero to fight valiantly for the Jedi Order or cross over to the dark side.

Set five years after the first game, The Sith Lords takes place in a troubled galaxy where the Jedi are on the brink of extinction. As the action begins, your character is on the run from the Sith, who believe you to be the last remaining Jedi. Taking out enemies and solving puzzles bring your character new skills, such as improved droid repairs or better powers of persuasion. There are seven worlds to explore, and as you gain experience you can put together an AI team to provide vital back-up and cover.

The visuals in this classy RPG are solid, while the level design and locations alternate between the inspired and the merely functional. The graphics do run smoothly, though load times on the Xbox can get sluggish. Music plays an important part in the overall experience — the main Star Wars theme brings instant familiarity to the adventure and heightens tension at critical points. Loyal fans should find plenty to keep them happy here.

Tim Wapshott