Sequels in games tend to have more content from the previous and some much-needed improvements and changes.
Aside from being a sequel to a very popular game, Star Wars Jedi Survivor is already a much-anticipated sequel that people have been looking forward to.
But how much of it is the same? Are we going to be expecting the same type of gameplay with little to no changes aside from a new story? Or are there improvements?
We talk about that and more here.
Biggest Changes & Improvements Over Fallen Order – Star Wars Jedi Survivor
The Sequel Takes Place 5 Years After Fallen Order
One of the biggest changes that are coming into the game is that it takes place 5 years after the events of the first game.
However, many may notice that the Mantis crew is no longer with Cal during the trailer. In the trailer, Cal is seen to be piloting the Mantis alone with BD-1. No Greez, no Cere, and no Merrin.
The story may shed light on what happened to the Mantis crew and why they are no longer with Cal (with the exception of Cere, who appears in the trailer). The popular theory right now is that Cal is doing everything he can to survive, which is the main theme of the game.
However, Cal’s methods of survival may not have gone well with the crew, thus the lack of appearance in the trailer. But we should wait before we jump to a conclusion.
New Companion
Speaking of crew, Cal will not find himself alone in this game. The trailer also shows a companion named Bode Akuna, who appears to be a mercenary.
The trailer shows that Bode isn’t like the other Mantis crew who let Cal do all the fighting. Bode can be seen doing a tag team takedown with Cal in the trailer, hinting that maybe Bode might be a companion you can bring around the game.
That is further confirmed by the devs that Bode is an AI companion that tags along that help in combat and traversal. It also seems like he will have a big role in the game, as devs say that he and Cal form a bond that is similar to brothers.
Although with how Star Wars is sometimes, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bode dies somewhere near the end of the game.
Traversal Gets a Huge Overhaul
In the trailer, we notice a ton of things besides the obvious missing Mantis crew. One of which is that Cal is able to use mounts to get around locations.
We see Cal riding on some sort of animal with hind legs, and we see Cal gliding with the help of a flying animal.
This is already very much different compared to Fallen Order, as the traversal for that game was meant for a more linear style of gameplay.
In Survivor, the game seems to incorporate much larger maps with a more open-world feel to it, thus the need to have mounts in order to get around faster. It’s also been said that Cal will be able to cross huge gaps by chaining several types of skills together.
However, if you don’t really care for traveling on mounts, then the game will introduce a fast travel system for you.
Cal also has some gadgets at his disposal to help to get around easily, which is a part of the traversal update.
The “Ascension Cable” is the game grappling hook. It will help you reach long ledges and help you swing across gaps should you find the prompt.
Not to mention that Cal can wall jump now, as well as use his lightsaber to slide down the wall.
New Planet
Survivor has a new planet that the players can move around in, and it is called Koboh.
Not much is known about this planet, but it is said that it is an entirely new planet in the Star Wars lore created specifically for Survivor.
Other than that fact, Koboh is said to be Cal’s “proving ground”, which will push Cal to his limits.
Return of the Droids
A huge treat for fans of the Prequels, the droids return once again as enemies in Survivor.
Not much is known as to how these droids are still operating, but many believe that someone was able to reprogram these droids to attack anyone. Or, in a darker tone that befits Survivor, they were reprogrammed to hunt down Cal.
The droids we see in the trailer are, of course, the classic lanky Battle Droids. Then we have their much bigger counterpart that looks like it hit the gym three times a day, the Super Battler Droid.
We even see the return of the biggest menace during the Clone Wars, the Droidekas, as well as the Magna Guards.
If you don’t remember who they are, they were General Grievous’ guards that carried electric staffs.
New Fighting Styles
While Fallen Order is an excellent game with amazing combat, some players (including myself) wished there were more lightsaber styles to use.
The game only had two, technically three if you count the special duel lightsaber attacks: single blade and double blade. Those were the only lightsaber styles you could use during the whole game.
However, in Survivor, they seemed to have changed that to add a bit more pizazz.
Not only do you get the single-blade and double-blade lightsaber styles, but Cal can now use an actual dual-blade style, as well as a crossguard lightsaber, which is famously known thanks to Kylo Ren from the Sequels.
The game will also allow Cal to use a blaster in the game. It’s not a one-off scene where Cal uses it and makes a reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s civilized joke, but an actual gameplay mechanic.
There are even bonuses that change the looks of the blasters if you pre-order the Deluxe edition.
More Powerful Force Moves
Since it’s been five years since the events of Fallen Order, it is only normal to expect Cal becomes more powerful.
In the trailer, we see Cal use a more powerful Force Slow that seems to surround himself and the enemies around him.
We also see another shot of Cal throwing the double-bladed lightsaber around him in a circular motion, as well as a dual lightsaber throw.
Rugged and Bearded Cal
Not really a big change, but it is a change for our boy, Cal. Last we saw him, he was nothing more but a baby-faced Jedi wearing a poncho.
In Survivor, Cal rocks a more smuggler look, similar to that of Han Solo. He also got himself a nice clean cut and a beard to go along with it. Gone is the boy band Cal Kestis, as we now have the man of the house Cal Kestis.
So far, that’s all we have for the changes and improvements in Survivor. The game is still two months away, which was originally supposed to be a month prior to the delay.
With that said, there may be more changes coming into the game that we do not know about, so be sure to keep an ear out for any more news.
ALSO READ: Do You Get a Standard Preorder Bonus for Deluxe Star Wars Jedi Survivor Preorder?
