Game News Star Wars Jedi Survivor: Gameplay, scenario, ray tracing, we take stock of the Fallen Order sequel
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you know it well: Jedi Fallen Order is one of the most popular adaptations of the famous franchise, and its sequel, Jedi Survivor, should be no exception! Recently, new information fell – including a trailer at the Game Awards and an interview with the director of the game. The perfect opportunity to gather all the information about it.
When is Star Wars Jedi Survivor released?
We start with the most important! Star Wars Jedi Survivor, the sequel to Fallen Order, will be available on March 17, 2023 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Yes, no PS4 or Xbox One version planned (we’ll see why later in this article). The date was announced at the Game Awards 2022, the equivalent of the video game Oscars, on the occasion of a first gameplay trailer. For now, a postponement seems rather unlikely: developers and publishers are generally confident when the release date is so close to such an announcement. To not miss anything – of course – stay on JV.
What are the storyline and links to Fallen Order?
After Fallen Order and escaping the Order 66 purge, apprentice Cal Kestis (main hero) became a full-fledged Jedi. But the troubles don’t stop there! In the sequel, which takes place 5 years later, we find a character cornered by the Empire at the “ends of the galaxy” – as the page indicates. Steam. The regime does not intend to leave such a Knight alive:
As one of the last representatives of the Jedi Knights, Cal will have to make a choice during this dark period in the history of the galaxy. But how far will he be willing to go to ensure his survival and that of his crew, and defend the legacy of the Jedi Order? (Steam)
As we can see in the Game Awards trailer: this threat will take many forms, whether it be opponents in the flesh, droids, creatures from the depths of the galaxy, even a new “gang ” that Cal will have to face, as stated by Stig Asmussen, director of the project, via Game Informer. In the words of another interview (this time that of the VO actor of Cal Kestis), Jedi Survivor will be “darker and more challenging” than Fallen Order, exploring the “changes” of the hero and his perception of the world after “years of fighting” in a desperate situation… Stig Asmussen summary put things more simply: “In the game, everything is about survival”. To get out of it, Cal can count on the help of his faithful robot BD-1 and Cere Junda, but also Bode Akuna – a brand new character. The latter is described as an “AI companion” that helps with both combat and exploration.
(Left, Bode Akuna, Cal Kestis’ sidekick in Jedi Survivor)
Action, lightsaber, what surprises for the fights?
Regarding gameplay – according to Game Informer’s interview – one of the “most notable” additions is the arrival of five fighting positions for Cal Kestis. For now, we know of three: a two-blade mode; another blaster and lightsaber at the same time; the last one with the Kylo Ren style quillon heavy sword. In the trailer, we can see images of the first and third mode, which seem to be the equivalent of fast-paced gameplay | heavy. The second mentioned above should, logically, make it possible to attack from a distance and melee! For the other positions: it will probably be the ‘classic’ posture, a lightsaber alone in hand, and a fifth dedicated to strength? In the trailer, we notably see Cal lifting two stormtroopers at the same time, and grabbing one in the air as he fires at his allies. There are also new finish moves.
“(Depending on the enemy you encounter, editor’s note) it is advantageous to use certain types of positions, it is up to the player to understand this” Director of Jedi Survivor (Game Informer)
Exploration, parkour, new ways to get around?
Yes, it’s not just the fights that are getting a makeover. To give “more flexibility to exploration” and a “wider metroidvania approach”, Cal can now use an Uncharted 4-style grappling hook and call in mounts (in the trailer, there is – in addition – a dash in the air, and the possibility of descending along a wall thanks to the sword). Noble steeds that will be (very) useful for moving quickly, in addition to being able to fight on their backs, or even fly… In the trailer, we see Cal hovering in the air with a kind of pterodactyl! All in all, Jedi Survivor seems to feature larger areas than in the past. A good thing, of course.
(Jedi Survivor, at Star Wars Celebration 2022)
Will there be new planets to explore?
What would a sequel to Fallen Order be without new planets to visit? This will obviously be the case, as we can see in the trailer (desert, jungle, futuristic base). In the Game Informer interview, Stig Asmussen talks about “many worlds” to discover, but also a very special area which will be “a central testing ground and a place of exploration”! The game director is probably talking about a kind of hub, where the characters could meet and rebuild the Jedi Order step by step. In the past, it was the ship of Cal Kestis and his friends, quite cramped, which fulfilled this role.
Next gen, ray tracing, what about graphics?
We part ways on another important subject, technique. If you recall, Jedi Survivor will only release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series, assuming publisher Electronic Arts and the Respawn team will “really” take advantage of the new console generation. It seems to be, even though the trailer images look a lot like Fallen Order. Yes, dear Stig Asmussen has confirmed the presence of ray tracingon a interview given to the Star Wars site. “It allowed us to work on the lighting in real time” confides the director, “with a fidelity far beyond what we had been able to produce before”! We can also have a brief overview in the trailer. With its lasers and reflective surfaces, this universe is perfect for ray-tracing.
