There is a bit to unpack with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. On one hand, the series has a ton of potential as fans loved its Metroidvania-style levels and immersive gameplay. It is a Star Wars game that is capable of standing on its own, and it very well deserves a sequel. However, Jedi: Fallen Order 2 will not be making an appearance any time soon.
The announcement that EA will not be showing off any Star Wars content until 2022 can be disheartening, but it leaves a solid chunk of time open. That time is a great opportunity to work on the game’s development and continue to mold a playable galaxy that fans will enjoy. While not having Jedi: Fallen Order at EA Play may be a mistake, it will hopefully mean that some familiar planets and locations are being meticulously designed for a possible sequel.
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There are a ton of planets that fans are already familiar with that could fit in great for a Jedi: Fallen Order sequel. The Skywalker Saga is chock full of systems that are interesting and could use some deeper exploration than what fans saw in the movies. Like the treatment Kashyyyk, the Wookie homeworld, received in the first Jedi: Fallen Order, places such as Dagobah could be revisited by Cal Kestis and the Mantis’ crew.
Dagobah could also offer an introduction to a prominent figure in the Star Wars canon without becoming too messy with how The Skywalker Saga plays out. Jedi Master Yoda spent some of his time in isolation on the planet watching over other survivors of the Great Purge in Revenge of the Sith. In Star Wars Rebels, he even guides Kanan Jarrus, Ezra Bridger, and Ahsoka Tano. Given Yoda’s incredible mastery of the Force and his age, it is not farfetched to think that he would interact with Cal or his group.
With Cal’s aptitude for Psychometry, there seems to be a clear line in how the Jedi Knight’s continued exploration of Jedi ruins and temples could lead him directly to Dagobah and Jedi Master Yoda. Both have been drawn to other Jedi through the Force during the time of the Empire and both Jedi have sought to distance themselves from the larger fight while remaining vigilant. With ample time between Cal’s encounter with Darth Vader and the arrival of Luke Skywalker on Dagobah, there is a great window of opportunity for young Jedi Knight Cal.
The original trilogy is not the only part of The Skywalker Saga that should have planets visited by Cal. While a timeline-focused game like LEGO: Star Wars the Skywalker Saga is constricted by the overarching narrative, a Jedi: Fallen Order sequel has plenty of wiggle room when it comes to time. There is no need for the next game to be an immediate sequel and a time skip could provide a great chance for Cal to explore some key locations in the series.
Places like Kef Bir, Pasaana, and Takodana all have significance in Star Wars’ sequel trilogy, but could be set up better with a visit from the Mantis. Kef Bir in particular feels like the perfect location for Cal to visit. The warped steel and destroyed ship bays of the Death Star 2 were likely explored and scrapped by several people over the years. While Star Wars Canon has Rey Skywalker visit the ocean moon of Endor in The Rise of Skywalker, it receives little more attention.
Forging the Metroidvania-style levels that Jedi: Fallen Order used around such a location could provide more lore for Kef Bir. It would also keep a Jedi: Fallen Order sequel connected to the main parts of Star Wars canon without feeling forced in. Towing this line can be difficult, so remote but important places like the destroyed Death Star provide great opportunities to explore.
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The origin world for the Jedi is ancient and has a strong connection to both sides of the Force. While it is eventually rediscovered and used by Jedi Master Luke Skywalker in his exile during The Force Awakens, it could easily be explored by Cal as well. The Jedi Knight has about a two-decade head start, and his affinity for Psychometry would play well into how he visits the planet.
One of the most interesting facets of the first Jedi: Fallen Order is that it explored the deep lore of a Force-sensitive species long gone. Similarly, Jedi: Fallen Order 2 could explore the deep lore of the early Jedi and their homeworld. The location’s dual nature and balance with the Force could also play into how each Force-sensitive character handles such a visit.
Cal is decidedly on the Light Side of the Force. As a Jedi Knight, he has shown his commitment to The Jedi Order and willingness to fight for good in the galaxy. Opposite of him, both Merrin and Cere struggle with the Dark Side. Cere refuses to engage in the Force and fears that she will fall if she maintains a connection to it. Merrin’s Force powers do not just flirt with the Dark Side, they are directly connected to it. Exploring the strong Force connection that Ahch-To has to both sides could push their character development forward and immerse fans in the importance of the planet in Star Wars history even more than The Last Jedi did.
It is important that any of these visits or interactions with planets used in The Skywalker Saga are removed from major events. Star Wars canon has helped to clean up and organize the Star Wars stories that have been told for a long time. As great as many of those stories were, they could lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
To keep Jedi: Fallen Order or a sequel from being converted into Star Wars Legend like the games, comics, and books before them, the sacred timeline of Star Wars will need to be neatly organized and pruned. Visiting the locations that fans have seen in movies is great, but there will need to be enough separation so that stories do not become muddy. If major characters like Luke, Leia, Ahsoka, or Yoda are visited, there needs to be clear intent. Introducing a character because they are cool could sully the story and take away from being able to explore the awesome planets Star Wars has to offer.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 is rumored to be in development.