I've been playing this in the last 1-2 months, finally finished it, I just want to say that it's definitively worth it. If only for the writing. Well, last time I played this was 5 years ago, so I can't exactly say what the patch restored, but I know I don't have a bitter taste in my mouth this time.
The gameplay is still horrid and way too easy of course, but I really want to emphasize the writing. I just re-read VD's interview with MCA, he (VD) basically commented that the story was about finding 4 jedi masters and killing the bad guy, but VD has the culture and sensibility of my balls, so fuck him (MCA pretty much ignored him and probably thought the same thing as I do, oh yeah). It's really something else, especially if you're willing to change 'Force' with 'God', 'Darth Nihilus' with 'nihilism', and 'exile' with 'lucidity' in most of the script, then you're up for something. Espcially if you're not the type of asshole that thinks he's brilliant and knows everything about everything. Now this is the Codex so there's slim chances next to none that you're not that kind of person, but yeah, I'd say this is on the level of Torment, easily enough. I'm wondering what are MCA's influences, I'm not sure if he's well-read or not, but he sure has a sensibility that shows in his writing. I wouldn't let the Star Wars bullshit get to you, it doesn't matter, MCA rapes the setting anyway and for the good cause. I like the original movies like anyone else, they're fun, and like anyone else I don't like the prequels. But I don't care about any of them. This however is serious shit, it's serious star wars shit man, for me it's probably the only thing that's worth it. Compared this to the first game, it's totally another world, I love the contrast with Bioware's weak and obvious shit, I could write an essay on that, fuck.
I'm serious, this is now probably one of my favourite rpgs. I mean the gameplay in Torment was shit, so there's no reason why this can't be considered too. Anyway fuck you I'm a pretentious faggot who thinks the writing and characters is the most important thing in a game, yeah, I should be reading a book instead I know, but this was still a pretty cool experience. MCA is my rpg hero, I mean really, really my hero. Sucks with what is happening with AP, but I'll have to see it for myself, I guess