Lovingood review: 'Star Wars Jedi: Survivor' has its 'Empire Strikes Back' moment

Chris Lovingood: Journalist by trade; gamer by habit

Whoa, whoa! You read the headline and you might think it’s a little strong. Hear me out.

What "Jedi: Fallen Order" began has been extended and improved in "Jedi: Survivor" in terms of gameplay and storytelling. It’s an extension of what made the first game so great (like how "Empire Strikes Back" did for the first Star Wars film.)

With the addition of new game mechanics, characters and exploration of Lucasfilm’s High Republic Era of Star Wars, Cal Kestis draws players in for an experience that is sure to be enjoyable for casual and hardcore fans of the franchise alike.

I chose to pick up the game on PS5 as I’ve been trying to expand my library on that console (and I’m still months away from a gaming PC that can handle a heavy graphics load).

Heads up: some spoiler content will be within this article, so turn away if you want an untainted experience!

The events of "Jedi: Survivor" happen five years after "Jedi: Fallen Order," and we see a more time-tested and battle experienced Cal Kestis (and don’t worry, there’s a recap of the previous game to refresh your memory/catch you up). It’s revealed that Cal worked alongside Saw Gerrera ("Rogue One," "Star Wars: Clone Wars," "Star Wars: Rebels") to fight the empire, but along the way he parted from his crew that once made their ship, the Mantis, a second home for Cal. During an opening mission on Coruscant, Cal is seemingly captured and being delivered to someone. We are quickly introduced to a new ally he’s met since we last saw him.

After some key narrative moments to help set the stage for Cal’s return, you are taken on a trip to a whole new slate of planets, explore the remnants of the High Republic Era, fight several formidable new foes and help salvage the remains of the Jedi’s history from the clutches of the empire.

Cal revisiting some of his former crewmates helps fill in some gaps as to what happened that split them apart.

Without spoiling anything, I can say there were a few moments that genuinely surprised me in terms of where the plot was headed, and I believe fans of the series will be treated to a strong next installment of Cal Kestis’ adventures.

Along the way, players will be exposed to lore to read through thanks to BD-1’s trusty scanning.

Though I spent a lot of time taking screenshots (I often do), my entire playthrough was incredibly enjoyable. My only gripes were some moments that felt a bit forced/disingenuous in terms of dialogue. A few of the plot points were telegraphed a little too strongly, and so it made for a predictable experience at times; however, the strong plot points far outweigh the weak ones. There were also two moments when my game glitched and Cal wasn’t responsive after a cutscene, so I had to reset the game.

I give high praises to the voice acting in "Jedi: Survivor." Cameron Monaghan breathes so much life into Cal Kestis’ character as he really makes you feel the struggles the Jedi experiences. He also delivers the humorous tones that are present in most Star Wars projects. I should also tip my hat to Debra Wilson’s Cere Junda, Tina Ivlev’s Nightsister Merrin and Daniel Roebuck’s Greez Dritus. They kept the same energy of the previous game’s iteration of their characters, and so I felt myself still caring about each of them, what they brought to the narrative and how they interact with Cal.

Overall, the writing in this game was strong and stayed true to what makes Star Wars a franchise that is both loved by people and never satisfies diehards of the original movie trilogy.

Though I know some will disagree, "Jedi: Survivor" played like a soulslike to me. We can debate that aspect another time, but I bring it up because the challenge the game presents reminded me of "Bloodborne" and "Elden Ring." Timing of your parries and such carries over from "Jedi: Fallen Order," but for some reason it felt a bit more “assisted” to me during my Jedi Master difficulty playthrough. Some hordes of enemies seem significantly bigger in "Jedi: Survivor" compared to the previous game. Respawn also expanded upon the diversity of enemies/creatures that come after you, so it doesn’t feel like it’s just troopers, troopers, troopers. And when Cal gets to have a duel with another saber-wielder, it’s such an impressive sequence of trying to learn their fight style, counter their attacks and successfully parry blows.

Cal has also been given a total of five lightsaber stances, including two new stances – one in which he wields a blaster/lightsaber combo and another with a crossguard lightsaber that would give Kylo Ren a run for his credits. If you’ve played "Jedi: Fallen Order," you know that gaining access to the dual wield and double-bladed lightsaber gives players a fun change from the traditional one saber experience, and the two new stances add to Cal’s abilities in a way that give him many options to suit the player's preferred gameplay style. After I unlocked the crossguard stance, it was always equipped in one of the two stance slots Cal can have at once. One turnoff for me in the blaster stance (though it is a lot of fun to go "pew, pew, pew") is the fact that you can only gain new rounds for your blaster as long as you hit someone. I get it, because giving unlimited ammo might be broken and then adding an ammo mechanic might be a bit much, but it still feels odd.

Cal has also been given a new set of force powers to use against enemies.

BD-1 has new tools to both affect the environment and take control of enemies. And there’s a buddy mechanic where Cal receives help from one new companion (and a very familiar one).

All of this makes "Jedi: Survivor" standout from "Jedi: Fallen Order." Though there are many elements that Cal has retained, we see him grow in his abilities, and we get to experience a battle-ready Jedi.

I can’t end this section without noting the mount mechanic! Cal now has some creatures he can wrangle as he’s traversing a couple of the planets. Though it wasn’t a game changer, it still gave the exploration aspect of "Jedi: Survivor" a bit of oomph and further emersion. Cal can also use gliding creatures to help him move across a given area; however, the mechanic felt slightly more clunky than I was anticipating.

Bless the level designers, sound designers and music composers for "Jedi: Survivor." What gives the game its charm is the offering of new planets to explore and the atmosphere that comes with them.

During the opening mission, you feel like you are right there on Coruscant with the hulking buildings in the background, the plentiful number of environmental accents (holoscreens, neon lights, etc.), and music that perfectly captures the mood of the moment.

As you head to Koboh to catch up with Greez, you’re greeted by a luscious, green world that’s reminiscent of a Bogano/Kashyyyk combo from the previous game.

The maps feel significantly larger than in "Jedi: Fallen Order," and whereas bigger doesn’t always mean better, in this case I believe it did.

On Koboh, you can be in the jungle one minute and in a subterranean series of caverns the next. There’s also the massive Clone Wars era battleship called the Lucrehulk sitting in swamplands you explore. This was one of my favorite places because it provides you with that “I’m on one of the ships!” feeling while pitting you against waves of reprogrammed battle droids now working for one of the game’s antagonists, Rayvis, who has his own interesting backstory as a member of the Gen’Dai race but also as the leader of an enemy group in the game called the Bedlam Raiders. I hope for downloadable content where we see their home world and hear more lore tied to the Nihil from the High Republic Era.

Most locations you travel to in "Jedi: Survivor" have a significant terrain variation that makes you feel like you’re in a world within a world where everything doesn’t just look the same.

In addition to Koboh and Coruscant, Cal travels to Jedha (very cool to play a level after watching "Star Wars: Rogue One"), the Shattered Moon of Koboh (in which we have a lore tie-in to the High Republic’s Emergences events), Nova Garon and Tanalorr. That last one is a critical element to the story, and though you don’t spend much time there, it’s beautifully designed and will likely set the stage for a potential follow up to "Jedi: Fallen Order."

It looks like our boy Cal has been shopping at Space H&M, as he’s been treated to quite a few different costume changes. Whereas his signature poncho look was prominent in "Jedi: Fallen Order," I hated it. He’s clearly trying to blend in as he’s in hiding post Order 66; however, it just turned me off. In "Jedi: Survivor," Cal has enough options to help players envision their version of him.

I started off wearing the tactical and rebel jackets in the opening hours of the game, but the second I unlocked the commander outfit, I said, “Yup. This is the one.”

I might be getting in deep here, but I think how Cal looks only adds to the immersion of the game. Knowing he’s been fighting the empire – specifically with Saw Gerrera – I think his outfit would turn to a more, “I’m ready for battle” look.

In addition to the jackets, players can customize Cal’s pants and shirt with a series of color themes. The same is true for his lightsaber, blaster, BD-1’s look and Cal’s hair and facial hair style.

At some point it becomes a bit of a chore to collect everything, but I found the combo that sat right with me and I just didn’t bother with unlocking the remaining cosmetics. At some point collecting items is filler.

Overall, "Jedi: Survivor" successfully takes what made Jedi: Fallen Order such a strong Star Wars experience – in gameplay and story – and dials it up to increase stakes for Cal’s circle of allies.

It presents an expansion of the Star Wars lore that focuses on the area between "Revenge of the Sith" and "A New Hope" and presents gamers with elements from the High Republic Era.

While following up on the success of a sequel is hard to do, "Jedi: Survivor" walks in the footsteps of games that have achieved this, including "Red Dead Redemption 2", the entire Uncharted series, and "Mass Effect 2."

Respawn kept up its strong narrative writing and gameplay experience from the first game to make players feel like they’re revisiting an old friend in "Jedi: Survivor."

I’ve even reached out to lead writer Danny Homan to pick his brain about how he managed to capture the world of Star Wars so well with his writing.

I highly recommend this game to any Star Wars fan or anyone interested in getting introduced to the series via gaming. I give the game a strong 9/10.

Parents, if you’re unfamiliar with Star Wars, it’s certainly appropriate for the whole family for the most part, but know there is dismemberment in this game. The main character can slice off legs and arms, and there’s even one small scene where there is a beheading, but we just see the helmet roll; however, as an adult you’ll know what’s happening there.

The game is also violent, but that shouldn’t steer you away from having your child play. If you’re accustomed to them engaging in the Star Wars movie content, this game is definitely alright for them to play. I might just make sure you watch your child play for a bit and put things into context if they have questions.

Though violent, "Jedi: Survivor" has an incredible story for fans of the franchise. It has a strong narrative experience to captivate players and has many puzzles to keep people entertained. I would recommend this title for a child of 13 and possibly a few years younger if they show maturity and you feel they can handle the images they’ll see as they play.