Respawn Entertainment, known for their works like Titanfall and Apex Legends, has released their latest game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Did this highly anticipated game deliver what was expected? We have prepared our review of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order under the categories of story, gameplay, graphics, sound, and overall impressions. So, let’s dive in to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order review.
Story
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order follows the adventure of Cal Kestis, a young Jedi Padawan who managed to escape the events of Order 66, which was a mass Jedi purge. Without giving away any spoilers, the game explores Cal’s journey after years of hiding his Force abilities. However, circumstances force him to use his powers, making him a target for the forces of the Empire.
Cal, being hunted down by the Imperial Inquisitors known as the Second Sister and Ninth Sister, embarks on a perilous journey to gather the remnants of the Jedi Order. Along the way, he forms new alliances and friendships while honing his connection with the Force and acquiring new abilities.
Gameplay
Indeed, the gameplay aspect of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is worth discussing as Respawn Entertainment has managed to create an enjoyable and diverse Star Wars experience. In the game, you’ll find yourself maneuvering through tight spaces, sprinting across flat walls, swimming, diving underwater, using ropes, and sliding on slippery surfaces. Imagine all these gameplay mechanics combined to create an intricate and exciting parkour system. The game’s variety in gameplay mechanics is truly enticing for players. Additionally, the Force abilities play a significant role in aiding you throughout these mechanics.
Indeed, the game is not limited to just the jumping and climbing mechanics. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order features a combat system as well. Initially, the combat may seem simple, involving basic attacks, blocks, and dodges using your lightsaber. However, the complexity of the combat system expands as you progress through the game and unlock new abilities in the skill tree. With the ability points earned, you can learn new combat moves and enhance your Force powers and health. The skill tree allows for customization and progression, adding depth to the combat mechanics and making battles more engaging and strategic.
Although Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order provides the best lightsaber experience so far, we cannot slice human enemies like Stormtroopers in half, unlike the creatures. I believe the developer made this decision to avoid age rating issues.
In the game, we travel between different planets, and each planet is beautifully designed and distinct from one another. On these planets, which bear the traces of the Jedi, our character can witness echoes of the past using the “echo sense” ability. Additionally, even after completing the game, you are allowed to return to any desired planet and explore undiscovered objects or locations.
One final point I would like to mention about the gameplay is that the developer, Respawn Entertainment, recommends playing the game with a controller on the PC platform. Personally, I experienced the game with a PlayStation 4 controller, and it provided a smooth and comfortable gameplay experience. Most likely, the recommendation for playing with a controller is due to the game not requiring precise aiming skills.
Lightsaber Customization
In the game, you have the ability to personalize various aspects of your lightsaber, such as its color and material, according to your preferences. Additionally, during these customization points, our companion droid named BD-1 also gains new features. If you’re wondering who BD-1 is, don’t worry, I’ll touch upon that topic shortly.
Puzzles
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order also features a variety of puzzles. These puzzles are not overly difficult, but if you find yourself struggling, you have the option to request a hint after a certain period of time. The Force plays an important role in solving these puzzles.
BD-1
In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, there is a droid named BD-1 who accompanies our main character, Cal Kestis. BD-1 serves as a loyal companion throughout our long and action-packed adventure, providing us with assistance by interacting with electronic circuits and offering valuable support.
Graphics
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order indeed boasts impressive graphics, both in its cinematic scenes and gameplay segments. The game features AAA-quality visuals and excels in the area of lighting. Whether it’s the reflections or illuminating dark environments with your lightsaber, it’s evident that a great deal of effort has been put into the visual presentation. The game is generally well-optimized, but occasional minor performance issues may arise.
Sound
In terms of sound, the game contains some famous music that we are familiar with from the Star Wars movies. In addition, the track Black Thunder by The Hu playing in the arena is also very well chosen. As you can understand, the game manages to put you in the Star Wars mood quite well.
In addition, the game features renowned actor Cameron Monaghan, known for his roles in the TV shows Gotham and Shameless, portraying the character of Cal Kestis. The talented actor has delivered a great performance in the game.
Final Word
In summary, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an enjoyable game with an average storyline. I would describe it as “Uncharted: The Star Wars Edition” due to its similarities. If you are a fan of Star Wars, I highly recommend playing this game. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was one of the pleasant surprises for me in 2019.
