Aaron Bilawchuk

This game is a masterclass in design, art, and storytelling. It's not without its problems, but every great work has flaws. This is an ambitious and largely worthy sequel to the first game, exploring difficult themes through well-developed characters with complicated motivations. As an extension of the first game, it explores actions and emotions in a painful but realistic way, and while some may not like where they end up, it does not betray their characters. The hate it has been getting is misguided, either from people's visceral emotional response to the story choices (which proves it is provocative, as intended), or from bigoted and toxic members of the gaming community who will hopefully grow out of their stunted maturity and missing empathy.

The world building, cinematography, and writing is top notch. The world feels weighty and lived-in, and the action scenes are unique and earned. Great casting, great acting. Better effects and sets than most shows deserve - this doesn't feel like an enclosed soundstage or the Volume at all. It properly takes the time to make us care about minor characters, which isn't "boring" - it's good storytelling. Where was all this quality and care when it came to Obi Wan? I'm actually quite shocked by the negative fan reviews. Are you really unable to enjoy a Star Wars show unless it's all explosions, fan service, and lightsabers? This is the meaty, sophisticated Star Wars show a lot of fans have been craving for a long time. Enough with the fluff. Enough with the empty, soulless action with no story. Sure, Mandalorian is fun and light, and this is a great compliment to that. There is definitely room for both, and more, in a galaxy far, far away.