With the influx of new stories in theStar Warsfranchise since its takeover by Disney, there have been a few in the gaming sphere that have treated the franchise with care, and some that have faltered somewhat.Jedi: Fallen Orderwas a resounding success that has a sequel on the way, but the reemergence ofBattlefrontwas cause for hesitation. Now that EA’s exclusivity with the IP is over, there are other creators who can have a go at doing something, too. Quantic Dream is one such studio, withStar Wars Eclipsebeing revealed atthe 2021 Game Awards.
Being in such a well-known license, there are some significant pitfalls thatStar Wars Eclipsecould fall into. One of which is an over-willingness to lean on past successes to push its story forward. It’s easily done, as the toy box thatStar Warshas created is littered with story beats, characters, and settings that have become iconic. Quantic Dream games can go in any direction because of a few simple choices, and with more narrative freedom comes more of a chance of tainting pre-existing lore. Instead,Star Wars Eclipseshouldn’t overuse familiar themes.
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Star Wars Eclipse Needs to Stand On its Own Two Feet
There is a plethora of spin-offs and time jumps that litterStar Warslore, and while Quantic Dream’s upcoming adventure will surely have visual, audial, and presentational flourishes that are in-keeping with theGeorge Lucas-created IP, it has to forge a legacy all its own. Callbacks to old material are enough to warrant a giddy moment of excitement from fans, but have the potential to disappoint if handled incorrectly, like some recent efforts have proved.
Star Wars Eclipseopting to be more self-contained could also help expand the horizons of the property to new places, too. ExploringStar Wars' Unknown Regionscould provide clarity to an otherwise murky area, allowing the developer more creative freedom to do something different and add more jewels toStar Wars' already impressive crown. A choice-based adventure in the style Quantic Dream is known for is not a format that the franchise is used to, so erring on the side of caution and staying away from overt references could be the way to bring more to the series without risking having a negative impact.
More Existing Star Wars References Means More Can Go Wrong
AsStar Warshas increased in size and scope, it has also faced more scrutiny than ever before. TheStar Warsprequel trilogywas the first indicator that the franchise has the capacity to make mistakes, and since the acquisition by Disney, the number of shows, films, and games has increased tenfold. As such, people are often more defensive of the pocket ofStar Warsthey love.
When new developers or creators have the ability to forge a fresh story using beloved characters, the likelihood of them not living up to expectations gets higher. LikeThe Book of Boba Fettshowed, sometimes more exposition can damage a character’s image rather than improve it, and as Quantic Dream has yet to dive into the galaxy far, far away, it could be cause for concern if it uses pre-existing personalities.
Sometimes it works to great effect, asRogue One’s Darth Vader moment was one of that film’s best moments. However, not everyone director, developer, or creator has the same opinion of a character, and the fabric of that character is altered, sometimes for the worse. Yoda in the Prequels is fast, agile, and proficient with a smaller lightsaber, which is directly the opposite of how the original trilogy portrayed him as a slow, wise, but supremely powerful Jedi.Star Wars Eclipsecould be best served opting to reduce the references to elevate its story, not just to help casual audiences enjoy the narrative but also to introduce seasoned fans to a new corner of the galaxy they know so well.
