A once niche, but now incredibly popular genre is the Soulslike game. FromSoftware has iterated on this formula over several titles, with the most recent Elden Ring showing how this genre can work in an open-world game. Several games have tried to replicate FromSoft’s formula precisely (to varying degrees of success), while other games have put their own spin on it. One of those, perhaps surprisingly, was Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Now, the sequel is all but officially confirmed by name to be in development. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 is expected to be revealed at Star Wars Celebration near the end of this month, and many are curious about what’s next for Cal Kestis and gang. There are a ton of directions a new Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order game could go, but perhaps one thing it should do is dive even further into its Soulslike elements.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is More Like Sekiro Than Traditional Soulslikes
It should be noted that, while Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a Soulslike game, it’s probably more comparable to Sekiro than it is to other games in FromSoftware’s catalog. Its core elements are clearly taken from the genre, though. Every Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order planet has interconnected paths and secrets to discover, rest points heal the player and reset enemies, players have to retrieve lost XP or lose it forever, its general combat and gameplay is close to Sekiro’s, some key elements of pattern recognition in said combat, rewarding exploration, and its own challenges.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s BD-1 also operates similar to the Estus Flask/Blood Vials/Flasks of Crimson Tears, while the emphasis on perfect strikes and blocks are closer to Sekiro than most Souls games. There are also key differences such as the lack of a stamina meter and perhaps even more plentiful checkpoints, but it’s easy to see how Fallen Order takes Soulslike mechanics and makes them its own.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 Would Do Well with Soulslike Storytelling
Perhaps one of its biggest differences from the general Soulslike formula is where it could learn most. Like Sekiro, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order tells a pretty straightforward story. It's not one uncommon in Star Wars: a Jedi Survivor of Order 66 trying to survive during the Dark Times. It’s an interesting hook and it works, but it is arguably overused. Even the game’s biggest mystery, that of the Force-sensitive Zeffo race, is rather on the nose.
Instead, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 should focus more on the Souls game emphasis of environmental storytelling. Players could learn about new Star Wars characters and lore through item descriptions, while the game could obscure some factions and goals enough to allow player interpretation. This method could even expand on operations of already-established Star Wars conventions, but add a more interesting way to engage with it.
This could limit, but also, deepen the scale of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2. The original game told a galaxy-spanning, empire-fighting story, but perhaps the sequel could go elsewhere. Obviously, the characters are drawn to defeat the empire, and perhaps to do so, they seek to learn from the remaining Zeffo—who have presumably disappeared into Unknown Space. This could limit the planets and the known elements of the franchise, and thrust Cal and his friends into a more unique story.
This way, they could learn more about The Force, about the Dark Side, and all of that—under the guise of defeating the Empire—but limit it through unique interactions with the Zeffo. This way, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 players could piece together what happened to them and perhaps to other characters they meet, their companions, and so on in a more gamified, investigative way.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 and Soulslike Features
At the end of the day, it seems unlikely the franchise will move in that direction story-wise, but the game has plenty it could take. For example, it would be interesting if it adopted a more RPG-like level-up system. This would allow for builds in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, where stamina and strength could be increased for melee builds, a Force stat could strengthen Force Moves acquired through exploration instead of a skill level u system, and more. Perhaps Cal could find lightsabers of other Jedi that tie into this, as while the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order captures the power of lightsaber combat, it loses some of the grace.
Lightsabers come in several forms, with everything from whips and claws to daggers and blasters seen in the extended franchise, and it would be great to see Cal utilize different methods of this, as well as the Force. Perhaps Cal could somehow be encouraged to experiment with lightsabers, making something similar to the trick weapons in Bloodborne.
Insight is another Bloodborne feature that would work well in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2. Building on the speculative example mentioned above, if Cal followed the Zeffo into Unknown Regions, he could perhaps eventually see the metaphysical influences of the Dark Side on their civilization—even now.
There are so many good options. Perhaps Cal could summon Jedi Force Ghosts like Elden Ring’s ashen summons, the legendary beasts of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order could be expanded into more gruesome optional bosses and areas like in Souls games, and so on.
It’s ultimately uncertain what direction Respawn and EA have taken with the game story and gameplay-wise, but a true Star Wars souls game sounds incredibly enticing.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 is reportedly in development.