To date, Disney’s Star Wars offerings have largely focused on the binary struggle between the Light and Dark Side of the Force. Ahsoka Tano’s skepticism and defection from the Jedi Order in Star Wars: The Clone Wars stands as a notable exception, as does Ezra Bridger’s struggles with the ambiguities of the Force in Star Wars: Rebels. However, there have been few opportunities for players to explore this middle path outside the Knights of the Old Republic series, but the follow-up to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order can fill that void, allowing players to live out their Gray Jedi fantasies.
The term Gray Jedi does not appear in any of Disney’s officially canonized materials, including Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. While it is nearly self-explanatory, chiefly referring to Force users who use both sides of the Force, it covers a variety of nuanced circumstances. Gray Jedi generally reject the Jedi Order’s emotional ascetism and the Sith obsession with power and dominance as an example. Usually, these are individuals like Ahsoka Tano who have defected from one of those factions, though it is occasionally applied to members of the Jedi Order with “unorthodox” methods and views, and those who switch sides, like the original KOTOR’s protagonist, Darth Revan.
Toeing the line between the Light and Dark Side of the Force has a fairly obvious appeal. Where roleplaying is concerned, it offers the best of both worlds, since Jedi and Sith philosophies have some inherently problematic views. And in terms of mechanics, who wouldn’t want to be a Jedi capable of whipping out a barrage of Force Lightning without killing a bunch of younglings first?
The only downside of the equation is that Force users who tap into the Dark Side are generally seduced by the thirst for power, but struggling against that threat could make for a very compelling experience if properly realized with game mechanics. For this reason, dipping into the Dark Side is one of the most desired features for Fallen Order 2.
Even though Gray Jedi have not been canonized, there are various precedents in existing canon that could easily justify Cal unleashing the power of the Dark Side, starting with the ambiguous ending of Fallen Order. Cal decides to destroy the Holocron rather than attempting to use it to rebuild the Jedi Order, which suggests some degree of skepticism toward the organization, even if it was explained as being worried about the Empire. Clone Wars was highly critical of the Jedi order, and Rebels repeatedly had Ezra engage the enemies with some gray area force moves. Even Luke’s advice to Rey in The Last Jedi hints that the Force is more complex than a black and white, tit-for-tat struggle.
Should Cal take on an apprentice in the Fallen Order sequel, he will essentially be fighting a war on two fronts—resisting his own use of the Dark Side and steering his protege away from similar temptations. It would be interesting, however, if that experience causes him to experiment with Darker powers than fans have seen to date. After all, students have a habit of schooling their teachers in Star Wars. Of course, there is also the possibility that another Jedi will introduce him to the middle path, and fortunately, there is just such a character waiting in the wings. All that’s necessary is for Fallen Order 2 to join Disney’s Star Wars streamed universe.
Ahsoka Tano’s original voice actress, Ashley Eckstein, has already expressed interest in joining Fallen Order 2. One might argue that Ahsoka is not a true Gray Jedi, as she generally uses the Force altruistically and favors Light Side powers, and simply rejects the creeds and symbolism of the Jedi order, as evidenced by her pure-white, neutral lightsabers.
While she would doubtlessly caution Cal about the dangers of the Dark Side, having seen firsthand what it did to her mentor, Anakin, her skepticism toward the Jedi Order may lead Cal to consider new methods for dealing with the Galactic Empire.
Using the Force to crush or electrify objects would synergize well with Respawn’s Metroidvania approach to Star Wars, opening the doors to new puzzles and combat mechanics simultaneously. To balance the game, however, Respawn could use a modified ‘Morale Meter’ that rate-limits Cal’s use of the Dark Side. Rather than being a persistent record of the players’ behavior, as per KOTOR, the player could run the risk of losing control of Cal, or even result in narrative consequences if he is too reckless with the Force.
That is not to say that the player should be denied the option to lean into the Dark Side altogether, however. Some of the best Star Wars games are those that invite players to let the hate flow.
While KOTOR 2: The Sith Lords did a particularly great job of exploring the gray areas of the Force, thanks to characters like Kreia, the game still adhered to a fairly binary interpretation of good and evil. There are endings that accommodate middle of the road approaches, but it would be incredible if Disney and Respawn allowed players to be a true paragon of the Gray Jedi code—someone who masterfully channels their rage into combat without falling to the excesses of Sith-hood.
Rather than walking one of two paths, the player would be rewarded for taking a truly balanced approach to the Force, which could be reflected in skill point distribution, combat and puzzle solving style, and dialogue options. It would be moving to see Cal worry Cere, Greeze, Merrin, and BD-1 with his newfound powers.
The best victory of all, however, would be the option for Cal to lapse into the Dark Side, and then redeem himself, as per the path of Darth Revan from the original KOTOR. Balancing these systems and narrative opportunities would be a major challenge, but it could inject some much-needed nuance to the new Star Wars canon.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One. A sequel is reportedly in development.
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