After the great launch of Knights Of The Fallen Empire last year, my expectations of the next chapter were heightened. This time I must admit that I was quite disappointed regarding the events happening within the story. In my opinion it totally lacked surprises and tension.
Prior to the launch of Chapter X: Anarchy in Paradise, it was very clear that Kaliyo is going to play an important part. I think it’s quite obvious that the announcement about a returning companion has been made to boost the pleasant anticipation for Kaliyo’s fans and to give the players something to look forward to. But sadly, to me it feels like this was kind the only interesting thing about the new chapter: Kaliyo being a part of it.
It was quite clear that she was going to return in the role of the terrorist Firebrand who works against the Eternal Empire. Even those players who somehow managed to start the new chapter spoiler-free, shouldn’t have had a big moment of surprise there, as the chapter starts with that information.
And that’s it. Nothing special.
All in all, I think that the approach of adding chapter after chapter is a good one. It adds to the storytelling a TV series-like effect, which can – if done well – keep you interested in future happenings.
That is if the “done well” part is the important part, after all. Chapter X felt like an extended companion quest and not really like an important chapter of the story which was built up so far. Personally, after finishing the chapter I didn’t feel anything else than “Okay, so now Kaliyo is also a companion”. I would have preferred a driven story development being the main part of a chapter and the companion quests being more like a gimmick.
Some positive aspects: at the end of the storyline something happens as a result of your actions and decisions, which I think is a good approach, even though in this specific case it happened a little bit abruptly. But that’s probably just my taste of a story development’s speed.
I also think the HK-55 quest is rather nice and something more than I expected, so I was very happy to have a companion quest that gives you Blizz.
The announcement for the next chapter presents Havoc Squad in the same way they presented Kaliyo: a special something to look forward to. Let’s hope that this time the story around that special something doesn’t feel like a side story.
If the following chapters only focus on the event – that a bunch of companions return – I fear we have to expect some very boring stuff.
Tom is an Austrian actor and director, working in theaters since 2001. He studied acting in Salzburg and currently lives in Germany. He loves being creative, putting the crazy thoughts in his head out into the world and dreaming of being a Star Wars character. In addition he is also studying Media-Management, but only if his thoughts don’t drift to galaxies far, far away.
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