Kylo Ren Should Get His Own Force Unleashed Game

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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, a cherished property prior to Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, has sparked requests for its return, featuring the character Starkiller, also known as Galen Marek.

Though I prefer Galen Marek to remain within the realm of Legends, there’s one character who might make an ideal lead for a fresh series of Force Unleashed games: Ben Solo, also known as Kylo Ren.

The Force Unleashed

In essence, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed can be described as a blend of the action-adventure game God of War and the space opera saga Star Wars. Players assume command over an exceptionally powerful Force-wielder, guiding him through various levels while he leaps and slashes his way past any disposable foes he encounters.

The narrative revolves around Galen Marek/Starkiller, an unacknowledged disciple of Darth Vader undergoing training in the Dark Side. However, his loyalties are now in doubt as he ponders whether to align himself with the Empire or stand against it.

Initially, the first game was warmly accepted, but the sequel, The Force Unleashed II, didn’t quite maintain the same level of success. Two years later, Disney took over Lucasfilm, which seems to have put an end to any prospective plans for a third Force Unleashed game.

For over a decade now, many fans continue to cherish Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and there are quite a few who eagerly hope that the character Starkiller might be recognized as canonical within The Mandalorian or another extension of the Star Wars universe. Regrettably, our best hope so far has been spotting his Sith helmet in Andor, but that’s just an Easter Egg for now.

The Force Unleashed: Kylo Ren

There’s been talk about reviving Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and if it does come back, it would be intriguing to focus the game on a troubled Force-wielder with a strong affection for Darth Vader – someone like Kylo Ren, who is established in the official canon.

Initially, they might depict Ben Solo learning from Luke Skywalker, followed by a narrative mirroring the comic series. In this narrative, Ben gradually succumbs to the Dark Side under the influence of Snoke, uncovering his hidden Dark Side abilities and realizing his lineage as the grandson of Darth Vader.

By the climax, it might lead to a revised depiction of the moment when Kylo destroys Luke’s Jedi temple, with Luke serving as the ultimate adversary that Kylo must confront (similar to how Starkiller faced Darth Vader in his final battle). If Luke prevails, Ben Solo will remain a Jedi and Rey will never be found; however, if Luke is defeated, Kylo Ren emerges, wielding his red crossguard lightsaber as the credits start rolling.

Why it Works

Among the beloved characters emerging from the Sequel Trilogy, Kylo stands out with his impressive abilities as a Force user. He exhibits skills such as invading others’ minds and halting blaster bolts in their trajectory, making him formidably powerful.

In other words, since the Clone Wars and Original Trilogy periods are already well-developed, there’s ample opportunity to delve deeper into the origins and histories of the Knights of Ren and the First Order. The game could potentially flesh out the backgrounds of characters like General Hux and the other Knights, even revealing how Captain Phasma rose to become a stormtrooper leader.

In a sequential storyline setup, the initial installment could delve into Ben Solo’s tale prior to The Force Awakens, while subsequent games might focus on Kylo Ren’s journey as portrayed in the Sequel Trilogy. This includes encounters with Rey in boss fights and TIE Silencer flight sequences, leading up to a climactic battle against the Sith Eternal Palpatine at its conclusion.

How about considering an approach similar to Assassin’s Creed Syndicate, where we make both Kylo and Rey playable characters? The first game could delve into their backstories leading up to The Force Awakens, followed by their Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker journey in the second game. Since Rey has a new movie coming out, there’s already plenty of material for a third game.

Instead of beginning with a Kylo/Rey scenario, let’s make things clearer by focusing primarily on Kylo for now.

Isn’t Star Wars Jedi Already the Successor of Force Unleashed?

While some might suggest that the Star Wars Jedi games carry on the legacy left by The Force Unleashed, their focus on combat reminiscent of Soulslike games seems to make them less of a direct successor in terms of continuity.

In essence, Force Unleashed is particularly friendly for casual players, offering a less demanding experience compared to other games. It’s ideal for those seeking a relaxed, Star Wars-themed action game without excessive challenge.

Moreover, it’s high time the franchise ventured beyond the Original and Prequel Trilogies as I’ve grown quite tired of seeing clones and Imperial soldiers in every corner. After all, my years of amassing Sequel Trilogy memorabilia should not have been in vain.

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2025-04-19 03:12