Summary
TheStar Wars Jedifranchise has become so popular due to its Soulslike approach to combat, creating the perfect feel of Cal Kestis' raw power without making the character feel too one-dimensional and overpowered. The combat and exploration of the games work fantastically well with a Soulslike focus, and this is something that could easily extend to other aspects of the franchise with any future installments.
One of the most defining elements of Soulslike games is the level of interactivity that they offer with their NPCs, and this is something that newStar Wars Jedigames should take further inspiration from. The franchise already does not shy away from ambitious world-building and deep lore for eagle-eyed players, and using NPCs to further this element of the games would be a fantastic way to make the IP even more engaging and memorable.
While not officially confirmed, the nextStar Wars Jedititle is expected to be in development.
A Soulslike World-building Approach Could Take Star Wars Jedi Lore to the Next Level
Soulslike games have complex loreand world-building across the entire gaming industry, but the way that this is conveyed to the player is deeply implicit. At face value, the worlds and characters of these titles seem to be without rhyme or reason, with the player having to actively search for answers in some unsuspecting places. Things like item descriptions and NPC interactions give the brunt of world-building information, necessitating deep and thorough exploration on the player’s behalf.
While it is true that pastStar Wars Jedigames used collectiblesfor world-building, NPC interaction is a pretty non-existent element of the IP as things stand. TheJedigames often see the player explore planets that have deep and twisted histories, with there being near-endless amounts of potential lore that these locations could portray.
Most of these planets have native populations, and the next entry to theJediseries should make a concerted effort to feature members of these populations as NPCs that can optionally be interacted with by players with a thirst for deeper knowledge. This will make the locations of the next game feel lived-in while providing players with fascinating sub-stories and perhaps optional objectives that further flesh outthe lore of specific locations in theStar Warsuniverse.
Cal Kestis Already Has the Perfect Abilities For Compelling NPC Interaction
It would also be smart for futureJedigames to directly tie this form of world-building into the pre-existing abilities of Cal Kestis,with the Jedi having the rare Force ability psychometry. This allows Cal to see into the past by touching objects, with certain planets potentially having NPC interactions with long-dead figures as a result. Cal could essentially reach into the past to interact with these people, creating a huge timeline of world-building that future games would be able to pull from.
While the recentStar Wars Jedi: Survivorexcelled with its stunning combat varietyand main narrative, the NPCs of the title were one of its most underwhelming aspects. With the franchise already pulling so heavily from Soulslike experiences and having a pre-existing penchant for world-building, using future NPCs as a direct conduit for lore would be the best way forward for the IP to create a more complex overall narrative.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
WHERE TO PLAY
The story of Cal Kestis continues in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor™, a third person galaxy-spanning action-adventure game from Respawn Entertainment, developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games. This narratively-driven, single player title picks up five years after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order™ and follows Cal’s increasingly desperate fight as the galaxy descends further into darkness. Pushed to the edges of the galaxy by the Empire, Cal will find himself surrounded by threats new and familiar. As one of the last surviving Jedi Knights, Cal is driven to make a stand during the galaxy’s darkest times - but how far is he willing to go to protect himself, his crew, and the legacy of the Jedi Order?Explore an Untamed Galaxy – Discover new planets and familiar frontiers in the Star Wars galaxy, each with unique biomes, challenges, and enemies. Master new skills, equipment, and abilities that will augment the ways you explore, fight, and roam. With larger areas to explore and more to discover off the beaten path, players who adventure beyond the horizon will find hidden rewards.
