As the next Star Wars: The Old Republic beta weekend looms close, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy, Garrett Fuller, Mike Bitton, and Chris Higgin had an opportunity to chat with one another about their experiences with companions during their game time recently. They've got a few thoughts to share with you about companions so keep reading! What are you most looking forward to companions-wise in SWTOR? Let us know in the comments!

Rest assured, those who are worried, that while companions are a main facet of the game, it’s not hard at all to manage them, and it doesn’t make the game suddenly “single-player” because the companions won’t fulfill the need of having more people on harder missions. What they do is add to the story experience the same way characters add to the story of Mass Effect or KotOR. And while it is a little silly to see dozens of Coros Riggses or Aric Jorgans running around, there is some customization to help make them look somewhat different from player to player. Still, it’s a significant thing to mention: everyone has companions, in the beginning you’ll all have the same ones, and it’s a bit weird to see people running around with doting clones. That said, we each feel that the depth of characterization and gameplay is enhanced by having them at your side, so it’s really a double-edged sword.

Read more of our Star Wars: The Old Republic - Republic Companions Preview.

Wasn't looking forward to the pet/companion system so much, but I'm planning to play a Jedi Consular and this Fess trandoshan guy looks bad ass. Liking the story you hint at about how he becomes your companion.

SBFord seems to be the hardest working person on this site.

Great updates for all games. :)

Originally posted by uller30
No Sith?

*waves hand* There is no Sith.

Actually, we just can't talk about them yet.  :)

Originally posted by popinjay

SBFord seems to be the hardest working person on this site.

Great updates for all games. :)

 

Well you made my day. :)

I do have to be honest, however, and tell you that I wish I wrote as well and as prolifically as my compatriots here at MMORPG.com. I just have the privilege of "newsing" their hard work. :)

Nice write up! I'm definately diggin the companions and their different personalities. Here's hoping that I too enjoy my experience with them this weekend although I think I'm gonna be focused on troopers only...

*waves his hand at EA suit monkes*

You will lift the NDA on the Sith companions

I think this is appropriate:

After playing Dragon Age starting a few days ago I am super excited about the layer of story and depth the companions will add. Good read.

My best part of this story was the debunking the companion as making it a single player game. Truth is im looking forward to companions as far as advancin my story and how the react to me.

After playing dragon age and dragon age 2 and mass effect 2 i cant wait for the companion system. The companions in those games all had there own unique personalities and if the companions in tor are done as well as the ones in previous bioware games they will add alot to the story for me.

Since i plan on playing every class to max level just for the class story and companions i cant wait for tor to go live.

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Originally posted by kalinis
My best part of this story was the debunking the companion as making it a single player game. Truth is im looking forward to companions as far as advancin my story and how the react to me.After playing dragon age and dragon age 2 and mass effect 2 i cant wait for the companion system. The companions in those games all had there own unique personalities and if the companions in tor are done as well as the ones in previous bioware games they will add alot to the story for me.Since i plan on playing every class to max level just for the class story and companions i cant wait for tor to go live.

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The interesting thing is that for a game that wasn't trying to bring a lot of "innovation", the companion system is pretty innovative.

I doubt other games will do this because they don't have the expertise that Bioware has in this area, but I'm sure a lot of them wish they could. Adding that new dimension in TOR where previously in every other mmo companions (or pets) were just scenery or background makes them look like cardboard cutouts or just mindless attack drones.

I still laugh to this day about the "companion"/pet that everyone in Rift was raving about and couldn't wait to get, and when they did it was /shouted over chat, that did nothing at all. What to know what is it?

I shit you not.

Very good read.  I'll keep it in mind when I start playing in a few hours.

No female starting companions for the Republic makes me sad

Originally posted by brahmabull75

No female starting companions for the Republic makes me sad

You know what they say:

Nice guys finish last :D

Great read.  It really accentuates the single-player emphasis of SW:TOR.  Kudos.

I still have my reservations about this game, but there's no doubt I'll be buying it, it IS star wars.  I'm a totaly nerd, so it fits lol.  I just wish they'd release the sith companions.  I hate being a goody-two-shoes Jedi...Only class on Jedi I even remotely like is Trooper, because they're not really "Good" they can kill innocents if they want hehe.

Originally posted by Gravarg

I still have my reservations about this game, but there's no doubt I'll be buying it, it IS star wars.  I'm a totaly nerd, so it fits lol.  I just wish they'd release the sith companions.  I hate being a goody-two-shoes Jedi...Only class on Jedi I even remotely like is Trooper, because they're not really "Good" they can kill innocents if they want hehe.

empire starting companions as have been mentioned from previous press play times are:

Sith warrior - Vette

Sith inquisitor - Khem Val

Imperial Agent - Kaylio Djannis

Bounty Hunter - Mako

here is a list of known companions:

• Sith Warrior
• Vette - Twi'lek - DPS/Support
  Lieutenant Pierce - Human - Imperial Trooper - Darth Hater
• Sith Inquisitor
• Khem Val - Dashade - Tank
  Ability: Khem Val seen has a charge ability
• Xalek - Kaleesh - DPS
• Bounty Hunter
• Mako - Human - Mako starts with a Healing Mode and Concussion Round Kit (deals damage, knocks down lower tier enemies). - Darth Hater
  Mako has a minor bonus to Cybertech and significant bonus to Slicing - Darth Hater
• Skadge - Houk - N/A
• 2V-R8 - Droid - N/A
• PO-12 - Droid - Mentioned as another companion for BH
• Blizz - Jawa - DPS - Ask A Jedi
• Imperial Agent
• Kaliyo Djannis - Rattataki - Kaliyo starts with a Plasma Round Mode and Grenade Kit (deals AOE damage). - Darth Hater
• Scorpio - Mech - Cold and hates the Imperial Agent player character - Darth Hater
• Temple - Unknown Race or class type - Bioware