Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

The story of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order receives praise for its emotional depth, character development, and engagement with Star Wars lore. Critics like Gamers Heroes highlight it as one of the best-written video game stories in years, emphasizing Cal Kestis’ journey from Padawan to Jedi Knight and his personal growth. COGconnected and EGM commend the narrative for its compelling exploration of surviving Jedi trauma, with EGM noting the strong dynamic between Cal and his droid BD-1. IGN Japan acknowledges its rewards for core fans through familiar themes of light vs. dark, while The Games Machine and PlayStation LifeStyle describe it as one of the most engaging Star Wars narratives in recent years, praising its attention to detail and thematic resonance. The story’s focus on Cal’s inner struggles and relationships with allies like Cere Junda is frequently cited as a strength. However, many critics criticize the narrative for being simplistic, predictable, and lacking originality. PCGamesN and Metro GameCentral lambast the plot as clichéd, with a “race for a MacGuffin” and uninteresting characters, while MGG and Trusted Reviews argue it feels superficial and pedestrian, hindered by limited ambition and unengaging dialogues. Gamer.nl and GAMINGbible note the rushed pacing and emotional detachment, with characters introduced only to be discarded. Destructoid and Twinfinite acknowledge some clichés and predictable moments, while 3DJuegos and Meristation criticize the lack of impactful storytelling despite its Star Wars setting. The protagonist’s limited depth and reliance on familiar tropes are recurring complaints, with Trusted Reviews and Gamer.nl highlighting the narrative’s failure to fully capitalize on its potential. The overall consensus among critics is mixed but leans toward a balanced view: while the story is praised for its emotional resonance and Star Wars authenticity, it is often seen as derivative and underdeveloped. Positive reviews from Gamers Heroes, EGM, and IGN Japan emphasize its strengths in character arcs and thematic depth, whereas negative critiques from PCGamesN, Metro GameCentral, and GAMINGbible highlight its lack of innovation and narrative risks. Despite these divides, many acknowledge it as a solid but unremarkable entry in the Star Wars canon, with VG247 noting its well-realized characters and Giant Bomb praising its storytelling techniques. The game’s ability to balance fan service with personal growth remains its most polarizing aspect, reflecting both its appeal to enthusiasts and its shortcomings for those seeking bold originality.

The gameplay of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is widely praised for its blend of genre-influenced mechanics that create an engaging and dynamic experience. Critics like GameCritics and USgamer highlight its mix of action, exploration, and platforming, drawing comparisons to Dark Souls and Uncharted, while Giant Bomb and PCGamesN commend its Metroidvania-style design that encourages revisiting areas with new abilities. The lightsaber combat is frequently lauded for its tactical depth, with IGN noting its focus on timing and strategy, and Merlin'in Kazanı praising the fast-paced, Souls-like combat. Additionally, GameStar and Hobby Consolas appreciate the smooth controls and hidden secrets that reward exploration, while DualShockers and SomosXbox highlight the satisfying progression system and puzzle-solving elements reminiscent of Tomb Raider. These positives underscore the game’s ability to balance challenge with creative level design. However, several critics point to significant flaws that detract from the experience. Issues like imprecise platforming, unresponsive combat, and pacing problems are recurring complaints. GameCritics and MGG criticize the clunky blocking mechanics and frustration caused by repetitive environments, while EGM and New Game Network note the lack of innovation in familiar mechanics. VG247 and Critical Hit point to inconsistent enemy tracking and a janky 3D map, and Screen Rant and The Games Machine argue that the game feels unoriginal, relying too heavily on borrowed ideas from Dark Souls and Metroidvania. Additionally, Push Square and Impulsegamer mention that while combat is rewarding, it can feel contrived or repetitive, and PCWorld highlights the tedium of retraversal in later stages. These critiques reveal a game that struggles to fully integrate its influences into a cohesive whole. Despite mixed reactions, the overall consensus among critics leans toward appreciation for Fallen Order’s ambition and core mechanics, even if it falls short of perfection. IGN and Game Informer praise its dynamic gameplay and exploration, while Forbes and Giant Bomb acknowledge its deep combat systems and skill progression. However, the game’s reliance on genre tropes and technical shortcomings—such as those noted by VG247 and Critical Hit—create a polarizing experience. While fans of Souls-like challenges or Metroidvania exploration may find it rewarding, others, like Screen Rant and MGG, feel it lacks originality and polish. Ultimately, the game is seen as a solid entry in the action-adventure space but one that struggles to transcend its inspirations.

The graphics and visual design of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order are widely praised for their atmospheric environments, artistic direction, and immersive world-building. Critics consistently highlight the game’s ability to capture the essence of the Star Wars universe through diverse planetary landscapes, such as the lush jungles of Kashyyyk or the desolate ruins of Dathomir (Cubed3, Cubed3). The use of Unreal Engine 4 is noted for creating vivid, cinematic settings with stunning skyboxes and dynamic lighting, as praised by VGC and XGN. Many reviewers, including GameSpot and TheGamer, commend the game’s attention to detail in environments, which evoke a sense of wonder and scale reminiscent of the Star Wars films. The visual design also receives acclaim for its distinct biomes and unique artistic choices, with Slant Magazine highlighting the "beautifully rendered Empire-occupied alien planetscapes" and GameCrate praising the "top-notch" planet designs that encourage exploration. However, technical inconsistencies and graphical shortcomings are frequently cited as drawbacks. Multiple critics, such as IGN Italia and Stevivor, point to performance issues like slowdowns, stuttering, and texture pop-ins, which detract from immersion. Gameblog.fr criticizes the "cartoonish" character expressions and unnatural animations, while PC Gamer notes poor collision detection and visual glitches. The design of certain characters, particularly Wookiees, is singled out as lacking polish by IGN and IGN Japan. Additionally, Jeuxvideo.com and Digital Chumps mention frame rate drops and occasional technical hiccups that disrupt the experience. While some reviewers, like Trusted Reviews, acknowledge "stunning landscapes," they also note uneven character model quality, with some appearing overly cartoony. These issues suggest that while the game’s visuals are ambitious, they occasionally fall short of AAA standards. Overall, the critical reception leans toward appreciation for the game’s artistic vision and Star Wars authenticity, despite technical flaws. Many reviewers, including Press Start Australia and The Sydney Morning Herald, argue that the visual design effectively captures the franchise’s spirit, with GameSpace noting the "breathtaking" environments that make players feel like part of a Star Wars adventure. While critics like IGN Italia and Jeuxvideo.com acknowledge inconsistencies, they also recognize the game’s strengths in world-building and atmospheric storytelling. The consensus is that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order succeeds as a visually compelling experience, even if its technical execution occasionally falters—making it a standout title for fans of the franchise despite its imperfections.

The majority of critics praised the sound design and music of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order as a standout element that authentically captures the essence of the Star Wars universe. Many highlighted the immersive orchestral score, which blends original compositions with nods to iconic themes from the franchise. For instance, IGN (PS4) noted the "authentic" sound design enhancing the experience, particularly during lightsaber combat, while Eurogamer Italy and Impulsegamer lauded the exceptional audio effects and John Williams-style orchestration. The game’s use of familiar Star Wars sounds—such as the hum of lightsabers, blaster shots, and atmospheric textures—was frequently commended for creating a deeply immersive experience. Critics like GameSpew (XBOX ONE) and Digital Chumps emphasized how the music and sound effects "contribute positively to the atmosphere," with some, like RPG Site, praising the "quintessential Star Wars" soundtrack that feels both nostalgic and original. The game’s ability to balance new compositions with recognizable motifs from the saga was a recurring highlight, reinforcing its appeal to fans. While most reviews were overwhelmingly positive, a smaller number of critics pointed out minor flaws. DualShockers (PS4) criticized the sound design for glitches, including "out-of-sync dialogue" and moments of missing background music, which they felt detracted from the experience. Forbes (XBOX ONE) and GRYOnline.pl (PS4) noted that the music was "forgettable" or "too subtle," lacking the iconic themes fans might expect. Gameblog.fr (PS4) acknowledged the music as "not among the best in the Star Wars saga," though they praised the French voice acting. Additionally, some critics, like MondoXbox, mentioned the original score’s lack of direct references to classic themes, while BaziCenter noted the absence of the main film theme. These critiques were relatively rare compared to the widespread acclaim, often framed as minor shortcomings rather than major issues. Overall, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with the sound design and music widely regarded as a strong pillar of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. The authentic integration of Star Wars lore through sound effects, orchestral scores, and atmospheric elements resonated strongly, as noted by outlets like Eurogamer Italy, IGN, and GameGrin. While a few critics pointed to specific flaws—such as occasional glitches or a lack of iconic melodies—the majority emphasized that the audio design elevated the game’s immersion and emotional impact. The balance between original compositions and homage to the franchise’s legacy, coupled with technical execution like impactful lightsaber effects and immersive combat sounds, solidified the soundtrack as a key strength. As noted by multiple reviewers, including Xbox Tavern and RPG Site, the game’s audio experience effectively captures the spirit of Star Wars, making it a memorable aspect of the overall package.

The voice acting in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order receives largely positive acclaim, particularly for its emotional depth and character development. Critics highlight Cameron Monaghan’s performance as Cal Kestis as a standout, with many praising his subtlety and relatability, though some note it lacks the same intensity as other characters (e.g., IGN and GameCritics). Debra Wilson’s portrayal of Cere Junda is consistently praised for its emotional resonance, with IGN and Digital Trends highlighting her performance as a key strength. Elizabeth Grullon’s Second Sister and BD-1’s charm also receive acclaim, with VideoGamer and GameSpew noting their impactful contributions. The supporting cast, including Greez Dritus and the Stinger Mantis crew, is frequently lauded for adding layers to the narrative, while GameStar and RPG Site commend the overall vocal work for enhancing immersion and storytelling. However, several critics point out notable shortcomings, particularly with Cal Kestis’s voice acting. IGN Spain criticizes Monaghan’s performance as "flat and uninteresting," overshadowed by BD-1’s charisma, while PCWorld and GameCritics describe his portrayal as "wooden" or lacking personality. Some reviews mention inconsistencies in accents or delivery, such as GameCritics noting an actor failing to maintain their accent, which detracts from immersion. Additionally, IGN Spain advises avoiding the Spanish voice acting altogether, and Multiplayer.it suggests the original version offers a more heartfelt experience than its Italian counterpart. These critiques highlight a recurring issue with Cal’s character development, though they are often balanced by praise for other roles. Overall, the consensus leans positive, with most critics agreeing that the voice acting elevates the game’s narrative and emotional stakes. While Cal Kestis’s performance is occasionally criticized for being underwhelming, the supporting cast—including Cere, the Second Sister, and BD-1—receives widespread acclaim for their depth and impact. IGN, GameCritics, and Giant Bomb emphasize that the voice acting contributes significantly to character engagement, with many noting its role in making the Star Wars universe feel more alive. Despite mixed reactions to Monaghan’s performance, the majority of reviewers view the vocal work as a strong asset, particularly for secondary characters, ensuring the game’s storytelling remains compelling despite occasional flaws.

The technical performance of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order varies across platforms, with some positives noted despite widespread issues. On PS4, critics like SpazioGames and TrueGaming acknowledged that while there were "loading delays" and "texture loading problems," the game "performs well overall." For Xbox One, MondoXbox praised its "solid performance" with adjustable graphics and frame rate options, while SomosXbox highlighted stable frame rates and minimal loading times. On PC, XGN noted the game was "well-optimized" with no crashes or bugs on their system, and PC Games mentioned "minimal loading screens" despite some frame drops. The PS5 version received strong praise, with PlayStation Universe and Push Square highlighting improved load times, a "locked 60fps," and smoother gameplay compared to older consoles. These positives suggest that the game’s technical issues were more pronounced on earlier hardware, while newer platforms handled it better. However, the negatives for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order are widespread, particularly on PS4 and Xbox One. Multiple critics, including Giant Bomb, TheGamer, and GameCritics, criticized "significant technical issues" like stuttering, frame rate drops, crashes, and long load times. For example, TheGamer described "debilitating performance issues" on the PS4, while BaziCenter and Cheat Code Central noted "frame drops" and "janky" gameplay on Xbox One. On PC, GameCritics and IGN reported "frequent framerate drops" and "stuttering," though some reviewers like PC Games acknowledged these were "minor." The PS5 version, while praised for its polish, still had minor issues like "texture pop-in" (as noted by Windows Central) and occasional stuttering in combat (Wccftech). These problems indicate that the game’s technical foundation was inconsistent across platforms, with older hardware bearing the brunt of the flaws. Overall, critics generally agreed that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order suffered from a lack of polish on PS4 and Xbox One, with repeated complaints about performance instability. However, the PS5 version showed significant improvements, offering smoother gameplay and better optimization. On PC, while some reviewers faced issues like "juddering" (PCGamesN) or "stuttering during area loads" (Wccftech), others found it "well-optimized" (XGN). The consensus was that the game’s technical shortcomings were more severe on older platforms, but the core experience remained enjoyable despite these flaws. As noted by VG247 and IGN, while the game required patches to address issues, its "confidence and focus" made it a worthwhile purchase for fans of the franchise.

The critics generally acknowledge that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order offers several positive aspects that contribute to its replay value. Many praise the game’s emphasis on exploration and backtracking, with players able to revisit areas with new abilities to uncover hidden secrets or upgrades. For instance, Destructoid highlights that “backtracking can feel like work, but going back to old areas with new skills is satisfying,” while Xbox Achievements notes the Metroidvania-inspired structure encourages revisiting locations. Additionally, the game’s collectibles—such as lightsaber customization options and cosmetic upgrades—are seen as incentives for completionists. Critics like GamesRadar+ and Push Square emphasize that the ability to unlock new areas and discover lore through exploration enhances replayability, with some noting that the “Metroidvania elements” and “open-ended structure” make revisiting worlds appealing. The game’s difficulty scaling and optional content also add layers for players seeking varied experiences, as mentioned by GamesBeat and Forbes. However, several critics point to significant drawbacks that limit the game’s replay value. A recurring complaint is the lack of meaningful rewards for exploration, with many noting that collectibles often feel cosmetic or trivial. Vandal and PC Invasion argue that the absence of engaging incentives makes exploration “tedious,” while IGN Japan criticizes the inability to revisit the final boss or re-play chapters, diminishing the experience. Others, like TheGamer and GameSpew, highlight that the customization system is underdeveloped, offering no substantial perks for progression, which reduces motivation to replay. Additionally, the game’s linear narrative and repetitive enemy encounters—mentioned by Twinfinite and Stevivor—can make revisiting areas feel unfulfilling. Critics like TrueAchievements and LaPS4 also note that while exploration is encouraged, the short main story length and lack of branching paths limit long-term appeal, with some suggesting that “the primary rewards are cosmetic” or that “backtracking can be cumbersome.” Overall, the critics present a mixed consensus on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s replay value. While many praise its exploration mechanics, backtracking opportunities, and collectible-driven incentives for completionists (as noted by Xbox Achievements, GamesRadar+, and Destructoid), others argue that these elements are undermined by a lack of substantial rewards, repetitive design, and limited post-story content. The game’s replayability is often framed as “conditional,” appealing more to fans of the genre or those invested in uncovering every secret, but less so for players seeking deep, varied experiences. Critics like IGN Spain and Games.cz acknowledge that the Metroidvania structure and hidden content encourage revisiting areas, yet the overall sentiment leans toward a moderate assessment: while there is replay value, it is not as robust or impactful as some might hope. The balance between exploration-driven engagement and structural limitations leaves the game’s replayability as a nuanced, polarizing aspect of its design.