The Acolyte May Have Paved the Way for a New Kind of Star Wars Game

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It’s common knowledge that the Disney+ shows based on Star Wars have had varying levels of success. While The Mandalorian was highly praised for demonstrating the potential of a high-budget, weekly Star Wars series when it debuted in 2019, its subsequent seasons saw a dip in quality. The reception to The Book of Boba Fett was divided among critics, and while Ahsoka received slightly better reviews, it didn’t quite reach the critical acclaim that The Mandalorian’s first season garnered.

The generally split response (with the exception of the praised show Andor) culminated with the unveiling of Star Wars: The Acolyte last year, which marked the first live-action High Republic content. This series, though it had a compelling premise, encountered a controversial reception among both fans and critics. Despite being Disney+’s second most-watched program in 2021, The Acolyte will not be returning for another season. However, one idea from The Acolyte has potential to be carried forward in a fresh type of Star Wars video game.

The Acolyte May Have Paved The Way for a Sith-Centered Game

The Acolyte Started to Shine a Unique Light on The Sith

As a devoted Star Wars fan, I can’t help but notice a recurring trope in the canonical movies and series: the Sith are typically depicted as one-dimensional villains. Time and again, we’re told they are the epitome of galactic evil, power-hungry psychopaths who would stop at nothing – including betrayal and cold-blooded murder – to ascend to the pinnacle of power. Characters like The Emperor reinforce this image throughout the Skywalker Saga, embodying unadulterated wickedness.

In a somewhat challenging fashion, Star Wars: The Acolyte delved into complexifying this simple good vs evil perspective. Introducing Manny Jacinto’s character, Qimir/Stranger, who was once a Jedi Padawan expelled from the Order and eventually transformed into a Sith Lord, adds nuance to the typical narrative. Although Qimir is clearly the adversary, his motivations for violence aren’t as monotonously malevolent as those of most Sith characters.

Qimir strongly dislikes the Jedi Order and their power to decide who can utilize the Force and for what reasons. He argues that the Jedi essentially kidnap children and brainwash them into their faith, making them believe there’s only a single method to control the Force’s potency. The Acolyte, being one of the rare mainstream Star Wars stories to portray the Jedi as potential antagonists, offers an intriguing viewpoint that deserves further examination. Unfortunately, without a second season of The Acolyte, a future Star Wars video game might be the ideal platform for delving deeper into this topic.

There’s a Lot of Potential in a Sith-Centered Star Wars Game

In many Star Wars games, players may assume the role of a Sith, but this choice is usually portrayed as aligning with an “evil” faction. Games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic demonstrate this clearly. Players can become a Sith, but they’ll frequently need to perform cruel or immoral actions to accumulate Dark Side points. Additionally, delving into Sith lore on Korriban often reveals tales of centuries-old atrocities committed by Sith Lords against each other.

In a more balanced approach, “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2” delves into the complexities of being a Sith. Primarily through Kreia’s dialogue, players are encouraged to ponder over the Jedi’s galactic rule and how their teachings can sometimes lead to blindness and apathy. It’s refreshing to see a “Star Wars” game tackle this theme.

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2025-02-07 00:59