Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Review: Is It a Good Intro to Soulslikes?
When it comes to the Star Wars franchise, I wouldn’t call myself a superfan but also I’m not a hater of it. I liked Fallen Order well enough, even if it had a few rough edges. Jedi: Survivor picks up right where that left off, building on the combat, expanding the world, and refining the formula.
And there’s a word around the block that if you want to get into soulslike games, that Jedi series is the place to start. And since I’ve played the first part eons ago, I thought it would be a good idea to play the second part too and see for myself. Before I make that call, let’s go over everything about the game.
Story
The story in Jedi: Survivor picks up a few years after Fallen Order. Cal’s still fighting the Empire, but things have gotten more complicated. He’s not some fresh-faced Padawan anymore; he’s tired, worn down, and starting to question what all this fighting is really for. The game keeps things personal, which helps, and while it leans into classic Star Wars themes, it doesn’t beat you over the head with them.
It’s a step forward in terms of character work and pacing. Nothing too wild, but it keeps you engaged and gives just enough weight to the world without dragging everything out.
Gameplay
Jedi: Survivor improves on what Fallen Order did, without changing the core structure too much. The combat is more refined. You can switch between different lightsaber stances, and each one offers a slightly different approach. Enemies punish sloppy timing, so you’re expected to actually learn patterns, block, and parry properly unless you play on easy mode. It’s not as punishing as a Souls game, but you can’t just spam your way through either.
Exploration is a bigger part of the game now. The maps are larger, more open, and have a good amount of optional areas. Getting around feels better, with improved climbing, some gliding sections, and new tools that make traversal more efficient. That said, there are moments where the level design can be unclear, especially when trying to find the right path forward.
Progression is straightforward. You earn XP, unlock new skills through trees, and occasionally find upgrades through exploration. There’s not a ton of deep customization but it’s more about enhancing your existing moveset rather than changing how you play completely.
It’s a more polished version of what came before. Not groundbreaking, but more consistent and more satisfying to play.
Graphics
Jedi: Survivor looks great overall. The environments are bigger, more detailed, and a lot of the lighting work really adds to the atmosphere. Characters look sharp, animations are smooth, and when it all runs properly, it does feel like a proper step up.
That said, it’s not without its issues. I ran into a few spots where it wasn’t clear where I was supposed to go, paths blending too well into the scenery or level design that didn’t communicate direction clearly. It’s not game-breaking, but it does pull you out of the moment now and then. Overall, it looks like a proper current-gen step up, just not the most consistent one out there.
Final words of wisdom
As for the game, I enjoyed it to a certain extent but I definitely had a few moments where I was questioning what I was doing with my life. And for that reason, most likely it won’t end up on a list of my favorites.
Lastly, let’s answer the question of the hour: is it a great game to get you started with soulslike games? The short answer is no. Personally I feel like there are way better games out there that are more suited to get you into that genre. If you really want to know which games then, go check out this article I made.
