There are precious few Star Wars games that allow the player to fall to the dark side, but they are much more fun when they do. It’s not about being evil and ruling the galaxy, however. The big attraction to the dark side in the games is being able to don the black robes and yellow eyes of a Sith Lord. It’s about harnessing the dark powers of the Force to defeat enemies in a spectacular fashion and feeling the strength of Star Wars’ most powerful Sith Lords.

Star Wars’ most important tenet is firmly rejecting the dark side in favor of the light. This is echoed in the games, as the light side path has traditionally been considered the canon version of most games' stories. Quite a few games feature dark side options, however. The Knights of the Old Republic series, including The Old Republic MMO, is famous for having the light/dark morality system. On the other hand, games like The Force Unleashed and the Jedi Knight series have a more hidden path toward the dark side. Both series allow players to explore the evil path to the dark side, captured perfectly in Jedi Academy, with cutscenes changing depending on a given player's commitment to the light or dark sides of the Force.

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Going down the dark path in Star Wars games has some exciting perks, one of which is stylish apparel. Dark side robes and armor are genuinely the best looking in Star Wars games. For example, the Sith Stalker Armor in The Force Unleashed is only awarded to players who choose to embrace the dark side at the game's end. It’s one of the coolest costumes in the game, representing Starkiller’s twisted and painful fall to the dark side. Similarly, in Knights of the Old Republic, players with a strong dark side alignment gain access to Darth Revan’s iconic robes, which grant a strength bonus and health regeneration buff. Revan was recently reintroduced into Star Wars canon, and the upcoming KOTOR remake will give players the chance to don these robes once again. The cool black attire isn’t the only benefit of the dark side, however.

Force Lightning Is One Of The Coolest Star Wars Game Abilities

Star Wars The Old Republic Dark Side Force Lightning

Force lighting is a hallmark dark side force power, and Star Wars games give players the opportunity to feel what it’s like to wield such power. The Force Unleashed games provide an incredible display of Force lightning in action. Not only does Starkiller wield it outright, but he also combines it with other Force powers for extreme effect, such as the Lightning Bomb, where Starkiller force grapples an enemy, charges them with force lightning, then hurls them toward a group of foes for an electric explosion.

The Old Republic MMO, an essential Star Wars game to play, is by far the most remarkable display of Force lightning in a Star Wars game. Players who select the Sith storyline and choose the Sith Inquisitor class can become powerful enough to use the ability Lightning Storm, in which the user summons bolts of Force lighting and does massive damage with a wide area of effect. It grants the feeling of being as powerful as the most infamous Sith Lords in the Star Wars films and series - a lure that even the most devoted Jedi players will struggle to prevent.

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