Respawn’s latest release, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order takes place 5 years after the events of The Revenge of the Sith, during the peak of the Empire’s power. We are put into the shoes of Jedi Cal Kestis, one of the few Jedis who survived Order 66, a contingency plan calling for the Clone Troopers to kill their Jedi leaders.

This is the 5th Star Wars game published by EA, and it is unlike any other Star Wars game previously released. Fallen Order almost plays like the love child of the Uncharted and Dark Souls Series. Developed on the Unreal 4 engine, Fallen Order’s visuals and cinematics are stunning. The environments, detailed landscapes, and moving backgrounds make the levels feel alive and immersive. Smooth platforming and well thought out puzzle solving perfectly compliment the visuals, which is an amazing way to soak in and explore the beautiful landscapes.

The combat on the other hand is quick, responsive, and at times relentless. Timing and stamina management are essential, and any wrong move may send you back to the previous checkpoint. However, just like in Dark Souls, if you are able to make it back and defeat the enemy that bested you, you are rewarded with the experience you lost.

Unlike other Star Wars games, your lightsaber will be your only weapon paired with occasional Force abilities. Both your lightsaber and Force abilities can be upgraded, although the lightsaber’s upgrades are purely cosmetic. From the subtle nods to fan favorite characters to filling up plot holes, you can tell how much effort Respawn put into making this game feel authentic. However, don’t expect to be an unstoppable Jedi master in this game. Defeating enemies frequently requires multiple well-timed hits, and your Force powers will be nowhere near as powerful as in The Force Unleashed. By no means is this a bad thing. Instead, it makes Cal’s journey more believable and enjoyable.

The games’ 18-30 hour game play is packed filled with excellent story telling, intriguing characters, and a multitude of planets to explore. It’s level progression makes your transition from padawan to Jedi Master extremely rewarding and as a result, has made Cal a very lovable character as you experience these victories along with him. It’s quite obvious that Respawn put a lot of care when making this game, and it was a fun story to experience while waiting for the release of Episode IX!