The Last Four Hours of Jedi Survivor
Spoilers for Jedi Survivor's ending
All's well that ends well is some real shit. It's surprising how often it rings true. Jedi Survivor is an interesting example because what proceeds its final hours, which are uniformly remarkable, is actually pretty enjoyable. It has the light touch Star Wars storytelling that either works for you or doesn't, but the story beats do a solid job of moving things forward while building on the ideas and themes from the previous game. Nothing special, but a good framework to hang a very enjoyable action adventure game on.
It's funny how media can create unfair comparisons within itself. The final stretch of Jedi Survivor blows the lid off its story. The prior hours of story where it seemingly ignored the player's nagging concern about a new character being perfunctory, just being a guy, only to go no no: you're right to be alive to just how superfluous he's been, you can absolutely trust that we're good writers and storytellers. And then Bode fucking betrays you at the worst moment. He facilitates the destruction of a nascent repository of knowledge (and maybe a sketchy cult?), he creates the conditions for one of the series' best characters to die (albeit in an all-timer of a Vader fight. LIMP AWAY BITCH), and reveals the extent of his deception (he's a fucking spook). For the absolute thrill this creates, it also makes what precedes it feel a bit bland by comparison.
So we learn that Bode is actually another jedi survivor rather than the good-humoured merc he's presented himself to be. He's an ISB agent (Star Wars CIA) and has been undercover to earn protagonist Cal's trust from the jump. Respawn should be commended on its light touch approach to character and story. It does the work of creating a believable bond which is then vigorously tested. It never quite feels like outright betrayal; there's hints of genuine affection or friendship along with the sour reality. But Bode's motivations are less compelling in isolation. He works better as a representative figure: a good example of how acting selfishly ultimately destroys rather than nurtures or saves. He drives homes the main theme that jedi can't be dogmatic about the light or dark side, that compromise is fundamental to survival. He is the mercenary, ruthless counterpart to Cal.
So Jedi Survivor does what all great Star Wars games seem to do: gently critique the series' inflexibility elsewhere while spinning its own brilliant story. It also belongs to the growing pantheon of SW media that makes a strong case that jedi should simply be allowed to smash.