Cal Kestis falls to the DARKSIDE? Jedi Survivor
#StarWars #jedisurvivor #tanalorr #dagangera #starwarsjedisurvivor #explained #calkestis #highrepublic Credits: Clips taken from GamersPrey / @gamersprey If you’ve got to the end of star wars jedi survivor, then a question that might be lingering in your head is if Cal will fall to the dark side. Throughout the game and story, as things get progressively more difficult and tougher for Cal, we see him slowly tap into his rage and anger. The biggest turning point perhaps was losing Jedi Master Cordova, Jedi Master Cere, and with the destruction of the archive, after being betrayed by Bode. And as we see later in the game, Cal hunts down Bode, tracking him to an imperial base in the Nova Garon system where Commander Lank Denvik has the unfortunate role of being on the receiving end. (scene). Twice for that matter. However, Merrin manages to help Cal snap out of it, mostly through the bond she has with her. Had it been anyone else, it's unlikely that Cal would have held back. Cal tells Merrin that she won’t lose him to his rage and empire, but the progression of Cal’s rage continues after this, with it being a gameplay mechanic and ability. An ability that isn’t resolved by the end of the story. Not to mention, during the closing moments of the game, the camera lingers on Cal and despite overcoming all the obstacles and finally being able to establish a safe haven on Tanalorr, the music in the background is rather ominous (scene). What was supposed to be a triumphant moment for our hero, doesn’t turn out that way. Instead we are left with a sense of dread. Asking ourselves if all that sacrifice and pain that Cal had to go to was worth it in the end. Whether Cal’s inner struggle with the darkside of the force has truly been resolved. And much of this is part and parcel of the overarching theme of Jedi survivor. Desperate people doing everything they can to protect those they love while desperately trying to survive. From the opening of the game, it shows us that even though the original crew of the mantis has parted ways, Cal has formed some serious connections with his new crew. Cal tries to lead them as best as he can, but all of them end up dying. And that same love extends to the original mantis crew and the people he bonds with along the way as well. The same goes for Dagan Gera, and his warped love for Tanalorr and what it supposedly promises. As the game progresses we learn that Dagan’s desperation for Tanalorr stems from a desperation to protect and guide the jedi order. Which at one point also included Santari. However, this desperation which morphs into an obsession quickly ruins his relationships and leaves him all alone. And it also goes without saying that Bode is in a similar situation. Forced to do heinous things to protect his daughter. Even if it means forsaking the jedi code and embracing the dark side. A decision that ultimately creates a rift between him and his daughter in the closing moments of the game. And while Cal stands on the edge of such darkness, he hasn’t quite crossed the line. And I think the reason why the game has ended the story on such a note is to call into question whether Cal will descend into the darkness moving forward. In fact the way the game progressed really reminded of the way the Empire Strikes Back ended. With the heroes having lost so much and a sense of foreboding looming over them. And I think that’s what Jedi Survivor was intended to be. To be the Empire Strikes Back of Cal’s story. Which also means that in the next installment of Cal’s story it will fundamentally decide whether Cal returns to the light or embraces the dark. And while a third installment has yet to be announced, I think we can all be confident that there is a lot more story to tell. That Cal’s story is far from over. And what the ending of jedi survivor has also done is set up a question of whether Cal’s story will follow the route of Luke in Return of the Jedi or Anakin in the Revenge of the Sith...
