Star Wars Jedi: Survivorwas properly revealed with a gameplay trailer in December, and it is already setting the stage for gaming in 2023. It is a time of great anticipation for those that enjoyStar Wars, and this is especially true for fans of games colored by the artistry of this iconic franchise. Respawn Entertainment is proving to be one of the most successful teams behindStar Warsgames and one could argue that their follow-up,Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, continues the legacy of some of the greatest action-adventure titles in the IP - theJedi Knightseries.
Just over three years after an impressive first release withStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, this sequel is slated to launch on new-gen systems in just a couple of short months. With tight combat and an empowering progression system,Fallen Orderestablished a unique take on the narrative-driven spectacle; the first game embraced both the branching paths ofMetroid Primein addition tothe precision of Soulslike games. However, players might also be looking to pastStar Warsgames to imagine the potential depth thatJedi: Survivorcould deliver early this year.
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The Original Jedi Knight Series Was Dark
Star Wars: Jedi Knight, distinct from the latestStar Wars Jedigames, was a property first created internally at LucasArts in the late 1990s. Continuing the story of the covert mercenary Kyle Katarn fromStar Wars: Dark Forces, 1997’sJedi Knight: Dark Forces 2was thefirst, fully-realized Jedi simulatorthat granted players the ability to upgrade their Force abilities, traverse open maps, and uncover the schemes of a murderous Inquisitor known as Jerec.
Guided by a ghostly Jedi Master from the Clone Wars, Qu Rahn, a vengeful Katarn discovers an ancient battleground where the souls of Jedi and Sith are trapped in a Force Nexus of eternal torment. After defeating Jerec and his dark side minions, the souls are released, and a prophecy is fulfilled - invokingthe popular trope found in sci-fi timelines. A standalone expansion,Mysteries of the Sith, explores the unorthodox journey of master and apprentice with Kyle Katarn and Mara Jade, respectively. This Expanded Universe spin-off concludes with the corrupted master being rescued by Mara Jade, leading directly intoStar Wars: Jedi Knight 2 - Jedi Outcast.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s Connection With Jedi Knight
Following the events ofMysteries of the Sith, Kyle Katarn severed his connection with the Force due to his struggle in maintaining balance. In Raven Software’sJedi Outcast, players start from scratch, rediscovering the Force as a world-weary, reluctant agent of the New Republic. Starting again as a simple mercenary, the game introduces itself primarily as a first-person shooter in the vein ofthe firstDark Forcesgame. Over the course ofJedi Outcast, a fallen student of Luke Skywalker deceives Katarn which then compels him to return to the path of a Jedi - complete with an agile combat system that includes saber stances, Force powers, and environmental challenges.
Fallen Order, similar to theJedi Knightgames, introduces protagonist Cal Kestis as an everyday survivor completing his path to Jedi Knighthood after losing his connection to the Force through a traumatic experience. In the case of Cal, his tragic background was tied to the Great Jedi Purge. Kestis survived as a rigger in the Scrapper Guild on a ship-breaking planet, which has since been absorbed by the Empire, and his prospects become uncertain as the ruthless Inquisitorius closes in. The gameplay of this modern entry in theStar Warscanon has brought forward much of the spirit of these classic games with strategic combat, lethal lightsabers, and grounded characterization amidst Imperial conspiracies. Based on what has been revealed thus far, fans can look forward to evenbetterStar Warsgameplay inJedi: Survivor.
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Immersive Gameplay in Star Wars
TheJedi Knightseries combined FPS gameplay and third-person, action-adventure sensibilities deep in the underworld ofStar Wars. That series found success as a self-contained arc existing outside the films, andJedi: Survivorshouldn’t have to rely on nostalgiaeither.Jedi Knightoriginated on PC, so it is debatable whether its overall gameplay would age as well for today’s console audience - at least not without some adjustments to the control scheme. Respawn’sJedigames, on the other hand, have evolved the conceit of a Force-powered experience by integrating not only aspects found in that classic IP but alsoUnchartedandDark Soulsto achieve a greater sense of fidelity.
In many ways, both Respawn’sJediand LucasArts’Jedi Knightare genre hybrids that aim to capture the fantasy of an unconventional Jedi, resulting in titles that present rewarding exploration and extensive worldbuilding within the mythology of this fictional universe. The 2023 sequel appears to be going further in embracing the precedent thatJedi Knightset in gaming, with confirmation ofStar Wars Jedi: Survivor’s blaster combat and saber stancesto supplement Cal’s evolution as a character while also balancing itself against a wider array of enemies.
How Star Wars Jedi Outcast Could Inspire Jedi: Survivor
Roguish antics, sidearms, and saber-fighting styles are all hallmarks of theJedi Knightgames seeing a return inJedi: Survivor. If these elements are inspired in any way by the classics, these additions could build toward a more transformative experience that blurs the line between Jedi and scoundrel during a dark period in the canon timeline. A new stance appearing in the game,the powerful crossguard lightsaber, even seems to resemble the heavy, timing-dependent slicing inJedi Outcast’s “red” power stance.
The sequel could also represent a relatively rare archetype inStar Warsstorytelling, the Gray Jedi, a concept thatJedi Knightsuggested with a player character growing outside the traditions of the Jedi Council. Kyle Katarn is highly regarded asa memorableStar Warscharacter by fansfor this very reason. Interestingly, one of these fans includes the actor of Cal Kestis: Cameron Monaghan. In a recent interview clip on TikTok, the performer acknowledges his love for those old-school games whilst also seeing “a parallel or reflection of some things” between the characters Cal Kestis and Kyle Katarn.
A new game that is further informed by one of the greatest series of action games in theStar Warsfranchise could demonstrate Respawn’s commitment to authentic, story-driven content in the universe. Not unlike its scrappy protagonist,the glitches inJedi: Fallen Ordercan make it appear a bit rough despite its quality. A more polished sequel would go a long way in combining the original game’s narrative excellence with a few unexpected twists. If executed properly,Star Wars Jedi: Survivorcould be an entry that showcases the full potential of aStar Warsgame that extrapolates upon its source material. Given the circumstances of being a fugitive of the Empire, Cal is likely to be as desperate as ever in his fight against the dark side.
For those looking forward to Respawn’s nextStar Warsadventure,gameplay details from Game Director Stig Asmussenhave offered extra reassurance that the legacy ofStar Warswill be respected. Fans can expect the incorporation of new stories, characters, and creative challenges that promote specialized playstyles and exploration.Jedi: Survivoris among the most anticipated games of 2023, so here’s hoping that this sequel delivers an exciting evolution on the planet-hopping, laser-focused adventures that the franchise has pioneered over the years.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivorreleases on June 07, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
