Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Star Wars: Obi-Wan delivers a tight third-person action experience focused squarely on the thrill of lightsaber combat and Force abilities. From the moment you ignite your blade, the game emphasizes timing, spacing, and chaining attacks as core mechanics. Basic strikes can be combined with lateral slashes, overhead swings, and double-bladed flourishes that feel surprisingly weighty, making each encounter against Battle Droids or Tusken Raiders a test of both reflexes and strategy.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Beyond lightsaber duels, Force Powers inject variety into the action. You can use Force Push to stagger groups of enemies, Force Grab to snatch weapons out of unsuspecting hands, or simply hurl debris at foes to thin the ranks before engaging in close quarters. These abilities aren’t mere gimmicks; they integrate seamlessly into combat scenarios and environmental puzzles, requiring players to think on their feet and choose whether to clear a room with brute Force or slice through it with precision.

The level design is equally diverse, taking you from the neon-lit underbelly of Coruscant to the idyllic plains of Naboo and the rugged dunes of Tatooine. Each planet presents unique hazards—security turrets in the Trade Federation stronghold, stealth sequences amid palace gardens, and hostile wildlife in the Jundland Wastes. The result is a constant sense of discovery, as you balance exploration, platforming, and combat in equal measure.

While the core gameplay loop is engaging, repetition can set in if you linger too long on side missions. Some combat arenas reuse enemy types, and the pacing occasionally dips between story beats. That said, the multiplayer Jedi Arena offers a welcome diversion, pitting you against friends or AI in lightsaber duels as iconic Jedi Masters such as Mace Windu or General Grievous. This mode extends the game’s lifespan and provides a frantic sandbox for testing out unlocked combos and Force techniques.

Graphics

Graphically, Star Wars: Obi-Wan strikes a balance between cinematic spectacle and technical polish. Character models are detailed enough to convey Obi-Wan’s restrained intensity, with realistic cloth physics on his robes and subtle facial animations during dialogue. Environments feel expansive and lived-in—Coruscant’s cityscape teems with flying traffic and distant skyscrapers, while Naboo’s rolling fields shimmer under a bright sun.

Lighting plays a pivotal role, especially when your lightsaber cuts through shadowy corridors or reflects off damp stone. Force effects—energy ripples, telekinetic trails, and explosive shockwaves—are impressively vibrant, lending weight to every supernatural maneuver. On higher-end hardware or next-generation consoles, these effects shine, though lower specifications can lead to occasional frame-rate dips in the most crowded sequences.

The artistic direction remains faithful to the prequel trilogy’s aesthetic, from the sleek Trade Federation armor to the ornate royal chambers of Theed Palace. Textures on surfaces like rusted starship hulls and weathered sandstone in Tatooine’s canyons feel authentic, creating a cohesive universe that invites scrutiny from the most die-hard Star Wars aficionados.

Minor texture pop-ins and clipping issues crop up in long levels, but they rarely detract from the overall immersion. Load times between areas are reasonable, and camera angles during cutscenes are dynamic without being disorienting. For a licensed title, Obi-Wan is a visual treat that capably captures the grandeur of the galaxy far, far away.

Story

Set weeks before the Trade Federation’s invasion of Naboo, Star Wars: Obi-Wan weaves an original narrative that slots neatly into Episode I’s timeline. As Obi-Wan Kenobi, you’re dispatched to investigate a burgeoning underworld crime ring suspected of smuggling forbidden technology to separatist elements. This premise adds fresh context to the political tension of the era and casts a detective’s eye on the Republic’s darker corners.

The writing balances terse Jedi wisdom with moments of levity provided by side characters—an ex-smuggler informant with a penchant for quicktalk, a sympathetic mechanic repairing a battered starfighter, and rival underbosses who underestimate the young padawan. Dialogue exchanges showcase Obi-Wan’s dedication to justice while hinting at the looming shadows behind Palpatine’s machinations.

Key narrative beats include adrenaline-charged infiltration missions on Coruscant, diplomatic escort assignments on Naboo, and a moral quandary in the Jundland wastes when you encounter displaced Tuskens. Each chapter culminates in a climactic boss fight—be it a renegade mercenary droid or a deranged crime lord—that ties back to the overarching plot thread leading into Episode I.

While the story doesn’t radically reinvent the Star Wars mythos, it deepens Obi-Wan’s character arc, showing glimpses of his mentor-student bond with Qui-Gon Jinn and foreshadowing the burdens he will bear as a guardian of peace. Fans of the prequels will appreciate the nods to established lore, and newcomers will find a coherent adventure with clear motivations and stakes.

Overall Experience

Star Wars: Obi-Wan succeeds by marrying authentic Jedi combat with a narrative that complements its filmic roots. The controls are responsive, the Force Powers feel impactful, and the environments capture the scope of the Star Wars universe. Whether you’re brushing up on your saber stances or executing flawless aerial Force Jumps, the game keeps you invested through varied challenges and surprises around every corner.

Multiplayer Jedi Arena adds replayability, allowing you to test custom loadouts and duel opponents in iconic arenas. While it isn’t as fleshed-out as dedicated fighting titles, it offers enough customization—choice of saber color, Force speed, and stamina upgrades—to keep casual matches fresh. It also doubles as a training ground to hone skills before diving back into the single-player campaign’s tougher difficulty levels.

The pacing occasionally wavers, and some secondary objectives feel like padding, but the core adventure is solid and satisfying. Technical hiccups are minor, and the overall presentation—sound design, music score, voice acting—anchors you firmly in a galaxy that feels both familiar and ripe for exploration.

For Star Wars enthusiasts and action-adventure fans alike, Obi-Wan is a compelling story-driven journey that stands out among licensed games. It captures the essence of being a Jedi, offering both the serenity of Force meditation and the exhilaration of lightsaber duels. While it may not be flawless, its strengths in gameplay cohesion, visual design, and narrative integration make it a worthy addition to any player’s collection.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10