Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was released in November 2019 by Respawn Entertainment, a studio known primarily for fast-paced first-person shooters like Titanfall and Apex Legends. Published by Electronic Arts (EA), this single-player, narrative-driven action-adventure game was a significant departure not only for Respawn but for EA, which had been criticized for neglecting the single-player experience in favor of multiplayer and microtransaction-heavy titles.
With Fallen Order, Respawn crafted a compelling, story-rich experience that married Star Wars lore with challenging, modern gameplay. It drew influences from titles like Dark Souls, Uncharted, and Metroid Prime, while carving out its own identity. The result was a critical and commercial success—and a pivotal moment in Star Wars gaming history.
Setting the Stage: Between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope
Fallen Order is set five years after the events of Revenge of the Sith and Order 66—the catastrophic Jedi Purge that decimated the Jedi Order at the hands of Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. The galaxy is in turmoil, with the Empire tightening its grip and the Jedi considered extinct or in hiding.
You play as Cal Kestis, a former Jedi Padawan who survived Order 66 by going into hiding as a scrapper on the planet Bracca. His life changes when he uses the Force to save a friend, alerting the Empire to his presence. This sets the story in motion, as Cal is pursued by the deadly Second Sister, one of the Inquisitors tasked with hunting down Jedi survivors.
Cal is soon rescued by Cere Junda, a former Jedi Knight, and Greez Dritus, the pilot of the Stinger Mantis. Together, they embark on a mission to locate a holocron that holds the identities of Force-sensitive children—potential Jedi who could rebuild the Order. Along the way, Cal must face his past, reconnect with the Force, and rediscover his identity.
A Narrative Driven by Redemption and Growth
The story of Fallen Order is deeply character-focused, grounded in themes of trauma, guilt, and personal redemption. Cal is a reluctant hero, haunted by survivor’s guilt over failing his master and suppressing his connection to the Force. His journey isn’t just one of galactic significance—it’s personal.
Cere Junda, too, has her own demons. She once attempted to protect younglings from the Empire but failed and was captured. Her guilt led her to sever her connection to the Force entirely. Through their relationship, the game explores the fragility of hope and the difficulty of forging a path back to faith and strength.
The villain, the Second Sister (Trilla Suduri), is a former Padawan turned Inquisitor who was once Cere’s student. Her fall from grace adds emotional weight to the central conflict, making it more than a simple Jedi vs. Sith dynamic. It’s a tragedy of betrayal, loss, and twisted loyalties—a reflection of what might have become of Cal, had he followed a different path.
Gameplay Mechanics: A Souls-Lite Approach to the Force
Fallen Order‘s gameplay is often described as “Souls-lite.” It borrows the challenging, tactical combat of Dark Souls, the traversal and environmental puzzles of Uncharted and Tomb Raider, and the exploration and backtracking elements of Metroidvania games.
Combat
Combat in Fallen Order is methodical. Players must time dodges, parries, and blocks while managing stamina bars for both enemies and Cal. Force powers like push, pull, slow, and later, Force throw and Jedi flip (double jump), add variety and flair.
The lightsaber is more than a flashy weapon—it feels weighty and impactful. Players can eventually customize the saber’s appearance, color, and even split it into a double-bladed variant for crowd control. Battles with Purge Troopers, bounty hunters, and Inquisitors require mastery of timing and strategy.
Traversal and Puzzles
Exploration plays a major role. Planets like Zeffo, Kashyyyk, Dathomir, and Bogano are expansive and intricately designed. Many areas are initially inaccessible, requiring players to return later once they’ve acquired new abilities—like in classic Metroidvania design.
Environmental puzzles range from manipulating massive machinery using the Force to solving ancient temple mechanisms. Meditation points serve as save spots and allow you to spend skill points, but also respawn enemies—another Souls-like touch.
Progression and Skills
Cal regains his Force abilities over time, each tied to key narrative moments. This pacing keeps players invested in both the gameplay and story. The skill tree is divided into three branches: Force, Lightsaber, and Survival. This offers meaningful upgrades without overwhelming complexity.
Visual Design and Audio
Fallen Order is a visual treat. The environments are distinct and richly detailed—from the rain-drenched scrapyards of Bracca to the mystical ruins of Zeffo. Each planet has its own ecosystems, wildlife, and secrets.
The sound design, as always in Star Wars, is exceptional. The orchestral score captures the spirit of John Williams while maintaining its own identity. Lightsaber hums, blaster fire, and Force effects are all spot-on, immersing players in the galaxy.
BD-1: The Companion Droid
No Star Wars game would be complete without a memorable droid, and Fallen Order delivers with BD-1. Perched on Cal’s shoulder, BD-1 serves as a map, medkit dispenser, and occasional translator. His animations and chirps are full of personality, making him one of the most beloved companions in Star Wars gaming.
Reception and Impact
At launch, Fallen Order was met with critical praise and strong sales, exceeding EA’s expectations. Players and critics applauded its engaging story, satisfying combat, and focus on a single-player experience in a Star Wars universe that had, in recent years, leaned heavily into multiplayer or mobile titles.
It also marked a shift in EA’s approach to Star Wars games. Following the backlash to Battlefront II‘s launch monetization model, Fallen Order felt like a mea culpa—a return to quality storytelling and gameplay over profit mechanics. It had no microtransactions or live service features, a breath of fresh air in 2019.
Its success led to the greenlighting of a sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, which continued Cal’s story and further expanded the gameplay systems introduced in Fallen Order.
Legacy and Influence
Jedi: Fallen Order revived interest in single-player Star Wars titles and showed the industry that story-driven adventures still had strong appeal. It introduced new characters and lore that fit seamlessly into the broader canon and even featured crossovers—like appearances from Saw Gerrera and a terrifying cameo from Darth Vader.
The game also set a standard for modern Star Wars storytelling in video games, proving that developers could create compelling new characters within the universe without relying on the Skywalker family or familiar beats.
Its narrative, world-building, and design choices have influenced not just its sequel, but likely the direction of future Lucasfilm Games projects.
Conclusion: A Triumph of Force and Heart
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is not just a great Star Wars game—it’s a great game, full stop. By blending tight combat, platforming, and emotionally resonant storytelling, Respawn created an experience that appeals to both hardcore fans and newcomers alike.
It’s a story about survival, healing, and hope. Cal Kestis’s journey from a broken Padawan to a fully realized Jedi is one of the most human and heartfelt tales in the Star Wars universe. Coupled with cinematic polish and strong gameplay mechanics, Fallen Order stands as a modern classic—one that will be remembered as the game that brought single-player Star Wars back into the light.
