One of the most anticipated gaming sequels of recent years, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has just given fans their very first look at gameplay. Revealed during the Game Awards, this new gameplay trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor showed a lot of mechanics and animations that fans of its predecessor, Jedi: Fallen Order, will remember very clearly, but it also showcased some brand new gameplay features, all of which are sure to shake up the game's Soulslike formula.
Taking place five years after Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sees a more experienced Cal Kestis face off against the Empire once more, encountering old and new foes along the way. Over the last five years, it seems as though Cal has picked up some new tricks, which pave the way for a slew of exciting new game mechanics.
Every New Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Mechanic Shown So Far
After a brief introduction to the mysterious new, still unnamed character in the bacta tank, players get their first glimpse at Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's gameplay, and from the get-go, new mechanics are shown off. Cal can be seen impaling a Magna Guard, force-pushing a trio of Imperials, and lifting up several Stormtroopers at once, the latter of which he couldn't do in the previous game. After a little dialogue exchange with Cal's former mentor Cere, another new gameplay mechanic can be seen, with Cal force-pulling a heavy trooper to his side and using his laser turret to shoot the other troopers.
This newly released Star Wars Jedi: Survivor gameplay trailer also showcases some ridable mounts, which are brand new to the sequel. Cal can be seen befriending and mounting a feathered, two-legged beast, not too dissimilar from a Tauntaun. On this creature, Cal uses his lightsaber to cut down a B1-Battle Droid, confirming their existence in the game alongside the ability to attack while riding the mount. Straight after, Cal is shown holding onto the legs of a pterodactyl-like creature, using it to glide through the air. While this could just be a scripted set piece, the presence of mounts does imply that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor might have more expansive, open-ended levels than Jedi: Fallen Order, with mounts being needed to fast travel across greater distances.
In the next sequence, Cal Kestis faces off against a bounty hunter duo, with the main aggressor using a mean-looking electro staff to push the Jedi to the ground. After getting up and brushing off the hit, Cal ignites his lightsaber once more and pulls another saber to his left hand, revealing the ability to dual-wield. One of the most requested features for the sequel, the ability to dual-wield lightsabers will presumably give way to even more combat variations.
During a battle with a hulking Imperial robot, who looks a little like The Mandalorian's Dark Troopers, Cal can be seen performing one of the game's new combat finishers. In Jedi: Fallen Order, once the player got an enemy to low enough heatlh, or they parried them perfectly, they could use a finishing move, where Cal would cinematically stab or slash through the opponent. It seems as though Jedi: Survivor is following suit, showing Cal fling his lightsaber into the robot's legs, and bringing it back around to cut off its head.
Towards the end of the gameplay trailer, Cal is helped onto a ledge by one of the game's new characters, Bode Akuna, a mercenary that seems to be helping Cal on his new mission. It also seems like Bode will assist in Jedi: Survivor's gameplay too, with one sequence showing Cal impaling a scout trooper and letting Bode flip off his back to deliver a finishing kick. Cal's lightsaber throw ability seems to have gotten a big upgrade as well, with the player seemingly being able to attach both lightsabers together to widen the arc. Another new traversal mechanic is shown off soon after, with Cal using an ascension cable to zip up to a ledge. The final moments of the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor gameplay trailer show Cal Kestis attaching a Kylo Ren-inspired cross guard to his lightsaber, which apparently unlocks a new, more methodical combat stance.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor releases on March 17, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.