Released on April 28, 2023, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the highly anticipated sequel to 2019’s Jedi: Fallen Order, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. Built on the solid foundation of its predecessor, Survivor expands the scope, story, and gameplay of the Jedi saga with more refined combat mechanics, a more open world, and a deeper narrative that explores the moral ambiguities of resistance and survival under a ruthless empire.
Set five years after the events of Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor follows Cal Kestis, one of the few surviving Jedi after Order 66, as he continues to evade the Empire’s relentless pursuit. The game’s emotional depth, larger environments, improved mechanics, and darker tone elevate it far beyond a standard sequel—cementing it as one of the best Star Wars games in years.
1. Story: A Galaxy Falling Into Darkness
The central theme of Survivor is not triumph but endurance. Cal Kestis is no longer the idealistic Padawan we met in Fallen Order. Now a battle-hardened fugitive, he grapples with difficult choices in a galaxy that seems increasingly lost to tyranny.
Setting the Scene
The game takes place during a time when the Empire’s control is absolute, and any hope of rebellion feels like a distant dream. Cal and his allies—Cere Junda, Merrin, Greez Dritus, and new characters like Bode Akuna—seek a safe haven far from the Empire’s grasp.
This leads them to investigate a forgotten part of the High Republic era: the mysterious planet Tanalorr, an untouched world that may hold the key to a future free from Imperial domination. But the path to Tanalorr is fraught with peril, ancient enemies, and betrayal.
Narrative Themes
- Survival vs. Sacrifice: Cal must choose between continuing the fight or ensuring a future by escaping it.
- Loyalty and Betrayal: Relationships are tested, and trust becomes a precious commodity.
- What it Means to Be a Jedi: The game questions whether following the Jedi Code is sustainable in such a ruthless era.
2. Cal Kestis: A More Complex Hero
Cal’s development is one of Survivor‘s strongest points. He is older, wiser, and much more conflicted.
- His powers have matured, meaning the game starts with him already adept in the Force and lightsaber combat.
- The player sees Cal face the emotional cost of constant resistance—losing friends, dealing with betrayal, and facing his inner darkness.
- Actor Cameron Monaghan delivers a nuanced performance, helping players emotionally invest in Cal’s journey.
Cal’s story arc in Survivor doesn’t just follow a hero’s journey; it forces players to consider the weight of leadership, the price of resistance, and the harsh realities of living under a fascist regime.
3. Gameplay: Refined and Expanded
Building on Fallen Order, Survivor significantly enhances every gameplay element—combat, traversal, customization, and exploration.
Combat
Combat is faster, more fluid, and much more varied:
- Five Lightsaber Stances:
- Single Blade: Classic and balanced.
- Double-Bladed: Ideal for crowd control.
- Dual Wield: High-risk, high-speed.
- Crossguard (Kylo Ren-style): Heavy and punishing.
- Blaster: A hybrid stance combining lightsaber melee with ranged blaster shots.
Each stance has its own skill tree, encouraging players to experiment based on their preferred combat style or mission needs.
Force Powers
- Returning powers like Push, Pull, and Slow are enhanced.
- New abilities like Mind Control and more refined Force Lift/Slam combinations add tactical depth.
- Environmental manipulation becomes a bigger part of combat and puzzle-solving.
Traversal and Exploration
- Cal can now grapple, ride mounts, and air-dash, allowing access to previously unreachable areas.
- Wall-running, climbing, and swimming all feel more responsive.
- The game world is semi-open, with multiple large explorable planets like Koboh, Jedha, and Shattered Moon, full of secrets, side quests, and NPCs.
4. Customization and RPG Elements
Survivor introduces far more robust customization options than its predecessor.
Character and Gear
- Cal’s appearance can be deeply customized—hair, beard, outfit styles, and colors.
- Lightsaber customization returns in full detail, letting you change emitter, switch, grip, and blade color.
- BD-1, Cal’s loyal droid companion, can also be visually customized.
Skill Trees
- There are three major branches (Survivor, Jedi, and Force), with individual sub-trees for each stance.
- Players must choose wisely how to develop Cal based on how they play—defensively, aggressively, or strategically.
5. World Design and Side Content
One of the major improvements over Fallen Order is Survivor’s world design.
Koboh: The Central Hub
Koboh acts as the main open-world planet and hub area, filled with:
- Puzzles and dungeons (High Republic Chambers)
- Combat arenas
- Collectibles
- A customizable town called Rambler’s Reach, which evolves as you bring in NPCs and complete side quests.
Other planets also offer rich side missions, optional bosses, lore entries, and environmental storytelling.
Side Quests and NPCs
- Known as Rumors, these side quests often lead to hidden upgrades or lore-rich areas.
- Characters you help often return to the town hub, enriching the game world with new interactions and shops.
6. Technical and Visual Presentation
Graphics
- Built on Unreal Engine 4, Survivor features lush environments, detailed character models, and expansive views.
- Dynamic lighting, weather effects, and realistic physics enhance immersion.
- Facial animations and cinematic direction are outstanding.
Sound Design and Music
- The musical score is a triumph, combining classic Star Wars orchestration with emotional and ambient pieces.
- Voice acting is excellent across the board, especially from Monaghan, Debra Wilson (Cere), and Noshir Dalal (Bode).
- Sound effects for lightsabers, Force powers, and blaster fire are authentic and satisfying.
Performance Issues at Launch
While Survivor received praise for its content and presentation, its launch was marred by performance problems, especially on PC. These included:
- Stuttering and frame drops
- Long load times
- Crashes on specific hardware
Fortunately, several patches have since improved performance across all platforms.
7. Themes and Legacy
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor does more than continue a story—it deepens it. By exploring loss, resilience, and identity, the game connects with larger Star Wars themes while charting new narrative territory.
Exploration of Identity
Cal’s struggle isn’t just with external enemies—it’s internal. His Jedi ideals are at odds with survival in an increasingly hostile galaxy. The tension between duty and freedom drives much of the game’s emotional narrative.
What It Adds to Star Wars Canon
- Tanalorr and the High Republic lore introduce ancient Jedi mysteries.
- The Empire’s oppressive tactics are explored in more grounded, human ways.
- Characters like Bode add nuance, showing the shades of gray in a galaxy dominated by binary ideologies.
Conclusion: A Star Wars Masterpiece
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is not only a worthy successor to Fallen Order—it surpasses it in nearly every way. It offers a more mature story, deeper gameplay, rich character development, and a vast galaxy full of places to explore and enemies to challenge.
Despite a shaky launch, Survivor stands tall as one of the best Star Wars games of all time. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the franchise or a newcomer, the journey of Cal Kestis is one that resonates on many levels—heroic, tragic, and ultimately, hopeful.
