I also love both, but it's the extreme existentialism and deep questioning of the very core tenants of Star Wars that puts KOTOR 2 at the top for me. I've still never played a darker Star Wars game.
Watching Atton fall and talk about killing Jedi is heartbreaking. Visas' redemption is inspiring. The very existence of force users like Kreia, Darth Nihilus, Darth Sion and Fallen Atris is downright terrifying. The sounds of the Sith holocrons that Atris lost herself in still haunt me to this day. Being able to see the sheer power of the Force, beyond the direct physical realm and at a scale where whole planets can be "devoured", really throws the player for a loop.
KOTOR 2 is incredibly unorthodox compared to the first. Don't get me wrong - the first game had an awesome twist and great characters (Jolee and Carth, I'm lookin at you two!). But, it still more closely follows the traditional ethos surrounding classic heroes and villains. The sequel completely flips that on its head, and makes you question absolutely everything. It approaches the hipocracy of both sides of the Force and dismantles them piece by piece. That's why its my favorite!
(Plus the music SLAPS. Rebuilt Jedi Enclave is so bittersweet.)
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u/autist4269 9h ago
Kotor 2 had a better story imo. I love both of course though.