Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

Some of the best Star Wars stories are the ones that exist outside of the limitations of the feature films. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an untold chapter that not only fills in the gaps of Star Wars history, but is also an untapped wellspring of adventure and excitement. The game has an engaging cast of characters embroiled in an epic odyssey that feels both instantly familiar and yet wholly original at the same time. The cast delivers an outstanding performance on a story that builds on the legacy and the lore of the franchise. You can't help but feel a personal attachment to these characters, especially Cal. Cal (along with his droid sidekick, BD-1) represents the soul of the story, which is the player's window to live in the moment and be a part of Star Wars universe.

Even getting wrapped up and engaged in Fallen Order's tale, you never forget that this is still a video game. And it's a difficult one at that. The lightsaber was originally described as "an elegant weapon for a civilized age" and Fallen Order takes that to heart. Button mashing won't get you anywhere here. To progress through the game requires careful timing, quick reflexes, and keen observation. To survive, you need to learn how to quickly use your lightsaber to block, parry, and attack in all directions. Fall in battle, and you lose all the experience points (or XP) you've earned since your last upgrade, only recovering it by successfully tracking down and attacking the foe that defeated you. Cal's Jedi training also comes into play when exploring the different planets in the system. Chaining together wall runs, leaps, and Force abilities takes a level of precision that takes time and practice to master. And as the game moves on and Cal's connection with the Force strengthens, it opens up even more options to players. By the end of the game, you feel just as much a Jedi as Cal … and you've earned it.