Star Wars Jedi: Survivor‘s story and ending is extra Revenge of the Sith than Return of the Jedi. However whereas some gamers might need been searching for a extra hopeful chapter in Respawn Leisure’s lightsaber-swinging collection, as somebody who’s not essentially a Star Wars fan, this sequel hit the mark.
Star Wars has by no means gripped me, power or in any other case. Unsure why. It’s a basic, and I’m a giant fan of the style, however it’s all the time felt like if I didn’t imprint on it as a child, then I missed the sail barge. The collection has usually delved into grim waters, however ultimately, we all know the heroes will win, and there’ll be a ceremony the place the Wookie will get nothing. That feeling after the climax of The Empire Strikes Again is short-term as a result of we all know Return of the Jedi is true across the nook, however for a second, it’s so sweetly bleak. Nonetheless, when experiencing the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor story, the dangerous vibes are there from the start and barely let up, making a world that feels darker, extra mature, and welcoming for somebody like me.
Warning: story spoilers for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor comply with!
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s story isn’t optimistic
Cal Kestis is failing once more on this follow-up to Fallen Order. The earlier journey noticed the hero studying about who he actually is, buying a ship, assembling his crew, and making an attempt to make a distinction within the universe, however firstly of this sport, most of that appears to have fallen by the wayside. 5 years have handed, and we see Cal on Coruscant, operating with a brand new crew and nonetheless making an attempt to oppose an excellent stronger Empire.
This case instantly feels totally different, just like the playfulness and banter between these new characters is a skinny veneer, able to be demolished for our amusement. The laughs don’t final; though the plan appears to be figuring out for the crew, issues take a pointy flip when the true menace — an outdated enemy — exhibits up, and the killings start.
All however one in all these new allies is slain in entrance of us. It occurs so shortly, they usually by no means had an opportunity. We knew them simply lengthy sufficient to get a way of their personalities and targets, to listen to a number of of their inside jokes, watch them chill out on a liberated yacht, and notice their deaths would have an effect on Cal.
He had tales about all of them — “Remind me to inform you in regards to the Carida job someday” — their coaching, the possibility encounters that introduced these people collectively, and causes to belief every one. That’s one thing Survivor does fairly nicely, giving small bits of dialog to lower-level NPCs in order that they really feel extra alive and worn. Most of it isn’t simply useless banter as a lot as one thing that hints at deeper traits.
Even the enemy peons have traces about the place they’re, in the event that they like being there, and generally what they’re trying ahead to. Stormtroopers bemoan their present project, whereas droids assume there’s an opportunity of profitable or level out their dangerous luck. Then we homicide them with various levels of mercy. In the long term, nevertheless, it makes the world really feel extra lived in and helps unfold the doom and gloom. The galaxy is at battle and isn’t a enjoyable place proper now.
This makes it simpler to slide into the worlds, particularly Koboh, the place Cal reunites with Greez, and we hang around for a bit at a saloon. It’s the purpose within the sport the place issues really feel considerably relaxed, assuming we aren’t reminded about our slain comrades an excessive amount of. This space is stuffed with facet quests, giving us a reprieve from the higher menace that awaits, however even throughout these smaller errands, we encounter echoes of the previous that present how powerful life may be on the planet.
So many are lifeless, and a number of other of them for silly causes, including some taste to the unhappiness pie we’re already experiencing. Everybody within the bar can also be depressed, dwelling beneath the tyranny of the Bedlam Raiders. Most of them don’t need to be there however don’t have the sources to go away, in order that they warn Cal to take action as a substitute. When he proves himself succesful, the residents ask for assist as a result of everybody has a buddy who’s both at risk or must be avenged. It’s powerful out on the rim, and there doesn’t appear to be a lot hope across the nook.
Whereas on this new planet, a discovery gives extra threats and at the least one alternative, however that glimmer of hope gained’t linger. A fast journey to Jedha gives a enjoyable distraction, however it’s simple to see that every one of that is ripe to be burned down and Merrin, the woman who likes Cal, gained’t even go away with him, at first anyway. His outdated pals aren’t significantly ecstatic upon seeing him once more, however there’s a tiny bit of heat felt. Most of them have moved on, nevertheless, they’ve new functions or are simply outdated and need to retire. Everyone seems to be standing in opposition to the Empire in their very own manner now and the reunion is temporary.
Issues with the promised land look shaky and Cal is the one who launched Dagan, the one who looks as if the massive menace for the sport, so he’s considering that. It feels just like the short-term alliance of members from each groups can’t catch a break at first, however in what appears like a remaining confrontation, there’s a small victory.
There are solely two moments of the sport the place it looks as if the hero genuinely stops for a second and forgets about his trials, the daunting duties forward, and the various looming enemies. The primary is a kiss, a joyous second stolen within the fleeting calm earlier than fight with a large robotic ensues. Jedi don’t search companionship or no matter although, so we get the entire ‘life is valuable’ speech later, to remind everybody to take a while to like, as a result of they may very well be lifeless quickly. The kiss felt passionate and like the one factor that mattered at the moment.
What occurs in the course of the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor ending
The opposite second close to the tip of the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor story, after we consider the villains are all defeated, includes tea and a comfy campfire. Everyone seems to be trying ahead to a brand new protected house and there’s even one other kiss, however all of that’s proper earlier than an apparent, and but, nonetheless heartbreaking betrayal.
That character was too cool to be good. The ultimate confrontation is already powerful as a result of it’s clear what has to and can occur. There’s a child concerned, and if it already wasn’t dangerous sufficient, they’d her sing to ensure we realized that our actions, although justified, have been going to interrupt up a loving household and destroy her life in the identical manner two of our major characters had skilled additionally. These occasions messed Cal up badly, confirmed him visions of his pals struggling as a result of they adopted his lead, pushed the Jedi nearer to the darkish facet, and the multiple-person funeral on the finish drives house how a lot this journey has price.
The end result isn’t optimistic, even the ultimate scene has foreboding music over one thing that ought to have felt inspiring – and I liked it. I’m by no means certain once I dive into one thing primarily based on Star Wars, however that is the way in which to drag me in additional. Not essentially saying that every little thing must be morbid all the time, however seeing what Cal goes by endeared me to him, impassioned his causes for combating, and I discover myself cherishing the survivors much more. I need one other, and I’ll even take a look at a type of films or TV exhibits they do for these video games whereas I wait. It may’t be bleak on a regular basis, however we’d like a few of that for certain.
