The Future of Star Wars Jedi Games Beyond Cal Kestis

I've journeyed with Cal Kestis through the shadows of the Empire, first as a scared scrapper in Fallen Order and now as a confident Jedi Knight in Survivor. His story has been a beacon in Disney's era of Star Wars, a saga that sometimes shines like a lightsaber in the dark and other times fizzles like a faulty blaster. But as much as I adore Cal—his charm, his growth, his struggles—I can't shake the feeling that Respawn Entertainment is weaving a tapestry that risks becoming as tangled as a Wookiee's hair if they keep pulling only on his thread. The Star Wars universe is a galaxy teeming with stories, and it's time we explore other Jedi survivors before Cal's narrative stretches thinner than gossamer in a solar wind.

In Fallen Order, I watched Cal evolve from a hidden Padawan, clinging to the past like a mynock to a power conduit, into a hero who confronts his demons. His adventure with Cere and Greez to protect Force-sensitive children felt personal, a journey that mirrored my own hopes for redemption in a chaotic world. The decision to destroy the Holocron was a moment of pure Jedi wisdom—sacrificing power for protection. Then, in Jedi Survivor, Cal's mastery of new stances and skills made me feel like a true Knight, battling through betrayals and discovering Tanalorr's secrets. Yet, beneath the excitement, I sensed a pattern emerging: Cal's arc is becoming as predictable as a protocol droid's etiquette lecture. Respawn's storytelling is masterful, but relying solely on him is like trying to navigate hyperspace with a single star chart—it limits the wonders we might find.

What excites me more is the untapped potential of characters like Dagan Gera, whose fall from grace was as tragic as a supernova collapsing in on itself. His brief appearance in Survivor left me hungry for more—a prequel exploring his golden days in the Jedi Order, his partnership with Khri, and his descent into darkness could be as gripping as Cal's rise. Imagine playing as him, wielding a lightsaber with the arrogance of a Jedi Master who believes he's untouchable, only to face the harsh reality of betrayal. Similarly, antagonists like Trilla or Taron Malicos have depths that rival the oceans of Kamino; their stories of succumbing to despair deserve their own spotlight. A game shifting focus to such figures could breathe fresh air into the franchise, much like The Last of Us Part II did by challenging players with new perspectives.

As we look to 2025 and beyond, I hope Respawn takes a leaf from games like Star Wars Outlaws, which proves that non-Jedi tales can captivate, but why stop there? The Jedi Order's history is a mosaic of heroes and failures. Instead of a trilogy centered on Cal, future installments could rotate protagonists—each game a new chapter with a different survivor, their struggles as unique as a snowflake on Hoth. This approach would keep the narrative as dynamic as a podrace, avoiding the fatigue that can set in when one character's journey overstays its welcome. Cal's eventual conclusion should be respectful, but the galaxy is vast, and other lightsabers are waiting to ignite. Let's not let his story become a black hole, sucking in all the light around it; instead, let it be a star that guides us to new adventures.