A long time ago in a galaxy very, very familiar, a new shining light emerged in the realm of Star Wars gaming – Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This game review will explore the good, the bad, and the force-filled of this highly immersive and engaging experience, ensuring fans and gaming enthusiasts are well-educated on what to expect before venturing into this virtual Star Wars Universe.
Developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game set in the beloved Star Wars universe. Players facilitate their journey via a young Jedi Padawan named Cal Kestis, thrown into an epic journey of survival, rooted in exploration, puzzle-solving, and of course, lightsaber combat.
Rediscovering the Force
Upon launching into the game, players will find that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order appears to take inspiration from various game genres. The environmental navigation and platforming harken to the likes of Uncharted, while combat showcases a strategic edge reminiscent of the Souls series.
Primarily, the game shines in its narrative. The storytelling in Jedi: Fallen Order is compelling, enriched by detailed character development and a satisfying extension to Star Wars lore. Even non-Star Wars fans could appreciate the character arcs and plot twists weaved into the narrative fabric of this game.
Speaking of characters, Cal Kestis, portrayed by Cameron Monaghan, anchors the game admirably. The protagonist’s journey, framed by his past traumas and future aspirations, allows players to form a true connection with him. The supporting cast, too, is well-crafted, adding to the immersion and emotional weight of the whole story.
Combat in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is satisfyingly challenging. Each enemy encounter becomes an opportunity to master your use of the force and lightsaber skills. The developers did a commendable job by balancing the combat mechanics, neither making it too easy nor frustratingly difficult.
Not Without Its Dark Side
However, like any other game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order isn’t free from its share of shortcomings. Among the most notable are occasional technical glitches that, unfortunately, lead to immersion-breaking moments. Occasional frame rate drops, texture pop-ins, and character models getting stuck in the environment are a few technical issues that players might face.
The puzzle-solving element, while an interesting addition, tends to feel monotonous after a while. The ‘trial and error’ mechanism can quickly turn from entertaining to mildly repetitive. Additionally, the lack of fast travel between save points is a feature that could frustrate players backtracking or attempting to 100% complete the game.
Despite the aforementioned points, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, overall, encompasses beautiful visual presentations. However, the facial animations could have been a tad better to match the overall visual quality. In specific dialogue scenes, the characters’ expression feels a bit stiff and wooden, not quite matching the high-quality voice acting.
To Conclude the Jedi’s Tale
In conclusion, no game is perfect, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is no exception. But the few rough patches it does have are massively outweighed by the spectacular journey it offers. Players are able to explore several well-detailed and exquisitely designed planets, engage in skill-based lightsaber battles, solve mind-bending puzzles, and truly feel like a part of the Star Wars universe.
Whether you are a Star Wars fan looking to expand your experience of the lore, or a gaming enthusiast searching for a well-crafted action-adventure title, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order surely has plenty to offer. It might be a bit rough around the edges in some places, but in the grand scheme of things, this game truly embodies the essence of a Jedi’s journey. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more engrossing, Star Wars gaming experience.
In light of this, our game review would not be complete without applauding Respawn Entertainment for crafting an excellent Star Wars narrative experience. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is, indeed, a welcome addition to any Star Wars lover’s collection and a highly recommended play for all fans of the action-adventure genre.
Embrace the Force, find your path, and may it lead you straight to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order!