EA Play gave us 14 minutes of largely unedited Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplay. I liked what I saw initially, but was left scratching my head after seeing the nearly 30-minute behind-closed-doors demo. The vertical slice that was shown on the EA Play livestream omitted some spectacular set piece moments and crucial hints of Fallen Order’s Metroidvania structure. Be sure to watch the full behind-closed-doors demo for yourself in the video above and if you’re itching for extra context you can find all the details I noticed below.
19 New Details From Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- A Republic LAAT Clone Dropship attacks an Imperial ATAT and TIE fighter. It’s likely that the LAAT is stolen, and being piloted by Saw Gerrera’s rebels since the Galactic Republic’s clone troopers would have been re-designated as stormtroopers at this point, and their vehicles decommissioned.
- The ATAT climbing and hijacking sequence is reminiscent of the Uncharted series but the rest of the demo hardly mirrors its formula. Hints of Metroidvania and action role-playing can be found throughout.
- When Cal Kestis enters the ATAT a damaged 74-Z Imperial Speeder Bike can be seen awkwardly wedged in the interior, likely left from the scout troopers in the next room. We can infer from the bike, dead stormtroopers, and battle damage to the ATAT that the scouts are probably not part of the original crew, but are rather are using the ATAT as a means of escape from the rebel attack.
- Cal pilots the ATAT, but it doesn’t seem likely that the player has full control over the vehicle. The cinematic nature of the scene and scripted dialogue reactions point towards this brief segment being an on-rails shooter.
- Saw Gerrera grapples up to the top of the ATAT with ease. The lack of a breathing apparatus suggests that Jedi: Fallen Order takes place before the first scene of Rogue One when Jyn Erso was still a child. It’s possible that we’ll witness how Saw ends up in his afflicted state at some point during the game.
- The ATAT guns down a Zeta-Class Cargo Shuttle, the titular ship of Rogue One. The events of Jedi: Fallen Order may shed light on the creation of the Death Star.
- Cal reveals to Saw that he’s on Kashyyyk to find the Wookie chieftain Tarfful for Jedi business. Tarfful can be seen in Revenge of the Sith fighting separatists and sending off Yoda after the execution of Order 66. Since that time, it’s apparent that he’s led a guerrilla resistance against the Imperial presence on Kashyyyk.
- Cal waves down an approaching ship (most likely his own) and two of his companions emerge from within. He introduces them as “Seer” and “Greez” who, in turn, introduce the ship as the “Stinger Mantis” which can be used to travel between planets via a holographic star map.
- When accessing the holotable there’s also an option to view the “planet surface” which most likely means that each planet will consist of multiple playable areas.
- Seer tells Cal that her job is to “guide you down the path, not choose it for you.” It’s clear that Seer is Cal’s mentor, but since he references his “master” in her presence he may not officially be her pupil.
- Cal acquires a skill point via an experience bar in the upper right-hand corner, these points can be spent in a meditation-like state. Other elements of the HUD include a health bar, health kit counter, and two resource bars that govern offensive and defensive actions.
- Cal’s Droid BD-1 scans a weapon cache of flamethrowers that provides a bit of lore, but most likely cannot be wielded by the player.
- Unlike the footage revealed during EA Play, this behind-closed-door demo sees Cal backtracking and navigating via a Holomap. The first inklings of Jedi: Fallen Order’s Metroidvania elements are revealed when BD-1 nabs the “Droid Overcharge” ability at a workbench needed to extend a bridge.
- Jedi: Fallen Order’s combat is deceptively simple, if you look closely there’s a lot going on. For instance, the block button can be held down to deflect blast bolts, but perfectly timed blocks send bolts flying back to their sender.
- The complexity of combat is best illustrated when fighting purge troopers. Attacks can be dodged and parried. Well timed counters seem to confer a benefit like slowing down time in the case of a dodge, or draining an opponent’s block meter in the case of a parry. Riposting an enemy’s attack can result in a well-animated execution.
- A wealth of force options like the ability to push, pull, slow down time, freeze blaster bolts and even enemies appear to allow for plenty of creativity during combat.
- Combat against Kashyyyk’s fauna seems to present its own unique challenges like the Wyyyshokk’s webbing. Notably, these creatures can be dismembered. It’s a bittersweet detail since humanoid enemies cannot lose limbs as a result of a “Lucas/Brand thing” reported by our own Ryan McCaffery.
- Force abilities are also used to interact with environmental puzzles like a spinning fan blade, or a retracted bridge.
- There are several instances of enemy factions fighting each other without your involvement. Imperial troopers can be seen fighting both Wyyyshokk and Flame Beetles on separate occasions, and this distraction should allow for conflict-averse players to sneak by undetected.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Preview
For more on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order check out our hands-on gameplay impressions!
