There has been a lot of enthusiasm around Star Wars Jedi: Survivor as it approaches its late-April launch. The latest gameplay from Respawn Entertainment's sequel indicates the game is preserving some of the best aspects of its predecessor, Jedi: Fallen Order, with myriad improvements that take the Star Wars action-adventure concept to a whole other level. Much of the focus has been on deeper gameplay systems, like Jedi: Survivor's lightsaber stances as well as smoother combat, as Respawn has taken care in not spoiling major plot details in recent previews.
Still, with Respawn's titles historically being known for their deep storytelling, it's exciting to think that the premise of Jedi: Survivor remains shrouded in so much mystery before release. Yet, it seems that one major character may have been revealed early. The game's official story trailer appears to show the return of a villain from Fallen Order in Jedi: Survivor, and that is the Ninth Sister. She only appears for a split second during a frame where Cal fends off an Imperial patrol gunship, but her imposing silhouette - and glowing red lightsaber - is all very recognizable.
The Return of One of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order's Inquisitors
The Ninth Sister is a brutal Inquisitor - a corrupted Jedi Hunter in service of Darth Vader himself - who was last seen in a confrontation on the planet Kashyyyk in the first game. Since then, she seems to have recovered in the five years following her defeat at the hands of the fugitive Star Wars: Jedi protagonist Cal Kestis. After climbing the sacred Origin Tree, Kestis clashed with the overly confident Ninth Sister, disarming and pushing her off the canopy to the ground far below. Based on the last time players saw her, she would have been gravely wounded, so Respawn will have to show how the character has changed or adapted since that confrontation.
Like many other narrative developments in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, it's unknown how exactly the Inquisitorius will catch up to Cal Kestis this time around. Respawn has been incredibly secretive, but there is a five-year time gap between Fallen Order and the sequel, which could explain why the Ninth Sister is back. She has had time to recover and plan her vengeance against Kestis and the Mantis Crew, that is, if she actually is playing a major role and is not merely one of the game's red herrings.
How Respawn Could Reintroduce the Ninth Sister in Jedi: Survivor
Even though other Star Wars characters have survived far worse fates, the Ninth Sister boss battle in Jedi: Fallen Order was a pivotal moment that demonstrated Cal's growth as a Jedi. At the start of the game, he could barely hold his own, having cut himself off from the Force following Order 66. After healing his connection to the Force and defeating the Ninth Sister on Kashyyyk, Cal became more confident, and that confidence may come back to haunt him. It's possible that Respawn might use the Ninth Sister as a more frightening, unrepentant antagonist who now has a personal vendetta against the Jedi.
Kestis had cut off the Ninth Sister's right hand, slashed her across the back, then threw her into the depths of Kashyyyk. It was surely an ambiguous fate, and to be battle-ready once again, it's possible that she will have cybernetics to compensate for those injuries. There's also the question of how far she fell, as Cal had come all the way from the dangerous, untamed Shadowlands to find the Origin Tree in Fallen Order. Now, with the story of Jedi: Survivor on the way, Respawn will have a lot to explain given the Ninth Sister's failure to capture Kestis years ago. But her return could be a carryover that has the potential to elevate the sequel too.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor releases April 28 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
