Sith Lords has all the class, intrigue, tension and fun of the original. Although developed by a new team (Obsidian), the games plays as well as the first. Once again the series has created characters, such as your Jedi's mentor, Kreia, that we truly care about, and thrust them into a story that glues us to our seats, eager for the next chapter, plot twist or event.

But of course the game isn't all about story. The action is nonstop, and the combat system is one of the best compromises between real-time and turn-based that I have ever seen. It has the speed and visual appeal of real-time combat—it's just so cool to watch laser bolts fly down a ship's narrow passage while lightsabers hum and slash. Yet the game offers the tactics of a turn-based duel. For example, you can enter a room of enemies, pause the action, order a party member to toss a stun grenade into their midst, and then direct your Jedi to slice and dice them while they are stunned. But the strategy doesn't stop there. Leveling up your characters presents its own set of challenges. Should you specialize in melee weapons, which inflict more damage, or ranged weapons, such as blasters, which allow you to deal your pain from afar? They are tough choices, but choices you must make, not only with your Jedi, but also with your other party members. Later in the game, quests require that you split your party, and if all the characters aren't sound, you'll never complete the quests.

And, believe me, this is one game that you'll want to complete. Sith Lords gives gamers more of what made the original title everybody's Game of the Year in 2003: great story, super combat and interesting role-playing. If you visit the Star Wars universe but once this year, visit it here.