Star Wars Jedi: Survivorhas become one of the most anticipatedStar Warsgames in a very long time, due in no small part to the tremendous success of 2019’sJedi: Fallen Order. Fans were recently treated to a new story trailer forStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, reuniting fans with Cal Kestis, Merrin, and others as they continue their fight against the Empire. This trailer gave a greater sense of what’s at stake inJedi: Survivor, conveying the Stinger Mantis crew’s fight for a sense of security, as well as showing more of who will get in the way of that.
For manyStar Warsfans, the unfamiliar robes and unexpected changes to the Mantis crew inJedi: Survivor’s newest trailerwere anything but. That’s becauseJedi: Survivoris taking a page out of the book ofStar Warsgames likeKOTORby tying its story to books and comics set in the galaxy far, far away. It’s a move that fewStar Warsgames have made sinceKOTOR, and certainly not to the same extent. This givesJedi: Survivora unique opportunity to establish a greater sense of context for the game’s story before it releases.
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How KOTOR and Jedi: Survivor Use Star Wars Books to Build Story
WhenStar Wars: KOTORreleased in 2003, it transported players back thousands of years before the events of theStar Warsfilms. This was enchanting for many fans, but for others this was a time period they were already intimately familiar with. The Old Republic era inStar Warsstarted with theTales of the Jedicomics published by Dark Horse from 1993 to 1998, chronicling the Great Sith War and Great Hyperspace War.KOTORwould take place just forty years after the events of these comics, and for those who read every issue, it was easier to become immersed in the game world and grasp the central conflict.
Jedi: Survivoris taking a similar approach toKOTORand otherStar Warsgames that have leaned on preexisting lore. It starts with the currently unnamed character in Jedi robes, as the newest trailer confirmed that he is fromthe High Republic era. This is an era ofStar Warsthat takes place a few hundred years before the films, when the Jedi were at their strongest, and it has primarily existed through a series of popular books and comics. With this jump into gaming and the mystery around the Jedi, many gamers now have a reason to dive into the books to build an understanding for the era.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Its Tie-In Novel
Star Wars Jedi: Survivordoes more than lean on the High Republic stories, as there is also a tie-in novel that provides context for what the Mantiscrew has been up to between each game.TitledStar Wars Jedi: Battle Scars, this novel provides answers for some of the biggest questions many fans have forJedi: Survivor. From why Cere and Greez look so different, to whatfan-favorite Merrinhas been up to,Jedi: Battle Scarshas become essential reading for those looking forward toSurvivor.
With its connections to the High Republic andStar Wars Jedi: Battle Scarstie-in novel,Star Wars Jedi: Survivorhas built a strong foundation for its story before the game has even released. Like many otherStar Warsstories, it’s entirely possible most gamers will be able to pick upJedi: Survivorand enjoy it with no prior knowledge ofStar Warslore. For those that enjoy the connectedness of games likeKOTOR, however,Jedi: Survivorprovides an opportunity for immersion that few games are ever so bold to provide.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivorreleases April 28 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
