One element ofA New Hopeis improved byStar Wars: The Old Republicin one heartbreaking way.A New Hope– initially calledStar Wars– has always had particularly entertaining ancillary materials, particularly in theStar WarsLegends continuity. The film’s novelization and Marvel Comics adaptations added new scenes and lore to the movie within a year of its theatrical release (with the novel preceding it by months) and the 1981 radio drama gave it a vastly expanded prologue. I find the radio drama’s scenes on Alderaan to be particularly enjoyable, as they make the planet’s destruction even more tragic.
I do not criticizeA New Hopefor not depicting Alderaan, however. The film does a great job of showing the planet’s importance to the Rebellion and Princess Leia herself through dialogue. Part of the appeal of theStar Warsfilms is, after all, that they show only portions of a larger story in a vast and astoundingly immersive universe. Unsurprisingly, Alderaan has been explored thoroughly in theStar WarsLegends continuity– formerly known as the Expanded Universe – and I find that 2011’sThe Old Republicdoes a particularly good job of depicting the planet.
The Old Republic Immerses You In Alderaan’s History & Culture
Star Wars: The Old Republicis one of the last sources ofStar WarsLegends content, with the game continuing to receive updates and new content even over a decade after theStar Warsfranchise underwent a partial reboot – which saw Legends go from the official canon to an alternate timeline. Since its 2011 launch,Alderaan has been featured prominently, with the planet playing major roles in the respective stories of all eight of the game’s playable classes. In my time playingThe Old Republic, I found Alderaan to be easily one of the game’s most enjoyable locales.
Star Wars: What Was Leia A Senator Of? (If Alderaan Was Destroyed)
Throughout the Star Wars saga, Leia Organa was a Princess, General, and Senator – but what did she represent if Alderaan was destroyed?
TheStar Warsfranchise is inspired by a multitude of genres and is far better described as science-fantasy than science-fiction. The fantasy-inspired side ofStar Warsis particularly prominent inThe Old Republic’sdepiction of Alderaan, whichimmerses players in a picturesque environment of snow-covered grasslands, mountains, and high-tech castles. Equally immersive is the planet’s history and culture, with Republic-aligned players allying themselves with the noble House Organa, while theSith Empire’s classes assist the once-exiled House Thul. Even long-distance travel is unique on Alderaan, with players riding Thrantas instead of the usual speeders or Skyhoppers.
House Organa and House Thul are only two of over 20 Great Houses of Alderaan.
Alderaan Truly Became The Soul Of The Republic
The Old Republic’swebsite notes that while Coruscant is considered the “heart” of the Republic, Alderaan is seen as its “soul.” Even in its war-torn state during the Republic and Sith Empire’s Cold War, I agree with this perception. Alderaan – and the Jedi Order’s homeworld ofTython, for that matter –truly embrace the Medieval fantasy side of theStar Warsfranchise, depicting a fantastically scenic world on which Jedi truly embrace their title of Knights and Sith their title of Lord. Given Alderaan’s symbolic status within the Republic, the Sith Empire’s attempt to corrupt it seems far more sinister.
Alderaan’s status as the Republic’s “soul” similarly recontextualizes its Clone Wars-era history in the Legends continuity. Initially, Alderaan was not a pacifist world and became a battleground during the CIS’s strikes at the Core Worlds, led by General Grievous. Though Grievous failed to conquer one of the Republic’s most beloved planets, the battle was so devastating to Alderaan’s society that the planet demilitarized after repelling the CIS, becoming a pacifist world. Sadly,Alderaan’s symbolic importance would make it a frequent target of the Republic’s enemies, who no doubt sought to deal a devastating blow to the Republic’s morale.
The Old Republic Makes Alderaan’s Fate Even More Tragic
By endearing players to Alderaan – arguably more than any otherStar Warsproperty –The Old Republicmakes the planet’s destruction inA New Hopemore tragic than everbefore. For mostStar Warsviewers, the most famous element of Alderaan is its destruction, and this knowledge hangs over players as they fall in love with its scenery and become engrossed in its history and culture. TheGalactic Empireperpetrates countless atrocities throughout theStar WarsLegends timeline (and the modern canon for that matter) but destroying Alderaan – the soul of the Republic – is by far one of their worst.
August 02, 2025
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
