Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Review (PS5, P.C, and Xbox Series X/S)

The most anticipated game in the Star Wars franchise is finally here. However, it has elicited some mixed reviews from its fan base. The beloved franchise was almost on the brink of losing its glory after the debut of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. There's no denying that many wondered if this was the fall of the mighty Star Wars franchise. 

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is a sequel to the 2019 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The Force was definitely with the prequel since it pushed the right buttons as an enthralling action-adventure game set in a galaxy far, far away. As expected, fans were gearing up for another exciting and daring story-driven game. However, at first, Respawn Entertainment's new title narrowly missed the target. 

A fan's recent rant on Reddit peeled the onion layers back and exposed bugs within the game. This showed that the game could be a mere coffee stain instead of a technicolor canvas. Thankfully, the developers rolled out a new update on May 1st that fine-tunes the performance issues. 

With that out of the way, is this game worth the hype? Let’s find out below in our Star Wars Jedi: Survivor review.

Enter Cal's Harrowing Journey

The story of Star Wars Jedi Survivor is everything you'd wish for in an exciting Star Wars adventure. The game follows the story of Jedi Knight Cal Kestis after the destruction of the Jedi Holocron. Cal is now wiser after a harrowing escape from Darth Vader's Imperial Inquisition grasp. He re-emerges as a Rebel Alliance agent working under Saw Gerrera. 

With this, he heroically drops the title of Padawan and embraces the prestigious Jedi Knight title. Of course, this comes with its fair share of responsibilities. 

Moreover, Jedi Cal Kestis has a new quest to obtain valuable information from Senator Sejan. This would mean infiltrating Coruscant. He teams up with Bode Akuna (a mercenary who takes up the job to help him care for his daughter). However, he is forced to flee the Imperial Capital after a failed heist.

After this brief caper, you are immediately thwarted by a series of lightsaber actions. You’ll also be gyrating through the city's advanced architecture.

The story is also a triumph of character development. As a Jedi protagonist, you must grapple with doubts and fears while navigating a galaxy that has turned against you. Their journey is epic and intimate as they confront powerful foes and their inner demons.

Gameplay

In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, you're not just playing a game – you're living an epic adventure in a galaxy far, far away. From the moment you step into the shoes of your young Jedi protagonist, you're thrown into a world of danger, discovery, and intrigue.

You'll explore breathtaking alien worlds, battle ferocious beasts, and use your mastery of the Force to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The game's stunning graphics and attention to detail create an immersive atmosphere that truly transports you to a galaxy of epic proportions.

But what sets Star Wars Jedi: Survivor apart is its focus on survival. You'll need to navigate treacherous environments, scavenge for resources, and craft your own weapons and equipment to stay alive. Every decision can mean the difference between life and death as you struggle to survive against overwhelming odds.

Lightsabers Light Your Way

As expected, you'll be sweeping through hordes of battle droids, imperial troops, and foreign creatures. Fortunately, you'll have plenty of lightsaber action to grant you the ultimate power of a Jedi.

Aside from the two lightsaber stances from its predecessor, the game introduces a new twin-saber stance and a Kylo Ren crossguard stance. The former suits offense and works as a hybrid by letting you use a blaster. The latter is excellent for hammering your foe to the ground owing to its heavy broadsword, which makes your lightsaber slow.

What’s more, you can pair these sabers with the Force's powers for a more enthralling play. You can efficiently execute an entire troop of enemies by drawing them close and unleashing a smooth, spinning slash that slices them in two.

The game lets you equip two stances at any time. If you are unsatisfied with your picks, you can swap out the stances at any meditation circle. 

A Home Away From Home

It doesn't take a genius to identify the striking difference between Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and its predecessor. As Cal seeks refuge in Koboh after escaping Coruscant, you'll see that it's not as flat and uninspiring as the second planet in The Fallen Order. 

The Koboh planet is like no other open world you've ever encountered. From the moment you land on its dusty, windswept surface, you're immersed in a world of vibrant color, exotic flora and fauna, and stunning vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see.

But make no mistake – this is not paradise. The planet's harsh environment and dangerous inhabitants make it an actual test of survival skills as you navigate treacherous cliffs, scorching deserts, and dense jungles filled with vicious predators.

Moreover, as you explore the open world of Koboh, you'll encounter a diverse cast of characters, from friendly traders and wizened hermits to ruthless bounty hunters and power-hungry warlords. Each has a unique story to tell and goals to achieve, adding layers of depth and complexity to your world.

And, of course, as a Jedi survivor, you'll have access to all your Force powers, which will be crucial in navigating this challenging world. You'll need to use your abilities to uncover secrets hidden throughout the planet, uncover lost artifacts, and even defeat massive creatures that roam the land.

Combat is King

Sticking to tradition, combat is the game's focal point. You'll need a masterful blend of strategy, agility, and raw power to excel in combat. As a Jedi survivor, you'll need to use your lightsaber, blaster, and mastery of the Force to take on a variety of enemies, from stormtroopers and bounty hunters to massive beasts and powerful Sith lords.

Every encounter is a pulse-pounding challenge as you dodge and deflect blaster fire, block lightsaber strikes, and unleash devastating Force abilities. The combat system is intuitive and responsive, giving you precise control over every move you make and allowing you to create your own unique fighting style.

Moreover, you'll need to think on your feet and use your environment to your advantage, from rocks and crates to towering structures and explosive fuel cells, to defeat your enemies. Thankfully, Cal has a few acrobatic tricks up his sleeve. Respawn introduces incredible kinetic movement that lets you dash across walls or execute a midair flip and dash. 

And as you progress through the game and grow stronger, you'll unlock new abilities and upgrades that will allow you to take on even more significant challenges. The possibilities are endless, from Force lightning and telekinesis to powerful lightsaber combos and devastating ranged attacks.

But ultimately, the combat in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is about more than just defeating enemies – it's about living out your ultimate Jedi fantasy, wielding the power of the Force, and fighting for what's right in a galaxy torn apart by war and chaos.

More Customization

Customization in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor isn't just an afterthought – it's a core part of the gameplay experience. From the moment you create your character, you'll have access to a wide range of customization options, allowing you to create a Jedi survivor that's truly your own. Although you may not easily notice the customized items on your character, unlocking them is equally satisfying and presents an enticing reward for franchise fans.

Whether you want to create a sleek, agile duelist or a hulking powerhouse with devastating Force abilities, the game's deep customization system has you covered. You can customize everything from your appearance and combat style to your lightsaber color and Force powers. Lightsaber colors are accessible right from the start, allowing you to give Cal a touch of your personality at an early stage. 

Moreover, a more enticing customization is BD-1's range of optimizations. In Fallen Order, we were limited to customizing his exterior paint job. In the new title, you get more options for customizing his head, face, body, and legs. You can also adjust his wear and tear.

More customization options become available as you progress in the game. At least in this game, you don't have to worry about losing your customization options after a defeat. You can regain them by defeating the enemy, leading to your unexpected demise. This enemy will have a yellow glow that's not hard to miss. Striking them down after re-entering the game gives you a health refill and other rewards. 

The Verdict?

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor remains a highly-regarded Star Wars gaming canon entry. Despite the initial mixed reviews from critics, the game goes above and beyond to uphold the franchise's legacy. Although it doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel, Survivor picks up on Fallen Orders' remarkable components and hits the ground running with them. Instead of the usual Cal we are accustomed to, we get a more mature, diverse, and skilled Jedi Knight with new lightsaber skills. If they stick to this trajectory, Respawn is one game away from creating the ultimate Star Wars trilogy.

So, what's your take? How would you rate Star Wars Jedi: Survivor? Has it piqued your interest? Let us know over on our socials here or in the comments below.