The single-player action game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order took the industry by storm in 2019. Its popularity and review scores were a surprise to many, including EA - which has been steadily moving away from single-player games in favor of multiplayer titles with microtransactions. Star Wars fans fell in love with the rogue Jedi Cal Kestis and his rag-tag crew, however one staple of the franchise was noticeably absent in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order that needs to be remedied in the inevitable sequel: a Wookiee companion.
The Wookiees are one of Star Wars' most iconic aliens, and for many fans it's difficult to imagine Star Wars, let alone a game in the franchise, without them. There is historical precedent for a Wookiee to join Cal's crew given the role of Chewbacca in the films and Zaalbar in Knights of the Old Republic. Furthermore, there was a lengthy gameplay section in the first game in which Cal helps liberate Kashyyyk from the Empire. Wookiees are too iconic to not have one of them join Cal Kestis on his second adventure in the Mantis.
Previous Wookiee Companions in Star Wars
Most Star Wars fans are accustomed to seeing a Wookiee alongside their favorite heroes. The most famous of all is Chewbacca from the original run of films and the sequel trilogy, with brief cameos in the prequels. Reliable and steadfast, Chewbacca helped Luke, Obi-Wan, and Han infiltrate the Death Star to rescue Princess Leia. Despite communicating in a way that only Han understands at first, Chewie's emotions and opinions were always clear to the audience. He was able to keep Han in check and encourage him to be more selfless. Chewbacca was the truest friend Han could have and crucial in enacting rebel plans.
As far as video games go, the most iconic Wookiee has to be Zaalbar from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Zaalbar, aka Big Z, is an exile from Kashyyyk after attacking his brother Chuundar for making deals with slavers. He moved to the planet Taris where he met up with the street kid, Mission Vao. The two looked out for each other before teaming up with the player. Like Chewbacca, Zaalbar was extremely loyal and protective of his friends even after secrets were revealed about members of the party.
The sequel, Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords, featured a different take on the Wookiee companion with Hanharr. Instead of the loyal sense of honor and duty that Chewbacca and Zaalbar had for their friends, Hanharr was warped by his past experiences. He is a much darker take on the Wookiee companion, but is still an effective one that proves this species can have interesting roles within the Star Wars universe beyond the loyal friend archetype.
Jedi Fallen Order 2's Relevance to Wookiees
In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal arrives on Kashyyyk, and with the help of Saw Gerrera frees several Wookiees from Empire enslavement. The Wookiee Chieftan Tarfful, who was seen in Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith helping Yoda escape, aids Cal and his friends in the fight against the Empire. The player spends a good amount of time on Kashyyyk exploring and uncovering its secrets while fighting off the Empire and rescuing Wookiees.
This seems to set up the possibility of a new Wookiee companion to join Cal in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2. If such a companion exists, it seems likely that they will follow in the footsteps of Chewbacca and Zaalbar. That is, this Wookiee could be one that Cal and his friends rescued during the events of the first game, so now this Wookiee feels a sense of duty to protect Cal and exact revenge.
It's unlikely the Wookiee companion would be the Chieftan Tarfful given his important role in protecting Kashyyyk. Rather, it seems more plausible that the Wookiee companion is younger like Cal himself. This is furthered by the role that the past and loss of innocence plays in the first game. Both Cal and the main antagonist, The Second Sister, were very young padawans when Order 66 stripped them of their childhood. A similar case could be made for Wookiees on Kashyyyk when it was under siege by the Empire. An older Cal in Jedi: Fallen Order 2 could serve as a mentor to a young Wookiee, just like Cere Junda did for him.
Star Wars Without Wookiees
While lightsabers, the Force, and the eternal battle between light and dark are typically what comes to mind when thinking of Star Wars, the Wookiee race has an equally important role in the universe. They are the perfect companion for a number of famed Star Wars heroes, ranging from Han Solo to the player character in the Knights of the Old Republic series. It's difficult to imagine any of these entries without their steadfast Wookiee companion.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 should follow in the footsteps of the best Star Wars media by including a Wookiee. Two of the most well-received Star Wars video games include unique and diverse Wookiee warriors to assist the player on their adventures. Furthermore, the actions of Cal Kestis and his crew in the first Jedi: Fallen Order could allow for a dynamic relationship between Cal and a formerly enslaved Wookiee that he rescued. While details about the game's story are still unknown, there are plenty of reasons for Respawn Entertainment to include a larger and more personal role for the Wookiees.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 is rumored to be in development.