Star Wars Jedi: Survivor stands out as one of the few modern Star Wars action games. Its dynamic lightsaber combat that improves with its skill trees gives it an edge and truly makes Cal feel like a threat to his enemies. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order established its lightsaber combat by creating a system that allowed the player to seamlessly switch between single, double, and dual-bladed lightsabers. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor expanded on Fallen Order's system by introducing lightsaber stances, which limited Cal's use of lightsaber forms to two at a time, but the stances greatly expanded on the technique, strengths, and weaknesses of each stance.
Jedi: Survivor' s sequel has the opportunity to take its lightsaber combat a step further by introducing lightsaber combat forms. Lightsaber combat is sophisticated, and Jedi employ different combat forms depending on the situation, often favoring one form over the rest.
Bringing Lightsaber Forms Back to Star Wars Games
There are seven main lightsaber forms that the Jedi use in combat, with some forms more suited to different lightsaber variants than others. The lightsaber forms were introduced in Star Wars Legends, but are also seen throughout Star Wars' canon Padawans, Knights, and Masters.
The seven lightsaber forms are:
- Form 1: Shii-Cho - Most basic form taught to all Jedi at the Temple.
- Form 2: Makashi - Excellent against single enemies, weak against groups and long-range. Used by Count Dooku.
- Form 3: Soresu - Best defensive form. Used by Obi-Wan.
- Form 4: Ataru - Aggressive offensive Form that uses the Force to enhance movement and speed, but poor defense. Used by Qui-Gon Jinn.
- Form 5: Shien/Djem So - Both Forms balanced defense then quickly switching to offense. Shien allowed for reverse grip and specialized in blaster deflection, while Djem So was best against other lightsaber users and blaster deflection. Used by Ahsoka Tano and Darth Vader.
- Form 6: Niman - The most balanced Form with no notable weaknesses and most popular of the Jedi Order, but also lacking in notable strengths.
- Form 7: Juyo- Juyo is the most aggressive and emotionally taxing form, and was forbidden by the High Council for its volatility and darkness. Mace Windu created a variant of Juyo, but it was also used by Darth Maul and other dark side users.
Implementing New Combat Mechanics in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor's Sequel
The different styles of lightsaber combat suit different combat scenarios and, while a Jedi may specialize in one form, it's beneficial for them to be familiar with several so they can be more adaptable. Cal faces different kinds of enemies in many combat situations, from giant beasts to large groups of enemies, and learning different lightsaber forms would be effective and make sense in the lore.
Cal was noted by the Jedi Council as being talented at lightsaber combat as an apprentice. Having him master lightsaber forms later in life would be essential in completing Cal's journey as a Jedi. This could be implemented in Jedi Survivor's sequel in several ways, such as unlocking forms through holocrons that can be found throughout the galaxy and improving them through a skill tree. Because some forms are more suited to certain types of lightsaber stances, such as single or dual-bladed lightsabers, some forms could be restricted to those stances. The forms unlocked could have the same strengths and weaknesses as laid out above, and be visually distinct from each other.
Lightsaber forms could also indicate Cal's development. As Order 66 occurred while he was a young Padawan, it's likely he only knows Forms 1 and possibly Form 6, the two most common and basic Forms, even as late as the end of Jedi: Survivor. As Cal embraces a darker path, he may adopt the aggressive Form 7.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 28, 2023
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Mild Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Franchise
- Star Wars
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure, Soulslike, Sci-Fi
