I still remember the first time I stepped into Pyloon's Saloon. It was 2023, and I was playing Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, hoping to find a quiet corner of the galaxy where Cal Kestis could breathe. Now, in 2026, I look back on that cantina with a mix of affection and frustration. The game was a big improvement over Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in almost every way — new lightsaber stances, larger Metroidvania levels, better collectibles — but one teased mechanic still hasn't reached its full potential: a real companion system.

From the very beginning of the series, Respawn teased the idea of building a crew. In Fallen Order, I recruited BD-1, Cere, Greez, and eventually Merrin. Those moments were scripted, but they planted a seed. I wasn't just a lone Jedi; I was slowly assembling a found family aboard the Mantis. That theme matters to Star Wars, and it matters to me as a player.

Survivor pushed the idea further. Early on, I reunited with Greez in Pyloon's Saloon, and the game told me I could recruit characters from across the galaxy. I met a strange mix of wanderers, each with a distinct personality. Some added an aquarium, others a Holotactics table. It was charming. It was also shallow. Most recruits gave me little in return — a few lines of dialogue, a cosmetic change, maybe a tiny distraction. I wanted more.

As a player, I don't need Star Wars Jedi to become a sprawling RPG like Mass Effect or Starfield. I don't need hundreds of romance options or a galaxy-sized dialogue wheel. But I do need the companions I recruit to feel like companions, not decorations. I want them to walk the halls of the Mantis. I want them to argue, joke, and grow. I want them to join me on missions and use their unique skills in combat, just as Merrin does when I venture to Jedha. That moment felt like a promise. The sequel should keep it.

Here is what I would love to see in a third Star Wars Jedi game:

• 🧑‍🚀 Recruitment with purpose: Let me meet characters on different planets, learn their stories, and choose whether to bring them aboard. Not every recruit needs to be a fighter, but every recruit should change something.

• 🛸 A living Mantis: Give companions daily routines, conversations, and conflicts. Let them react to Cal's choices and to each other. The ship should feel like a home, not a menu.

• ⚔️ Field synergy: Allow me to call on a companion's ability during exploration or combat. Maybe a technician slices a door, a medic keeps me alive, or a scoundrel distracts enemies. Merrin's presence on Jedha proved this can work.

• 📖 Personal arcs: Each companion should have a small story that unfolds across the game. I want to care about them beyond their utility. Found family only works if the family feels real.

• 🎁 Meaningful rewards: Instead of just filling Pyloon's Saloon with cameos, let companions unlock new routes, training options, or side missions that matter.

The Star Wars Jedi series isn't a full RPG, and that's fine. Its strength is cinematic action, tight level design, and emotional bonds. A companion system would fit perfectly into that formula. It would also reinforce the series' core theme: even a Jedi needs a crew. Cal Kestis is at his best when he's not alone, and I want the next game to let me build that crew myself.

In 2026, I'm still waiting for the next chapter. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is out now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, and it remains a great game. But every time I return to Pyloon's Saloon, I feel the same itch. Respawn is only a few steps away from a truly memorable companion mechanic. I hope they take those steps. I hope the Mantis becomes more than a hub. I hope my found family gets to grow.

So yes, I'll keep asking. A Jedi Survivor sequel should give me companions who matter — not just names on a recruitment list, but allies who fight beside me, challenge me, and make the galaxy feel smaller in the best possible way. That's the Star Wars fantasy I'm still chasing.