Since her work on Uncharted as well as the Legacy of Kain series is so beloved, writer Amy Hennig is seen by many as one of gaming's biggest writing talents. Recent news has confirmed that her studio, Skydance New Media, is working on a Star Wars title with an all-new and original story, though not much more was revealed. Its confirmation follows the release of the critically well-received LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and with the sequel to Jedi Fallen Order on the horizon, the project needs to do something different to truly stand out.
This isn't Hennig's first foray into the Disney-owned IP, as Visceral Games was working on a game titled "Project Ragtag," which was scrapped not long after it was announced. Recent news could take cues from what the canceled game was initially going to offer, though within the Star Wars lore, there's one character who would be perfect for the upcoming title to focus on. Anakin Skywalker is underappreciated by fans, but his complex past and inevitable future would make him a compelling lead to the new Skydance-developed game.
Anakin Was (And Could Be Again) The Chosen One
Though his son, Luke, is perhaps the most well-known character in Star Wars lore, Anakin was the first Skywalker to make a significant impact. His upbringing on Tatooine, learning the way of the force from Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his eventual turn to the dark side all contribute to making him one of the most compelling characters in the franchise. By the time A New Hope rolls around, and he dons the now-iconic black suit as Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker's life is storied, and his place in the galaxy is solidified. The upcoming Disney+ shows will look to expand on the character, but without a central role, the development can only go so far.
Should Skydance New Media focus its game on Anakin, his complexity could make for so many compelling moments. Controlling a character that players know will eventually submit to evil would add so much moral weight to the story. With Amy Hennig's influence on the script, fans will be confident that character development will be handled with care, as Nathan Drake is still one of gaming's best protagonists, even after all these years. Playing as one of Star Wars' many dependable heroes would be safe, but boring, and while creating an entirely new character is an exciting thought, Anakin Skywalker is underutilized in the franchise and has so much unused potential.
Staying Out of Cal Kestis' Way
Aside from the much-loved Lego Star Wars games that house plenty of playable characters, there is a budding Star Wars game series that already provides players with a morally good, boy scout-ish protagonist. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order released in the fall of 2019, with its sequel likely being announced in the near future. The game follows Cal Kestis, a Jedi Padawan who survives the purge seen in Revenge of the Sith, and his quest to rebuild the Jedi Order. Kestis is a great character, but one that rarely straddles the line between right and wrong. He's undoubtedly one of the good guys, so Jedi Fallen Order doesn't ever use his morality as a narrative thread.
This wouldn't be the case with Anakin. Fans were accustomed to his evil side long before the prequel films attempted to humanize him, so presenting Anakin before he takes up the Sith mantle would do well to make a character-driven story all the more intriguing. Darth Vader's actions aren't redeemable, but placing the story of the future title before any of his atrocities have been committed would be truly different to what usual video game protagonists usually are.
He's a character destined for darkness, not one that's drawn to the light, as is the way with John Marston in Red Dead Redemption, for example. Not only would this be an innovative decision for the game, but it would also keep the game's tone far away from the one set in Jedi Fallen Order with Cal Kestis at the helm. There are so many new Star Wars projects currently in development, and Skydance New Media's offering will have to shake up the formula if it wants to separate itself from the pack. A protagonist that has a future shrouded in villainy would achieve the feat wonderfully.
Skydance New Media's Star Wars game is currently in development.