With the success of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Star Wars fans eagerly anticipate the next installment in this wildly successful series. Telling the story of Cal Kestis (played by Cameron Monaghan), the games have quickly become one of the most beloved projects in the Star Wars franchise in recent history, with Jedi: Fallen Order as the second best-selling game of 2020 and then Jedi: Survivor beating its sales by 30% in 2023. As speculation runs wild and theories abound, with the upcoming third installment in the series, let’s delve into what we might expect from Star Wars Jedi 3.
[Warning: Spoilers from Star Wars Jedi games are below!]
Star Wars Jedi 3 should improve abilities, character and lightsaber customization
The first two Star Wars Jedi games introduced players to the intense lightsaber combat, complex but intriguing level design, and compelling narrative of Cal Kestis’ journey. Building upon this foundation, the third game could take gameplay to new heights. One thing that would make this game better is the access to powers from the dark side of the Force. We know from Jedi: Survivor that Cal can tap into the darkness inside him to use it to defeat enemies faster.
Some of those abilities could be Force choke, Force lightning, or Force drain. Basically, they could copy those abilities from Star Wars: Jedi Knight games, and players could use them to make our character more good or bad. This would allow players to control Cal’s story in the third game, and let us feel like we can change his destiny to make him a villain or a true hero.
Nevertheless, the lack of dark side abilities in the first two games is also the outcome of the deficit of light side abilities. In the first game, we only had 5, and 2 new abilities were added in the second game. With the element of Cal being on the verge of Force balance, adding more Sith abilities should be the way to go. We know that he wants to respect what Cere (Debra Wilson) and Eno Cordova (Tony Amendola) built and continue their legacy. Using the ancient Jedi texts (maybe even grey Jedi ideology) to understand that there is a balance in a Force, and it’s up to you if you are a Jedi, Sith, or neither.
Perhaps we’ll see deeper customization options, and even more diverse environments to explore. Adding options to customize potential facial scars, different haircuts & beards (also customizing them) or even more lightsaber customizations could give us an ultimate Star Wars experience. When I think of lightsabers, I’d love to see extra customizable options for them. Maybe even using the RGB palette of colors to pick the exact color we want. A great thing would be having two different lightsaber colors on two different blades at the same time.
Lightsaber combat is something that we all love and never get bored with. Various lightsaber stances enhanced the combat in Jedi: Survivor more than in Jedi: Fallen Order. There are more of them that should be included in the third game. We could have fun with Shoto sabers (short knives), Underwater Lightsabers for combat in water, Firesabers, or maybe even somewhat in unexpected situations that could include the use of the Darksaber. There are infinite possibilities as to how we can have even more fun with lightsaber combat in the next game, but one thing that could be amazing is using multiple stances without needing to change them at meditation points.
Exploration has also been a recognizable part of the Star Wars Jedi games series, allowing players to uncover hidden secrets and delve into the mysteries of the Force and the legends from the unknown worlds in the Star Wars universe. In Star Wars Jedi 3 we should anticipate even more expansive worlds to explore, each with their own unique challenges and discoveries.
Drawing inspiration from games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, or The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt we may see a greater emphasis on player-driven exploration and emergent gameplay. Especially when we know it has to be the ultimate game that could close this series for good. I expect we’ll get more planets than in previous games or the same amount but with the same size as Koboh. But we’ll have to wait and see how they’ll resolve the need for people to explore planets in this universe.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Game Review
The story of Cameron Monaghan’s Cal Kestis is coming to an end
One of the strengths of the Jedi series is its story and characters. Cal can interact with iconic characters, explore visually stunning planets with rich lore, and meet iconic enemies. We found out that he even worked with Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker) between the events of Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, which is surreal and epic.
In Star Wars Jedi 3, we may see even more connections to established canon, perhaps delving into events surrounding the rise of the First Order or the early days of the Rebellion. As well as continuing the story of Cal, Merrin (Tina Ivlev), Greez (Daniel Roebuck), and their new companion Kata (Tajinae Turner), Bode Akuna’s (Noshir Dalal) daughter. What’s also possible is meeting with Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) again, after their short-term impasse in the second game. Perhaps Boba Fett will get a bounty for Cal’s head, and we’ll have to fight Boba? That would be amazing.
What I think we’ll see further in terms of the story-telling, is the fate of Tanalorr (assuming Cal and crew decided to stay there), Cal and Merrin’s relationship going further, Cal looking for other Jedi and fighting the Empire among other things. There are a few ways to go forward with Cal’s story now. Either it has to end with his death and others continuing his legacy, others dying and Cal being the last one alive, or perhaps he might join Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) school after the events of Return of the Jedi.
If Cal Kestis has to die, I’d love to see him training Kata (after all, her dad was a Jedi) in the ways of the Force, not necessarily in the ways of the Jedi. That way we might get the two of them fighting Darth Vader (Hayden Christensen) and then Cal could sacrifice himself just like his master did, during Order 66 to save him. This would create a full circle moment where Cal becomes powerful in the Force and becomes one with it to protect those he cares the most about. It would be great if we could get to see him in live-action (with Cameron Monaghan playing him), then it should happen in a project set before Return of The Jedi.
The saddest part of Cal’s story for me is saying goodbye. It doesn’t matter if it will just be a goodbye to a game version of Cal, and we’ll see him in live-action or just a digital version. It will still hurt the same. Cal is one of my favorite Star Wars characters across the legends and New Canon. His story is something that other characters in pop culture should aspire to. Games like Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor are original and unique in their own ways. Closing that chapter is something I’m probably not ready for yet.
We could see new galaxies in Star Wars Jedi 3
Nowadays, each Star Wars project has to not only be good but also unique. Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor were unique, but they still focused on similar motives. In the era of repeatability within multiple projects, and inspiring one another, there’s one thing that could change that story to be more unique. That would be moving Cal’s story to another galaxy. Ahsoka series already introduced us to the old galaxy where Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen) was hiding.
But the next Jedi game can do something different and let Cal travel into this galaxy to explore and learn more about the Force. This galaxy may be a place where the first Force users appeared; therefore, Cal going there would be completely natural and logical. With the new threat of exploring the unknown, finishing Cal’s story in a new environment, with the story not directly connected to the Skywalker Saga could be a huge win.
Exploring a new universe and maybe giving Cal his own live-action series based in that new universe would simply be amazing. Especially since Cal has long wanted to escape the Empire, have some peace, and protect his family. If he finds a better way to travel between those galaxies, then we may be in for a treat. I wouldn’t be surprised if he landed on a planet that is strongly connected to the Force, and Jaro Tapal (Travis Willingham), as well as Cere and Eno Cordova, would return to teach Cal as Force Ghosts.
Star Wars Jedi 3 is one of the most anticipated games by me and many fans. With its potential to further improve gameplay mechanics, expand various universe connections, have deep character development, immersive exploration, and a climactic narrative, it’s a game that we need to be more than fantastic.
As we eagerly await further news and announcements about Star Wars Jedi 3, one thing is certain, Cal’s story is not over, my Padawans. Just hold the line. Wait for the signals, and remember. Trust only in the Force.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor are playable on PlayStation 4 & Xbox One (Only Fallen Order), Playstation 5, Xbox Series X&S, and PC. What would you like to see in the third and final installment of this game? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or in The Cosmic Circus Discord.
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