Does Jedi Survivor Carry Over From Fallen Order?
No, Jedi Survivor does not offer a direct save game transfer or carry-over from Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. While the narrative is a direct sequel, charting the continued journey of Cal Kestis, players begin with a fresh character build. You will not retain any abilities, skills, cosmetics, or progress made in the previous game.
Why No Carry-Over? Understanding the Design Choices
Many players were understandably curious about a potential carry-over feature. After investing dozens of hours into Fallen Order, the prospect of retaining Cal’s hard-earned skills and cosmetic items was appealing. However, the developers at Respawn Entertainment opted for a clean slate for several key reasons:
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Narrative Necessity: The five-year gap between Fallen Order and Survivor significantly impacts Cal’s experiences and abilities. While he retains his core connection to the Force, his skills have evolved, and he’s learned new techniques. Starting fresh allows the narrative to explore this evolution more organically.
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Gameplay Refinements and Additions: Jedi Survivor introduces a vast array of new combat stances, traversal mechanics, and Force abilities. Attempting to shoehorn these new elements into an existing skill tree from Fallen Order would have been cumbersome and potentially unbalanced. The game is designed with a specific learning curve in mind, gradually introducing players to these new options.
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Accessibility for New Players: A carry-over system would inadvertently disadvantage new players jumping directly into Jedi Survivor. They would face a character progression gap compared to veterans who had maxed out Cal’s abilities in Fallen Order. A fresh start ensures a level playing field for everyone.
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Technical Considerations: Adapting the save data and game mechanics from Fallen Order, built on an older iteration of Unreal Engine, to Jedi Survivor’s significantly enhanced engine would have presented significant technical challenges and potentially limited the scope of improvements they could make to the sequel.
Thematic Resonance: A New Chapter, A Fresh Start
Beyond the practical considerations, the decision to forgo a carry-over system also aligns with the game’s thematic focus. Jedi Survivor emphasizes Cal’s ongoing journey of self-discovery and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. He’s constantly learning, adapting, and growing. A fresh start in terms of gameplay mirrors this narrative arc, reinforcing the idea that Cal is forging a new path.
Focusing on New Progression
Instead of relying on existing progression, Jedi Survivor emphasizes acquiring new abilities and skills. Cal’s power is not inherited but earned through gameplay, exploration, and combat encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the absence of carry-over in Jedi Survivor, offering further clarification and insight:
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Will my progress on unlocking all the Lightsaber parts in Fallen Order help me get them in Jedi Survivor faster?
- No. Unlocking Lightsaber parts in Fallen Order does not directly impact unlocking them in Jedi Survivor. The parts, customization options, and their locations are completely separate between the two games. However, your experience finding those collectibles in Fallen Order might make you more efficient at exploring for them in Survivor.
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Does completing Fallen Order on a specific difficulty setting affect my starting experience in Jedi Survivor?
- No, the difficulty setting you chose in Fallen Order doesn’t influence anything in Jedi Survivor. The difficulty is set independently for each game.
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Can I replay Fallen Order to prepare for Jedi Survivor in any way?
- Absolutely! While your progress won’t transfer, replaying Fallen Order will refresh your understanding of the core combat mechanics, Force powers, and overall lore. This can give you a head start in adapting to Jedi Survivor’s expanded gameplay.
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Are there any incentives for having played Fallen Order before starting Jedi Survivor?
- While there aren’t any direct in-game bonuses, having played Fallen Order will give you a significant advantage in understanding the story, characters, and Cal’s background. You’ll also appreciate the narrative connections and callbacks more fully.
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Will any of the cosmetic items I unlocked in Fallen Order be available as a bonus in Jedi Survivor?
- No. Cosmetic items from Fallen Order are not automatically transferred or unlocked in Jedi Survivor. The customization options and collectibles are entirely separate.
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Does the game reference my choices in Fallen Order, even if they don’t directly change the story?
- No, there are no dynamic references to specific choices or playthroughs in Fallen Order. Jedi Survivor picks up the narrative thread following the overall events of the first game, not based on individual player choices.
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Will having a save file from Fallen Order unlock anything special in Jedi Survivor’s menus or extras?
- Generally, no. There may be some instances where having a save file unlocks something very minor or simply displays your Fallen Order completion status, but nothing substantial impacting gameplay.
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Is there a New Game Plus mode in Jedi Survivor, and how does it differ from starting from scratch?
- Yes, Jedi Survivor features a New Game Plus mode. Upon completing the game, you can start a new playthrough while retaining certain aspects, typically cosmetic items and unlocked skills. This differs from starting completely fresh, where you begin with no abilities or customizations.
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Does the game assume I know the events of Fallen Order, or is it accessible to new players?
- While Jedi Survivor is a direct sequel, it does a reasonable job of introducing the characters and setting the stage for new players. However, understanding the events of Fallen Order will significantly enhance your appreciation of the story and Cal’s motivations. It’s highly recommended to play Fallen Order first.
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If I watch a summary of Fallen Order’s story, will that be enough to understand Jedi Survivor?
- While a summary can provide context, it’s not a substitute for experiencing the full narrative of Fallen Order. You’ll miss the emotional impact of the characters’ relationships and Cal’s personal journey, which are crucial for understanding his arc in Survivor.
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Are the controls and combat mechanics significantly different in Jedi Survivor compared to Fallen Order?
- Jedi Survivor builds upon the foundation of Fallen Order’s combat, but introduces new stances, Force abilities, and traversal mechanics. The core controls are similar, but expect to learn new techniques and adapt to the expanded combat options.
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Will my knowledge of Fallen Order’s map layouts help me navigate the environments in Jedi Survivor?
- No. Jedi Survivor features entirely new planets and environments to explore. While some core traversal mechanics are similar, the map layouts are completely distinct.
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Does knowing enemy weaknesses from Fallen Order give me an advantage against similar enemies in Jedi Survivor?
- Yes and no. While some enemy types return, their behaviors and weaknesses may have changed. Your general knowledge of combat and exploiting vulnerabilities will be helpful, but expect to adapt your strategies.
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Will I meet characters from Fallen Order in Jedi Survivor?
- Yes, many key characters from Fallen Order, including Cere Junda, Greez Dritus, and Merrin, return in Jedi Survivor. Their relationships with Cal have evolved, and they play significant roles in the new story.
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Should I aim to complete all achievements/trophies in Fallen Order before starting Jedi Survivor?
- That’s entirely up to you! Completing Fallen Order fully offers a sense of closure and accomplishment, but it’s not necessary to enjoy Jedi Survivor. Focus on what you find most engaging in the Star Wars universe.
In conclusion, while Jedi Survivor does not offer a direct carry-over from Fallen Order, the decision ultimately serves the game’s narrative and gameplay design, providing a fresh and engaging experience for both returning fans and new players. Embrace the challenge of mastering Cal’s evolved abilities and forge your own path in the galaxy far, far away!