Thanks to a slew of gameplay trailers for Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order shown at this year’s E3, we finally know what to expect when Respawn’s single-player adventure drops later this year. The title, which will have a heavily narrative-driven and canon storyline, casts players in the role of Cal Kestis (Cameron Monaghan), a padawan forced into hiding following the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.
With his cover subsequently blown, Cal embarks on a journey to finish his Jedi training, all the while fending off pursuing Galactic Empire forces. Given the latter’s strict adherence to only conscripting humans, players will largely find themselves sparring with various different types of Stormtroopers and the Jedi-hunting Inquisitors, meaning it won’t be long before your Lightsaber comes into contact with skin and bone.
Given the, let’s say, efficient amputation properties of the Jedi’s one and only tool, it’s to be expected that dismemberment and the odd bloody wound or two will be seen in-game, right? Wrong.
As if the party responsible for such a decision was ever in question, recent details provided to IGN leave the writing on the wall. With a family-friendly image to maintain, Disney apparently mandated that no such acts of violence were allowed to be depicted in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, at least not directly. As per comments provided to the site by Tatyana Drewry Carvin, a story artist for The Clone Wars TV series, the House of Mickey Mouse apparently has strict rules in place for such scenarios.
“One of the rules we were given was to always hide the cut in case of decapitation,” said Carvin. “And never show blood. The burn of the Lightsaber is supposed to cauterize it instantly.”
In the latter’s case, Carvin makes a fair point, but as far as limb removal goes, many will undoubtedly criticize Disney for being overly conservative with its censorship. Droids and animals aren’t afforded the same immunity to limb removal, however, so silver linings and all that.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is out this November for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.