EA didn’t forget after all: One of the best Star Wars games is finally coming to last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles next month

EA didn't forget after all: One of the best Star Wars games is finally coming to last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles next month

What you need to know

  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor was one of the biggest action-adventure games of 2023, and is often considered one of the best Star Wars games in recent years.
  • Publisher Electronic Arts (EA) announced a last-gen release for it on Xbox One and PS4 just over a year ago, but has only just now given an official release date for it.
  • It’s coming next month on September 17, 2024, and is being sold as an entirely separate edition of the game that’s $49.99 — a full $20 cheaper than the regular version’s $69.99.
  • EA is also offering an $80 cross-gen bundle that includes access to the last-gen and current-gen versions of both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, but its price doesn’t appear to reduce if you already own any of the versions included in it.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the announcement of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor coming to last-gen consoles next month is both exciting and perplexing. On one hand, I’m thrilled to see this masterpiece of an action-adventure game grace the screens of Xbox One and PS4 players who may have missed out on it initially. However, the way Electronic Arts (EA) is handling the release leaves much to be desired.


In the realm of 2023 gaming, one standout title that left an indelible mark was Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – a follow-up to the much-loved 2019 action-adventure game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This sequel continues the gripping tale of our resilient Jedi, Cal Kestis, as he battles through the Empire’s iron grip on the galaxy. It made a splash when it debuted on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5, and now, it’s making its way to last-gen platforms like Xbox One and PS4 – a moment we’ve all been eagerly awaiting!

Approximately a year ago, Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts (EA), stated that the game would be released on these consoles, but for quite some time, there was no solid confirmation of this promise. This had led me to assume that the studio had secretly scrapped their plans, however, today, EA has provided an update and confirmed that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor will indeed be available on Xbox One and PS4 within about a month’s time.

“On September 17, 2024, the highly praised Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is set to release on Xbox One and PlayStation 4! The official EA Star Wars X Twitter account announced this, providing links for preorders of the less expensive last-gen version. This edition costs $49.99, making it $20 cheaper than the regular MSRP. Preordering also gives you access to the Jedi Survival Cosmetic Pack, featuring an Obi-Wan Kenobi-inspired skin, lightsaber set, and blaster set.”

As an analyst, I can confidently assert that Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, with its captivating visuals, immersive storytelling, and gameplay reminiscent of Sekiro, stands out among the top action-adventure games available today. A closer look at our review provides a comprehensive understanding of this title’s merits. However, it’s important to acknowledge that at launch, the game faced performance issues. While these have significantly improved on Xbox Series X|S and PS5, the PC version’s optimization remains somewhat inconsistent. This could be the reason behind Electronic Arts choosing to release separate editions for Xbox One and PS4 instead of updating the current game to work on these systems.

To create a version tailored for Xbox One and PS4, EA and Respawn Entertainment might have had to compromise the game’s visual quality more substantially than they would in other releases. This assumption arises from the performance issues observed with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor on contemporary gaming systems. While it’s speculation, it seems plausible given the need for adjustments to ensure smooth gameplay on last-gen consoles (we’ll learn if it’s true when the game launches on September 17).

As a long-time gamer with a collection spanning multiple generations, I’ve learned to appreciate the benefits of cross-gen bundles. They offer the chance to enjoy the same game on both older and newer systems, which is particularly useful when upgrading hardware. However, my personal experience has taught me that these bundles aren’t always as cost-effective as they seem.

As a long-time gamer with a soft spot for Star Wars and a budget-conscious shopper, I must say that my excitement for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is tempered by the uncertainty surrounding its availability through EA Play. Having experienced the convenience of accessing previous titles in the series through this service, I’m hoping to continue that trend with this latest installment.

Analysis: It’s finally coming, but it’s being handled terribly

EA didn't forget after all: One of the best Star Wars games is finally coming to last-gen Xbox and PlayStation consoles next month

It’s exciting that one of the top-tier Xbox and PC games is making its way to older consoles, but the manner in which Electronic Arts (EA) is managing the release feels less than consumer-oriented. Rather than providing a straightforward upgrade for players who buy the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 version, they are offering an $80 cross-gen bundle instead. This approach appears selfish since it would be more reasonable to offer a free upgrade that users can take advantage of when they transition to Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5. Additionally, the price doesn’t seem to change even if you already own some of the versions within the bundle, which seems unreasonable, especially considering we’ve checked with multiple accounts that own both games.

Paying $80 for both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor isn’t a poor investment, but it’s only advisable if you don’t already own Fallen Order. If you do have Fallen Order, consider buying the standalone last-gen release of Survivor, or wait and purchase the current-gen version if you intend to upgrade to Xbox Series X|S or PS5 soon.

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2024-08-06 21:09