Unleashing the Unseen Power: How Star Wars Jedi’s Kata Surpasses Cal’s Limitations

Highlights

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor had the freedom to explore various story directions within the Star Wars universe due to the blank slate left by Fallen Order.

Bode Akuna's presence added complexity to the bond between Cal Kestis and the Jedi Purge, enhancing their connection. The potential for Kata, Bode's daughter, to emerge as a protagonist in a future installment of Survivor presents captivating narrative possibilities. This development could enable Cal to retire as a Jedi, avoiding the allure of the dark side of the Force.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor had ample room to explore within the captivating Star Wars universe. The open slate provided by Fallen Order allowed the story to take any direction within the established continuity and timeline. Introducing characters from the High Republic was an intriguing choice, particularly Survivor's Bode Akuna, who strengthened the connection between Cal Kestis and the Jedi Purge. The mysterious nature of Bode kept fans guessing throughout Survivor, and the revelation of his real daughter was a surprising twist.

As players meet Kata, Bode's choices become evident, although the third act feels rushed as he suddenly transforms into an antagonist and wields a lightsaber. It appears that Respawn intended to keep Bode's villainous role hidden, leading fans to believe that Dagan Gera would be the main antagonist. However, Bode's neglect of Kata in the end undermines this setup, as she simply desires her father's presence. Cal, Greez Dritus, and Merrin take Kata under their care, and if the storyline follows a predictable path, Kata may potentially possess abilities that Cal lacks in a future Survivor sequel.

Cal Kestis Giving into the Dark Side Now Would Ruin the Character and His Loved Ones

Cal has endured a great deal of tragedy throughout his experiences in Fallen Order and Survivor, causing his emotions to nearly overwhelm him on multiple occasions. In Fallen Order, he fought for survival as a hunted refugee, and in Survivor, he bravely took the fight to the Empire, despite enduring immense loss. One recurring theme in Survivor is the question of how long Cal should continue fighting and when it is necessary for him to recognize a battle that cannot be won.

While this storyline could have been intriguing, Survivor fails to explore it fully. However, there is a possibility that in a third Star Wars Jedi game, Cal may be able to set aside his lightsaber if Kata, his potential apprentice, grows to take on that role. It would not require a significant time jump in the third installment for Cal to retire, but fans may be disappointed if they are unable to continue playing as him, unless Kata proves to be an exceptionally captivating character in her own right. Given that Cal has taken Kata under his wing, it wouldn't be surprising to witness her inherit her father's Force sensitivity and become a playable protagonist in a sequel to Survivor.

Kata Akuna is Primed to Follow Her Father’s Path to the Dark Side

Survivor already cleverly staged Cal's death to create a powerful moment for Cere Juna, possibly indicating Respawn's exploration of a new protagonist. It's true that if Cal remains unaffected by the dark side of the Force, there may not be much more to develop for his character, except for potential romantic challenges with Merrin or his role as a father figure to Kata. However, for the next game to feature Kata as the protagonist, a significant time jump will be necessary. During this time, Cal might finally heed Greez's advice and put an end to his battle.

Kata raises intriguing possibilities for the future direction of the franchise. While Cal and BD-1 have been the mascots of Star Wars Jedi so far, there's no reason why Kata can't take the lead in future installments. However, it's worth noting that Kata hasn't earned a leading role like Atreus in God of War Ragnarok has. Nevertheless, it appears that the series is moving in that direction. This would allow Kata to explore the dark side of the Force, relieving the burden from Cal and granting players the opportunity to experience Force lightning, Force chokes, and other dark side abilities without tarnishing Cal's reputation.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is currently available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.