Cal Kestis: The Jedi Hero in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Let me tell y’all something: Cal Kestis didn’t ask for this life. One day he’s just some scrappy Jedi Padawan, probably worried about his next training session—and the next, boom, clones are gunning for him thanks to Order 66. And somehow, through grit, luck, and a few busted droids, he survives.

And honestly? That’s why I love Cal Kestis. He’s not a chosen one. He’s not part of some ancient prophecy. He’s just a red-haired space boy with trauma and a lightsaber—and I relate way too hard.

Anyway, let’s back it up a sec.

That Time the Galaxy Went to Hell (A.K.A. Order 66)

Picture this: you’re ten, maybe twelve. You’re practicing Jedi mind tricks with your favorite clone buddy. Next minute? That same buddy tries to kill you. Welcome to Cal Kestis’ childhood trauma.

He barely escapes. Ends up hiding on the scrappiest junk planet since Wall-E’s backyard—Bracca. Works with riggers, keeps his head down, and prays no one catches him doing floaty Force stuff. But oops—he saves a guy from falling off a ship, and the Empire’s goons sniff him out faster than I find the candy aisle at Target.

And so begins the hot mess that is his life.

From Rigger to Rebel: The Glow-Up Begins

In Fallen Order, we meet Cal Kestis in full “I’m not trying to be a hero” mode. But y’all know how it goes—he gets dragged back into Jedi business faster than you can say “double-bladed saber.”

He teams up with Cere (who, sidenote, has serious “tired mom friend” energy), Greez (alien gambler chef dude—10/10 would watch his cooking show), and BD-1, a tiny droid who squeaks and zaps and basically steals the whole game.

And together? They start trying to rebuild the Jedi Order. Spoiler alert: it does not go smoothly.

The Glow-Up Continues in Jedi: Survivor

Fast forward past three failed hyperspace jumps and one semi-awkward kiss attempt (okay I made that up)—Cal Kestis returns in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor looking older, scruffier, and 50% more brooding. It’s been a few years. He’s stronger. Smarter. But still haunted. Still carrying that survivor’s guilt like it’s a weighted backpack from hell.

He’s seen friends die. He’s made mistakes. (Same, honestly.)

And now, in Jedi: Survivor, Cal Kestis is trying to do what every anxious millennial with lightsaber skills tries to do—save the galaxy while holding it together emotionally. Harder than it looks.

Anyway, Here’s the Kicker: He’s Still Not Sure He’s a Hero

That’s what makes Cal Kestis hit different. He’s not Luke. He’s not Rey. He’s not trying to “restore balance” or whatever buzzphrase the Jedi Council’s PR team is pitching this week.

He’s just… surviving. Fighting. Caring. Screwing up. Trying again. Which, I dunno about you, feels way more relatable than some golden boy waving his saber around like he owns the galaxy.

And let me say it again: Cal Kestis isn’t perfect. He doubts himself. He loses faith. He lashes out. There’s this whole bit where he almost turns to the dark side and—well, let’s just say my palms were sweaty during that scene.

Why Cal’s Struggles Actually Matter

There’s something weirdly comforting about watching Cal Kestis stumble through space trauma. He’s a hot mess with a cause. Like, he meditates to center himself and then immediately falls off a cliff into a boss fight he’s not ready for. (Totally not speaking from personal gameplay experience. Totally.)

But through all that? He never gives up.

And it’s not just about swinging a glowing stick. It’s about learning when to fight, when to forgive, and when to finally let go of the past.

Like when he visits the Jedi Temple ruins and just stands there, staring into the wind like some sad Force poet. That hit.

The Lightsaber Is Cool—But So Is His Brain

Okay yeah, I’d sell my left shoe to fight like Cal Kestis. But hear me out: the coolest thing about him isn’t the lightsaber. It’s the way he thinks. He solves puzzles. He reads Jedi texts like he’s prepping for finals. He has visions, feelings, doubts—and still keeps going.

And in Jedi: Survivor, he gets even more powerful. New combat styles. New Force tricks. I once accidentally yeeted a stormtrooper into space and laughed so hard I had to pause. The game lets you play how Cal Kestis grows—physically and emotionally.

Side Quest Shenanigans (and A Few Heartbreaks)

There are moments in Jedi: Survivor that aren’t just filler—they’re windows into who Cal Kestis is becoming. One time he stops to help a lost alien kid find her pet. Another time, he’s just… sitting. Breathing. Watching stars.

And then bam, boss fight. Because of course.

That balance between the quiet and the chaos? Makes him feel real. Like, if I met Cal Kestis in a bar on Tatooine, I’d probably buy him a drink and ask about his therapist.

Bullet Points of “Wow, He’s a Mess But We Love Him”

Cal Kestis lost his master, his friends, and nearly his mind—but still believes in the Force. Barely.
He built his own lightsaber. Twice. One of them looked like it was designed by Pinterest and rage.
He talks to his droid more than people. Same, honestly.
He still tries to help people, even when he’s bone-tired and bleeding.

BD-1: The Real MVP? Probably.

You can’t talk about Cal Kestis without talking about BD-1. That little droid saved my life—well, his life—like 20 times. Scans data. Zaps enemies. Cures wounds. Squeaks encouragement. It’s like having a therapy dog, Roomba, and USB stick all rolled into one adorable package.

And their bond? Dang. It’s precious. Like the time Cal Kestis gently picks BD up after a battle and thanks him? I got misty. Not even sorry.

What If He Fails? What If He’s the Last Jedi?

This question hangs over Cal Kestis like stormclouds over Dagobah. He’s not building a new Jedi Order like some space messiah. He’s just trying to make something good last. Anything.

At one point, he finds a possible safe haven—some secret planet that’s untouched by Empire scanners. He dreams of starting over. Planting seeds. Building hope. Y’all, I cried.

Then it all goes sideways, of course. Because nothing easy comes to Cal Kestis. Not love. Not peace. Not even a hot meal without Inquisitors showing up.

The Emotional Gut Punches? They Keep Coming

He loses people. Friends betray him. Ghosts from his past literally haunt him. At one point, I screamed “LET THE BOY REST” at my screen. But Cal Kestis keeps going.

And there’s this beautiful part where he stops trying to be the perfect Jedi. He accepts his grief. His anger. His fear. Doesn’t let it define him—but doesn’t shove it down either.

I learned something watching that scene. Can’t say I expected therapy from a Star Wars game, but hey—2025 is weird.

Random Fun Fact Time (Because Why Not)

Victorians thought ferns could hear your thoughts. I like to imagine Cal Kestis whispering secrets to a cactus on Jedha just to decompress.

Also, page 42 of “Galactic Mishaps & Jedi Misfires” (Totally Not a Real Book, 1998) says Padawans once meditated by staring at lava flows. Sounds fake, but okay.

My Favorite Memory: Walmart Parking Lot Rosemary, 2019

I was picking up snacks for a Star Wars game night and grabbed a $2 rosemary plant on impulse. Named it Cal. It died in 3 days. Fitting.

Cal Kestis would’ve kept it alive. Or at least tried to use the Force on it. Probably failed, too. We’re not that different, honestly.

Will We See Cal Again? Please Say Yes

If Respawn doesn’t give us Jedi: Redemption or Jedi: Retirement Home Chronicles, I swear I’ll riot. (Peacefully. With signs. Probably shaped like BD-1.)

Cal Kestis deserves more stories. More awkward hugs. More meditation benches. He deserves a day off, a vacation, a plate of space noodles and a nap.

But knowing him, he’ll pick up that lightsaber again anyway. Because someone’s gotta fight.

The Last Bit Before the Credits Roll

So here’s my messy, human, sleep-deprived opinion: Cal Kestis is the Jedi we need. Not because he’s perfect. Because he’s real.

Because he keeps going. Because he believes in the good even when it sucks. Because he talks to his droid like it’s a therapy session and still shows up to save the galaxy the next morning.