5 Reasons Why Jedi: Fallen Order is One of the Best Star Wars Games

While Star Wars fans anxiously await the release of Respawn’s Jedi: Survivor coming this March, now is a great time to reflect on why its predecessor, Jedi: Fallen Order, is one of the best Star Wars games of all time. With its dynamic and engaging combat system and beautifully constructed world-building, Jedi: Fallen Order shines as one of the brightest stars in a “galaxy far far away.” Here are five reasons why Jedi: Fallen Order has rightfully earned its spot as one of the best Star Wars games.

Storytelling

As the popularity of Clone Wars era content began to sore among Star Wars fans, Respawn delivered the unique story of a lone Jedi Padawan, Cal Kestis, hiding from the newly established Galactic Empire. Players are immediately thrown into the fugitive Jedi’s run from the Empire, mainly from Darth Vader’s personal hunting party, the Inquisitors. As Cal unlocks his forgotten Jedi teachings throughout the game, he also heals from the trauma of Order 66. Players connect with Cal’s losses through in-game meditation, which creates meaningful gameplay as the story progresses. 

World-Building

Star Wars is well known for its amazing catalog of planets and environments throughout the franchise. Jedi: Fallen Order adds to the list of systems in the universe by introducing players to two new planets: Bogano and Zeffo. These locations are not only beautiful to look at, but they also add to the current canon of Star Wars. Several secrets regarding the Force and lore involving the Jedi Order can be found in these locations and other in-game worlds. This clever inclusion truly enhances players’ open-world experience by offering rewards for exploration such as outfit customizations. Not to mention you can also collect seeds to grow plants aboard Cal’s main base of operation, The Mantis. 

Combat Mechanics

Of course, anyone who picks up a Star Wars game anticipates electrifying lightsaber combat or overpowered Force abilities. While Cal Kestis is no Starkiller (from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed), the combat style of Jedi: Fallen Order requires players to think like a Jedi. The dynamic combat style of Fallen Order stands out among other Star Wars games as it causes players to recognize that their choices hold weight. Instead of effortlessly slashing through enemies like paper, players must utilize parrying, dodging, and blocking in order to score effective hits on target, which allows for some truly elegant lightsaber combinations. Though, this does not negate the fact that Cal has some super cool Force abilities of his own, such as hurling your lightsaber toward enemies (total Darth Vader moment).

Lightsaber Customization

Speaking of lightsabers, the customization options in Fallen Order are simply impeccable. Towards the end of the game, Cal has unlocked the double-bladed lightsaber, an ode to his former master. As if a Jedi with a double-bladed lightsaber weren’t cool enough, there are also several different colors you can customize your lightsaber to, such as cyan, green, magenta, and indigo. Additional changes can be made to your weapon such as hilt, emitter, and switch design, and you can even unlock the lightsaber designs of characters you meet during the game. 

Villains

Everyone loves a good villain, and Star Wars is no stranger to creating a wide variety of evil-doers. Fallen Order’s main villain, the Second Sister, later identified as Trilla Suduri, presents herself as one of the galaxy’s most formidable foes and tragedies. The former Jedi turned Inquisitor makes it her mission to relentlessly pursue Cal and the Mantis Crew, seeking the Jedi Holocron and vengeance for being abandoned and left to the hands of the Empire. As haunting and cruel as Trilla is, her story is tear-jerking. By creating such a complex and heartbreaking antagonist, Respawn proves that a good villain is part of what makes a good game.