This post may contain some very minor spoilers from the end of the Jedi Consular class quests. You have been warned!
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Last night my Jedi Consular finished her main "chapter three" storyline. I hit 49 just before I had to tackle the final few quests, but dear Lord was it truly amazing to take part in.
The stakes were high and growing more desperate as my companions and I fought to re-take Corellia from imperial hands. Finally - we had overcome all but the penultimate obstacle, and only my chosen companion and I could go on alone. This led me to a scene depicted here:
Image: http://i.imgur.com/jGZTD.jpg
Where I actually felt PROUD of these pixels on the screen. Simple pixellated data at their core, they had grown to become boon companions - a team I had gone through thick and thin with from one edge of the galaxy to another. I knew their quirks and foibles well - Qyzen's love for challenge in battle, Tharan's creepy love affair with a hologram (she needs to keep her gorram code OUT of my ship's computer!), Nadia's eagerness to serve and Lt. Aresso's longing affection for my character. (He's been sending purple Companion gifts daily through the mail!)
I was not expecting to feel something at this point, but I did. I came to realize that one way or another, our time as a team was coming to an end. It felt like I was truly going to face something that could kill me - but even if I overcame the final challenge we would be going our separate ways soon after.
Image: http://i.imgur.com/m4BW8.jpg
This is where Bioware has made this game shine brightly compared to everything else I've ever played. I truly felt like I was the hero, accompanied by a party of fellows who made the story come alive. Through them, and a great story, it helped me to care about the virtual world and characters I interacted with.
Now, with my consular's story at an end, I somehow feel sad - knowing that while there is still more for her to do in the galaxy, her epic adventure line has been concluded (for now). And even that amazes me, that I am sad to see her storyline come to a close.
The game isn't perfect - no game is. But I will say that I am very impressed by my experience so far. gg, Bioware. I can't wait to see what the other storylines are like.