Star Wars Jedi: Survivor: New Features to Anticipate

As the release date for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor approaches, fans are eager to learn about the new features and improvements in the highly anticipated sequel. Based on information from pre-release trailers and press releases, we’ve compiled a list of confirmed features that players can look forward to in the upcoming game.

Urban Environments and Populated Worlds

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes the exploration to new heights by introducing a range of urban environments and populated worlds that truly bring the galaxy to life. Confirmed locations include the bustling cityscape of Coruscant and the iconic Jedi Temple, offering players a rich and immersive experience. These urban environments are not just visually stunning, but also filled with interactive elements and dynamic NPCs. As you explore the city streets, you’ll come across various NPCs, each with their own stories and personalities. Engaging with these characters can lead to side quests, valuable information, or even new allies in your fight against the Empire.

Shops and vendors can be found throughout these urban landscapes, offering a plethora of items and upgrades for Cal and his droid companion, BD-1. From lightsaber parts to new outfits, players will be able to customize their experience even further by visiting these establishments. The populated worlds in Jedi: Survivor are designed to evolve over time, with areas expanding and secrets revealing themselves as Cal progresses through the game and develops new powers and abilities. This dynamic approach to level design ensures that players will always have something new to discover, even in locations they’ve visited before.

Moreover, these urban settings are not without their challenges. You’ll need to keep your wits about you as you navigate through dangerous alleyways and confront enemies lurking in the shadows. The combination of bustling city life and the ever-present threat of the Empire creates a unique atmosphere that sets Jedi: Survivor apart from its predecessor.  In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, urban environments and populated worlds are more than just backdrops; they are living, breathing entities that enrich the gameplay experience and contribute to the immersive quality of the game. Prepare to dive into these vibrant locations and uncover the many secrets they hold.

Jedi Survivor Urban
It doesn’t get any less rural than Coruscant.

Character Customization

In the first game, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, customization options were somewhat limited, often leaving players to ponder the age-old question: “To poncho or not to poncho?” However, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has taken character customization to the next level, giving players the freedom to create a Cal Kestis that truly reflects their unique style.

In Jedi: Survivor, players will have the option to modify Cal’s hairstyle, beard, jacket, shirt, and pants. With a wide range of clothing options, from bomber jackets to tactical vests, the possibilities for Cal’s wardrobe are nearly endless. You’ll be able to mix and match outfits to create the perfect ensemble for every occasion.  When it comes to hairstyles and facial hair, the options are just as extensive. Short or long, clean-shaven or bearded, players can choose the look that suits their taste. If you’ve ever wanted Cal to rock a mullet and questionable goatee, now’s your time.  With these expanded character customization options, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor invites players to express their creativity and personality as they venture through the galaxy, battling the Empire in style.

Open World and Side Content

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is set to offer a greater open world experience compared to its predecessor, Fallen Order. With numerous worlds to explore, climb, and find hidden treasures in, players will have ample opportunities to immerse themselves in the expansive Star Wars universe.

Mounts and fast travel will play a significant role in navigating these vast open worlds, allowing players to efficiently and enjoyably traverse different planets and environments. As seen in the Game Awards 2022 trailer, Cal rides a bipedal feathered creature and glides through the air while dangling from the talons of a winged creature. These mounts will become available as players progress through the game and complete specific missions. Personally, I’ll be glad to skip the jaunt back to the Mantis this go around.

Despite the inclusion of open world elements, Jedi: Survivor will still feature linear sections reminiscent of Fallen Order. These areas will include one-way systems and concentrated gameplay experiences, as well as specific battles designed for the player to face. In this sense, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor balances both open world and linear gameplay elements, creating a diverse and engaging experience for players.

Jedi Survivor Mount
It’s like a majestic, feathery Tauntaun.

Deeper Combat Mechanics

One of the major enhancements in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is the confirmation of dismemberment mechanics. Unlike its predecessor, Jedi: Survivor will allow players to dismember not only droids but also humanoid enemies, such as Stormtroopers, adding an extra level of realism and intensity to the combat experience.

In addition to dismemberment, the combat system has been significantly deepened. Cal Kestis now has access to five distinct lightsaber stances, including single, double-bladed staff, dual saber attacks, a crossguard stance with slow powerful attacks, and an unconventional blaster style for quick target swapping. With skill trees available for each lightsaber stance and general Force powers, players will have plenty of opportunities to customize and adapt their playstyle.

Furthermore, the variety of enemies Cal will face has expanded, with foes such as Battle Droids, Magnaguards from the Trade Federation Wars, Marauders of the Bedlam Gang, Rancors, and DT Sentry Droids joining the lineup. This increase in enemy variety will challenge players to strategize and adapt their combat techniques, making each encounter more dynamic and engaging.

Lastly, Cal’s Force powers have been upgraded, with new abilities like picking up enemies and slamming them into the ground, using enemies as shields against incoming fire, and unleashing an area of effect with slowed time. Players can also use mind tricks to disorient opponents in combat and dash through the air after jumping for better traversal. Cal will have a lot more ways to pick foes apart with all the new options in his toolkit.

Jedi Survivor Greatsaber
Seems dangerous for you and your enemies.

Deeper RPG Mechanics

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes the RPG elements of its predecessor to new heights, offering players an even more immersive and complex experience. While Jedi: Fallen Order had some RPG elements, the sequel pushes the boundaries by introducing deeper mechanics that truly engage players in Cal Kestis’ journey.

Jedi: Survivor presents a more robust skill tree system, allowing players to further specialize and develop Cal’s abilities. Each lightsaber stance now has its own dedicated skill tree, along with separate skill trees for general Force powers. This provides a more personalized gameplay experience, as players can choose the paths that align with their preferred playstyles. The game offers a more extensive range of gear and equipment for Cal to utilize. Players can now discover and equip various outfits, lightsaber components, and BD-1 upgrades to enhance their characters’ abilities and appearance. This additional customization adds depth to the RPG elements and enables players to fine-tune their experience as they progress through the game.

The populated environments in Jedi: Survivor feature dynamic NPCs with whom players can interact. These NPCs offer quests, sell items, and provide valuable information that enriches the game world. The complex relationships that Cal forms with these characters deepen the RPG experience and make players feel more connected to the story, and a lot less lonely than they felt in Fallen Order. Jedi: Survivor includes a range of challenging side missions that players can undertake to earn valuable rewards, unlock new areas, or gain additional insights into the game’s lore. These missions encourage exploration and enhance the depth of the game’s RPG elements, as players can choose to engage with them at their own pace.

A New Ally: Bode Akuna

Trailers for Jedi Survivor have introduced a new ally for Cal, a mercenary named Bode Akuna. Bode will accompany Cal on certain missions, fighting alongside him against enemies. With his jetpack and arsenal of ranged and close combat attacks, Bode will be a valuable asset in Cal’s battle against the Empire.

Not much is known about Bode’s backstory or how he will be integrated into the main story of the game, but it’s likely that he will play a significant role in Cal’s journey. Fans have speculated that Bode may have ties to the Rebel Alliance or other factions fighting against the Empire, and that he may provide valuable intel or assistance in taking down key Imperial targets.

Jedi Survivor Bode
He’s charming and he’s got a jetpack? I’m sold.

Given that most of the above features have been long-requested by fans since Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order itself came out, it’s not outlandish to think that there might be additional surprises waiting for players upon the game’s release. There are certainly plenty of other features players have been hoping to see in Jedi: Survivor:

  • Player agency, such as dialogue choices, branching paths, and multiple endings
  • New Force powers, such as the inclusion of Dark Side abilities or Nightsister magic
  • Romance options, and deeper companion interactions in general

All those ideas revolve around the general idea of player agency, having some control over how the story plays out. It’s worth noting that, given the linear narrative of the original game, it is unlikely that the developers will offer much in the way of narrative choice. Such a brazen change would have been reflected in marketing material by now, so it’s unlikely that Cal’s story will deviate much from its intended path. Whether or not he dabbles in Nightsister magic or the Dark Side will likely be a predetermined choice made by the developers, rather than optional content.

Still, there’s already a lot to look forward to in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The features that have been confirmed elevate Jedi: Survivor’s scope high above that of Jedi: Fallen Order, a game that struggled to find its identity at times. Those rough edges seem to have been ground out, left behind along with all the ponchos.

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