Why Star Wars Jedi Games Must Break Free From Darth Vader

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was recently released worldwide, receiving positive reviews despite criticisms of the story's lack of compelling elements compared to the first game and some technical issues. However, the game continues to rely on a recurring element that many fans had hoped would be avoided. Both games in the series revolve around the character Cal Kestis, a survivor of Order 66. Jedi: Fallen Order followed his journey as he was hunted by Inquisitors and learned about Jedi ways, while Jedi: Survivor sees him searching for a safe haven from the Empire. Despite the different plots, both games feature a brief appearance by Darth Vader, and it is time for the series to move away from this dependence on the character.

Darth Vader's Role In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor

In Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Darth Vader only appears twice in the game. The first time is after Cal Kestis defeats the Second Sister, Trilla, in a lightsaber battle at the Inquisitor fortress. Cere attempts to reason with Trilla, but their conversation is cut short when Darth Vader arrives. He quickly dispatches Trilla for disappointing him and attacks Cal and Cere, resulting in a thrilling escape sequence. The second appearance occurs in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, where Darth Vader leads an attack on Jedha and engages in a memorable boss fight with Cere. Despite her valiant efforts, Darth Vader emerges victorious and kills Cere. While both of these moments are visually exciting, they don't add much to the overall story.

Vader Raises the Stakes, But Only Shortly

In recent Star Wars productions, Darth Vader has been frequently utilized as a tool to heighten suspense and risk levels for characters. This has been particularly noticeable since Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm in 2012. In Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Rebels, and Jedi: Fallen Order, the Sith Lord has appeared in moments where a character's life hangs in the balance, reminding audiences that survival is not guaranteed.

The handling of Vader's role in Jedi: Fallen Order, however, has been somewhat problematic. For much of the game, there was no mention or indication of his involvement in the story. The fall of Trilla to the dark side and the temptation Cere faced seemed to be independent of his influence. When he finally appears, it feels sudden and without proper build-up. His presence feels more like a means to raise the stakes and deliver a shocking moment, rather than an integral part of the narrative. Ultimately, his appearance feels like a missed opportunity to properly integrate him into the story.

The inclusion of Darth Vader in these games serves as a temporary plot device that doesn't add much value to the overall story. While his presence may temporarily increase the stakes, it ultimately feels like a crutch for the franchise to rely on. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor has already shown that the franchise can function without the Inquisitors, and future sequels should aim to move beyond the use of Vader as well. Fans can currently experience Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.