Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order – PS4

A Long Time Ago…

The game starts on the junkyard world of Bracca. Here, we find our hero Cal salvaging tech from the hollowed-out husk of the Republic’s navy. While this world looks exciting it is simply there for the in-game tutorial. Players find out a little more about Cal’s background and what he has done to hide from the Empire.

While on Bracca, Cal escapes using his trusty lightsaber and the ever-present Force (and a little help from his soon-to-be mentor Cere). This is where things get really fun. From this point on Cal is set loose on some of the franchise’s best-known worlds, including Kashyyyk and Dathomir. These worlds may seem small at first, but you’ll find yourself coming back as your powers develop and you learn to overcome obstacles you didn’t clock the first time. This keeps the planets feeling fresh each time you visit, and you will be surprised by what’s in store.

In a Galaxy Far, Far Away…

While the Star Wars universe is already vast, Jedi: Fallen Order expands it further. As you explore there are a host of creatures both great and small to discover. During your adventures your faithful droid BD-1 will catalogue the wildlife you encounter, entering it into a tactical guide. This gives you a crib sheet on how to best deal with enemies in the future, should you find yourself struggling. Each planet has a satisfyingly varied selection of foes to face, especially Kashyyyk with its luscious flora and fauna. If you’re looking for soft and cuddly Wookies, however, you best lower your expectations. Our furry friends look particularly ugly. BD-1 will also be more than just your walking encyclopaedia.

You’ll also come across upgrade stations where you can kit your droid out with enhancements allowing you to reach new areas in Fallen Order. Also, one of the most useful things BD-1 will do is carry Stim canisters. These will replenish your health on the fly should you come under any heavy fire. Along your way, your loveable droid will also draw attention to any crates or areas of note you might have missed. These crates contain new skins for your ship, the Mantis, BD-1 himself, new materials for Cal’s clothes, and even lightsaber parts. While these are all entirely superficial, it does add a sense of ownership into the game, affording you a level of personalisation. That being said, it would have been nice to have a little more character personalisation on offer.

BD-1 and his Stim canisters will be crucial for pretty much your entire adventure, especially for boss battles. Aside from the regular Stormtroopers, almost every battle is an enjoyable challenge. But, if fighting isn’t your thing there are four modes you can choose from increasing or decreasing how heavy combat is.

Spread across the map, on your journey you should find Meditation circles. These glowing patches of ground are where Cal can rest and save. These points will act as respawn points should anything happen. Not only will resting reset Cal’s health, but it will also refill all Stim canisters and his Force meter. However, resting will also respawn every single enemy on the map in Fallen Order. So, it’s not as simple a decision as you might think. At these Mediation circles, you can also spend skill points to unlock new abilities. These focus on either survival, lightsaber skills, or the Force, and can allow Cal to perform some powerful new abilities. This brings a level of autonomy to the game, allowing you to choose how you want to play.

May the Force Be with You

Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order is a spectacular game. It is packed with a juicy story that explores the dark time following the Jedi purge. After a long wait Fallen Order brings fans a fantastic single-player game that helps fill in the gaps between Episodes III and IV. The story has some fun puzzles that felt natural. These puzzles were complex enough to be engaging but not too complex that I got frustrated. Players can explore some of the franchise’s most exciting worlds and experience them first-hand.  Not only is the storyline rich but it also packs in some unexpected twists that will leave you shocked.