Highlights

  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor improved on the gameplay and quality of life features of its predecessor, Fallen Order.
  • The platforming and movement mechanics in Jedi: Survivor were smoother and less clunky compared to Fallen Order.
  • However, a potential sequel to Jedi: Survivor could further enhance platforming by adding new abilities such as Force levitation or a jetpack.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the second entry in Respawn Entertainment's modern Jedi series. Released earlier in April 2023, it is the followup to the first outing from 2019, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. While Fallen Order was generally considered a solid attempt, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor took the groundwork laid by it and improved on many aspects of gameplay in terms of polish and quality of life inclusions. Alongside an engaging storyline following former Jedi Cal Kestis' struggles against the Empire, Jedi: Survivor delivered an all-around excellent experience.

Like its predecessor, Jedi: Survivor is a Metroidvania that also mixes in Soulslike combat, design, and mechanics. One of the core tenets of Metroidvanias is the gradual accumulation of abilities and items that lend players more maneuverability and provide methods of accessing previously locked areas of their worlds. While it does contain a good array of these parceled out during the course of the adventure, Jedi: Survivor's platforming in particular could still find ways to evolve and improve upon them in a sequel.

Though not officially confirmed at this time, it is widely assumed a third entry in Respawn's Jedi franchise is eventually forthcoming based on its success.

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s Sequel Has an Easy Choice for a Force Ability Upgrade

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor employed a fun Force ability but a sequel could explore it much more thoroughly to make it narratively significant.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Has Many Opportunities to Improve Upon Its Platforming

Jedi: Survivor's Platforming and Movement Mechanics

As a Jedi rediscovering, regaining, and refining his powers, Cal Kestis' range of movement options was initially a bit limited in Fallen Order. Jedi: Survivor, though, gives players a little more to start off with in this area, reflecting Cal's growth and training in the time between the two games. At the beginning of the journey, he has more to work with regarding maneuverability, which greatly helps to balance the usual canyons in the curve of a Metroidvania's acquisition of abilities.

Jedi: Survivor's mobility-related powers include:

  • An air dash to fly over longer gaps.
  • The Jedi flip acting as a classic double jump.
  • Wallrunning.
  • A mount allowing greater vertical reach.
  • The Ascension Cable i.e. grappling hook.

Later in the plot, when Cal reunites with and grows closer to Merrin, the Nightsister grants him her charm, enabling Cal the ability to shift through previously impassable green laser gates as well. All of these were fully functional; at the same time, they could still serve as jumping off points for what a sequel might do to expand beyond them.

What a Jedi: Survivor Sequel Could do to Enhance Platforming

Although some of the above were present in its predecessor, Jedi: Survivor made better and more interesting use of them in many cases. Its level design coupled with Cal's quicker speed and smoother controls ensured that platforming didn't feel as clunky or chore-like as it sometimes could in Fallen Order. Of course, a theoretical third title needs to account for the fact that its protagonist (and players) have ostensibly already mastered many of these abilities. A sequel to Jedi: Survivor that removes or resets previous abilites might feel disjointed, and thus Respawn needs to carefully consider how to handle them going forward.

In that vein, perhaps a Force levitation power, similar to the one from Remedy Entertainment's Control, would go a long way to iterating on platforming. It might be more limited, or a later-game unlock, but fans would likely welcome its inclusion, and it would be in keeping with a possible Jedi ability. Alternatively, an early Star Wars game, Shadows of the Empire, gave players use of a jetpack. While not an orthodox Jedi instrument, neither is Cal, so giving him one - even if again constrained in some manner - would be a fun inclusion to expand on platforming options as well as an iconic Star Wars element. In any case, Respawn has a great opportunity to make platforming fresh and exciting in the next Jedi game, and hopefully has a few surprises in store for fans if and when one is announced.