Jedi Fallen Order Game Overview

Almost everyone likes Jedi Fallen Order. It has a 94% approval rating, which is pretty near perfect. I completely agree. Fallen Order brings an intriguing storyline, exciting enemies, and brain-building (or controller-smashing) puzzles to solve.

I’ve played Jedi Fallen Order all the way through. I’ve finished the story, collected all the collectibles, and now I’m waiting with anticipation for the sequel, Survivor. It’s scheduled for release next year and looks to intertwine nicely with the events of Obi-Wan Kenobi. We’ll see.

I always thought a Jedi Fallen Order game overview would be helpful. If you’re considering getting the game or want to know a little more about it, this article is for you.

Let’s get started. 

Overview

Jedi Fallen Order is an action-adventure video game set in the Star Wars universe. You play as Cal Kestis, a young Jedi whose wise master, Jaro Tapal, was killed defending him from the clones during Order 66. He was a young boy back then, but now he’s a scared teenager hiding in the scrapper world of Bracca.

Throughout the narrative, Cal is forced to flee, witnessing immense suffering and chaos at the hands of the Empire’s Inquisitors. He meets a ragtag crew and becomes friendly with a small droid, BD-1. He’s persuaded to help find a Jedi Holocron containing a list of Force-sensitive children before the Empire can get their hands on it. It’s hidden in a vault designed by an ancient civilization, the Zeffo. Cal must go from world to world, learning Zeffo’s secrets so he can access the vault and save the children.

Eventually, he’ll remember the wisdom his master imparted to him and use it to help reignite hope in the galaxy.

What Happens in Jedi: Fallen Order?

Bracca
Image from star wars jedi fallen order fandom

In short, you start out on Bracca, free-running across obstacles and learning how to climb. You get a glimpse of Kestis’s friendship with Prauf, an older gentleman who’s all the family the outcast Jedi has. After Prauf falls, Cal uses the Force to catch him. This leads to two Inquisitors – the Second and Ninth Sisters – coming to Bracca in search of him.

When Prauf speaks out against the Empire, the Second Sister kills him, and Cal flees. He’s forced to fight her before Cere Junda, an ex-Jedi-turned-mercenary, and Greez Dritus, pilot of the Stinger Mantis.

Cere takes him to Bogano, where there’s an ancient vault designed by the Zeffo. She wants him to gain access, where they can take a Holocron containing a list of Force-sensitive children. Along the way, Kestis meets BD-1. The small droid once belonged to Jedi Master Eno Cordova, the Jedi who hid the Holocron.

Unable to access the vault, Cal embarks on a galaxy-wide hunt for information. He and the crew head to Zeffo, Kashyyyk, Dathomir, and Ilum, finding more details about the Zeffo and reconnecting and developing in the Force.

Eventually, armed with enough understanding to get into the vault, Cal heads back to Bogano to get the Holocron. But someone else wants it too…

What is the best way to provide the galaxy with the hope it needs in desperate situations? Protect the children from the Empire by hiding the information away? Or destroying it, preventing it from ever falling into the wrong hands. Good question, and one I’ll leave you to find out.

Jedi: Fallen Order – Main Characters

In Jedi: Fallen Order, there are a few key characters you should know about. Of course, this list doesn’t include everyone you’ll meet.

Cal Kestis

Cal Kestis

Cal was a young Jedi Padawan when Order 66 was given. His master, Jaro Tapal, was killed defending him. Cal carried the guilt of his master’s death with him for the next five years. He refrained from using the Force to protect himself, but when he had no choice, he saved his friend from falling. Because of this, he set into motion a chain of events that would lead to his emergence as a major player on the galactic scene. He’s young, reckless, and scared but develops into a composed figure, well-befitting a Jedi Knight.

Jaro Tapal

Jaro Tapal

Jaro was Cal’s Jedi Master. He was a Lasat, like Zeb from Rebels. He’s known as being on good terms with Master Yoda, giving the impression that he’s one of the more free-thinking Jedi (unlike the Council). Tapal is only met through flashbacks and visions, but the importance of his relationship with Cal cannot be overstated.

Cere Junda

Cere Junda

Cere was a Jedi. However, under torture, she caved and gave away her Padawan. She then fled and cut herself off from the Force, feeling herself falling to the Dark Side. Now, she’s a mercenary and, although wholly detached from the Force, is still trying to fight for the Light and to right the wrong she did.

Greez Dritus

Greez Dritus

Greez is the Latero pilot of the Stinger Mantis. He’s an accomplished pilot and often gets them through tight squeezes. Greez doesn’t have too much impact on the story other than to be grumpy and take Cal places. Ultimately, we see his softer side and learn of his inner goodness.

Eno Cordova

Eno Cordova

Master Cordova is another character you never technically meet. He’s a Jedi who placed a Holocron containing a list of Force-sensitive children in a Zeffo vault on Bogano. It was given to him by Jocasta Nu, the Jedi librarian, for protection, hidden to preserve the future of the Jedi Order. The entire story is about Cal and Cere gaining access to that list of names. Cordova is assumed to have died by the time Fallen Order starts (14 BBY) – but who knows?

Nightsister Merrin

Nightsister Merrin
Image from starwars fandom

Merrin is one of the last surviving Nightsisters. She blames the Jedi for their destruction during the Clone Wars. Although she initially tries to kill Cal, they become allies and friends.

Key moments in Jedi: Fallen Order

Here are a few of the most significant moments in Jedi: Fallen Order. I’ve chosen to go through them in “chronological” (ish) order.

  • 19 BBY – Padawan Cal Kestis trains under Jaro Tapal and banters with his clone trooper friends.
  • 19 BBY – Order 66 is issued by Palpatine. The clones turn on Cal and Jaro. Master Tapal dies defending his Padawan from them, and Cal escapes to Bracca, the scrapper world.
  • 14 BBY – for the next five years, Cal hides on Bracca. He disconnects from the Force so the Empire’s Inquisitors can’t hunt him down.
  • 14 BBY – when his friend Prauf slips and falls towards his inevitable death, Cal uses the Force to save him. This draws Inquisitors to Bracca to hunt him down. Prauf is killed after standing up to the Empire, and Cal flees. He’s almost killed by the Second Sister but is rescued by Cere Junda and Greez Dritus at the last moment.
  • 14 BBY – Cere, an ex-Jedi, takes Cal to Bogano on the Stinger Mantis, Greez’s ship. She wants to use him to access the Zeffo vault. Here a now-dead Jedi, Eno Cordova, has hidden a Holocron containing a list of names of Force-sensitive children. Cal can’t get in, but he does meet BD-1, a small and chirpy droid that once belonged to Cordova.
  • 14 BBY – Cal and his new friends head to Zeffo, the homeworld of an ancient and advanced civilization. He finds an ancient temple, and clues here point him to Chieftain Tarfful on Kashyyyk, Cordova’s friend.
  • 14 BBY – he heads to Kashyyyk but can’t find Tarfful. Instead, he meets Saw Gerrera, the infamous rebel, and helps him free some Wookiees. Looking for more clues, he returns to Zeffo, where the Second Sister ambushes him. She reveals herself to be Trilla Suduri, Junda’s ex-Padawan. Cere betrayed her under torture, and the resultant hatred has made her strong with the Dark Side.
  • 14 BBY – Cal discovers he needs the Astrium – a Zeffo artifact – to access the vault. He’s then captured and forced to fight in an arena. Greez and Junda rescue him again before they head back to Kashyyyk. Here, he does find Tarfful, who tells him to look for a clue at the top of the Origin Tree. Kestis finds a recording of Cordova telling him to look for the Astrium on Dathomir. Shortly after, the Ninth Sister attacks him. He defeats and kills her.
  • 14 BBY – on Dathomir, Cal meets Merrin, a Nightsister who blames the Jedi for their part in the Clone Wars and the subsequent massacre of her people. He also runs into Taron Malicos, a Jedi who crashed on the planet during Order 66. Since then, he’s been driven insane and fallen to the Dark Side. Cal resists his approaches and Merrin’s deadly attacks with armies of revenant Nightsisters. Cal’s lightsaber crystal is also destroyed.
  • 14 BBY – the crew of the Stinger Mantis head to Ilum, the planet where Jedi build their lightsabers. Cal finds a new crystal and reforges his blade. He returns to Dathomir, retrieves the Astrium, and defeats Malicos with Merrin’s unexpected (but very welcome) assistance. She then joins him, Cere, and Greez.
  • 14 BBY – the Stinger Mantis then returns to Bogano, and Cal uses the Astrium to unlock the Zeffo vault. He retrieves the Holocron but receives a vision of falling to the Dark Side while the Empire attacks the children (whose names are hidden in the Holocron). The Second Sister then steals the Holocron. Cere reaffirms her connection to the Force and knights Cal. She knows where her old Padawan is going and takes the crew to Fortress Inquisitorius.
  • 14 BBY – Cal defeats the Second Sister and retrieves the Holocron. Cere makes peace with her old Padawan, with Trilla momentarily turning back to the Light before Vader appears and kills her. He toys with Kestis and Junda, who only just manage to escape. They’re saved from drowning by Merrin. Cal destroys the Holocron to protect the children and leave them safe from the Empire, able to forge their own destinies.

And that sets up the sequel nicely!

Essential Quotes from Jedi: Fallen Order

Jaro Tapal to a young Cal Kestis –

The obstacles in your path define the path. What stands in the way becomes the way.

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. There’s nothing like a wise and somewhat intimidating Jedi to learn from. This quote, from Jedi Master Jaro Tapal, while Cal is learning to use the Force, defines the game’s plot. Cal is stuck in the past and scared to move forward. He feels the obstacles in his way – the Empire, the Inquisitors, the loneliness, etc. – are too great for him.

In this context, Jaro’s words mean that the Empire and the loneliness do not stop Cal from progressing with what he needs to do. In fact, they’ll shape him into who he needs to be. Clever and these words have a genuine, real-life application, too.

Merrin to Cal Kestis –

I’m finished waiting. I wish to fight by your side. Nightsisters and Jedi do not travel together. But survivors, we adapt.

This is a really crucial moment for both Cal and Merrin. The game is a journey about rising above past failures and using them as strength for the future. Cal and Merrin remained devoted to who they are – a Jedi and a Nightsister. However, they do not need to maintain the distrust for each other that their respective orders showed.

The Jedi did get sucked into the Clone Wars and inadvertently caused the slaughter of the Nightsisters. The Nightsisters, in turn, always supported evil. Merrin and Cal, though, are forging their own path. They aren’t tied to the past. As Merrin says in this quote, “survivors… adapt”.

Cal even tells Merrin beforehand that a lightsaber isn’t what makes a Jedi, but rather being a peacekeeper. That is something the Order lost during the Clone Wars, but it shows that he wants to get back to the original meaning of being a Jedi. Again, past failures don’t define his future.

Cal Kestis to Cere Junda –

Our mistakes are in the past. And it’s all of our responsibility, and it’s about what we do next that’s important.

When Cere struggles to come to terms with Trilla’s theft of the Holocron, she feels responsible for the pain that is to be inflicted on the children. Cal, though, has learned what failure means by now. Cere, in fact, has been a big part of teaching him that. In essence, he’s saying, “Yes, you did fail. But that failure doesn’t define you and doesn’t mean we should do nothing. Come on, let’s go and fix it.”

Cere Junda to Cal Kestis – 

By the right of the Council, by the will of the Force. Cal Kestis. Rise, Jedi Knight.

You might find it odd to realize that the actual knighting process has only been seen once on-screen (in current Star Wars canon). That’s Ezra Bridger in Rebels. As such, it’s interesting to see what actually happens. Well, according to Cere, at least.

Trilla Suduri to Cere Junda –

Trilla Suduri to Cere Junda
Image from Star Wars Fandom

Avenge us. 

The last words of the Second Sister, aka Cere Junda’s old Padawan, are – in my opinion – the most gut-wrenching of the entire game. Her words acknowledge her defeat and Vader’s overwhelming power. That they come on the cusp of her redemption to the Light is a punch to the stomach, and it’s difficult to take. Of course, that makes it a brilliant storytelling move.

Jedi: Fallen Order collectibles

Throughout Fallen Order, there are several collectibles to get your Force-wielding hands on. These include:

  • 113 Force echoes
  • 107 chests
  • 45 things for BD-1 to scan
  • 32 secrets
  • 19 encrypted logs
  • 10 terrarium seeds
  • 8 stim chests

All in all, that makes for 256 collectibles.

Some are easy to find – others aren’t. I’m still trying to find one or two things.

For quite a few of these objects, you’ll need to play through the game to a certain extent before you can unlock them. For example, you need to be able to wall-run and use the Force to get across the many canyons and endless drops. You also need to unlock BD-1’s Scomp link fixed. Find this on Zeffo after you’ve completed the first temple exploration mission there.

The Force echoes and encrypted logs add to the story of the planet you’re on. It’s all background information about what went on before you got there. Some of them are carefully put together and make you feel for the characters in question – even if you have never met them. Echoes also give you a significant chunk of XP and health or Force meter boosts.

BD-1 scans and terrarium seeds add to your knowledge databank about each planet’s environment. Okay, terrarium seeds are just visual trophies displayed in the Stinger Mantis. However, the scans are genuinely helpful. Check out the databank to learn (or recall) all your potential enemies’ weak spots.

The chests are your standard cosmetic upgrades. In each chest, you’ll find one of four things: a new lightsaber material, a poncho upgrade for Cal, fresh paint for BD-1, or a respray for the Stinger Mantis. In the same way, the “secrets” are what most games refer to as Easter Eggs.

Finally, the stim chests. Yep, you should definitely take the time to find them. The more stims you have, the easier it is to not die. And that’s always a bonus.

Tips for Playing (and playing well)

Here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way. I should point out that while I enjoy video games, I’m not die-hard amazing at them. I’d say I’m more of a casual gamer. If that’s you too, then this list is for you.

I’ll rank these in order, with the most important thing I learned for progression first.

  1. Check the databases for information about each enemy – you have a wealth of information at your fingertips, provided you’ve already fought each enemy at least once and scanned them using BD-1. Some are more susceptible to attacks – with most, an effective parry spells their doom. Pausing for 10 seconds is well worth it.
  2. Parry and counterattack, rather than mash the attack buttons – the combat system is dialed carefully towards counterattacking combat. While they might have borrowed the engine from Dark Souls, I think there’s a purpose behind this. Cal isn’t a warrior. He’s a young ex-Padawan on the run from the Empire. He will not spend all this time ruthlessly cutting down opponents like Anakin and Obi-Wan. He’s weaker, and thus he will always be more cautious. Remember that in combat. You’ll be exposed to far less injury.
  3. Use the map all the time – I’m always getting lost and stuck on all the planets – even after having played this game for years. You can always find the route to where you’re going – even if it’s much longer than you hoped.
  4. Sit at every meditation spot – there’s little more annoying than dying 30 minutes after you last saved, is there? Trust me, stopping at every meditation spot for five seconds will save you some serious controller-bashing frustration.
  5. Use Force Stasis much more than you think – I always forget about this Force power, but it’s so OP. Using it on the more powerful enemies gives you a free hit, while charging it on a group means certain death for them all. Most importantly, you need to use it for almost all the puzzles. If you need to get to a certain point or ledge but don’t seem to have enough time, Force Stasis is probably the answer.
  6. Force upgrades are the most important – on the upgrade tree, focus on upgrading Cal’s Force powers before the Survival or Lightsaber branches. They make you a much more formidable fighter, and everything becomes easier once you’ve unlocked them. Next, focus on Survival, and then finally, Lightsaber.
  7. Use Force powers to interrupt “red” attacks – when an enemy is highlighted in red, their attack is unblockable. I usually instinctively mash the Dodge button. However, interrupting their move with a quick slash or Force Push is often more valuable. Only do this if you have enough time. That’s another reason it’s better to only counter rather than attack – especially with more powerful enemies.
  8. You can receive stim health boosts while blocking – hold down Block before you ask BD-1 for a stim. If enemies attack you, it’ll cancel the health addition, but you can keep trying until it works. It’s better than waiting to be shot.
  9. Double-bladed lightsaber for multiple blasters, single-bladed for multiple melees – the double-bladed lightsaber makes deflecting blaster bolts much simpler. You can wipe out an entire squad if they all fire simultaneously. However, it’s not so strong in combat, with the single-bladed option doing more damage. Here’s what I’d suggest: equip the double-bladed one as standard. If you get fired on from all directions, tap and hold Block to deal with the ranged troops. If there’s a mix of ranged and melee, use the double-bladed to take out the blaster-wielding enemies first, then switch to the single blade and dispatch whoever’s left.
  10. You can get the double-bladed lightsaber early – this is more of a gimmick than particularly useful. I say that because most gamers don’t know about it and do just fine. However, if it suits you, you could head to Dathomir early (just after your first trip to Bogano) and get yourself the double-bladed saber. It won’t make too much difference, but it’s nice to have the option, should you need it on Zeffo or Kashyyyk.

Rounding up: What do I think of Jedi: Fallen Order?

With everything considered, I really like Fallen Order. It’s probably the best Star Wars game since the original Star Wars Battlefront II. Ah, what a classic. I’m particularly invested in the storyline and how it relates to the overall Star Wars lore. The message is consistent, relatable, and even applicable to real life: failure doesn’t define you or prevent you from moving forward. In fact, it gives you the tools you need to succeed.

I like that. It’s something that The Last Jedi movie went for but struggled to capture satisfyingly. Fallen Order shows it much more straightforwardly, tying into the overall lore we’ve all known and loved superbly.

BD-1 is an excellent companion droid. It doesn’t take anything away from R2 or BB-8 but adds a unique twist to that “droid friend” concept. He’s a bit like an intelligent baby bird crossed with Wall-E. Crucially, BD-1 fits perfectly into the story. He has a scarred and mysterious past and has lost his old friend, Cordova – but once he meets Cal, he moves forward.

Finally, that Darth Vader scene. Some complain that Vader is overused and that, thus, his impact is diminishing. I completely disagree. The Vader from the Original Trilogy was intimidating, but we rarely saw his fighting or Force prowess. Now, we’ve seen his outright power and utterly destructive nature in Rogue OneRebelsObi-Wan Kenobi, and Fallen Order. The massacring tendencies and mercilessness are terrifying and a perfect addition to his character. That last scene is one of my favorites in the whole game.

Do I have any criticisms? A few. I find the “red” attacks quite irritating when they’re sometimes impossible to block. It’s easy to get lost, and I’ve had to refer to gaming walkthroughs many times just to find where to go. And, as one last point, I’m not that interested in finding all the collectibles. I usually am, but they’re too well hidden on this occasion, and I can’t be bothered. I don’t like seeing an incomplete game on my Xbox menu, but I’ve got over it.

These things aside, I’d recommend Fallen Order to anyone – especially for the storyline. It’s available on Xbox One, X, and S, PS4, PS5, Steam, and Stadia. These days, the prices are going down, too. Look for online codes for the best deals or second-hand versions from eBay.

I’ll finish up with an appropriate quote from the end of Cal’s story (for now).

So – where to now?

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How long does it take to finish Jedi: Fallen Order?

Answer: I played Fallen Order on the easiest difficulty, and it still took me about five days to finish the story. I did a bit of collectible hunting along the way, but nothing too intense. I’d estimate it took me between 15 and 20 hours.
I’m still working on discovering all the collectibles, but very half-heartedly. I’d have thought you could double those numbers if you want to find everything. Yeah… they’re well hidden.

Question: What is the main goal for Jedi: Fallen Order?

Answer: The main objective in Fallen Order is to gain access to the Zeffo vault on Bogano. A Jedi Holocron has been hidden here, containing a list of names of Force-sensitive children. Cere and Cal hope these kids can be the future of the Jedi Order and allow them to rebuild.
Cal can’t access the vault straight away. He’s forced to follow Eno Cordova’s (the Jedi who hid it) path and learn about the Zeffo (and life) along the way. Eventually, he’ll discover enough to gain access and retrieve the Holocron.
After the Second Sister steals the Holocron, Cal’s new objective is to retrieve the Holocron. He must then decide whether to destroy it and protect the children or keep it to rebuild the Jedi Order.

Question: How many bosses are in Jedi: Fallen Order?

Answer: I’ve counted 13 bosses across all the worlds and plotlines. Most of these are monsters (or disturbed local wildlife, depending on your point of view!). The only enemy character bosses are:
The Second Sister
The Ninth Sister
Taron Malicos
Darth Vader (but you’ll be running from, not fighting, him!)
The Second Sister is by far the most challenging opponent you’ll come up against. It took me a long time to defeat her.

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