Video Game Review: Star Wars Jedi Survivor

I loved Jedi: Fallen Order. It’s story is better than everything that Lucasfilm has produced since Disney took it over and it made me fall back in love with the franchise. Jedi Survivor is the sequel to that game and it’s safe to say that it improves upon it on every front.

What is it?

Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, is a highly anticipated entry in the Star Wars gaming universe. Set between Episodes III and IV, this action-adventure game allows players to step into the boots of a Jedi on the run in the dark times of the galaxy. With a gripping narrative, engaging gameplay, and spectacular visuals, Jedi Survivor is an outstanding addition to the Star Wars franchise.

Graphics and Audio: 9/10

Visually, Jedi Survivor is a feast for the eyes. The game features stunningly detailed environments that span across a variety of iconic Star Wars locations, from the diverse landscapes of the main planet Kobo to the bustling metropolis of Coruscant. Character models are well-crafted and expressive, providing an immersive experience when interacting with both new and familiar faces from the Star Wars universe.

The audio is equally impressive, with a dynamic and atmospheric score by Gordy Haab that expertly blends new compositions with classic Star Wars themes. The sound effects are top-notch, capturing the distinct hum of a lightsaber and the roar of a TIE fighter with exceptional clarity. The voice acting is superb, with a talented cast bringing the characters to life and making the story truly engaging.

Gameplay and Story: 9/10

In Jedi Survivor, players control Jedi Knight Cal Kestis (who is now one of my favourite ever Star Wars characters) who narrowly escaped Order 66 and is now being pursued by the relentless Inquisitors. The story takes place a few years after the events of Fallen Order and we meet a more tired and battle hardened Cal. I won’t go into spoilers but the story is well-written and provides a unique perspective on the Star Wars universe, offering an emotional and gripping journey that keeps you hooked from start to finish, and those plot twists are excellent. I genuinely did not see one coming and it floored me.

The gameplay is similar to Fallen Order’s as it combines elements of platforming, exploration, and combat, offering a well-rounded and satisfying experience. The lightsaber combat is fluid and responsive and a vast improvement on the first games with a deep and intuitive system that allows for a variety of attack and defense options. New lightsaber combat stances add to the variety of combat and the game succeeds in making you feel like an all-powerful Jedi Knight. The game also features an expanded roster of Force powers that can be upgraded. There’s also a vast array of customization options, providing players with a unique and personalised Jedi experience.

The exploration aspect is rewarding, with numerous hidden secrets, collectibles, and lore to uncover. The platforming sections can be challenging and whoever designed some of the challenges is a sadist but thanks to the controls that are tight and responsive you always have a fighting chance. The game's difficulty curve may not suit everyone, with some players finding certain sections overly challenging, however you can drop the difficulty with no punishment so it isn’t a major issue.

Replayability: 8/10

Although the main story is linear, Jedi Survivor offers a fair amount of replayability through its multiple difficulty settings, hidden collectibles, skill tree customization and vast locations. The game encourages exploration and experimentation with different abilities and playstyles. New Game+ mode also offers a new challenge as well as encouraging you to find all the things you missed on your first run.

Overall: 8/10

Star Wars: Jedi Survivor is an impressive and captivating experience for fans of the franchise and action-adventure gamers alike. The game boasts stunning visuals, a gripping story, and engaging gameplay that successfully captures the essence of being a Jedi in the Star Wars universe. Despite some minor shortcomings in replayability, Jedi Survivor is a thrilling adventure that deserves a place in any Star Wars fan's collection. I played it on an Xbox Series X and aside from a few random crashes it ran very smoothly for me. I will have to deduct a point for its performance on PC and other formats however which is a shame.