Review of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – A Sequel that Plays it Safe

Introduction

In 2019, Respawn Entertainment and EA released Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a game that combined elements from Uncharted, Souls, and Metroid to create a unique experience set in the Star Wars universe. Now, three years later, the sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, brings players back to a Galaxy Far, Far Away as they once again take on the role of Cal Kestis. While Jedi: Survivor expands on its predecessor in terms of gameplay mechanics and world exploration, it falls short when it comes to storytelling and innovation.

Gameplay and Exploration

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor builds upon the solid foundation of Fallen Order and introduces new gameplay mechanics and expanded world exploration. The game features larger planets to explore, offering more side paths, enemies, and rewards. The sense of mystery and exploration from the first game is retained, thanks to the game’s new-found expanse. Players will be enticed to return to previously inaccessible areas as they unlock new abilities, adding to the game’s replayability.

Combat and Mechanics

While Jedi: Survivor introduces new features and mechanics, it fails to reinforce the core mechanics that would make the combat system more enjoyable. The addition of new sword fighting stances is limited by the need to constantly return to a meditation circle to switch them out. The combat system still struggles to handle multiple enemies at once, and the movement mechanics feel clunky. The game focuses on adding more features rather than refining the existing ones, resulting in a lackluster combat experience.

Storytelling and Characters

The narrative of Jedi: Survivor starts strong with an exciting opening, but it soon meanders and fails to develop compelling characters. New characters are introduced and quickly fade into the background, while familiar faces only have a few meaningful scenes. The story feels predictable and spoon-fed, lacking organic storytelling and character development. The writing often feels rushed, and important moments have little impact on the overall narrative.

Technical Issues

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor suffers from numerous technical issues, including audio delays, missing textures, clipping issues, and performance problems. Despite a supposed “file optimization” process, the game still experiences stutters and poor performance, even on high-end systems. These technical issues significantly impact the overall gameplay experience and detract from the immersion.

Conclusion

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a safe sequel that fails to find a firm identity. It attempts to combine various gameplay mechanics but lacks the refinement and innovation needed to stand out. The story is predictable and lacks depth, and the technical issues further detract from the overall experience. While the game is still enjoyable, it falls short of its full potential and fails to surpass its predecessor. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor launches on April 28, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.