A Forceful Sequel? Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Review
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a highly-anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed Fallen Order, arrives on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X with the ambitious goal of exceeding its predecessor’s success. Building upon the foundation of Fallen Order’s narrative and thrilling combat, Survivor expands the scope with a sprawling semi-open world, six diverse planets to explore, an enhanced travel system, and a plethora of new combat options. But does this expansion translate into a truly exceptional gaming experience? Let’s dive into the Force-filled world of Jedi: Survivor and see if it truly lives up to its galactic ambitions.
A Story of Scars and Survival
The narrative of Jedi: Survivor picks up five years after the events of Fallen Order, with Cal Kestis now a hardened Jedi Knight, bearing the weight of his past experiences, and the burden of fighting an ever-growing Galactic Empire. The game kicks off with a gripping sequence on Coruscant, where Cal, labeled a “terrorist” by the Empire, is thrust into the city’s underbelly, embarking on a thrilling escape from his captors. This opening moments showcases the game’s impressive action sequences, seamlessly weaving a blend of platforming, combat, and lightsaber-fueled mayhem.
Gone is any need for an amnesia reset that plagues many sequels. You are thrust immediately back into Cal’s shoes, wielding your Force abilities, and quickly expanding your skillset with new gear and techniques. This seamless continuation offers a genuine sense of progression and allows you to immediately immerse yourself in the story, building upon the foundation laid in Fallen Order.
This initial escape sequence serves a dual purpose. Not only does it re-introduce you to Cal’s capabilities, it also sets the stage for the heart of the narrative — the struggle for survival against the rising tide of the Empire. This struggle is deeply felt, with Cal grappling with the realization that despite his efforts, the Empire’s grip on the galaxy is tightening. The burden of leadership, the weight of loss, and the constant fear of being hunted by the Inquisitors all weigh heavily on Cal, masterfully conveyed by actor Cameron Monaghan. Cal’s transformation into a more introspective, yet resolute Jedi is palpable. He’s caught in a constant battle between hope and despair, adding a level of complexity to his character that resonates throughout the game.
A World of Exploration and Adventure
The escape from Coruscant leads you to the planet Koboh, a vast, rocky landscape that serves as your central hub and the starting point for exploring the galaxy. This massive, semi-open world is jam-packed with secrets, side quests, collectibles, and stunning vistas. It’s here you’ll form bonds with old and new allies, like the gruff Greez Dritus, whose warmth and affection for Cal add a touching dimension to the story. The companion system, while promising, falls slightly short.
Bode Akuna and Merrin, Cal’s allies, accompany him on specific story missions, providing support through automated AI actions. While their presence offers a sense of camaraderie, their autonomy can sometimes feel jarring. Their actions, while impactful, are pre-programmed, diminishing the sense of reliance on them. This often makes for a more solitary experience, leaving you to rely mostly on BD-1, your trusty droid companion, who continues to be a constant source of information and charm.
The immersion of exploring this richly detailed world is a highlight of Jedi: Survivor. Exploring the canyons, caves, and abandoned settlements is a joy, requiring you to utilize your various abilities, from grappling hooks to Force pushes, to navigate tight spaces, solve environmental puzzles, and unlock hidden areas. The world feels alive with the presence of creatures, both friendly and hostile, and the sense of discovery is constant.
Mastering the Force: Enhanced Combat and New Stances
The combat system in Jedi: Survivor is a testament to Respawn’s dedication to crafting a truly engaging and challenging experience. Drawing inspiration from the Soulsborne genre, Jedi: Survivor introduces five distinct combat stances, each tailored to different playstyles, allowing for a unique level of customization.
While you can wield two stances at a time, you’ll find yourself constantly tweaking and experimenting to find the perfect combination of offense and defense. The familiar single-wield, dual-wield, and double-bladed stances return, offering familiar but effective tactics.
However, the real stars are the two new stances: Crossguard and Blaster. The Crossguard stance, inspired by Kylo Ren’s lightsaber, emphasizes power over speed, allowing for devastating blows at the cost of agility. This stance, perfect for players who prefer a more heavy-handed approach, offers a satisfying and impactful way to engage enemies. On the other hand, the Blaster stance introduces a hybrid combat style that allows you to utilize a sidearm to engage enemies from a distance, offering a tactical edge. This ranged option, combined with the need to reload ammunition through quick lightsaber strikes, encourages strategic play and pushes you to master a dynamic rhythm of offensive and defensive maneuvers.
The game’s robust leveling system, reminiscent of the classic Soulsborne games, allows you to invest Skill Points earned through combat and exploration into upgrading your abilities, stances, and Force powers. This creates a satisfying loop of progression as you become more powerful and efficient in combat.
A Forceful Flaw: Performance Issues
Despite the incredible strides forward in world design, combat, and narrative, Jedi: Survivor is hampered by significant performance issues, a problem that unfortunately diminishes the overall experience. Even on powerful PC systems with high-end specifications, frame rate inconsistencies, stuttering, and lag-inducing dips are common. These performance issues, especially prevalent in densely populated environments, can be frustrating, detracting from the game’s immersive flow and sometimes jeopardizing combat encounters.
This is particularly disappointing given the game’s otherwise impressive visual presentation. Despite the technical hiccups, the world is beautifully rendered, with vibrant colors, detailed environments, and stunning lighting effects. Unfortunately, these visual assets, while impressive in static moments, become a detriment to the game’s smooth operation.
In this context, the game’s cosmetic focus on lightsaber customization, while commendable in its adherence to the Star Wars aesthetic, feels misplaced. While players will enjoy experimenting with different lightsaber parts and colors, the lack of stat-boosting upgrades, a staple in modern AAA games, can feel underwhelming, especially considering the game’s already heavy emphasis on combat.
Verdict: Waiting for the Force to Align
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a complex and contradictory experience. It offers a compelling story of survival, a vast world to explore, and a remarkably deep combat system, but these positives are dampened by significant performance problems. While the narrative and gameplay offer significant improvements over Fallen Order, until these technical issues are addressed, it’s difficult to wholeheartedly recommend the game in its current state.
If you are a die-hard Star Wars fan with a passion for exploring expansive worlds and mastering challenging combat, then the game’s potential is undeniable. However, for gamers seeking a smooth and polished experience, it’s best to wait for further performance patches to address the game’s technical limitations. The Force may be with Cal Kestis, but it seems to be taking a break from Jedi: Survivor for now.
