Following its release date and other details leaking online, EA and Respawn Entertainment confirmed it would show off Star Wars Jedi: Survivor gameplay at The Game Awards, and the franchise clearly showed up to deliver. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is easily one of the most anticipated 2023 titles, as the first game set a high bar for the evolving subfranchise.Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order introduced some light Soulslike mechanics to the franchise, had solid lightsaber gameplay interwoven with that, and had a compelling and definitive Star Wars story to tell. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor takes place five years after the original title, putting it in a similar place on the franchise timeline as the recent Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney Plus series. Not much has been confirmed, except that the Galactic Empire is doubling down on its hunt for Order 66 survivors, and Respawn has said that Kestis must do "whatever it takes to stay alive." This gives the game a darker tone, and the gameplay emphasizes this too.The trailer shows Cal using a Stormtrooper as a shield, riding a wild animal, throwing his lightsaber around, slowing time through the force, quickly reflecting shots while running, and wielding, even, a lightsaber styled after Kylo Ren's very own. It's just a glimpse, mixed with some story, but it already shows how Respawn is aiming to improve the franchise.
Of course, there is still plenty to be seen about the game over the next few months. With EA opting for shorter, more concrete marking windows for some IP, it stands to reason fans will see more and more about the game as it gets closer to release, something perhaps similar to its marketing for Need for Speed Unbound. But, for now, this will likely satisfy fans of the franchise.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor releases on March 17, 2023, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.