This article is part of a directory: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - Complete Guide
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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor comes hot off the heels (as quickly as game development allows) of its predecessor, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Set years after the conclusion of that game, we once again join Cal Kestis as he ventures throughout the galaxy as one of the last few Jedi.

Related: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - Beginner Tips

Respawn Entertainment set out to make this sequel way more expansive than the first game, with lofty goals for graphical and gameplay improvement. As such, there are tons of differences between the two games, despite them being set in the same world. There have been so many little adjustments that this list doesn’t even cover everything, but let’s break down the biggest changes.

10 New, Bigger Worlds To Explore

An aerial view of Koboh's landscape, with the outpost hub in the distance

Jedi: Survivor, much like the first game, has six planets you can visit. That said, the entirely new lineup of planets has much bigger maps than before and offers various paths within. There’s a lot more space to explore in more ways than one. You’ll see vast landscapes that cover much more ground in hub planets like Koboh, so you can easily toil away hours simply by getting through the nooks and crannies before you even get to the other, smaller planets.

Although Fallen Order also did a good job making each location feel lived in, the new title makes improvements like adding stores you can trade with to inject life and interaction. This makes the different sectors and their inhabitants feel more open despite not being a fully open world.

9 Easier Traversal

Cal and BD-1 fly through the forest array by holding onto the legs of a Relter

Survivor introduces many new elements that change the way you traverse maps. It also improves on existing mechanics that were already present in Fallen Order. Some of the simplest yet most notable adjustments include faster looting and slicing with BD-1 and no longer having to hold down a button to latch onto things. Cal will automatically reach for walls and ledges you jump towards, leaving a button or key free exclusively for Force abilities.

New exploration mechanics include the introduction of mounts, an “ascension cable” (yes, it’s a grappling hook), and a wall jump. This gives you faster and more efficient methods of getting around while also making puzzles a little more interesting.

8 Actual Side Quests

Cal speaks to Toa in the forest by a campfire, with BD-1 on his shoulder

Fallen Order didn’t really have any side quests for you to go on. Although you could go around looking for collectibles, lore, and secrets, there was really no major reason to revisit planets once you covered the main objectives found on each one.

Related: Side Quests That Could Have Been Full Games

Survivor changes that up by introducing the rumor system. Instead of just hearing Cere or Greez make a comment about where to go next on the holotable, you can now come across all manner of individuals that require the help of a charitable Jedi with some time on their hands. These rumors are genuinely interesting to explore, with some giving interesting rewards and new characters to recruit. Force echoes and collectibles still exist here, so you simply have more compelling reasons to explore.

7 Companions

Bode jumps in the air using his jetpack and shoots stormtroopers

People going with you to do stuff instead of just hanging out by the ship? Wonders will never cease. The sequel now lets you bring companions along for certain parts of your adventure. Their AI will automatically help you when hostiles approach and there are sections where they will be necessary to get across. You can also command them to target specific enemies.

That said, it’s worth noting that companions beyond BD-1 don’t play as big a role as the introductory Coruscant sequence would imply. Aside from select missions in the main quest, you’ll largely take on the world alone while Bode and Merrin hang back to do their own thing. It’s still a distinct addition, but don’t expect to have a sidekick by your side all the way through.

6 Complex Skill Trees

The skill tree menu in Star Wars Jedi Survivor

Fallen Order had one big skill tree that you needed to expand, though it did branch off to survival, combat, and force abilities. Survivor expands on this by not only completely altering the appearance of your skill tree menu (in a pretty fascinating way) but also adding sub-categories for each branch.

There are specific Lightsaber trees for every stance you unlock, and Force skills are divided into Jedi Concentration, Telekinesis, and Confusion. Survival maintains its own tree with Resilience. You can also reset your skill points if you want to remap your build.

5 Fast Travel

Cal stands on a glowing meditation point in a cave while wielding his lightsaber

It’s always a great time saver when a game has a useful and creative fast travel function, and Survivor hops on that train with ease. Meditation points from the first game are retained, but they no longer exist exclusively for skill upgrades, healing, and saving. Whenever you discover a meditation point, it then becomes accessible as a fast travel point. You can teleport to and from any unlocked point at any time.

These points also introduce training, so you can try out your new skills without having to get out there and look for enemies. Ah, the wonders of meditation.

4 Stances And Perks

Cal holds his his left hand out while in a double-bladed stance

Star Wars Jedi Survivor has a revamped combat system that goes beyond remapping certain skills and attacks. Now, Cal can change up his fighting style and build by making use of Stances and Perks.

Related: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor - Combat Tips

You can unlock these along the way, whether you only do the main storyline or decide to get unlockables from side quests. Perks are exactly what they sound like, allowing you to equip certain boons that improve your strength, defense, or other aspects that improve your power.

Meanwhile, Stances expand on Cal’s ability to wield his lightsaber in different ways. Every stance has its own power, range, speed, and defense, so it can greatly alter the way you play. Now, you can alternate between two different stances that include single, double-bladed, dual wield, crossguard, or blaster.

3 Overhauled Customization

BD-1 stands on a workbench with new parts and paint

As there is way more to do in the sequel, you also get more options by way of customization. For starters, you get to get Cal some great Jedi drip exactly the way you prefer from his outfit all the way to his hair and beard. There is much more clothing and style here, so gone are the days of the poncho. You can still get the OG Fallen Order look if you’re missing it, though.

While you could change the Mantis' paint job in Fallen Order, that feature has unfortunately been nixed in the new game. The good news is that lightsaber and BD-1 customization has gotten more in-depth, with various choices for components and materials.

For your lightsaber, you start out with nine color options for your blade, and you can still swap out the design of every part. BD-1 goes beyond pre-selected palettes, with new colorways available and completely different models you can install for his head, photoreceptors, audio sensors, body, and legs. You also get to determine the visual condition of both your favorite droid and your trusty saber, whether you want them to look pristine or ancient.

2 Force Usage

Cal kneels before an essence crystal to upgrade his force, BD-1 watches nearby

It makes sense that Cal would have a greater understanding and control of the force as the Jedi Survivor is set years after Fallen Order. There are a few quality-of-life changes that enhance how he uses existing Force abilities carried over from the previous title, but what stands out are his new skills.

Cal can now manipulate enemies, confuse big creatures, and tame animals. Even puzzles and the crystals you need to increase your Force have changed up. Finally, a noticeable difference is how Cal uses his Slow ability. Instead of being a basic move that you can use as often as Push and Pull, this has become a special ability that requires a cooldown after use.

1 Violence

Cal slices through a stormtrooper's armor by throwing his lightsaber forward in a spin

There’s no going around it. When you’re a survivor, a Jedi survivor even, you got to do what you got to do. The sequel is noticeably more violent than the previous one, letting you slice and dice everything in your path.

It makes sense considering how devastating a blow from a lightsaber is supposed to be. Given their conveniently lore-explained nature, there is still no blood when you expunge raiders, stormtroopers, or creatures. That said, you will definitely be seeing more limbs flying and an increase in decapitations. Given the new title's darker nature compared to its predecessor, it makes sense that its combat would be reflective of that shift.

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