Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Revitalizes the Gaming Franchise

Exploring the World of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order offers a thrilling new adventure in the beloved Star Wars universe. As a young Jedi padawan named Cal Kestis, you must survive the chaos following Order 66 and the Jedi Purge. With guidance from your mentor Cere Junda and companions like the pilot Greez Dritus and Salvage Scrapper droid BD-1, you explore the galaxy evading capture from the Empire's Inquisitors while trying to complete your training.

Gameplay and Combat

Jedi Fallen Order features fluid, challenging gameplay focused on lightsaber combat and Force abilities. The combat system allows you to attack, block, and dodge, stringing together combos with your lightsaber and Force powers. You can slow down time with the Force to bypass enemy defenses or throw your lightsaber as a ranged attack. Mastering combat and new Force abilities is key to defeating the dangerous foes Cal faces like the Second Sister Inquisitor.

Environments and World Design

You journey across several iconic Star Wars worlds including the Wookiee homeworld Kashyyyk, the sinkhole planet Zeffo, and the vibrant metropolis of Coruscant. Each environment is beautifully detailed, with sprawling natural vistas or imposing Imperial architecture looming around you. Jedi Fallen Order emphasizes exploration and platforming, allowing you to climb, swim, jump, and traverse your way through each level while taking in the stunning sights.

Characters

Jedi Fallen Order focuses on a handful of new characters while also incorporating elements from the films. Cal must hide his Jedi identity, tapping into memories of past training to relearn the ways of the Force. His struggle is personal but ties directly into the larger Star Wars mythos, set shortly after the events of Revenge of the Sith. While Cal, Cere and Greez are new additions, you also occasionally interact with recognizable faces like Saw Gerrera from Rogue One.

Key Features

Jedi Fallen Order stands out for its polished combat, expansive environments, and compelling narrative. Here are some key features:

Lightsaber and Force Combat

The unique melee combat system blends lightsaber attacks with Force abilities for acrobatic battles against Imperial foes. You can customize your fighting style using Force enhancements like throwing your saber or slowing time.

Metroidvania Level Design

Each level encourages backtracking to access new areas with powers gained along the way. Like classic Metroid or Castlevania games, you unlock paths that were previously inaccessible.

Cinematic Set Pieces

The Unreal Engine delivers thrilling Star Wars moments like TIE Fighter chases, raging waters on Kashyyyk, and the natural beauty of undiscovered planets.

Intriguing New Characters

The lead characters of Cal, Cere, Greez and BD-1 all add fresh dimensions to the Star Wars mythos in unique ways.

Compelling Star Wars Story

Jedi Fallen Order delivers an original narrative set in the early dark times after Order 66, with surprises connecting it to the broader saga.

Assessing the Game's Reception

Jedi Fallen Order has been widely praised as a return to form for the Star Wars gaming franchise. Critics and fans highlight its cinematic visuals, challenging gameplay, and appeal for Star Wars devotees.

Praise from Reviewers

Professional reviewers applauded Fallen Order's polished combat, fantastic audiovisual presentation, and compelling characters. Many called it the best Star Wars game in years. Review aggregator Metacritic gave it a strong score of 81 based on over 70 critic reviews.

Positive Fan Response

Beyond critics, Star Wars fans found it an appealing experience thanks to its focus on Jedi and Force skills. Gamers enjoyed exploring the Star Wars universe with fresh characters like Cal rather than established heroes. This demonstrated demand for more stories beyond the Skywalkers.

Strong Sales at Launch

Jedi Fallen Order exceeded sales expectations, outperforming other Star Wars games in over a decade. It placed #2 in monthly sales reports behind Call of Duty when it launched November 2019, indication fan enthusiasm.

The Game's Lasting Legacy

As an authentic and impactful Star Wars adventure, Jedi Fallen Order has left a lasting legacy that will influence the franchise's future gaming landscape for years to come.

Revitalized the Brand

After a long drought in console games, Jedi Fallen Order showed Star Wars games can still drive excitement. Its sales and critical reception convinced EA to invest more in ambitious single-player experiences.

Spawned a Fan Campaign

A dedicated fan petition called for EA to develop story DLC expansions to see where Cal, Cere and BD-1's journey would go next. This highlights how invested fans felt in the characters and world.

Inspired Upcoming Projects

More Star Wars games are now in development at studios like Quantic Dream, Skydance New Media, and Amy Hennig’s new company to replicate Jedi Fallen Order’s immersive approach to storytelling.

Ultimately, Jedi Fallen Order revitalized single-player Star Wars games with its masterful blend of combat, exploration and narrative. As the franchise expands further into gaming, Fallen Order's recipe for success will certainly influence developers for years to come as the gold standard for an action-adventure Star Wars experience.

FAQs

What type of game is Jedi Fallen Order?

Jedi Fallen Order is a single-player action-adventure game with a focus on melee combat and exploration using platforming mechanics.

What characters are featured in the game?

The main protagonist is Cal Kestis, a former Jedi padawan in hiding after Order 66. Other key characters include Cere Junda, Cal's mentor; Greez, the pilot of the Mantis ship; and BD-1, a droid companion.

What is the story and setting?

The game is set shortly after Revenge of the Sith, during the Great Jedi Purge. Cal must complete his Jedi training while evading the Empire's Inquisitors who hunt down surviving Jedi.

How long is the gameplay and is there replay value?

It offers around 30-40 hours of gameplay for the main campaign. There are collectibles and upgrades that carry over on a second playthrough on a higher difficulty setting.

Which planets can be explored?

Iconic planets visited include Bogano, Kashyyyk, Zeffo, Dathomir, and Ilum. Many areas have both Imperial and ancient alien ruins to discover.