After years of anticipation,Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris finally here. It has taken everything good about the first game and done it better. Cal Kestis’ next chapter has been an exhilarating thrill ride from start to finish, and fans cannot wait to see where his story goes next. While the eventual sequel will likely build upon the events ofStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, it cannot repeat the franchise’s current trend.
Players have gone on an incredible journey throughStar Wars Jedi: Fallen OrderandSurvivor. It has given them new insights into one ofStar Warsmost interesting eras and Respawn has proven that it knows how to tell a good story within the galaxy far, far away. However, each title has also followed a very similar narrative framework, and it is time for the studio to change its approach to the universe.
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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s Sequel Needs to Break Away from The Series Formula
While the focus of theStar Wars Jediseries is on Cal Kestis’ journey during the rise of the Galactic Empire, Respawn has also used this opportunity to further explore the mythos of the force.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderintroduced anancient group of force users known as the Zeffo, andStar Wars Jedi: Survivorfinally gave players a glimpse at the High Republic era. Both games have helped add to theStar Warslore considerably, but this template may not be interesting forever.
BothStar Wars Jedigames have introduced ancient force users with powerful artifacts for Cal Kestis to find. Not only didStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderintroduce the powerful Zeffo, but its entire narrative was also built around a mysterious holocron that had never been mentioned before.Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s narrative hinged on an entire hidden planet that was allegedly a utopia, and Cal spent much of his time chasing down the key that would lead him to it. While both stories were interesting, Respawn cannot keep introducing long-lost mysterious artifacts.
All these artifacts and force users have led to interesting stories and have helped showwhy Cal Kestis’ journey is uniquefrom other Jedi during this era. There is nothing wrong with introducing these types of elements toStar Wars, but eventually, it becomes too much. The more ancient objects and force users that Respawn introduces, the more unlikely their secrecy becomes. Entire hidden utopian planets are already hard to believe, but anything bigger may feel likeStar Warshas jumped the shark.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’seventual sequelneeds to break from the series tradition and tell a new type of story. There does not need to be some powerful force object or ancient group of force users for Cal Kestis to chase after in every single game. The narrative could simply be the classic story of rebellion, and Cal’s quest to unite people against the Empire. It could also delve even further into Cal’s possible descent into the dark side, or explore a brand-new story about Cal protecting his new family. Whatever form it takes, Respawn needs to ensure it feels different.
There is a ton of story potential leftwithin theStar Wars Jedifranchise, especially with howStar Wars Jedi: Survivorended. Cal Kestis feels primed to lead a new force against the Empire with the crew of the Mantis by his side, and dozens of questions are still waiting to be answered. If Respawn plays its cards right, then this could easily be the bestStar Warsvideo game trilogy around, as long as it is willing to break away from the series template.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
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