A Controversial Star Wars TV Show Could Find New Life in Video Game Form

A Controversial Star Wars TV Show Could Find New Life in Video Game Form

As a long-time Star Wars enthusiast who’s seen more than a few lightsaber duels in my time, I can confidently say that The Acolyte has truly mastered the art of the galactic sword fight. Despite the controversy surrounding its storyline and production, the show’s action sequences are a shining beacon of hope for Star Wars fans everywhere.


Although not universally acclaimed among Disney’s Star Wars offerings, “The Acolyte” has sparked a great deal of debate due to its unique approach. Despite receiving criticism from various angles, it’s possible that the show’s shortcomings could be seen in a more favorable light when viewed through a different medium’s lens.

It’s fair to say that the show “The Acolyte” has sparked a lot of debate and criticism. Not only was its second season canceled, but all merchandise associated with it has been removed from Disney’s online store. While there have been many differing opinions about the quality of the series, particularly in comparison to other questionable releases like “Rise of Skywalker” and “The Book of Boba Fett,” it’s clear that overall reception has been predominantly negative.

The Acolyte’s Fantastic Lightsaber Action Could Make For A Great Video Game

However, there’s one part of the series that almost all fans can get behind, and that’s The Acolyte‘s lightsaber fights. After years of lackluster lightsaber fights from Disney’s Star Wars, The Acolyte brings fans high-octane, kinetic action that pays real attention to lightsaber forms and physics. Now that lightsaber fights have been brought back to their prequel-period prime (in an era largely untapped by Disney, no less), a video game adaptation that can really go back and iron out the show’s flaws could get fans back on board.

The Acolyte’s Lightsaber Fights Would Really Fit A Jedi: Survivor-Style Game

The game “Jedi: Fallen Order” significantly improved the way combat with lightsabers is portrayed in Star Wars games, and “Jedi: Survivor” continued to build upon these advancements. Given that the foundation for a diverse range of lightsaber skills and dueling styles is already established within this game structure, it seems logical to create an “Acolyte” game using it as a basis.

In addition to showcasing thrilling one-on-one duels, “The Acolyte” also boasts impressive group lightsaber battles, skillfully executed. Regardless of the number of participants, “The Acolyte” masterfully blends action and pauses, weaves in force abilities, and ensures every scene is expertly filmed. The intricacy and pace of these fights make them a fitting complement to the Jedi’s combat system, while still providing room for creativity.

The lightsaber battles in The Acolyte seem to have origins rooted in video game mechanics, as suggested by showrunner Leslye Headland in an interview with Inverse. Qimir, a popular character, was reportedly inspired by avid Elden Ring players like Let Me Solo Her. This alignment with the Soulslike genre’s influence on these games supports the idea that The Acolyte is drawing from the blueprint of the Star Wars universe.

Mixed-Media Storytelling Is Great For Fleshing Out Star Wars Media

Star Wars is unique in its use of various mediums to tell its stories. For instance, an early follow-up planned for the franchise was a novel expansion of “A New Hope.” Exploring Star Wars through different storytelling methods has been beneficial, as demonstrated by the prequels. While the prequel trilogy stands strong and memorable on its own, series like “The Clone Wars” (2008) add depth to the story, making individual moments and characters more impactful. This doesn’t even touch upon the books, shows, and games from the ‘Legends’ series, which covered significant parts of the fictional timeline for many years.

The fact that The Acolyte has been canceled reveals its relatively low viewership, yet it still holds promise – this is evident in its superbly executed action scenes. Transforming the series into a video game could be an opportunity to capitalize on its dynamic use of lightsabers and expand upon its elements, providing a platform for refining aspects that didn’t resonate with audiences.

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2024-10-19 22:08