A strong sequel that improves on many of the previous game's elements, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a great extension of the series that quickly finds its groove. Anchored by a solid story that could potentially bridge different eras and elements of the franchise together, the gameplay focuses on exploration and adventure that truly benefits the experience. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a very solid adventure game and well worth a trip back to a galaxy far, far away.
Picking up five years after Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor focuses on Cal's attempts to make a difference in the galaxy, despite the efforts and intentions of the Empire. However, the discovery of a lost Jedi temple from the days of the High Republic give him and his allies new hope that there may be a refuge away from the Imperial forces. Cal's search for this information takes him across the galaxy, putting him in conflict with a host of battle-droids, stormtroopers, mercenaries, alien creatures, and a deadly one-armed figure with a deep past to the lost world.
An extension of the elements established in Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes the best elements of Cal Kestis' previous adventure and improves upon them. It plays very similarly to the prior game, with Cal's abilities largely unlocked from the sequel's onset. Minor tweaks to the general state of play (like a much-welcomed fast-travel system and a greater focus on exploration) benefit the gameplay immensely. It's a blast to simply explore worlds as Cal, practicing new lightsaber forms and fully indulging in the wider worlds provided by the game. If there was a problem with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order's presentation, it was in the game's occasional habit to feel driven on a rail by the story. It was a fun rail, with solid gameplay mechanics -- but a rail nevertheless, preventing players from fully feeling like they're exploring a fleshed-out galaxy on their own.
That's not a concern with Jedi: Survivor, which opens up the map for greater exploration. Collectibles can unlock new perks and costume options, while allies can be recruited to expand the increasingly bustling village players will come to call home. There's a greater emphasis on exploration, with rumors prompting natural investigation instead of mission markers filling up the screen. It's a small but effective tweak, that allows players to more easily dive into Cal's world. While other worlds Cal will visit on his journey are somewhat more limited in scope than the central world of Koboh, they still provide an engaging but entertaining challenge -- a natural sense of exploration that recalls other highlights of the genre like Metroid Prime.
Combat has also gotten a lot more free-flowing for Jedi: Survivor. Players unlock two more lightsaber styles relatively early in the game, allowing a greater sense of variety in combat. It's a game that invites inventive approaches to battles, with a focus on giving players the chance to experiment. Coupled with an impressive presentation from the game developers at Respawn and strong performances from the voice cast, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor accomplishes the tricky task of telling its own clear story while giving players the freedom to explore and move at their own pace.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a solid adventure game that improves on the past to chart an exciting future. The story is plenty compelling, but sometimes it's just as fun to hitch a ride on an animal and go explore the world, finding new adventures all on your own. It's a solid entry to the action-adventure genre, but as a Star Wars game, it's particularly effective at pulling the player into Cal's story and the greater setting. The flexibility in gameplay benefits a number of different playstyles, and the sheer craft on hand in making the settings is a wonder to behold. While it may suffer from a few minor glitches here and there, at least in the build I played, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an exciting adventure for newcomers and a must-play for any gamer who has ever wanted to be a Jedi.
Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, Star War Jedi: Survivor releases on April 28 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A review code was provided by the publisher.