The reveal of Star Wars Eclipse got fans all over the globe excited as it promised an engaging, choice-based title in a franchise many hold so dear. Developed by Quantic Dream, the mind behind the likes of Fahrenheit, Heavy Rain, and Detroit: Become Human, the project is the first from the studio since EA's exclusivity on Star Wars ended. Branching narratives is something the Paris-based company has become known for, as its releases have always provided players with choices --both small and large-- that can affect the outcome of the story. The game promises new characters and unique environments to explore. The latter is something that warrants further reflection as Star Wars is already densely packed with awe-inspiring locations.
From the Dagobah system to the vibrant settlements of Coruscant, the Disney-owned franchise has a litany of iconic places, and while Star Wars Eclipse may visit some, it also has the potential to stretch further into the unknown than the franchise has before. This gives the project endless potential to expand Star Wars' horizons to craft a memorable story, but also could severely dampen the atmosphere of the world in which it takes place. Exploring new locations could rob the game of its identity, and expanding the license is something that a new developer perhaps shouldn't be doing this early.
The Unknown Regions are Shrouded in Mystery
There are plenty of explored places in Star Wars, but a setting as expansive as space was always going to have a boundary as to how far adrift the series can go. While it may be a geographical restriction, places with so much mystery often do well to make a fictional world feel more enticing. Having a huge, unexplored place in the lore can do wonders for the scope, taking even the furthest reaching places into account, but seeing and experiencing them is a slippery slope that, if handled incorrectly, can go very wrong. Star Wars Eclipse could find success by heading to the Unknown Regions, but in doing so it straddles a difficult line that could do more harm than good.
Providing clarity to a previously unknown area would also come at the cost of more familiar places not being given the attention they need. Kashyyyk, for example, is fascinating, but largely unknown to casual fans of the IP. The home of the Wookies has been featured in a handful of games, but with the change in genre, it could see an entirely new audience. Star Wars Eclipse could do well to give more clarity to places that are still ripe for more stories to be told within their atmosphere.
Star Wars is a Galaxy of Endless Possibilities
Star Wars is bigger than ever in 2022, meaning plenty of new projects are being forged to give all corners of the galaxy far, far away the chance to shine. Star Wars Eclipse can fit nicely into the franchise's happenings, being a new format for Star Wars but serving to bring more personality to the setting in the same way that Andor and The Mandalorian have been. With the ever-expanding slate of Star Wars projects, exploring the Unknown Regions could be a great way for Quantic Dream's next game to instantly feel like it belongs alongside the films, shows, and games that preceded it.
Star Wars Eclipse has the makings of something memorable, and bringing a new story, characters, and locations to such dedicated fans is a valiant task to undertake There is a chance it falls at the first hurdle, but it could succeed with flying colors, and exploring the Unknown Regions could be the catalyst for either result. If Star Wars Eclipse can learn anything from its rival Star Trek franchise, it's that boldly going where no man has gone before can wield huge benefits to go with the hefty drawbacks.
Star Wars Eclipse is currently in early development.