Star Wars Jedi: Survivor builds on its predecessor, Fallen Order, in substantial ways, from the scale of its expansive worlds to an array of new tools for Cal Kestis to wield against the Empire. The game offers a deeper, more immersive experience, with richer customization options and an intricate web of mechanics that can overwhelm new players. To help you start strong, here are five crucial insights that can enhance your journey and smooth out your early experience in Jedi: Survivor.

1. Optimize Your Settings Right Away

Before you even take your first step as Cal, dive into the settings. Jedi: Survivor provides extensive customization options, allowing you to fine-tune the gameplay experience to your liking. These tweaks help mitigate some of the quirks in Cal’s movement and camera controls, making combat and exploration feel more fluid.

One of the first settings to adjust is the Field of View (FOV). While consoles don’t have an FOV slider, there are five preset options ranging from narrow to wide. Choosing the widest setting ensures a broader peripheral vision, making it easier to manage multiple enemies in chaotic battles.

Additionally, consider lowering the camera sensitivity. Like Fallen Order, Cal’s movement can feel loose at times. A look sensitivity of 4 offers a balanced experience, providing precise control without feeling sluggish.

Another handy tweak involves the in-game map. While Jedi: Survivor’s map system isn’t perfect, it does allow color customization for different elements. Adjusting these settings can improve clarity, making navigation more intuitive as you traverse the game’s expansive environments.

2. Experiment with Cosmetics Right Away

If you pre-ordered Jedi: Survivor or picked up its deluxe edition, you’ll have access to several cosmetic options right from the start. While you won’t be able to modify Cal’s lightsaber until you locate your first workbench, his outfit can be changed immediately.

The game offers iconic attire inspired by legendary Star Wars characters:

• Rebel Hero – Based on Luke Skywalker’s outfit from A New Hope.
• Hermit – Modeled after Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Disney+ series appearance.
• Scoundrel – A nod to Han Solo’s classic look.

Each set includes a jacket, shirt, and pants, all of which can be mixed and matched. Furthermore, color variations allow for deeper personalization, helping you craft a look that suits your version of Cal Kestis.

3. Approach Exploration with Patience

Unlike Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor emphasizes returning to planets instead of jumping from one to another. Kobo, the primary planet in the game, acts as a vast open-world hub filled with opportunities for exploration. However, it’s crucial to understand that much of this world remains inaccessible until you progress in the story.

While the urge to explore every inch of Kobo early on is tempting, keep in mind that many areas are gated behind story progression. Often, you’ll unlock the necessary tool to access one area, only to find yourself blocked again further in. Fortunately, the game provides plenty of shortcuts and now features fast travel between meditation points, making backtracking significantly less tedious.

If you’re someone who dislikes hitting barriers in exploration, focus on the main story missions first. These naturally guide you through Kobo’s most important areas, equipping you with the necessary abilities and tools along the way.

4. Make Smart Choices When Spending XP

Jedi: Survivor continues the souls-like tradition of risk and reward with XP accumulation. When Cal dies, his unspent XP attaches to the enemy that struck him down. Defeating that enemy reclaims your lost progress, a mechanic similar to FromSoftware’s RPGs.

Early on, it’s advisable to prioritize increasing Cal’s Force meter. The game can be stingy with Force power usage, and nothing feels worse than needing one last Force Push only to find your meter depleted.

Additionally, don’t feel pressured to immediately spend XP. Some of the best skills require multiple points, and hoarding XP for a stronger ability can be far more beneficial than investing in lesser upgrades prematurely.

5. Master Combat with Mind Tricks and Stances

Jedi: Survivor expands combat depth by introducing two new lightsaber stances—Blaster and Crossguard—each offering unique advantages. While these stances unlock progressively, obtaining Crossguard early provides a considerable advantage. To do so, prioritize traveling to the Shattered Moon when given a choice in the story. This location grants access to the Kylo Ren-inspired Crossguard stance, which offers devastating attacks and extended reach.

Another easy-to-overlook mechanic is the Confusion ability. By holding R1/RB and pressing Circle/B, Cal can trick enemies into attacking their allies. This move is invaluable when facing overwhelming odds, and upgrading it allows confusion of multiple enemies simultaneously.

Additionally, combat becomes much more manageable when fighting alongside companions. When partnered, pressing Square/X while holding R1/RB triggers them to execute a stunning move, leaving enemies vulnerable to devastating follow-ups. This ability does not activate automatically, so be sure to manually trigger it whenever possible.

Bonus Tips to Remember

• Resting at Meditation Points – Simply stopping at one doesn’t refill health and Stim Packs; you must manually choose to rest.
• Rideable Nekkos Unlock a Higher Jump – If you can’t reach a ledge on Kobo, summoning a Nekko mount may provide the boost you need.
• Look Behind Buildings for Collectibles – Many areas hide valuable items behind structures or tucked-away corners.
• Be Wary of Falls – Some drops result in instant death, even if the lower area looks accessible.
• Strategize Slo-Mo Usage – Cal’s slow-motion ability is powerful but limited. Attacking an enemy removes their slow state, so plan out which enemies to hit first before engaging.

Vendors and Currency Breakdown

Jedi: Survivor features multiple vendors, each dealing in different currencies for unique items:

• Doma (Priorite Shards) – Sells hairstyles, outfits, and cantina music.
• Zee (Data Discs) – Provides perks and BD-1 customizations.
• Cage (Bounty Pucks) – Offers Blaster upgrades.
• Anchorite (Jeda Scrolls) – Trades lightsaber parts and materials.

If you want to specialize in certain gear, collect the corresponding items in their designated areas. For example, Jeda Scrolls are primarily found on Jeda, while Data Discs are hidden in High Republic ruins.

Lastly, take time to check out the Holo Tactics mini-game in the Cantina’s second floor. While optional, it’s a zero-risk activity that offers valuable rewards, making it worth a visit between missions.

Final Thoughts

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor offers an expansive, rewarding experience packed with secrets, deep combat, and immersive lore. Keeping these tips in mind will help you navigate its challenges more effectively and enjoy everything the game has to offer. May the Force be with you!