Star Wars Games: Stop Overusing Darth Vader!

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After EA’s exclusivity contract ended in 2023, Star Wars games have ventured into a new era, giving rise to games such as Star Wars: Outlaws and the forthcoming Eclipse. As more studios join the fray with the franchise, there’s one trend that future titles should break away from, which has been evident in games like Star Wars: Outlaws and the Jedi series.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t forget the backlash that followed the loot box controversy in Battlefront 2, which really put Electronic Arts (EA) under scrutiny. The exclusive deal they had over Star Wars games, established in 2013 and ending in 2023, became a hot topic of discussion among fans. We were critical not just about the number of games being released, but also their quality. Many felt that EA’s control over the IP was stifling the potential of Star Wars gaming.

However, the release of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order in 2019, a single-player game amidst a sea of multiplayer titles, did offer some respite. Being one of the last games under this deal, it served as a beacon signaling a new dawn for Star Wars gaming.

Future Star Wars Games Need To Bench Darth Vader For A While

After EA’s exclusive deal ended, numerous new Star Wars games are popping up everywhere. Games like Star Wars Outlaws haven’t been as popular as other series installments, but the increased diversity in genre and studio is definitely a positive change. Lately, there seems to be a pattern emerging with these games: they often feature Darth Vader. This iconic character from the Empire, who is easily the most recognizable figure in the franchise, made a dramatic appearance at the climax of Fallen Order. However, his appearances have become increasingly questionable, leading to concerns about overexposure.

From Unstoppable Threat To Cameo, Vader Should Return To The Shadows

One standout experience in any Star Wars game is the encounter against Darth Vader in Jedi: Fallen Order, as labeling it a ‘boss fight’ would be misleading. Players were awestruck by the portrayal of Vader as an unstoppable Sith lord who young Cal Kestis couldn’t even scratch. The player is left with no choice but to evade Vader, eventually resorting to distracting him by triggering a massive flood (which even Vader manages to contain). It’s a powerful ending that garnered near unanimous praise.

Regrettably, for any further attempts at story development, the pivotal moment in Jedi: Fallen Order was unique due to the unforeseen encounter between Cal and Vader. Cal’s actions hold little significance to Vader, and it is not portrayed as something that the Sith lord actively pursued with fervor. Consequently, subsequent scenes involving Vader (like those seen in Survivor and Outlaws) are overshadowed by Fallen Order, primarily because they expand upon his character. It seems implausible to imagine Darth Vader engaging in every Empire-related incident, particularly when it comes to the events depicted in a game like Outlaws.

It’s beneficial that not every Star Wars story doesn’t need to carry the weight of determining the fate of the galaxy, and this implies that not every tale should feature a dominant villain like Darth Vader. Overusing him across Star Wars games has inadvertently made the expansive nature of the galaxy seem narrower, which is an issue that the primary franchise is already grappling with.

In the upcoming Star Wars games, it would be wiser to minimize or even exclude Darth Vader’s appearance. Overusing him could diminish the impact he had in Fallen Order, making him seem like a minor character instead of the powerful figure he once was. While it’s important to maintain his in-character appearances, excessive use might lead to his character becoming watered down due to overexposure.

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2025-02-11 04:34