Star Wars Jedi 3 to Define Cal Kestis' Journey as He Balances Light and Darkness

From deeper combat and darker Force powers to meaningful Star Wars connections, expectations are high for Cal Kestis' final chapter.

Star Wars Jedi 3 has a chance to become the most important entry in Respawn Entertainment’s trilogy. While Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order introduced you to Cal Kestis and Jedi: Survivor expanded his abilities, relationships, and personal struggles, the next game has a bigger responsibility. Simply offering larger worlds, more enemies, or bigger boss battles will not be enough. 

One of the most significant hopes for the sequel is a stronger connection to the wider Star Wars universe. That does not necessarily mean filling the game with familiar faces for the sake of fan service. Instead, any appearance from major characters should directly contribute to Cal’s story. 

Fans frequently mention characters such as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, and Maul as potential additions. Ahsoka makes the most sense of all of them. She and Cal survived the fall of the Jedi Order, and both have mixed feelings about what it means to be a Jedi. A well-done encounter between the two could be a huge moment without taking away from the main story.

Obi-Wan can also work if he has a clear purpose. 

The same goes for Maul, or even plots involving the Darksaber. These are elements that many Star Wars fans would be excited to see, but they should never become distractions. The focus still needs to remain on Cal Kestis and the path he has been following since the first game. Those bigger connections should improve his journey, not distract from it.

Beyond the narrative, many players are expecting the combat system to evolve in a major way. Jedi: Survivor already expanded combat with multiple stances, giving players more flexibility in how they approached fights. For the third game, however, there is a desire for something more substantial.

One way to do that would be to use traditional Jedi combat forms. Makashi, Soresu, and Djem So are styles that could add more depth to encounters. Makashi could be about finesse and one-on-one combat, and Soresu could reward the patient and defensive. Djem So, on the other hand, might appeal to players who prefer aggressive strikes and constant pressure on their opponents.

There is also an interest in entirely new fighting styles. You could opt for a more acrobatic and faster style of fighting with a reverse-grip stance like Ahsoka. Faster attacks and unique animations make it feel completely different from existing stances. The trade-off could be weaker defensive capabilities. This leads to a risk-vs.-reward style of play.

Another weapon that many players would like to see is a lightsaber pike. Its longer reach and varied attack patterns could really change the way you deal with combat encounters. This can be handy for dealing with groups of enemies or larger creatures. More importantly, it would add meaningful variety, not just another cosmetic option.

There's been a lot of talk about improving the gameplay, but Cal is still the heart of the series. In just two games, Respawn has transformed him from a young survivor hiding from the Empire into a more experienced but emotionally burdened Jedi. His struggles, losses, and growth have been at the heart of the trilogy. That is why many fans believe the third game cannot afford to mishandle his character arc.

The ending, in particular, carries enormous importance.

It does not necessarily need to be happy, but it should feel earned. Cal could survive and discover a new purpose, or he could make a major sacrifice for those around him. Whatever direction Respawn chooses, it needs to feel consistent with the person players have spent years getting to know.

Another major area of interest is the dark side of the Force. Jedi: Survivor already proved that Cal is susceptible to anger, fear, and desperation. It added layers to his character and hinted at deeper internal struggles in those moments. Many players hope the next game explores those themes much further instead of treating them as brief story beats.

That does not mean Cal should become a villain. Instead, a dark side could be a constant temptation that influences the story and gameplay. Those powers could sound dope with more powerful Force abilities, more aggressive combat options, and darker visual effects. At the same time, the game should make it clear that there are consequences to relying on them.

Some fans would even like to see the game start with Cal in a more troubled state. He may be more worn out, more angry, and more scarred than he was after Survivor. His style and mannerisms could reveal those changes from the beginning. That could immediately set a darker tone and reflect the extent to which he's been affected by recent events.

Another area where the expectations are still rising is customization. Although Survivor considerably increased the number of cosmetic options, there is still space to grow. Many players want access to more traditional Jedi robes, hooded outfits, darker cloaks, and clothing that reflects different versions of Cal’s personality. Greater variety would allow you to shape the character’s appearance in a more meaningful way.

The return of the poncho is also something many players would welcome. 

After becoming a recognizable part of Cal’s look in Fallen Order, it has developed a connection to the character. Bringing it back would be going back to the roots of the series. It would also be a simple way to maintain a sense of continuity across the trilogy. More options of outfits would help too, to suit different styles and preferences.

Customization should go beyond appearance. A couple of small gameplay bonuses for wearing certain outfits or certain pieces of armor or lightsaber components would add another layer of depth. One set of gear might increase defense; another could increase Force regeneration. 

Exploration is another area that many players want to see grow. Just having bigger maps is not enough if they serve no purpose. Rather, the planets should appear to be alive, mysterious, and integrated into the story. Hidden areas, deeper lore, and stronger reasons to revisit locations could make exploration much more rewarding.

One place that’s really shining for potential is Tanalorr. With Jedi: Survivor out of the way, it looks like it will be a big part of the future. It could be a focal point for Cal and his friends, not just another calling station. Growing and protecting it over time can give a better sense of progression and investment.

They might also grow the series in other areas, such as side activities. Holotactics was a fun add in Survivor, but there is room to build something even more profound. A more advanced mini-game could persuade players to spend more time in the world outside the main story. The Witcher 3 was proof that a side activity can be one of the most memorable parts of an entire experience.

More enemy variety and impact could also improve combat.

Balance still matters, but lightsabers should feel dangerous. Better enemy responses, tougher duels, better dismemberment effects, and encounters that encourage different combat approaches would all lead to more satisfying battles. If Jedi 3 is the end of the trilogy, many players are hoping the combat will be the best it’s ever been.

Ultimately, our expectations for Star Wars Jedi 3 are simple: respect the past. Fans want substantive Star Wars connections, not fan service. They want deeper combat systems, more customization, expanded exploration, and stronger dark side mechanics. More than anything else, they want a finale that provides a strong and fitting conclusion to Cal Kestis’ story.

If Respawn can pull together all of those elements, Star Wars Jedi 3 could become more than just another entry in a popular franchise. It might be the best game in the trilogy and one of the most memorable Star Wars stories in recent memory.