Warning: Spoilers ahead for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.Star Wars Jedi: Survivorelevated the series to the next level in terms of storytelling. It added story elements such as hope, betrayal, and loss. It truly was a step up from theFallen Order, especially in regard to the character development. All the main characters fromFallen Orderreceived a generous amount of character development inStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, so much so that certain moments in the game caused Cal to have a great shift in character.
In the events ofJedi: Survivor, Cal makes a discovery that gives him hope that he’s found a haven for the remaining Jedi and the Hidden Path. However, tragedy ensues whenCal’s new friend, Bode Akuna betrays him, causing Cal to start considering the Dark Side while even wielding new Dark Side abilities. Cal using abilities from the Dark Side is both shocking to players and a powerful move in the narrative. It adds more depth to Cal, and shows that not everyone is all good, and that even a Jedi like Cal have a little darkness. It would be a great opportunity for Respawn Entertainment to allow the chance for Cal to have a Dark Side ending inJedi: Survivor’s sequel.
Jedi Survivor’s Sequel Should Have a Dark Side Ending
The Dark Side Sequences Were a Good Storytelling Mechanic
As soon as Cal loses Cere Junda and Eno Cordova, players start to see a shift within Cal. He’s determined to go after Bode Akuna, who killed Eno and indirectly caused Cere’s death. Once Cal finds Bode, players are forced to channel the Dark Side and use it to go after him. The narrative of this story was superb, as it put many players in the position of wondering if Cal was going to turn or not. The potential of Cal turning to the Dark Side is an excellent plot device, and it gives players the ability to use more powerful attacks after finishingthe story mission on Nova Garon. It also showed why the dark side is so enticing, as players felt significantly stronger when using it.
It would be a missed opportunity if Respawn Entertainment decides not to continue down the path of Cal struggling between the light and the dark. It would be the perfect chance to give players a bit of control over Cal’s story if they were able to choose to lean towardthe dark sideor stay in the light. Even though theStar Wars Jedigames follow a linear narrative, allowing players to choose at the end of the game whether Cal embraces the dark or not would not hurt the linear structure too much.
Why the Dark Side Makes Sense for Cal
Cal is Slowly Embracing His Darkness
Ever sinceFallen Order, Cal has slowly but surely been falling to the Dark Side. InJedi: Fallen Order, he had Cere to protect and guide him. As soon as she dies, however, his darkness rears its head inJedi: Survivorand he willingly starts using his newfound power. With his alignment still on the light side and havingMerrinwith him, he manages to stow it away most of the time. Seeing how throughout the two games he’s been slowly showing signs of darkness, it would make sense for Cal to start embracing the Dark Side even further in Jedi: Survivor’s sequel.
As with many Jedi from the Original Trilogy era, Cal fought in the Clone Wars as a child. His story leading up toOrder 66 is shown in flashbacks inFallen Order, and like with other padawans such as Kanan Jarrus, Cal saw his Jedi Master die in front of him, and was likely alone until he met Pruaf on Bracca. That is until Prauf died at the hands of the Empire. Everyone Cal gets close to or even calls a mentor tends to die in front of him, which will give him even more resolve to protect those still alive, and could force him to use the Dark Side again. With Cal’s tragic history and journey through the games, it would certainly add more depth to the story ifStar Wars: Jedi Survivor’s sequel had the option for a Dark Side ending.
