10 Predictions For Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Script written by Nick Roffey

10 Predictions for “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor”

Welcome to MojoPlays. Today we’re looking at 10 predictions for “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor”.

What do you hope to see in Respawn Entertainment’s sequel to “Fallen Order”?

Next Gen Features

Scheduled for release in early 2023, “Survivor” will be exclusive to next-gen consoles and PC. Given the boosted specs of the Xbox Series X/S and PS5, we can expect to experience an even sleeker, more visually stunning and detailed game. In an interview with Starwars.com, Respawn director Stig Asmussen expressed his excitement about ray-tracing and real time lighting in “Survivor”. He also mentioned that the development team is “digging into” the haptic feedback on the PS5 controller. We can presumably expect shorter loading times too for the game’s sprawling Metroidvania-style levels.

5 Years Later

“Fallen Order” was set five years after the Great Jedi Purge began with Order 66. “Survivor” will jump forward another five years to the year 9 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). In galactic history, this period saw the expansion of the Empire into the Outer Rim, but also the emergence of scattered rebel cells. Interestingly, the date places the game one year after the events of “Solo: A Star Wars Story”, and concurrent with the events of the miniseries “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. Speaking to SFX magazine, Obi-Wan actor Ewan McGregor noted the miniseries had to coordinate canon elements, such as characters, with “the videogame”, which could be a reference to “Survivor”.

New Locations

The first game allowed players to explore familiar planets like Kashyyyk, Dathomir, and Ilum, while also introducing new ones - Bracca, Bogano, Zeffo, and the water moon Nur. Bracca was subsequently featured in “The Bad Batch”, and Nur in “Obi-Wan Kenobi”. This suggests that the developers are very deliberate in choosing locations. We expect to see another mix of new and familiar planets in the sequel. The teaser trailer revealed an intriguing forested planet on the holomap that some, including YouTube channel Lore Star, think could be Weyland, where the Empire runs its cloning program. Others online have suggested that the Pau'an we glimpse, identified elsewhere as an Imperial Senator, is on Coruscant or Nar Shaddaa, the Smuggler’s Moon.

The Mystery of the Zeffo

At the heart of “Fallen Order’s” mysteries were the Zeffo, an ancient and powerful race whose “sages” wielded the Force in unique ways. Their home planet was swept with strong electromagnetic winds, and they called the Force the “Life Wind”. However, after being corrupted by the Dark Side, their civilization declined, and the survivors fled into the "great unknown." This tantalizing lore begs to be explored further. Where are the remaining Zeffo hiding? Might Cal and the crew of the Mantis track them down? Perhaps they could teach Cal - and Cere and Merrin for that matter - new powers.

New Enemies

“Fallen Order” featured a fairly wide variety of foes, from flame beetles and bog rats to bounty hunters, Purge Troopers, and of course Imperial Inquisitors. This diversity tested players’ combat abilities in distinct ways, encouraging them to level up and master new skills. It seems a safe bet that we’ll see new enemies in “Survivor” as Cal Kestis’ travels continue. In fact, some such enemies may have already been revealed, thanks to a line of upcoming figurines. They include a MagnaGuard, a Riot Scout Trooper with a shield, and a KX Security Droid with an electric baton.

A Darker Tone

A fugitive from a fascist galactic dictatorship, Cal Kestis lives in dangerous times. And “Survivor” is said to have an even darker tone than “Fallen Order”. Director Stig Asmussen has said that: “The game is all about survival. That’s why it’s called Jedi: Survivor. They are in dark times, and Cal and the crew are doing whatever it takes to stay alive.” He added: “That might mean that they are making connections with people that, in other times, might be considered unsavory.” Could Cal be tempted by the Dark Side? This also makes us wonder whether we’ll see some major character deaths. Just stay away from our bogling stowaway, alright?

Character Crossovers

While “Fallen Order” introduced a host of new characters, it also featured notable cameos, such as Saw Gerrera and Darth Vader. We’d be surprised if “Survivor” didn’t do the same. Set at the same time as the “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series, it could include the Jedi Master himself, or a young Leia. Han Solo and Chewie had teamed up just a little before this time, as had Kanan Jarrus and Hera Syndulla. Or perhaps we might see Ahsoka, who was running Bail Organa’s Rebel intelligence network under the codename Fulcrum. How about Quinlas Vos or Boba Fett? Industry insider Nick Baker has suggested that Darth Maul may even make an appearance.

A New Playable Character

Portrayed by Cameron Monaghan, Cal Kestis made for a sympathetic character and audience surrogate. However, the Nightsister Merrin also found a special place in players’ hearts, thanks to her unique and tragic backstory. Well, there are rumors that “Survivor” will be mixing things up, and we’re not talking about player outfits that aren’t just different colored ponchos … although we do hope they do that. According to Bespin Bulletin, there have been rumors of a second playable character in “Survivor”. They may or may not be true, but if they are, we really, really hope it’s Merrin. Her magick would really change up gameplay, plus it would just be awesome to step into her shoes.

More Combat Options

The combat in “Fallen Order” was thrilling and well-balanced. Skill tree upgrades, and the ability to wield a duel-bladed saber, or break out twin blades, added to the fun. However, variety is the spice of life, and director Stig Asmussen has hinted at “more stances for combat” in “Survivor”. Such stances worked well in “Jedi Outcast” and “Jedi Academy”. Even more intriguingly, Cal is seen with a blaster in the teaser trailer. His lightsaber, which seems to have been modified to preclude dual blades, has been acquired by a Pau'an Senator. This suggests that, for a time at least, Cal may fight with just Force powers and a blaster - and perhaps even integrate the latter into regular combat, Kyle Katarn and Kanan Jarrus-style.

A Mysterious New Character

After the teaser trailer released, there was one question on everyone’s lips: who is the person in the bacta tank? Is he the same as the Dark Side figure shown in combat? Both seem to be potentially missing their right arm. Fans have suggested Starkiller, from “The Force Unleashed”, or Revan, introduced in Bioware’s “Knights of the Old Republic”. We suppose it isn’t impossible that “Survivor” is making Starkiller canon. Others believe it’s some ancient Sith or Jedi. Another theory, championed by YouTube channel Lore Star, holds that it’s the mad clone Joruus C'baoth, who was enlisted by Grand Admiral Thrawn on Weyland in non-canonical media. Whoever he is, it looks like he’ll be at the heart of “Survivor’s” story.