Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the 2023 sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order released in 2019. Both games were developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, this one specifically for the PS5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. The game takes place 5 years after the end of Fallen Order continuing to follow the journey of Cal Kestis (voiced by Cameron Monaghan) as he fights the Empire while trying to survive. The game is played from the third-person perspective and the makers made some good updates based on player feedback from the previous game. However, they delayed the game and continue to release large patches as there are technical issues with the game (example images at the end). Remember, this review will contain spoilers!

The game was directed by Stig Asmussen using real-time ray tracing to develop the game-play, meaning Cameron acted everything out physically! It has faster loading times and larger worlds to explore, inspired by the vast exploration featured in God of War: Ragnarok. However, the game is only supported by newer consoles featuring solid-state drives to support these loading times and massive game storage needs. According to reviews so far, the game is not really compatible with PC and needs to be played on a console for the best experience. The game requires a large chunk of storage and patches are being released so be sure to make some space on your console. 

In my previous review I discussed a few criticisms I, and other players, had about the game. The first was the map layout. It was completely unhelpful and difficult to interpret because there was no way to set way points, levels were not highlighted, and items/important locations were impossible to find. For this game the developers fixed all these issues! They distinguished clearly between levels (underground, surface, large structures), added the ability to set personal way points, included markers for important items and locations (chests, locked locations, tools, etc.), and they added the fast-travel ability. Once a meditation spot is used, you can fast-travel between locations within the planet to save time from having to run all over. But, if there is a need to run all over, animals can now be tamed and utilized to assist with transportation. All these are great additions the developers added to enhance gameplay and enjoyment. However, they did not completely remove the respawn of enemies. Before if you killed enemies, walked away, and walked back all the enemies would respawn and attack. Now, they only respawn when you rest/meditate/save. While this is somewhat of an improvement, it feels like a trick for players because they’re still respawning and causing issues, especially when item hunting. 

Within the game there is a lot more to do compared to the previous game. The combat options have expanded as Cal continues to grow, developing new Force abilities and multiple lightsaber stances. You can build-up Greez’s cantina by inviting individuals you meet along the way, populating the fish tank thanks to the help of Skova Steve, and grow a large garden on top. There are also Jedi Meditation Chambers that present complex challenges for players to unlock new skills and important abilities to complete the game. If you manage to find various chests and complete areas, you’ll unlock multiple customization options for Cal and BD-1. Once you complete the main story there is still a lot to do and I would recommend completing the bounties in order to have Boba Fett cameo, thankfully not to capture Cal!

As for the plot of this game, it started off strong and compelling, throwing players straight into the action as Cal continues his fight against the Empire and stumbles upon a new foe and a potential place to hide away safely. Dagan Gera (Cody Fern), is an original Jedi frozen in time in a bacta tank waiting for the day someone finds him to return to Tanalorr. However, Cal foolishly awakens him and Dagan bleeds his crystal, turning to the darkside and beginning the story for players. Cal is no longer with his original crew of Merrin (Tina Ivlev), Cere (Debra Wilson), and Greez (Daniel Roebuck), but instead has a new crew. Bode Akuna (Noshir Dala), the only survivor of the crew, is supposedly fighting for a better life for his daughter and helping Cal. As the story goes on, Cal slowly finds his old crew and makes amends for the way things ended, as Cal became hyperfocused on his quest and the others had different goals in life to meet. There are flashbacks throughout their time together and eventually Cal and Merrin rekindle their relationship as he realizes he doesn’t have to follow the old ways anymore. During this time, Dagan is striking down anyone who stands in his way as he fights to return to Tanalorr and create his own vision of what the universe should be. This aspect of the plot was compelling, had great battles, developed Cal, and showed the true strength of the original Jedi. Unfortunately, once Dagan was defeated the game clearly was not over and a plot twist was introduced with no hints or indications for the players to pick up on. It came completely out of left field and did not seem planned at all.

Bode, a member of the crew, suddenly reveals he is ALSO a Jedi who is working for the Empire in order to secure a better life for him and his daughter. However, as mentioned before, this plot twist was done poorly because it didn’t have any build-up, there were too many flaws with it (why would a man whose wife was killed by the Empire willingly work for them?), and there was truly no reason for Cal not to have sensed SOMETHING given how strong of a Jedi he is. Even if it wasn’t him, Cere or Eno Cordova (Tony Amendola) would have been able to tell. While the story did end the game with an epic battle, he nearly killed his daughter three times in the process and then left her an orphan. I’m glad the daughter seemingly accepted his death and went with Cal and Merrin willingly, but this plot line was done poorly and took away from Cal’s journey. It did allow him to explore the darkside and figure out who he really is, but they could have done that with Dagan’s storyline. 

Bode’s character was somewhat well-developed until they undid everything with his twist. Cal, as the main character, was developed the best alongside Merrin and Greez. However, Cere still fell somewhat flat and was outshined by Cordova. All the side characters were clear in who they were and their goals, and the more you speak with people the more developed Cal becomes. 

Here are a few fun or interesting things about the game! It takes place the same time as the Kenobi show occurred. Cameron was a strong proponent for Cal having a poncho again, yay! There is a novel, Star Wars Jedi: Battle Scars, written by Sam Maggs that covers the five years between the games for fans to learn in-depth what happened between the characters and learn how they became who they are now. The developers mentioned in an interview these games are meant to be a trilogy, so we can look forward to another!

Overall, the first half of the game lived up to the hype and the second fell flat. I would still recommend playing it because there are so many cool things to explore and a big fight with Vader. 

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