A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away
Star Wars Jedi Survivor is one of the most anticipated video game releases of 2023. With so much hype around this sequel to the impressive and somewhat surprising hit of Fallen Order, it has some wondering when exactly it takes place. And what has happened with Cal Kestis and the crew of the Mantis in the years since the original?
When does Jedi Survivor take place?
It is mentioned time and again in the main story of Jedi Survivor that it takes place about five years after the ending of Fallen Order. The first game in this Cal Kestis saga took place in 14 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin in Episode IV).
That sets this game somewhere around the year 9 BBY, which is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the timeline between the fall of the Republic in Revenge of the Sith and the battle against the first Death Star in A New Hope.
This also places it in the same year as the setting of the Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney+ TV show and likely around the same timeframe as Andor, too.
What happened between Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor?
At the start of Jedi Survivor, it’s made rather clear that the Empire is at the height of its power at this time. The Galactic Empire is traversing the entire galaxy, ruling each world with an iron fist. At the same time, it is hunting down all remaining Jedi, including Cal.
What may surprise players is that there’s a lot that’s changed between these two games. In the five years since Fallen Order, the crew of the Mantis have gone their separate ways. Cal Kestis is the only one who remains aboard the Mantis, alongside trusty BD-1, and he has an entirely new team he fights alongside.
Cal is one of the leading members of the resistance under Saw Gerrera. He travels the galaxy, looking for weak points in the Empire’s governance to take advantage of and stir up trouble. Unfortunately, this mission doesn’t include Greez, Cere, and Merrin, who are all off living their own lives.
It isn’t revealed immediately in the game what led to the team’s fallout, so it is up to you to find out more. One way to prep for the significant time gap between the two games is to check out Battle Scars. This is a spin-off novel set between the two games that focuses on a mission the crew of the Mantis goes on while they are still together.