In terms of the combat system, Mass Effect crushes KOTOR. I actually think the battle system is KOTOR's weak link, especially in part II where the other side almost never uses their Force Powers. For almost everything else though, I have to go with KOTOR, especially part II's characters. One caveat: I really, really, really like how Mass Effect created an entire universe, complete with log entries on how technologies, societies, and xenobiologies work. I spent tons of time poring through things that have zero importance to the main game, and being utterly fascinated how someone thought to explain how heat build-up and dispersion would affect space battles. Good times!

Yes, I'm a nerd. Bite me.

@noname, Yes, that's basically what I was thinking as well. Exploring the Mass Effect universe was awesome. The combat was awesome. But in in every other aspect KotOR was better.

Next weekend I'll see about starting on KotOR 2. That'll be fun :D

I think it will be. Will you be using the Restoration mod when you try it?

Of course. Since that is what prompted me to try the game in the first place :D Hopefully it will work as advertised, and I won't have to deal with any game breaking bugs.

That ain't going to happen. The bugs are hard-wired into the game. Just make sure to "Save often, and in different slots."

Yes, it's a bad sign when the developers have to tell you this in-game.

I'm halfway through Onderon. There have only been a few minor changes that I've seen so far, but I've enjoyed seeing the people from Telos on Nar Shaddaa (it gives the game a sense of continuity), and, like Mise said, I've gone through multiple long, meaningless fights. I can see why they cut those extra battles out.

I read somewhere that TSLRP (Team Gizka's project) is actually considerably different from this one in key ways, including the restoration of the Genoharadan. Anybody heard anything to that effect?

I've read about that as well.

As far as I can tell, Gizka's project will restore everything in-game that they can, while this mod will attempt to restore the game to the point of it being a "complete TSL experience", whatever it means. Also, some of the people that worked on TSLRCM are also attempting to rebuild other cut aspects of the game, like the droid planet M4-78 and the GenoHaradan subplot.

And both mods will handle the restored things somewhat differently, thus resulting in two different experiences.

I wish Team Gizka had buckled down to finish, still.

They're only adding a few lines about the Genoharadan, not the actual plotline. It seems like the two projects are actually pretty similar, with the one important exception that one of them was released this millenium, while the other one claims to still exist but is obviously a very low priority.

A further note: the folks behind this mod are currently looking into the Droid Planet, and will likely release another mod which includes it.