2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was an excellent, if occasionally awkward, fusing of design sensibilities lifted from games ranging from Uncharted to Dark Souls, all wrapped up in a compelling, distinctly Star Wars-y story of found family and political persecution.
But boy, does its sequel, Jedi: Survivor, take the series to impressive new heights. The combat’s been significantly improved and expanded with all kinds of new lightsaber stances and Force powers. The world feels much more alive and responsive to your progress, thanks in part to a cantina that serves as your home base and becomes increasingly filled with galactic outcasts over the course of your adventure. Hero Cal Kestis’ appearance can be customized in all kinds of ways, enabling you to make him a solemn Jedi, a dashing rogue, or all manner of other Star Wars archetypes, each distinguished by your own personal flair.
Read more: I’m A Certified Star Wars Hater, But Jedi: Survivor Whips
Best of all, though, playing Survivor just feels fantastic. Cal’s agility makes him as responsive as the best platformer protagonists, and your steady acquisition of new abilities gives exploring the world a level of satisfaction that rivals Super Metroid. Like its predecessor, this may be a game that wears its influences on its sleeve, but it combines them to create something fresh, stirring, and exceptional. — Carolyn Petit
Playable On: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows
Rough Average Playtime: 19 hours
