Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will retain all the hard-hitting lightsaber action that made 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order a surprise success, as well as add a few more tricks to help former Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis defeat the forces of the Empire. Not long after Jedi: Fallen Order’s release, EA announced that developer Respawn Entertainment would work on an entire subseries featuring Cal as he traveled the galaxy in search of the lost remains of the old Jedi Order and rebuild his previously-severed connection to the Force.

One of the many areas that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was praised for was its combat, which borrowed from games like Dark Souls to provide players with a more methodical approach to battles that stood out from the faster-paced fighting of games like the excellent Star Wars: Jedi Academy and its lightsaber combat. In addition to attacking, blocking, and dodging, Cal Kestis could alternate between Light and Heavy attacks to break up enemy defenses and deal damage. As Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s story goes on, Cal gains access to new upgrades to his lightsaber, which allow him to attach a second blade and even split the sword in half for dual-wielding attacks. This comes on top of Jedi: Fallen Order’s skill tree, which allows players to unlock powerful new abilities.

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Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Will Add New Lightsaber Styles

Image of Cal Kestis piloting the Stinger Mantis alongside his droid companion, BD-1.

Most fans suspected that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor would retain most of the gameplay of its predecessor, and this was confirmed during this month’s Game Awards 2022 livestream. During the show, viewers were treated to EA Star Wars' new Jedi: Survivor trailer that featured plenty of lightsaber-swinging action as Cal battled stormtroopers, bounty hunters, and even Star Wars' familiar Clone Wars-era B1 Battle Droids. There were even a few new lightsaber styles shown, such as the lightning-fast dual lightsabers and heavy-handed, Kylo Ren-style crossguard saber. According to the press release that followed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s Game Awards reveal trailer, Cal will need these new lightsaber styles to defeat powerful new enemies like the Imperial Sentry Droids and “powerful beings shrouded in mystery.”

Single Blade Is The Standard Style In Jedi: Survivor

Star Wars Jedi Survivor Mysterious Dark Side Figure

As expected, Cal will retain his single-bladed lightsaber as the standard style of combat in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Most of the attacks players could unleash in Jedi: Fallen Order were used in this style, and it stands to reason that this will continue to be the case in the upcoming sequel - even if the lightsaber won't be Cal's only Jedi: Survivor weapon. Outside the typical light and heavy attacks, Cal can be seen throwing his lightsaber for a ranged move (which is shown cutting off an opposing Dark Trooper at the knees) and using his trusty laser sword to scale down walls in the recent Star Wars Jedi: Survivor gameplay trailer.

Cal’s Double-Bladed Lightsaber Returns In Jedi: Survivor

Cal preparing to throw his double-bladed lightsaber in a battle with multiple B1 Battle Droids.

Star Wars fans have wanted to wield a double-bladed lightsaber ever since Darth Maul first ignited his in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and plenty of Star Wars video games have given them access to this stylish weapon. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was no different, allowing Cal to switch up his lightsaber style for additional combat options and the ability to deflect multiple blaster bolts at once. While the moment Cal received his Fallen Order double-bladed lightsaber was awkwardly timed and undermined a crucial story moment, it’s hard to image players not having access to this powerful weapon right from the start of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. The trailer shows Cal making good use of it to take down a pack of Battle Droids by throwing it in a boomerang-like circle.

Cal Will Strike Fast With Dual Lightsabers In Jedi: Survivor

A screenshot from the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor trailer featuring Cal Kestis and his dual lightsabers.

Cal Kestis gained the ability to split his double-bladed lightsaber in two for dual-wielding attacks in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, but this was regulated to a specific pair of moves. According to the previously mentioned press release for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the sequel will treat using dual lightsabers as a separate combat stance - one that will favor rapid-fast strikes over heavier attacks. Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones introduced mainstream audiences to the idea of a Jedi using two laser swords at once, and several characters have been shown doing this in Star Wars video game lightsaber duels in both the official Expanded Universe and the old Legends continuity.

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Jedi: Fallen Order only gave players a small glimpse of what Cal can do with two lightsabers in hand, and now Jedi: Survivor will allow players to let loose with a full arsenal of high-speed moves. Some of these attacks were shown in the recent trailer and included Cal quickly deflecting enemy fire as he runs into battle against a squad of stormtroopers.

Jedi: Survivor’s New Crossguard Lightsaber Will Hit Hard

Cal Kestis ignites a blue crossguard lightsaber in the gameplay reveal trailer for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

One of the most surprising and talked-about moments of the recently-released Star Wars Jedi: Survivor gameplay trailer came towards the end, in which Cal activated a new upgrade for his lightsaber: a crossguard like the one Kylo Ren used in the Sequel Trilogy. This rare and ancient Star Wars lightsaber design features two smaller blades on the sides of the hilt that grant the user greater protection, and several characters have been seen using this style of sword in the High Republic era.

In Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cal’s crossguard is said to be used for heavier and more measured strikes than his usual lightsaber options. These will presumably deal greater damage to enemies, but come at the cost of being much easier to deflect. Still, the crossguard lightsaber has been an interesting addition to the Star Wars canon, and will likely come in handy while taking on the Empire - such as when Cal delivers some devastating blows to enemy droids at the very end of the Star Wars Jedi: Survivor trailer.

More: Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Offers Cal's Lightsaber In Collector's Edition

Source: EA Star Wars/YouTube