A new Star Wars bounty hunting game is in development by Respawn Entertainment, the studio behind hits like Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This first-person game will put players in the boots of a Mandalorian bounty hunter during the age of the Galactic Empire’s domination.
With the evil Empire exerting control across the galaxy, bounty hunters can find no shortage of wanted fugitives to track down for handsome rewards. As a lethal Mandalorian warrior armed with an array of gadgets and weaponry, players will take on dangerous missions to capture or eliminate high-value targets dead or alive.
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Jeff Grubb of VentureBeat first reported on this mysterious Respawn project, though he did not initially disclose its Star Wars setting. He did state that the game emphasizes mobility and style in its design. This makes perfect sense for a jetpack-equipped Mandalorian who can perform impressive feats of vertical and horizontal traversal to chase down enemies.
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The departure of Respawn creative director Mohammad Alavi, who led development on this secretive new title, caused some concern about the game’s future. However, according to insider sources, development continues to be on track for a 2024 or 2025 release from publisher Electronic Arts.
Alavi and his team set out to craft a fast-paced, high-mobility shooter rewarding stylistic play. Details have emerged about some of the Mandalorian bounty hunter abilities that achieve this goal. Dash sideways, boost jump vertically, boost slide to pick up speed, and regenerate health through rapid successive kills – these all contribute to a kinetic feel.
The Mandalorian’s wrist rocket, grapple hook, enemy-tagging visor, and other gadgets offer creative options during combat and traversal. Levels will take place across multiple Star Wars planets, though not in a contiguous open-world structure. The campaign will instead likely feature more linear, narrative-driven missions better suited to this story-focused era of Star Wars gaming sparked by Jedi: Fallen Order’s success.
The team has plenty of time to expand the game as Respawn continues prototyping over the next year or more before moving into full production. An eventual multiplayer mode seems like a natural fit for the game’s fluid mechanics. This batch of new media set in the age of the Empire, from The Mandalorian show to Jedi: Fallen Order and beyond, has resonated strongly with fans. A big-budget Respawn-developed bounty hunter fantasy should continue that momentum.
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The Mandalorian himself may even feature in the game as a central character. His people figure prominently in the time period, and his armor and weaponry inspire the game’s design. Though unconfirmed, playing as Din Djarin or another established Mandalorian character would strengthen brand synergy and fan appeal.
While uncertainties remain regarding exact release timing and details, the core premise shows immense promise. Players love assuming the role of agile, gadget-wielding warriors, battling through Star Wars locales and earning rewards. With Respawn’s pedigree and the rising popularity of Mandalorian culture, this bounty-hunting title could meet high expectations when it drops. Until then, we can only speculate and await further word from EA and Respawn.
Would you be excited for a Mandalorian game? Or are you tired of Star Wars? Let us know how you feel, down in the comments!
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