Game publisher, Electronic Arts (EA), recently stated that they are planning on doubling their efforts to create new Star Wars titles following the runaway success of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This is good news, especially for Star Wars fans who have been pining for more games from the franchise. But how did Fallen Order managed to rescue EA and the franchise from meandering in video game limbo? Let’s take a closer look.
EA Finally Learned From Their Mistakes
Currently, EA holds exclusive rights to Star Wars games, but their titles were usually met with much criticism. This is due to EA’s insistence of placing microtransactions in their games such as loot boxes and other in-game items.
This blatant monetization model has left a bad taste among gamers and Star Wars fans alike, since buying the base games such as Star Wars Battlefront and Battlefront 2 already burnt a sizable hole in their pockets.
Luckily, EA finally acquiesced and removed the microtransactions in their Battlefront games and replaced it with a progression system. This change made the Battlefront titles a relative success, even though it started with a major stumble upon release.
That said, players and fans alike still feel that Battlefront and Battlefront 2 lack depth. Shooting enemies with blasters and cutting them down with lightsabers will lose their luster if there is no reason to do it other than “to win the game”. And this is where Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order comes in.
Fans and Gamers Experience a New Star Wars Story
One of the main draws of Star Wars is its gargantuan interwoven narrative. Star Wars fans revel in being immersed in stories set in its universe. That’s from all nine movies, TV series, and the now-defunct extended universe. This is why Jedi: Fallen Order was a runaway hit for EA. Along with Respawn, they created an original Star Wars story that is canon to the movies’ timeline. Fallen Order’s story begins a couple of years after Revenge of the Sith.
Players get to play as Cal Kestis, one of the few surviving Jedi who is trying to keep his lineage a secret. Like any Star Wars story, Cal is whisked into a multi-planet adventure that makes him realize his destiny.
This level of storytelling in a Star Wars title is something fans and avid gamers have sorely missed. The Star Wars universe can have as many stories as it has planets, and being able to play as a Jedi makes players more invested since they know there’s a reason why Cal is going through his journey. And as players, we are also taken to that journey to see to it that he fulfills his purpose.
A Unique Star Wars Experience
EA’s decision to have Jedi Fallen Order run with a single-player narrative is a good call. In terms of immersion, older titles allow players to live out their Jedi fantasy by controlling a lightsaber-wielding Jedi, but Fallen Order keeps Cal grounded.
While he is a skilled lightsaber-wielding Jedi and possesses Force powers, he is by no means a world-beater. Cal can duke it out with most enemies in the game, but he is no Obi-Wan Kenobi or Luke Skywalker. He can also be overwhelmed by Stormtroopers, which is why he needs to be wary and smart about his battles.
Respawn’s choice to make Cal Kestis not as strong as a Jedi is a good call. This further stresses the precariousness of the character’s situation. Keep in mind that the Empire is always hunting down the last remnants of Jedi. And with missions to accomplish, it is best for Cal to keep a low profile. This balance of danger and purpose makes his story a captivating one that players can invest in.
With EA announcing their commitment to release more Star Wars titles in the future, fans can hope that they build on what they have accomplished with Jedi Fallen Order. The Star Wars universe has a lot of mileage—as far as role-playing games are concerned. Now it’s up to the developers to create titles that imbibe the same adventurous and engaging narrative that the franchise is known for.
