Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Exclusive Hands-On Preview | iGV First

Koboh Let’s Go

My initial impressions of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor are overwhelmingly positive. After five hours with the game, I’m struck by how effectively it addresses the shortcomings of its predecessor, Fallen Order. The game feels grander, yet retains the core exploration and discovery that made the first game so engaging. The shift is evident from the moment you step onto Koboh.

Koboh is a massive, open world, and it’s immediately apparent that this is the game’s focal point. Early on, the experience follows a familiar, linear path through caves, valleys, and mountains. However, as you progress to the Southern Reach, the world unfolds in a breathtaking manner, reminiscent of the Great Plateau in Breath of the Wild. The sense of discovery is significantly enhanced.

• Exploration is Rewarding: The open design of Koboh encourages exploration, and the rewards are substantial, whether it’s uncovering hidden boss battles, enemy camps with unique challenges, or finding essential upgrades. These discoveries, in turn, unlock further exploration avenues.
• Improved Rewards: Skill points are more impactful due to new skill trees dedicated to lightsaber stances, Force powers, health, and Force enhancements. Cosmetic items are also more varied and substantial, allowing for significant personalization of Cal’s appearance. This stands in stark contrast to the mostly cosmetic rewards in the first game.
• Excellent Map Design: The map is a major improvement, featuring automatic markers highlighting unexplored areas and symbols indicating what’s accessible with current abilities. The inclusion of fast travel, and eventually, creature mounts, significantly streamline the journey. The art design is also a key strength, creating a visually stunning environment.

Force powers are incredibly impactful and integrated into the level design. Mini-boss arenas offer opportunities to utilize these powers creatively, such as force-pulling or propelling objects, and even using combat arenas to force enemies to their demise. These encounters were quite memorable and unique.

Fly Me to the Moon (Planet)

The second area I explored, a moon planet, offered a more conventional level design, reminiscent of Jedi: Fallen Order. This is not a criticism, however, as the level provided exciting platforming challenges and engaging combat encounters. This area is designed to test the player, and the enemy positioning felt like an ambush.

Combat Highlights

• A Sense of Ambush: Enemies positioned strategically throughout the environments presented a compelling sense of danger, with encounters often feeling like ambush situations. This added an extra layer of tension.
• DMC-Style Challenge Room: A notable highlight was a challenge room styled after Devil May Cry, featuring waves of numerous B1 droids. While easily defeated individually, the sheer number required skill and strategic application of abilities to overcome. These rooms were very rewarding and were a fun, intense combat experience.

The design of this moon area also incorporated creative combat elements. The inclusion of self-destructing droids, countered by force pushes, created dynamic and entertaining situations. These moments showcased the intuitive gameplay that incorporates force powers into the gameplay seamlessly.

From the initial glimpse into Koboh’s expansive design to the tense ambushes and challenging platforming on the moon, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor appears to be a significant step up from its predecessor. The game’s attention to detail in both the environment and the gameplay experience suggests a polished and compelling experience that fans can eagerly anticipate. The open world and improved systems are very exciting for those looking for a deeper experience. The intricate designs of the combat encounters and the immersive worlds should keep players engaged until the game’s release on April 28th.