The Game Awards 2021 is known for its world premieres, and 2021’s big night was no exception. Quantic Dream unveiled an upcoming, hitherto unknown title set in a galaxy far, far away. TheStar Wars: Eclipseteaser served up everything fans could want from aStar Warstitle: lightsaber combat, dogfighting, intersteller intrigue, exotic alien locales, and a side of taiko drumming.
Eclipsewill also seemingly be the first video game set inStar Wars' High Republic Era- a setting Disney has primarily developed via books and comics. But Quantic Dream’s sharp-looking trailer raises the awkward question of whatEclipsecan do that other upcomingStar Warstitles can’t. Even though Quantic Dream has garnered attention forDetroit: Become HumanandBeyond: Two Souls, recentStar Warstitles have offered gripping stories with excellent execution.Eclipsewill have even stiffer competition from the return of another game set in a similar-sounding era.
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Plenty of Star Wars Games to Come
The long-anticipated follow-up to Respawn’sJedi: Fallen Orderwill likely satisfy action fans with its blend ofUncharted-esque exploration andSouls-lite combat. While the title tells its cinematic story beautifully, it’s easy to see how a narrative-driven game from Quantic Dream could scratch a different itch. ButFallen Order 2isn’t the only otherStar Warstitle on the horizon, as fans also haveUbisoft’sopen-world title.
The recently announcedKnights of the Old Republicremakewill likely hold major sway with fans of the original and newcomers alike. Its narrative is an important touchstone in the series' pre-Disney Legend’s canon, and one of the highlights of the original game was the degree to which players could interact with their crew. On top of being an excellent BioWare RPG, it was also a character drama where the player got to call all of the shots.
A Question of Genres
It is important to note that the High Republic is a distinct setting from the Old Republic, though it is hard to imagine what different kind of narrative opportunities it will afford. While the trailer was visually impressive, witha less obviously branded opening than many otherStar Warsteasers, it still felt like aStar Warstrailer. The only hints at the game’s plot are a slow eclipse, alien diplomats in cityscapes which could be Naboo and Coruscant, and drummers performing for a humanoid being emerging from a tar-like substance.
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Quantic Dream titles like2018’sDetroit: Become Humanhave defied common definitions, operating in an area that is more mechanically complex than most of Telltale Games' work, but no less narrative-centric. The question is whether Quantic Dreams can stick to its same formula here, whetherStar Warsis still fun without as much combat, and if not what can it show that’s unique while maintaining their signature focus on narrative.
Force Sensitivity
One potential way Quantic Dream could distinguishEclipsefrom the crowd would be to explore Force powers in a new way. While mostStar Warsgames focus on their utility for combat, few explore the vision-quest, jedi mindtricking, mysticism aspects. All of the other forthcoming titles are also guaranteed to feature the Force in some significant capacity, but most will do so in an action-oriented capacity likeFallen Order 2, asa puzzle-solving tool-kit like inLEGO Star Wars, or as a means of character building and advancement as per theKOTORremake, and likely Ubisoft’s open-world title.
If Quantic Dream dedicates its attention to using the Force in a narrative capacity,Eclipsemight offer fans a completely newStar Warsexperience; something more subjectiv, and strange than what players are accustomed to. Though that is not to say Jedi should have all the fun. A similar focus on other non-combat systems like smugglers evading capture or playing Sabak for information, or imperial senators and Jedi councilors debating issues of importance, could offer similarly distinct dynamics.
Star Wars: Eclipseis currently in development by Quantic Dream.
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