The upcoming Star Wars Jedi: Survivor game seems to have the potential to be the most exciting and immersive game yet in the iconic universe since Disney took over the franchise. Survivor’s storyline could even rank among the most engaging Star Wars stories of the last decade, depending on how it ends. Undoubtedly, the courage of the Respawn team to take creative risks can be attributed to the success of its predecessor, Fallen Order . Jedi: Survivor is a game that could not exist without the creative freedom and budget provided by the triumph of the first part.
Five years after the events of Jedi: Fallen Order , Cal Kestis finds himself separated from all his allies except his robotic companion BD-1, and continues to resist the totalitarian rule of the Galactic Empire. Despite his considerable progress in the Jedi path since the previous installment, the Empire has also not stood still and has reached the pinnacle of its power, and Cal is left alone to face the vast galactic army.
The ComicBook.com crew had a chance to play Survivor pre-release and shared their impressions .
Pre-release gameplay lasted about three hours. The action really picks up after about the first hour of the game, when Cal escapes after a failed mission. He crash lands on the planet of explorers called Koboh, where he must traverse dark caves and lakes filled with oil-like substance in search of help and a way to repair the damaged Mantis ship.
[WARNING: There are minor spoilers]
Source: EA
What were your first impressions?
At first glance, gameplay in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor seems pretty typical of Fallen Order , with Cal once again battling local invaders and dangerous creatures like Gorgers and Shiverpedes while collecting various items like Force echoes that give insight in other characters’ stories. However, Cal’s journey takes an unexpected turn that leads to a groundbreaking discovery. ComicBook did not reveal further plot due to spoilers, but undoubtedly the gameplay left them excited and impatient to see what will happen next. This bold move by Respawn seems to have been made possible by Disney’s willingness to give them more creative freedom within the meticulously controlled Star Wars universe. At a time when the franchise has come under criticism for relying too much on nostalgia and veteran references, Jedi: Survivor feels like a refreshing yet risky mini-revolution.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor not only offers exciting twists and turns, but also further develops the character of Cal Kestis, providing more emotional depth than its predecessor. Cal struggles with his mission and often feels like he’s losing the war. Even his allies question why he insists on fighting. Despite everything, Cal believes he has to face difficulties where no one else will, whether that means taking care of the Empire or saving an innocent person from a situation that doesn’t directly concern him. This internal conflict further complicates the character, making his journey even more fascinating.
During the demonstration, there was a scene where Cal ends up in a small town cantina and witnesses a frog creature named Turgle being kicked out by the raiders. It is clear that there is enmity between them, yet Cal hesitates to intervene until the invaders are about to kill Turgle. In a dramatic moment reminiscent of the life of a lone cowboy or samurai, Cal saves Turgle by making a “enter the dragon” and standing up to the bullies. Luke Skywalker at this time is still a small boy according to. Star Wars chronologywhile Cal Kestis is already an exceptional Jedi hero who gives hope to those oppressed by the Empire, invaders and other villains, despite the many obstacles he faces. These moments are a source of inspiration for Cal, reminding him he’s on the right path, and the classic tale of failure adds another layer of depth to the Star Wars narrative .
Source: EA
What does the gameplay itself look like?
While Cal Kestis evolves more and more into a hero in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor , we’re also witnessing improvements in Jedi ‘s gameplay mechanics . Jedi: Fallen Order ‘s gameplay was rather too fluid and lacked the intensity you’d expect from a lightsaber and the Force. However, Jedi: Survivor is a significant improvement, and while the mechanics remain basically similar, Respawn has refined the gameplay to give it a greater sense of importance. Cal’s movements are more thoughtful and he no longer feels overly loose or out of control. His fighting style is established but still deadly. In Jedi: Fallen Orderlightsaber combat was devoid of the risks and heaviness inherent in a lightsaber. Despite being a weapon that can dismember and cut through various surfaces, it was more like a glowing toy for children.
Combat has been greatly improved in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor with better animations, sounds, and more powerful moves, bringing the Jedi closer to mastering the Force. Unlike The Force Unleashed , the enemies are easier to defeat without making it feel like a hack-and-slash game. New moves to dismember and finish off enemies add a touch of brutality to Cal’s attacks, while the inclusion of variations such as double-sided and dual lightsabers keeps the gameplay fresh and strategic.
Combat positions in Jedi: Survivor have their own unique advantages. Some emphasize speed or power, while others focus on defense, and others take a more balanced approach. This system gives players more variety and draws attention to Cal’s development. He no longer uses his weapon haphazardly to deflect blaster shots or other attacks, but rather sees it as a versatile tool that can be split in half or combined into a double blade, all for a variety of uses beyond combat.
Source: EA
Cal’s character development
In the previous game, Cal seemed to react to situations in a way that emphasized his inexperience. In Jedi: Survivor, on the other hand , he takes a more proactive approach. Instead of being defensive, you can confidently attack enemies with an aggressive approach, which of course still includes parrying, blocking and defending, but also allows for more efficient and aggressive cuts.
Jedi: Survivor offers new uses of the Force to help you stay in control in battle, such as pushing groups of enemies close together to cut them quickly, or lifting enemies into the air, marking them in slow motion and firing a blaster like in Red Dead Redemption . With such a range of skills, Cal Kestis grows from a youngster into an expert and more powerful Jedi than ever.
The game also showcases a Metroidvania -style level design , something some players have already noticed in Jedi: Fallen Order . In the previous game, it was easy to get lost and the environment looked too similar, making it difficult to find your way back. The in-game map was also confusing, making exploration often frustrating.
Source: EA
Summary
All in all, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel that allows Respawn to fully realize its own vision. Having established the rules of its piece of Star Wars mythology , the game builds and builds on its predecessor, resulting in a much more refined and satisfying experience. Not only does it fix many of Fallen Order’s shortcomings , but it puts players in the shoes of one of the most promising Jedi in the galaxy. Additionally, the story introduces some risky ideas that may excite fans who are disappointed by the latest Star Wars media.. Of course, time will tell if the full game will be a success, but it looks like all the elements necessary for another successful landing are present.
