It’s April 5, 2025, and I’ve just logged into Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) for the first time in years. As a longtime Star Wars fan who fondly remembers the game’s 2011 launch, I was curious to see how this MMORPG has held up after 13 years. With recent updates, a new developer at the helm, and a thriving community, 2025 feels like the perfect time to jump back into the galaxy far, far away. Whether you’re a new player, a returning veteran, or someone who’s just heard the buzz, here’s what it’s like to play SWTOR in 2025—and why it’s still worth your time.
A Galaxy Refreshed: What’s New in 2025
SWTOR has been around for over a decade, but it’s far from stagnant. Since Broadsword Online Games took over development from BioWare in 2023, the game has seen a steady stream of updates that keep it feeling fresh. In 2024, the team rolled out Update 7.6 “Galactic Threads,” which brought graphical overhauls to planets like Coruscant and Tatooine, improved lighting, and updated character models. While some players on the SWTOR subreddit noted that the character updates were a mixed bag—some models ended up with odd wrinkles or splotchy skin—the environmental upgrades are undeniable. Coruscant’s cityscape now gleams with a sharper, more modern look, and the deserts of Tatooine feel more alive with new dynamic lighting.
In 2025, the momentum has continued. Game Update 7.6.1, which dropped earlier this year, introduced Galactic Season 8 “Rising Powers,” offering special buffs for Uprising Encounters and new rewards like the Senator Consort hairstyle and Coruscant and Kaas Compact Cruiser Mounts inspired by the Disney+ series Andor. The update also added Dynamic Encounters to planets like Hoth and Tatooine, where you can stumble upon activities like herding escaped banthas or fighting off Hidden Chain forces. These events breathe life into older zones, making exploration feel more organic and rewarding. Just this week, on April 4, SWTOR’s official X account announced updated weekly objectives for Galactic Season 8, running through May 5, giving players new goals to chase.
The developers have also focused on quality-of-life improvements. A Mac launcher was added in 2024, making the game more accessible, and the server merge into five mega-servers has kept the community active. I logged into the Star Forge server—recommended by many on Steam discussions as the most populated—and immediately noticed players running around, chatting, and forming groups. The group finder for Flashpoints and PvP is bustling, and Operations (SWTOR’s version of raids) are still a regular occurrence, especially within guilds. The game’s population may not be at its 2011 peak, but Steam charts show a steady player base over the last three years, and I had no trouble finding others to team up with.
The Core Experience: A Story-Driven Star Wars Adventure
What sets SWTOR apart from other MMOs, even in 2025, is its focus on story. Set 3,000 years before the Skywalker Saga, the game lets you dive into the Old Republic era, a time of conflict between the Jedi, Sith, and various galactic factions. With eight unique class stories—each taking 30-60 hours to complete in the base game alone—SWTOR feels more like a single-player RPG with MMO elements than a traditional multiplayer grind. I rolled a Sith Inquisitor, drawn to the promise of mastering Force Lightning and stealth tactics, and was immediately sucked into a tale of betrayal, power, and dark side temptation.
The fully voiced cutscenes are a highlight, making every conversation feel like a scene from a Star Wars movie. Your choices matter, too—whether you spare a rival or electrocute them into submission, the story adapts to your decisions, affecting how companions and NPCs interact with you later. The writing holds up surprisingly well, especially in the main class stories, though some of the dialogue in later expansions can feel a bit formulaic. Still, the ability to play as a Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunter, or Smuggler, each with their own narrative, gives SWTOR a replayability that few MMOs can match. The Legacy of the Sith expansion continues the overarching story, with Broadsword teasing more chapters involving the Mandalorian and Darth Malgus storylines in 2025.
For solo players like me, SWTOR is a dream. The main class stories and most expansions are designed with solo play in mind, and the game scales your level to match the zone you’re in, so you’re never overpowered for the content. I spent hours exploring Tython as a Jedi Knight on a second character, running into other players but never feeling pressured to group up unless I wanted to. When I did join a group for a Flashpoint, the cutscenes seamlessly integrated my character with my teammates’, letting us make decisions together in a shared story—a feature that still feels groundbreaking in the MMO space.
Gameplay: A Mix of Old and New
SWTOR’s gameplay in 2025 is a blend of classic MMO mechanics and modern updates. The combat system, built on a tab-targeting model with ability hotbars, feels a bit dated compared to action-oriented MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV, but it’s functional and satisfying once you get the hang of your class’s rotation. My Sith Inquisitor’s Force Lightning and stealth abilities made short work of enemies, and the ability to switch between light and dark side choices added a layer of role-playing depth to every encounter.
For group content, Flashpoints (4-player dungeons), Operations (8-player raids), and PvP Warzones offer plenty of variety. I jumped into an 8v8 Warzone match and, despite being a new player, found the community on Star Forge to be welcoming—someone even whispered me tips after I kept dying to a Jedi Guardian. That said, PvP has its issues. Some players on Steam discussions have noted that the gearing system is a nightmare for new players, with augments (which ignore the bolster system in PvP) giving veterans a significant advantage. Broadsword has made efforts to fix this, reverting to 4-player premade groups in Warzones after a failed experiment with 8-player premades, but PvP still feels like an area that needs more love.
The game’s free-to-play model is generous for new players—you can experience all eight class stories and most of the base game without spending a dime. However, the best features, like Operations and faster progression, are locked behind a subscription. I opted for a month-long sub to unlock everything, and the added benefits—like access to all expansions and Galactic Strongholds (player housing)—made it worth the $15. The Cartel Market offers cosmetic items and convenience boosts, but there’s no pay-to-win scheme, which is refreshing in today’s gaming landscape.
Community and Events: A Living Galaxy
One of the biggest surprises in 2025 is how active SWTOR’s community remains. Star Forge is bustling, with guilds recruiting in chat and players hanging out on the Fleet. The game’s role-playing (RP) scene is thriving, with strongholds on planets like Nar Shaddaa serving as hubs for RP events. I stumbled into a cantina on Tatooine where players were role-playing as smugglers and bounty hunters, and the creativity on display was infectious.
In-game events keep the galaxy lively. The Rakghoul Resurgence event is active until April 8, as announced on SWTOR’s X account, encouraging players to combat a plague outbreak on affected planets. There’s also a Twitch Drop campaign running until April 8, where watching four hours of SWTOR streams earns you an AC-10 Disruptor Mount—a nice incentive to engage with the community. Looking ahead, Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Tokyo this month will feature SWTOR representation, with developers meeting players, even if there’s no official cantina event.
The Verdict: Is SWTOR Worth Playing in 2025?
After spending a week in SWTOR, I can confidently say yes—it’s absolutely worth playing in 2025. For Star Wars fans, the game offers an unparalleled story experience, letting you live out your Jedi or Sith fantasies in a galaxy brimming with lore. The updated graphics and Dynamic Encounters make exploration more engaging than ever, and the community’s warmth and activity ensure you’ll never feel alone, even if you prefer solo play. While PvP and some dated mechanics show the game’s age, Broadsword’s commitment to regular updates—like the teased Update 7.7 later this year—shows that SWTOR still has a bright future.
If you’re new to MMOs, SWTOR’s solo-friendly design makes it a great entry point. If you’re a returning player, the graphical upgrades and new content are reason enough to come back. And if you’re a Star Wars fan who’s never tried it, there’s no better time to dive in—hundreds of hours of story content await, all for free to start. So grab your lightsaber, hop on the Star Forge server, and get ready to forge your legacy in the Old Republic. May the Force be with you!
