Star Wars Jedi Survivor Review – May the Force be with You

Is the Force strong enough to guide Cal Kestis successfully through another thrilling third-person adventure with Star Wars Jedi Survivor? It was inevitable that after the success of Jedi: Fallen Order that the series newcomer would headline another title, but developer Respawn couldn’t just churn out a rehash and hope for the best. It had to go above and beyond and save for some technical issues out of the gate, the creative team pulled it off and delivered one of the gaming industry’s best Star Wars experiences.

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Bigger Than The Skywalker Saga

One of the most satisfying things about the Jedi series is that it doesn’t try to shoehorn itself into the classic Skywalker saga. Sure, there are callbacks to it, including brief appearances by Darth Vader and a cameo by Boba Fett, but the markings of Lucas’ original creation are faint. Respawn finds a way to expand upon Star Wars lore without Luke and company, building upon the past of the Jedi Order and fleshing out an impressive story that fits well within the gap between the Clone Wars and Luke’s adventure.

The biggest issue? We kind of know how this all has to end. It’s been previously confirmed that this series is canon to the theatrical franchise, meaning at some point, all of Cal’s efforts will fail, leaving Obi-Wan and Yoda as the only Force-sensitive heroes. Unless, of course, Respawn decides to get bold with a third entry and suggests there was more happening behind the scenes of Lucas’ original trilogy.

Alas, it’s a tricky corner to be painted in, but one that doesn’t hinder the series. At least, not yet. While the story is strong and Cal is an easy character to care about, Respawn delivers a solid title that thrives on fluid gameplay and a delightful open world.

Looking Beyond Performance

I’d be remiss not to mention that Star Wars Jedi Survivor suffers from some glaring performance issues. However, they’re a (likely) temporary hindrance and it’s still very possible to enjoy everything laid out for players despite the technical flaws.

So, what awaits when players do look beyond the drops in framerate and texture pop-in? A glorious trip through yet another fantastic Star Wars story, complete with expanded Force powers, smoother lightsaber combat, character customization, and, after many fan requests, dismemberment.

Trials of the Jedi Knight

Cal Kestis returns as the protagonist, accompanied by a new band of companions and his trusty droid BD-1. Whereas Fallen Order followed Cal coming into his own as a Jedi, in Star Wars Jedi Survivor, he’s a full-on knight going toe-to-toe with the Empire. The whole “good versus evil” remains a core theme in the Star Wars universe, but there’s something very desperate about this entry as if Respawn continued the franchise’s trilogy structure where the second entry is the most traumatic for our heroes. No matter how hard Cal pushes against the Empire, it proves too vast for one man to tackle.

As players push Cal through peril after peril, they’ll make use of some upgrades from Fallen Order. Most significant is the addition of new force powers, from the powerful Force Slam to Confuse, which turns enemies against one another to give Cal a reprieve in the midst of battle. He’ll need it, too, as the enemy list has only gotten deadlier.

Joining the expansive rogue’s gallery of Fallen Order is the Separatist Droids introduced in the prequel trilogy, the BX Droid Commandos from The Clone Wars, the vicious wampa, General Grievous’ Magna Guards, and a few newcomers to Star Wars lore. Of course, players will mow down squads of Stormtroopers and dangerous wildlife, like the towering Rancor.

Marginally Meticulous Fast-Paced Combat

Players will see a lot of people compare Star Wars Jedi Survivor (and its predecessor) to Dark Souls. It’s gotten to the point where any semblance of combat that can’t be mastered through frantic button presses is being pegged as Souls-like. However, Star Wars Jedi Survivor is far more accessible than any of FromSoftware’s titles, requiring only a basic understanding of timing attacks, blocks, and parries on lower difficulties.

Rather, the series is more Metroidvania at heart, and the open world of Star Wars Jedi Survivor doubles down on that with the genre’s staple for warded-off territories and rewarding exploration. The stronger Cal becomes, the more planets like Coruscant, Jedha, Tanalorr, and Nova Garon he will have access to.

Each Force Ability and stance that’s unlocked adds something new to the game, especially when Cal gains access to a trust blaster sidearm that he couples with a lightsaber. It’s not something we’ve really seen in the core Star Wars series, but the Blaster stance is a fun way for Respawn to vary combat. That’s not to say the customizable dual sabers, double-sided lightsabers, or crossguard varieties aren’t fun to wield. It’s just fun to see Respawn explore something new in a very familiar universe.

This time around, Respawn listened to fans and added dismemberment. It’s nothing grizzly or gruesome, but a fun callback to the Jedi Knight series, which enamoured Star Wars fans in a similar manner many moons ago.

Another ‘Star Wars’ Gem

Star Wars Jedi Survivor is an undeniable improvement over its predecessor, with Cameron Monaghan once again depicting Cal in a memorable performance. There is just enough new content to make Star Wars Jedi Survivor feel fresh, especially the character customization that allows players to outfit Cal with the most ridiculous of facial hair. It’s just nice to have a whole range of character alterations to go along with the custom lightsabers.

Overall, Star Wars Jedi Survivor delivers, and if you can look past the technical qualms (if they’re even still an issue by the time you read this review), you’ll be treated to a wonderful entry in the beloved franchise. It’s so easy to misstep in the Star Wars universe, but Respawn has navigated the property well, and Star Wars Jedi Survivor rounds out another splendid entry in the pre-Skywalker saga.