Review for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - PlayStation 5
Introduction
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an action-adventure game for the PlayStation 5. It is the direct sequel to EA’s hit Star Wars title, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.” The game continues the story of Cal Kestis as he battles the Empire and seeks to restore the Jedi Order. This review aims to provide an in-depth look at the game, covering my hands-on experience, detailed analysis, and overall thoughts.
Hands-On Experience
This game is a direct sequel to EA’s hit Star Wars game, “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order,” and wow, does this game prove itself to be a worthy sequel! Just like Fallen Order, this is arguably one of the best pieces of Star Wars media produced since 2017. Sadly, because of numerous behind-the-scenes release date scheduling issues, the game had a very poor launch with bugs, performance issues, and crashes galore. Most people only praised the game for how good it really is recently through retrospectives. In fact, if you’re somewhat knowledgeable about the gaming community, you’d know this game was a key player in sparking the conspiracy theory that Triple A game developers “purposely” publish these games in terrible states only to fix the enormous amount of issues these games have on day 1 later. But to get back on topic, I was also one of the many deterred from playing this game around its release (which was in mid-2023) because of the issues at launch. Though now, having played this game months later, I think this is an amazing game that those with consoles should 100% play. The story is quite strong, although I feel like they were mixing two story ideas together at some points. The frozen Jedi seen in the trailer of this game was played out to be the main villain, but he gets killed unceremoniously and replaced by another villain. I felt like there were two storyline ideas, but neither could span the length of a full-fledged game, so the writers just decided to put them both together to increase game length. But, I did like both villains; it just felt weird to see the other villain come out of nowhere when as far as I remember, he was never shown in the trailer.
The gameplay, though, has been significantly improved. The planets, though not as many or as popular as Fallen Order’s planets, have been made way larger and more alive. While Fallen Order’s planets were really just barren wastelands of enemies now and then with a chest sprinkled in too, this game’s planets truly feel alive. At every moment you’re walking around, something is moving, whether it be a horde of enemies on patrol, creatures walking around, or ships flying overhead. I can’t really tell you how much of an improvement it is; you just have to experience it for yourself. The combat, though, is probably the biggest improvement for me. You now have two new stances which are the blaster stance and the crossguard stance (think of Kylo Ren’s lightsaber), both of which are very fun to use. There’s also a ton of new moves which allow older stances to still shine and not become overlooked because of the “flashy” new stances.
Overall, even though I had basically forgotten about this game, when I finally bought it and played it, I had a great time. I still play this game even after I’ve beaten everything and 100%ed it because the combat is just so satisfying and the planets are so well designed. I keep coming back just to figure out the fastest path to clear all the enemies on the planet. In the end, if you’ve played the first one, this is definitely a must-play, or if you haven’t played the first one, I would honestly just pick this one up and watch a story recap on YouTube so you know what happened in the first game. In my opinion, this is easily an 8 or 9 out of 10 game, and it has certainly snuck into my list of favorite games. I’m glad this game is finally receiving the praise it deserves.
- Huge environments, good challenges and bonus levels. Solid character arc and development. Better than the first game.
- This is a great game. The game arrives in perfect condition and works perfectly.
- Gameplay, graphics top-notch. Swordplay is beautiful with excellent improvements. Fluid movements make it so fun. Don't hesitate, get a copy asap.
- I really enjoyed this game and I was never a Star Wars fan or played any previous Star Wars games. The graphics were great, and the story was interesting and compelling. The gameplay took some time to master. It’s a lot of navigating around obstacles and figuring out puzzles, which can be challenging. Had to refer to YouTube many times, but this didn’t take away from the enjoyment. The fighting and ability to customize were great as well. Would definitely recommend it to anyone.
- The game was really fun to play.
- Good game, very entertaining, many tasks to perform, so you'll have hours and hours of entertainment. It arrived quickly and in perfect condition.
- I played it on the EA app and said, 'This is a game I have to buy, it o, you and your console. It makes you want to upgrade to its deluxe version.
- This game is really good and one of my favorites. I would recommend it.
- I consider that better packaging was lacking since the disc arrived loose inside the package, it scratched a bit but did not affect its functionality.
- Much better price than going to the store. Great game for PS5.
- It is a fantastic Star Wars game as well as an excellent sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The product arrived in excellent condition.
Detailed Analysis
Product Description:
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an action-adventure game that follows the journey of Cal Kestis as he continues his fight against the Empire. The game is set in the Star Wars universe and provides players with a rich narrative, engaging combat, and expansive planets to explore.
Physical Details:
- Platform: PlayStation 5
- Weight: Approximately 100 grams
- Dimensions: Standard PS5 game case size
- Material: Plastic game case, Blu-ray disc
Performance:
The game offers a commendable performance, especially after the post-launch patches. The graphics are top-notch, utilizing the full capabilities of the PlayStation 5. Load times are significantly reduced compared to last-gen consoles, and the frame rate is smooth, providing an immersive gaming experience.
Positives and Negatives
Pros:
- Engaging story and character development.
- Expansive and alive planetary environments.
- Improved combat mechanics with new stances.
- High-quality graphics and fluid movements.
Cons:
- Initial launch bugs and performance issues.
- Seemingly disjointed storylines.
- Packaging issues noted in some purchases.
Expert Opinion
Expertise:
As an avid gamer with years of experience in reviewing games, particularly within the action-adventure genre, I have reviewed multiple titles on various platforms. My background in gaming journalism allows me to provide a comprehensive and unbiased opinion on new releases.
Buying Options
You can purchase Star Wars Jedi: Survivor from multiple retailers. Here are some options:
- Amazon - Offers competitive pricing and fast shipping.
- Best Buy - Frequently has promotions and discounts on new releases.
- GameStop - Available both in-store and online, often includes exclusive content.
Conclusion
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is an excellent game for both fans of the Star Wars franchise and newcomers to the series. It offers a rich narrative, engaging combat, and expansive environments to explore. While it had a rocky launch, the game has improved significantly and is now a must-play for PS5 owners. I highly recommend this game for anyone looking for an immersive action-adventure experience.
Additional Resources
References and Further Reading:
FAQs:
- Is this game a direct sequel to Fallen Order? Yes, it continues the story of Cal Kestis.
- Does the game have multiplayer? No, it is a single-player game.
- Is the game available on other platforms? Yes, it is also available on Xbox Series X/S and PC.
