Summary
Star Wars Jedi: Survivoris the second entry in Respawn Entertainment’s modernJediseries. Released earlier in April 2023, it is the followup to the first outing from 2019,Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.WhileFallen Order was generally considered a solid attempt,Star Wars Jedi: Survivortook 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: Survivordelivered an all-around excellent experience.
Like its predecessor,Jedi: Survivoris a Metroidvaniathat 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’sJedifranchise is eventually forthcoming based on its success.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Has Many Opportunities to Improve Upon Its Platforming
Jedi: Survivor’s Platforming and Movement Mechanics
Asa Jedi rediscovering, regaining, and refining his powers, Cal Kestis' range of movement options was initially a bit limited inFallen 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:
Later in the plot, whenCal 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: Survivormade 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 inFallen 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. Asequel toJedi: Survivorthat removes or resets previous abilitesmight 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’sControl,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, anearlyStar Warsgame,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 iconicStar Warselement. In any case, Respawn has a great opportunity to make platforming fresh and exciting in the nextJedigame, and hopefully has a few surprises in store for fans if and when one is announced.
