Chris Isbell

Reviews and other content aren't verified by Google

As a diehard Star Wars fan for over 43 years, I’ve played almost all of the Star Wars games, read almost all of the Star Wars books and comics, and have devoted an inordinate amount of time discussing every nuance and aspect of the Star Wars universe with friends and strangers alike. A great Star Wars video game really boils down to one thing: The player gets to experience what it’s like to be a Jedi. Immersive star fighter combat is great, and first/third person shooters are fun, but let’s just be honest here... we all wish we could use the Force and wield a lightsaber. Jedi Fallen Order recreates the feeling of being a Jedi while immersing the player in a challenging, satisfying, and authentic Star Wars experience. And when played at the highest graphics settings on a powerful PC or console equivalent (Xbox One X, etc.), this game features some stunning graphics. The sound is perfect. From the musical score to the hiss of a lightsaber being activated, Fallen Order delivers a flawless audio experience. None of the above matters, however, if you aren’t emotionally invested in the character and the story’s narrative. Fortunately, Fallen Order features stellar writing and tells a remarkably emotional tale. You grow to have real feelings for the game’s protagonist. I have only a few complaints for an otherwise nearly-perfect game: The puzzles can get old after a while, and can work to hinder the player’s immersion in the story and setting. And the game’s map system can be confusing; adding in the ability to set waypoints on the map and then have some on-screen directional prompts would totally fix this. The leveling/experience mechanic rewards your hard work by allowing you to purchase new abilities and upgrades, but unfortunately, once you’ve unlocked all available powers and upgrades, you end up with all these experience levels that you can’t spend. It would have been nice to be able to spend these hard-earned levels on... something. Perhaps some Force power or lightsaber attack options that have high costs (five or even ten point costs) but are devastating to enemies when unlocked? Also, it feels like the (main story) ends abruptly just when things are getting great. You’ve been leveling up and you finally feel like a Jedi Master, but then you fly to the game’s final setting and have a truly awesome experience and then... the credits roll. The add-on expansion does offer “New Game Plus”, but this doesn’t add to the story or give the player access to more planets to explore or more powers to earn and master. It feels like half a game, or at the very least, 75% of one. These two complaints aside, it’s still a must-play game for every Star Wars fan. 9/10.