star wars game review

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the true strength of a solo AAA?

Despite its vast lore, its international aura and the multiple possibilities offered by its universe, Star Wars had not had the right to a real solo AAA since 2010 and the release of the dispensable The Force Unleashed 2. It is therefore with open arms that we wanted to welcome Jedi: Fallen Order especially since it seemed promising in many aspects. In the end, is the title of Respawn Entertainment (Titanfall) up to the myth? We would be inclined to answer you in the affirmative because despite its many odd numbers, this Star Wars remains a very good game, solid, respectful of the license and above all a bet for its publisher Electronic Arts.

Star Wars, even at the mention of this name, a thrill of pleasure should run through your back, whether you have known the license through cinema, novels or any other derivative product. Like the great mythological tales, Star Wars was forged through the vision of its creator, George Lucas, but also and above all those of thousands of creatives. The result today is a unique universe which has certainly borrowed from the great epics of adventure (whether they come from Greece or Japan) but which has created a lore so vast, so dense, so precise, that it now gathers millions of fans around the world. The video game very quickly participated in this state of facts since the first title to have seen the date dates from 1983. 36 years later, the franchise is still valiant and after a crossing of the desert of nine years, we finally arrive a new purely solo game centered on its gameplay but also its universe.

SOLO AND PROUD TO BE

It can't be said enough but Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is some kind of UFO, at least in the catalog of Electronic Arts. On paper, the title even seems completely against the tide of what the publisher has been offering us for a few years outside its Sports range: a solo game borrowing ideas from Uncharted, Tomb Raider, God of War, offering technical gameplay , demanding, having no micro transaction and having no DLC for the moment. Forget also the Frostbite engine, however customary of the American firm’s productions, this time, everything benefits from the Unreal Engine 4. Respawn has, it seems, had real latitude in development. It feels and we do not lie, it's really nice to see.

As we have said many times before, Jedi: Fallen Order is a game without multiplayer and from the first hours, it shows up at all levels. Already, in its content but also the associated progression. Like any self-respecting Star Wars product, the game here will show us around several systems represented by five planets and "two additional destinations". It is appropriate here to make the distinction knowing that it will not be possible to return to the two famous additional planets whose names will be withheld. Conversely, the game will encourage you to return to the planets already visited to recover all the hidden collectibles. This aspect of progression offers Fallen Order, to a certain extent, the name of Metroidvania even if this status should be minimized. In fact, we will have to make several round trips between the planets to recover various powers or abilities which will then allow us to reach other areas in the places already crossed. However, this aspect will mainly be used to acquire paints to modify the appearance of BD-1, Mantis (our ship), different ponchos or elements to customize our sword. Nothing vital even if in itself, sporting a magnificent saber with a golden blade by mixing leather straps with the tip of Luke Skywalker's saber is priceless! You will also have the opportunity to find four mythological creatures but ultimately, the most important will be to find new Stim capsules for BD-1 or bonuses to increase our Strength or health gauge.

On the one hand, the influence of Metroid is therefore real even if it is ultimately never central other than in the construction of the levels, gigantic and filled with hidden areas, and the structure of the progression. In fact, Jedi: Fallen Order is closer to a Tomb Raider through this clever mix of platforms and action. On this point, it is a frank success, the balance between the genres being skilfully balanced. We will therefore spend most of our time, between two delectable and highly technical fights, chaining passages in wall-run, jumps and slides unfortunately lacking in legibility due to a poorly placed camera. All this of course will be cemented by a scenario which has the merit of existing if not truly shining.

IN A FAR GALAXY, VERY FAR ...

The game was indeed expected on this point and beyond a character design that will not make everyone agree (except for that of the Wookiees, impossible to watch without stifling a mocking laugh), it is clear that the universe of Star Wars is very nicely presented. Already across the planets visited (Zeffo, Dathomir, Ilum, Kashyyyk or even the little new Bogano) disparate, offering varied fauns and biomes, but also via an artistic direction synonymous with superb panoramas. It is a pity, however, that many technical concerns (late appearance of textures, several (non-violent) falls in framerate on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X) tarnish the picture without taking us out of the story.

The story, in fact, turns out to be terribly classic and will not surprise many people. The fault with a fairly lazy writing, reversals of the situation that we see happening to several parsecs or even fan service sometimes brought without great scriptural consistency. If we weren't going to complain about finding a lot of winks to the universe, we were entitled to expect a little more from a game led by Chris Avellon (Fallout 2, Baldur’s Gate, Pillars of Eternity). It should also be noted that, paradoxically, the main characters are thin and want to be less interesting than some secondary characters. Too bad even if the evolution of Cal Kestis (our hero) is much more logical and fitting with the extended universe than that of Galen Marek (aka the Starkiller of The Force Unleashed), an overpowered apprentice of Vader capable of the only force … The Force, to crush an interstellar cruiser. No eccentricity here since Cal remains in his way of being a young Jedi who will have to progress as well mentally as physically to fulfill his objective consisting initially of recovering relics hidden in the universe for a mission much more important than we will let you discover for yourself. Finally, note that ironically, the small BD-1 robot benefited from a lot of work because beyond its practical side (since it can unlock doors, safes or sending us, at our request, regenerative capsules of health), the droid remains cute as his relationship with Cal works very well. Asimov had shown us that robots can have a soul, BD-1 proves it in its own way in Fallen Order.

TECHNICAL FIGHTS FOR A REAL CHALLENGE

In parallel with its progression, its customization and its scenario, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order highlights a combat system inherited, to a certain extent, from those of the games From Software, from Bloodborne to Sekiro Shadows Die Twice. Astonishing considering the popularity of the license but a ultimately intelligent choice that will require patience and mastery. Know first that if you want a more or less high challenge, you will have the choice between four difficulty levels, from Easy (Story Mode) to Very Difficult (Grand Jedi Master), this influencing the aggressiveness of your opponents , their power but also and above all the parade window. In Normal, the game remains perfectly balanced and apart from the last two boss fights, you should be able to get out of it without too many bumps but at the price of many tries anyway. On this subject, remember that the experience gauge that you will fill (by eliminating enemies) and which will be used to unlock skill points to unlock different moves, increase your level of health, Strength or improve your guard, will be completely emptied upon each death. However, you can recover the lost exp by touching the opponent who killed you, like what is found in Souls. Also remember that you will find at regular intervals check points, perfectly placed to always keep the player on the lookout by asking him to pay attention to the way he fights, without creating unnecessary frustration. In addition to allowing you to save and acquire the skills described above, you will also be able to recover your entire health as well as the Stim capsules. Be careful however because doing so, you will also make all the enemies reappear. It's up to you to see if it's worth it given the difficulty of the game.

Difficult as it may be, Jedi: Fallen Order never gets maddening, especially with its well-thought-out combat system. In addition to the use of the Force allowing to slow down the adversaries, to propel them or to make them come to us to impale them, the acquisition of new techniques with the lightsaber allows to vary the pleasures even if we would have appreciated a little more moves. Nevertheless, as it stands, each fight transpires the class through elegant movements and a sound design that reinforces immersion. In addition, the system is intelligent enough to encourage the player to switch between his powers and his lightsaber. Even more true that once you reach a stage in history, you can alternate between single and double lightsaber in order to have a better draw. This detail is important because unfortunately there are quite a few hitbox problems that often strike us in the air, mainly against local wildlife. In any case, also remember that the more you hit your enemies the more Force you will gain. Conversely, each special movement will nibble you a bar of your gauge, just like the use of your powers, it goes without saying.

Although it is enjoyable, the combat system nevertheless shows some "limits" in 1v10 battles, especially when you have to deflect the shots from Stormtroopers blasters posted at height while avoiding the attacks of the Purge Troopers never losing an opportunity to place unstoppable attacks. Not always easy even if we come back to it each time with so much pleasure, against clouds of enemies or bosses, few, but all terribly striking, whether against Sisters or gigantic creatures.

In either case, you will understand that you will have to alternate styles, do not hesitate to dodge or master the parades to counter your enemies at the right time in order to empty their guard bar and be able to hurt them before finishing them with great reinforcement of finish moves supported by a slowed action highlighting the beauty of the movement. Technical, the fights are irremediably but by using correctly the lock (unfortunately imperfect especially in the fights against several mobs), powerful and stylish movements but also of the Force, the impression of being a Jedi is indeed there. What better conclusion than this. Yes, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a perfectible game which would undoubtedly have deserved a big blow of polish but in spite of its defects, it concentrates very great qualities already hinting at a radiant video game future for the saga. At least that's what we hope.

The notes
+ Positive points
Beautiful artistic direction
Sound design successful
Stylish and technical battles
Very successful boss clashes
A varied bestiary
BD-1: practical and cute
Very good mix of genres (action / platforms / puzzles)
Extremely correct lifespan (between 25h and 35h depending on the level of difficulty)
A real pleasure to play

Negative points
Too classic a story
Fan service sometimes brought without much consistency
A design chara not always very happy (my god, these Wookiees!)
Odd techniques on consoles (lower framerate, late appearance of textures)
Hitbox issues in combat (mainly against non-humanoid creatures)
Some rough fights in more compartmentalized places
Big readability concerns during the sliding phases

While touching excellence with the tip of the lightsaber without ever achieving it, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is in turn technical, enjoyable and superb in its DA. Although having drawn in several action games (from Uncharted to God of War via Tomb Raider) while proposing a fairly classic progression, the title remains no less solid in its construction by giving the player the want to continue. This desire, he crystallizes it through a very good balance between action, platforms and puzzles, a demanding combat system and a challenge met. Certainly, at several times, Jedi: Fallen Order puts a knee on the ground but it is to better get up and propel us into an ambitious adventure, controlled and very pleasant to go.