Platforming Makes ‘Jedi Fallen Order’ An Annoying but Good Game
Star Wars fans have had no shortage of media to enjoy in the past few years, to the point where there is something for almost everyone. Movies like Rogue One and series like The Mandalorian have given interesting tweaks to the Star Wars formula, and gamers have 2019’s Jedi: Fallen Order for their fix of the Galaxy Far Far Away. With its gripping gameplay and engaging story, Fallen Order is one of the best games in the Star Wars universe, but its inconsistent difficulty and occasional glitches could turn some away.
New characters in a familiar world
One of the most stand-out aspects of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is its protagonist, Cal Kestis, and its setting within the Star Wars canon. Cal, played by Cameron Monaghan of Shameless fame, is a young former Jedi who survived the purge that ended Episode III. This new character is a great avatar for players to engage with this world. Monaghan portrays Cal as someone who carries the emotional weight of surviving a horrific tragedy, but he also likes to joke around. As a player, you want to see him succeed and overcome past failures.
Cal’s adventures explore an interesting section of Star Wars history too. In Fallen Order, players explore the period between the prequels and the original trilogy. There are plenty of Stormtroopers to swing a lightsaber at, and players get to travel to a number of both new planets and ones that will be familiar to Star Wars fans.
Fast-paced and sometimes frustrating gameplay
Feeling like a Jedi is something that other games have attempted before Jedi: Fallen Order, but the team at Respawn may have done the best job at it yet. Lightsaber combat feels solid, and as the game goes on, players will acquire more abilities to make Cal even stronger. Outside of combat, players can use various Force abilities, like pushing or grabbing objects. This is used for puzzles and platforming.
However, while the gameplay usually feels great, it may not be for everyone. As discussed in the Washington Post, the game’s platforming can be frustrating at times. Sometimes it can feel difficult to get the Force powers to do exactly what they’re supposed to do, and this can result in Cal falling off of ledges.
Another frustration can come with the game’s combat difficulty. Even on lower difficulty settings, Jedi: Fallen Order requires precise timing to block enemy attacks. This can make the gameplay sometimes feel like the infamously difficult, albeit rewarding Dark Souls series. For some, though, this could be annoying.
Will there be a sequel?
According to Polygon, Jedi: Fallen Order‘s sales exceeded expectations. Game publishers typically favor games with multiplayer components, but this single-player-focused game has developed a major following and became one of the bestselling games upon launch. Because of this, it is natural that a sequel would be in the works.
Cal Kestis’ story ended on a cliffhanger that just begs to be continued. While it has not been confirmed, there has been a great deal of speculation about a sequel. A sequel would not only let players dive deeper into Cal’s story, and it would also give the developers a chance to fine-tune some rougher edges of Fallen Order.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is not a perfect game, but it definitely one worth checking out. The difficulty curve may not be the most accessible, but those who stick with it will find a deep and rewarding Star Wars experience.
