With all of the fond memories associated with Knights of the Old Republic, a remake of the game would really have to nail key aspects of the original game to satisfy longtime fans. One of the most charming elements of KOTOR is its many characters, many of which are still considered some of the most iconic in all of Star Wars. One such character is HK-47, an assassin droid with a dry sense of humor and a particularly tenacious hunger for violence. HK-47 has remained one of the standout characters to come from KOTOR, and the overall success of the rumored remake could hinge on his portrayal.
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The Charm Of HK-47
Like many characters in the Star Wars franchise, HK-47’s story in Knights of the Old Republic starts on the desert planet of Tatooine. The player first comes across the character at a droid dealer, where it’s quickly apparent that HK-47 is not just any other protocol droid. He expresses how his prime directives are curated towards combat, and upon purchasing HK-47 and removing his restraining bolt, he expresses gratitude and quickly offers to kill someone for the player. This introduction is certainly an odd one compared to most Star Wars droids, but it’s one that quickly made a strong connection with many fans.
HK-47’s lovably aggressive demeanor continues to show itself throughout the game, as the droid accompanies the player as a companion. His meticulous knowledge of the best ways to eliminate an enemy is unnerving, but his delivery and self-seriousness makes for some of the most comedic moments of Knights of the Old Republic. On top of that, his distaste for organic life is a constant refrain throughout his dialogue, and he almost exclusively refers to people as “meatbags”. It’s this unhinged sincerity that makes HK-47 one of the most memorable characters in the game, and a fan-favorite to many.
Doing HK-47 Justice In The KOTOR Remake
In order to give players the portrayal of HK-47 that they may expect, the rumored KOTOR remake will have to be very careful about how he’s incorporated. It’s already been speculated that the KOTOR remake will make changes to combat, so it’s likely that other things about the original game will be changed as well. Whether dialogue options are removed, or the game simply becomes more cinematic, it’d be natural for the remake to evolve the original so that it better represents the current age of gaming. For the remake to nail HK-47 however, it should try to minimize changes to his character as much as possible.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing about HK-47 can change for the rumored remake, but it’s important to keep the core of his character intact. Probably the worst thing that the KOTOR remake could do is completely change HK-47’s character, especially when the original already laid a solid foundation. If it becomes necessary to add more voice lines from the original game to fill out a more expansive experience, then that’s understandable, but HK-47’s lovable demeanor should be maintained. If the character is changed in any way that detracts from his original character, then there could be some severe backlash.
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Taking Inspiration From Final Fantasy 7 Remake
If the Knights of the Old Republic remake is really going to nail HK-47, then it could learn a thing or two from Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Other than taking inspiration from the game’s combat system, the KOTOR remake could also learn from how it expanded the original FF7’s story. Thanks a more cinematic approach, FF7 Remake was able to inject much more personality into its main protagonists. If the KOTOR remake took a similar direction, it could give characters like HK-47 even more of a spotlight than before.
Probably the closest comparison that could be made to FF7 Remake and the potential of HK-47 could be found in Barret. FF7 Remake expanded on the character in a way that really showed off his charisma and attitude, and the same could be done for HK-47. The droid’s snarky dialogue in the original KOTOR already gives the rumored remake a great place to start, but the nature of the game’s dialogue scenes made pretty much all characters rather static. Providing a more physical aspect of expression for HK-47 could add a whole new layer of entertainment, giving longtime players something new to appreciate.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is one of the most beloved games in the whole franchise, putting a lot of weight on the rumored remake’s shoulders. From the combat to the individual story beats, a lot of fans are really attached to the original game, so any changes will have to be made with full consideration. HK-47 is one aspect of the game that many fans are especially protective of, and his depiction could make or break the game for some players. Hopefully with how faithful the remaster of Star Wars: Republic Commando has proved to be, then HK-47 and the KOTOR remake should be in good hands.
A Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake is rumored to be in development.
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