Balancing the Power of Lightsabers in a Star Wars Soulslike

Exploring the challenge of incorporating lightsabers into a Soulslike Star Wars game without overshadowing other weapon choices.

While RPGs have evolved significantly over the years, the legacy of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic endures, influencing the modern gaming landscape. The rise of Soulslike games, inspired by FromSoftware’s Soulsborne titles, has introduced a major subgenre in recent years. However, the Star Wars franchise has yet to offer a game that truly aligns with the unique Soulslike style, particularly in terms of the freedom it provides players to experiment with action-RPG builds. As fans dream of a Soulslike set in the Star Wars galaxy, there’s one glaring imbalance it must address: the overwhelming dominance of lightsabers, a challenge even the iconic KOTOR series couldn’t fully overcome.

The remake of KOTOR has been the subject of speculation for years, maintaining high levels of anticipation. With fans now pondering the potential of a Soulslike game in the Star Wars universe, there’s a chance to fulfill the desire for a KOTOR-style adventure. However, adapting the approach that BioWare and Obsidian took to create a true Soulslike experience involves overcoming some key differences and addressing an enduring problem: the immense power of lightsaber builds.

The Challenge of Lightsabers in KOTOR and Beyond

Lightsabers Outshine Blasters and Vibroblades in KOTOR: KOTOR, as an RPG franchise, has always emphasized player choice as a central element of its gameplay. While players can make moral choices and navigate the narrative, customizing the protagonist’s unique build greatly enhances replayability. Despite the presence of alternatives like blasters and vibroblades, key in the early sections of both KOTOR titles, lightsabers ultimately offer the best combat potential. Whether it’s the power of various upgrade crystals and components or the various forms featured in The Sith Lords, it’s challenging to argue that even the finest vibroblade can compete with a lightsaber’s might.

Star Wars Game Releases Struggle with Weapon Balance: Even before KOTOR, titles like Jedi Outcast and Jedi Knight featured lightsaber combat that stayed true to the film lore by allowing players to eliminate foes in a single strike. While this works well for power fantasies when scenarios are balanced, the impact of lightsabers has been toned down in recent releases, such as this year’s Jedi: Survivor. Instead of immediate dismemberment, modern releases depict combat as if the lightsaber were a traditional sword.

The Inevitable Power of Lightsabers in a Star Wars Soulslike

Lightsabers Often Overshadow Other Weapons: While popular Soulslike games like Elden Ring are celebrated for the immense variety in player build customization, other options outside the signature Jedi weapon could easily be overshadowed in a Star Wars adaptation of the Soulslike formula. The ranged utility of blasters offers a unique approach to combat, but Jedi have always been capable of throwing their lightsabers as well. While alternatives like the vibroblades featured in KOTOR would be genre-appropriate, they may not be competitive if lightsabers are faithfully adapted.

Utilizing Lightsabers in a Challenging Way: Although lightsabers might initially appear to trivialize combat and customization, their association with parrying could provide a unique synergy in a Soulslike game. Jedi are renowned for deflecting blaster shots and even the strikes of other lightsaber-wielding opponents in a duel, making them a perfect fit for the Soulslike formula. Given that the Soulslike genre often includes formidable boss battles and rare equipment that’s rewarding to obtain, a future title may still offer an ideal platform for the iconic weapon of the Star Wars universe.