It's been a while since I posted in the gaming community, but I felt this review would be the perfect way to jump back in. Hope you enjoy it š„
If thereās one thing Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order taught me, itās that being a Jedi is hard work. Seriously, between getting smacked around by Storm Troopers, falling off cliffs because I misjudged a wall run, and losing all my XP because I got a little too cocky in combat, Iāve developed a new level of respect for Cal Kestis whos the main protagonist of this game.
P.S All Images Used Are Screenshots Taken On My PS 5
This was my first time diving into the Star Wars universe through gaming, and I have to say it was a pretty solid introduction. The cinematics were engaging, and as I played through, I got to pick up on bits of lore without feeling like I needed to watch all 11 movies and The Clone Wars series (But Once I Finished The Game, I Decided To Watch The 11 Movies, Which I Did. Also Finished The Mandalorian Series And Iām Currently Seeing The Book Of Boba Fett) just to understand what was going on. But letās get into the real deal: how does Fallen Order actually play?
Familiar But Fresh: The Gameplay Mechanics
Familiar But Fresh: The Gameplay Mechanics
Right from the start, about 10ā15 minutes in, something felt oddly familiar. Then it hit me! this game has Uncharted style platforming! You know, the kind where youāre constantly jumping between ledges, hanging off cliffs, and barely making it across collapsing bridges like some kind of parkour obsessed action hero.
Then, once you finish Chapter 1 and hop aboard the Stinger Mantis (Your Spaceship/Home/Meditation Zone), another familiar gameplay element pops up! Mass Effect style planetary travel. You select a destination, zoom through hyperspace, and land on a new world filled with dangers, puzzles, and the occasional aggressive local wildlife that wants to end your journey prematurely. Itās a nice touch that adds variety to the game, even if you sometimes end up backtracking to places youāve already visited.
First Encounter With The Second Sister
BD-1: The True MVP
BD-1 isnāt just there to look cute and sell toys (Although, Letās Be Real, Iād Totally Buy a BD-1 Action Figure š). This little droid is absolutely essential to your survival. Need a health stim? BD-1ās got you covered. Want to scan an enemy to learn their weaknesses? BD-1 does that too. Need to slice open a locked door? BD-1 to the rescue. Honestly, if it werenāt for this tiny robotic companion, the game would be nearly impossible. Forget Cal Kestisāthe real hero of Fallen Order is BD-1 š¤š¼
The Save System: A Jediās Worst Enemy
If youāre the kind of player who loves frequent autosaves, Fallen Order is here to crush your soul. The game only allows manual saves at specific Meditation Points, and if you die (Which You Will Repeatedly If Youāre Playing Jedi Knight Or Jedi Master Modes), you donāt just lose progress, you also lose all the enemies you painstakingly defeated. Yep, they respawn too. Itās like the game is laughing at you for even trying. In fact I got so annoyed that I switched to story mode from Jedi Knight š„²
This system forces you to be strategic with your combat, dodging and blocking like your life depends on it (Because, Well, It Does). Button mashing will get you nowhere except maybe back to the last Meditation Point, cursing your lack of patience.
"Get This Upgrade to Progress" ā The Gameās Core Loop
Much of Fallen Orderās structure revolves around needing upgrades to access certain areas. Youāll often spot a pathway you know leads to something cool, only to realize you donāt have the ability required to reach it. For example, you might come across a wall thatās clearly meant for running across except you havenāt unlocked wall running yet. Time to note that location and come back later.
Itās a classic Metroidvania approach, and while it can sometimes be frustrating, it also rewards exploration. The game is packed with secrets, from combat enhancing upgrades to lightsaber parts that let you customize your weapon to your heartās content.
Boss Fights & Enemy Variety
The boss fights are pretty solid, offering a decent challenge without feeling unfair. And the enemy variety? Thereās a lot. Youāll face off against stormtroopers, Purge Troopers, giant alien creatures, and, of course, the deadly Inquisitors. Each faction has its own combat style, keeping things fresh as you progress.
That being said, some fights can feel a little too punishing especially if youāve just lost a bunch of XP and need to grind your way back up before standing a chance. Speaking of whichā¦
XP, Skill Trees, and the Agony of Losing It All
Double Bladed Light Saber & Single Blade Light Saber
Double Bladed Light Saber & Single Blade Light Saber
Fallen Order features a skill tree system where you unlock new abilities as you gain experience. Seems fair, right? Well, hereās the catch! if you die before earning a full skill point, you lose all your progress. Yep, all that hard work? Gone. Just like that š
To make matters worse, the only way to reclaim your lost XP is by hunting down the enemy that killed you and landing a hit on them. Itās a bit like Dark Souls, but with more lightsabers and fewer fire breathing dragons. Is it frustrating? Absolutely. But does it make you a better player? Probably.
Collectibles: Thanks, Fortnite?
Letās talk about collectibles. In Fallen Order, all the stuff you collect like outfits, ship paints, and lightsaber parts is purely cosmetic. No stat boosts, no overpowered weapons, just things to make you look cooler. Itās very much in line with modern gaming trends (*Cough * Fortnite *Cough *), where customisation is king.
Itās not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that finding a hidden chest isnāt always as exciting as youād hope. āOh cool, a new poncho⦠I guess.ā
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Playing?
Absolutely. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an excellent action adventure game with satisfying combat, a well designed world, and a story that keeps you engagedāeven if youāre not a huge Star Wars fan.
Sure, the save system can be brutal, and losing XP feels like a personal attack, but the sense of exploration, thrilling combat, and BD-1ās undeniable charm make up for it. If you love Uncharted style platforming, Dark Souls inspired combat, and Mass Effectesque planetary travel, this game is definitely worth your time.
Just Be Prepared To Die. A Aot.
Just Be Prepared To Die. A Aot.
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