Summary
Thelightsaberis the weapon of the Jedi and the Sith seen in theStar Warsuniverse and has been one of the most iconic props in cinematic history thanks to its memorable sounds and visuals. As a result, fans are always excited to wield a lightsaber in the manyStar Warsvideo games that have been released over the decades.
With a weapon as famous as the lightsaber, it can be portrayed in many styles due to the diverse video game genres available, from Soulslike action-adventure games to hack-and-slash titles. Each game allows developers to showcase their love for the sci-fi fantasy universe, whether they are creating their own original characters or bringing the movies to life in digital form.
For a long time, some ofthe bestStar Warsgameswere found exclusively in arcades.Star Wars Trilogy Arcadewas the ideal way to make players truly feel like they were wielding a lightsaber. Thanks to the advanced joystick controls of its time, playing as a starfighter, a trooper, and a Jedi was immersive and unlike any otherStar Warsgame.
When playing Luke Skywalker’s levels,Star Wars Trilogy Arcadeused the joystick to replicate the feeling of holding a lightsaber hilt, forcing players to match the quick-time events on the screen. From Jabba’s yacht to the battle against Darth Vader on the second Death Star, it provided the closest experience to a VR lightsaber game.
Traveller’s Tales had already spent decades honing their craft with manyLEGOgames, especiallyStar Warsones, and it culminated withLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which adapted the nine films into one gamewith all their respective planetsand stories. As a result, nearly every Jedi and Sith seen in those films, plus some extras based on spin-off projects, are available for all ages to enjoy.
The developers could have made them all play the same way and called it a day, but Traveller’s Tales went above and beyond. While the gameplay is not complex, the attention to detail is commendable; a character like Darth Maul features a more acrobatic style, for example. At the same time, Jedi like Qui-Gon and Luke have unique stances, animations, and abilities seen in the films.
BioWare crafted a memorableStar Warsexperience inStar Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic, with a story that took place many millennia before the events ofThe Phantom Menace. It exploredthe complexities of the Jediand the Sith and allowed players to see planets familiar and new during a time when both factions were plentiful and at war.
WhileKnights Of The Old Republicis considered a classic, the combat system that heavily embraced its RPG aspects is often a divisive subject. It was akin toDungeons & Dragons, with saving throws, rolling D20s, and real-time turn-based mechanics, which fans of games likeBaldur’s Gate 3might enjoy, but players who prefer direct control often struggle with it at first.
The originalDark Forces 2: Jedi Knightwas the first game to give fans a first-person shooter with lightsaber gameplay, and its sequel,Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast, took it even further. Kyle Katarn can swap betweena classic E-11 blaster rifleand his trusty lightsaber, allowing him to fight Imperial Remnants as well as Sith acolytes.
On top of being one of the firstStar Warsgames to feature dismemberment, the lightsaber combat can be difficult inJedi Outcast, especially when facing off against the villain Desann and his acolytes. Fights can last a long time, but they are action-packed and add to what is already a difficult first-person shooter for its time.
With each update that EA and DICE made toStar Wars Battlefront 2, not only did the standard shooter gameplay improve, but fans also gainedaccess to more iconic charactersfrom across the eras. From heroes to villains to anti-heroes, each character comes with their signature weapons and abilities that provide various advantages on the battlefield.
The Jedi and Sith characters all play differently from each other, from Kylo Ren being more of a heavy hitter to Count Dooku being nimble and relying on DPS. As a result, the Heroes vs. Villains mode turns into the closest thing to a Hero Shooter forStar Warsfans, with the different special abilities forcing players to think strategically to overpower certain characters while completing objectives.
Mixing horror, adventure, and action together,Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Serieshelps gamers explorethe character of Darth Vaderfrom the eyes of someone trapped in his fortress. The protagonist happens to be Force-sensitive, which results in a virtual reality experience exploring Vader’s castle, unlocking a connection with the Force, and acquiring a lightsaber.
Vader Immortalpresents satisfying VR gameplay, with the lightsaber completely under the player’s control. When the player swings their lightsaber, it reacts accordingly, with proper sounds and visuals, which makes encounters with Vader and the various enemies feel more intense and authentic. Additionally, players can have fun in the Lightsaber Dojo, fighting off waves of enemies.
In the late 2000s, many games attempted to replicate the classicGod of Wargames of that time, andStar Warswas no different, featuringa Sith-turned-Jedi named Starkiller. With that concept,Star Wars: The Force Unleashedallowed gamers to have a taste of both sides of the Force, thanks to the addition of abilities like Force Lightning and Force Choke.
With his lightsaber, Starkiller becomes a pure power fantasy character, able to casually take out multiple Jedi characters, using his lightsaber just like how Kratos uses his Blades of Chaos. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Stormtrooper, a droid, a Rebel, or a Rancor, Starkiller can hack his way through them, which results in an over-the-top but memorableStar Warsexperience.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2is often criticized for its rushed production, which caused the game’s story to be so short that most players can beat it in a few hours. This was a shame, because the game’s leap in visuals was praised alongside what was considered even better gameplay for Starkiller.
Instead of one lightsaber, Starkiller wields two, further embracing theGod Of War-esque hack-and-slash gameplay with even wilder combos to use, especially when infused with lightning and Force Push abilities. Like in the previous game,Starkiller’s lightsabers can also change colors, but any colors can be mixed or matched, allowing for many combinations of buffs in battle.
The easiest way to describeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderis if a Metroidvania game fused with a Soulslike game and alittle bit of theTomb Raidergamesto create a modernStar Warsclassic. While not as heavy on bosses as most Soulslike games, it maintains the same gameplay style, with difficult fights that test patience and hand-eye coordination, maze-like levels with clever shortcuts, and optimally-placed save points.
The protagonist, Cal Kestis, can swap between single, dual, and double-bladed lightsabers, with each having their pros and cons against different enemy types. It not only allows for experimentation but also diversity in how a Jedi-centric game is played, especially since Cal is not a godlike being. Swinging a lightsaber feels more akin to the movies, with slower but more satisfying combat.
As any good sequel should,Star Wars Jedi: Survivorfeatures many improvements over its predecessor, such as more worthwhile character customization, a darker yet more epic storyline, open worlds to explore, and more lightsabers to wield. Cal Kestis has evolved as a Jedi after five years, and now he has access to five lightsaber types to use in battle.
WhereFallen Orderhad limited customization for Cal’s combat,having five drastically different stancesinStar Wars Jedi: Survivorallows players to feel like they can pick any class of Jedi to control. With the difficulty being even higher than before,Star Wars Jedi: Survivorfeels even more like a Soulslike, all while maintaining the exploration andStar Warsstorytelling that made the first game iconic.
