Star Wars Jedi: Survivors sequel that is reportedly the “final chapter” of the series is sad news because it's been such a phenomenal, rejuvenating ride amidst all the other divisiveness Star Wars media over the past decade. Nonetheless, it's not the least bit alarming or surprising given that Star Wars adore its trilogies and there isn't much of a plot to continue to stretch outwards for Cal Kesti's knight errant given the trajectory of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivorand especially where the franchise falls within the overall timeline.
However, it is reasonable to preemptively mourn this trip, as it has undoubtedly been one of the better parts of Star Wars recently and has revived the IP's name in the conversation of epic and excellent Star Wars gaming, and this is due in no small part to a combination of gaming traits in its genetic makeup. What The Fallen Order and Surviving has accomplished because Metroidvania Soulslikes cannot be taken lightly or for granted and the worst mistake now would be to end the book on Soulslikes in Star Wars mythology in general once Jedi the trilogy ends with its upcoming episode.
Star Wars and Soulslikes are a match Made in Heaven
The Fallen Order and Surviving are action-adventure games with Metroidvania and Soulslike elements, the latter shining through vibrantly and earnestly while enjoying the somewhat fresh fruits of modern Soulslike popularity that is ubiquitous and less niche overall. It's always strange in a Soulslike when players realize that enemies are specifically and strategically placed in an environment, making them all inorganic NPCs waiting to either ambush or ambush the player.
This is true for Star Wars Jedi game too, but there's also a unique narrative advocate that drives it forward with an authenticity that feels natural. Imperial occupation of Kashyyyk in The Fallen Order has Cal tripped over stormtroopers colliding with flame bugs, for example, and every Star Wars the planet's diversity of flora and fauna allows it to flourish without ever feeling monotonous.
This is the key to environmental stories in Soulslikes and
Star Wars Jedi
is a simple entry with planets and biomes that are all distinct and free to draw from the IP's menacing mythology, at least within the context of its post-Clone Wars era.
Star Wars can and should do more with the ever-popular soulslike formula
Cal and his company of companions aboard the Stinger Mantis are inspired, but their little chapter is in Star Wars lore isn't the only one that could have tons of merit to gain with a Soulslike subgenre regardless of how loosely that classification is applied to it. In fact, pinning Cal as Star Wars Jedithe main character limited how much the game could utilize soulslike influences.
About one
Star Wars
Soulslike was an action-RPG title rather than deciding to stick to an action-adventure genre, it would be doubly exciting to see a custom protagonist, for example, if not for a larger pool of weapons and gear to choose from, such as vibroblades or beskar armor.
Not all Soulslikes have to be one-on-one and that's fine Star Wars Jedi maintains a concise story with an intimate group of characters, but a full-scale Soulslike would be a boon that Respawn has now taken a big step towards. It wouldn't have to be Respawn specifically developing it either.
Any studio willing to deal with one Star Wars Soulslike should have the option and it would be great to see them pop up intermittently in different corners of the galactic canon – a High Republic Soulslike could run parallel to Quantic Dream's upcoming Eclipsewhile a Galactic Civil War Soulslike could depict the adventures of a lone, nondescript character from the perspective of the Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire. The possibilities are only as limited as a studio's imagination and how far Star Wars is willing to branch out into games.
