Summary
It’s been nearly three years since developer Quantic Dream announced the production ofStar Wars Eclipse. Little is currently known aboutEclipsebeyond that it’s a branching action-adventure game set during the High Republic era ofStar Warsfeaturing multiple playable protagonists. While it’s still unknown whenStar Wars Eclipsewill release, it’s unique setting and story potential could lead to the introduction of protagonists the likes of which have never been seen in the galaxy far, far away.
The High Republic Explained
With the relatively recent releases of the Disney + seriesThe AcolyteandStar Wars Jedi: Survivor, mainstreamStar Warsfans have begun to delve into the High Republic era, but these stories only scratched the surface of this time period. First introduced in the 2019 audio dramaDooku: Jedi Lost, the High Republic is a time period that lasted for around 400 years, from 500 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) to 100 BBY. The High Republic ended about 70 years beforeStar Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace. This era was a time of peace, prosperity, and expansion for the Galactic Republic, with many in-universe historians describing the period as both the Republic’s and the Jedi Order’s peak in terms of helping the galaxy.
It was during the High Republic that the Republic began expanding into the region of space that would come to be known as the Outer Rim and inducted hundreds of new systems into the galactic government. This wasn’t without its perils, however, as the Jedi would encounter several small conflicts with alien creatures, planet governments and other Force religions that opposed the expansion of the Republic. By the time of the late 200s BBY, a portion of the Outer Rim became engulfed in chaos fromthe Great Hyperspace Disaster and subsequent Nihil conflictbetween the Jedi, the Republic, and the Nihil marauders, who sought to cut off the Republic from the Outer Rim and destroy the Jedi.
The Acolytetakes place in 132 BBY, exactly 100 years beforeThe Phantom Menaceand about 100 years after the Nihil conflict seen primarily inStar Warsbooks and comics.
Star Wars Eclipse’s Character Potential
While it’s unknown when exactlyEclipsewill take place in theStar Warstimeline, many fans expect it to take place in the 400s or 300s BBY, since those centuries have been relatively unexplored so far. IfEclipsewere to take place in these time periods, this could allow Quantic Dream to create characters from completely unknown worlds or feature ones from famous planets and organizations early in their history.Eclipse’s announcement trailer already showcased an early iteration ofthe Neimoidians-run Trade Federationseemingly traveling to Outer Rim uncharted territory in older Lucrehulk-class freighters. Quantic Dream could have one protagonist be a young Neimoidian striving to make their claim in the galaxy by starting business on these new, potentially hostile worlds.
In contrast to the more familiar Neimoidians, another protagonist could be a native of one of the Outer Rim worlds. WithEclipsehaving an emphasis on player choices causing dramatic repercussions in the story, this native character could possibly lead their planet in combating the Republic expansionists orwork with the Republic and Jedi to make peacewith the Outer Rim worlds. IfEclipsetakes place during the Nihil conflict, this native character could potentially influence their people to side with the Nihil in combating the Republic. This could serve as an interesting way to bring some of the High Republic’s more horrifying creatures to screen for the first time as weapons against the Jedi, such as the plant-like Drengir and the Force-eating Shrii Ka Rai.
Star Wars Eclipse’s Jedi Characters Could Break Some Typical Rules
By the time of the High Republic, the Jedi Order was less rigid in its doctrines compared to the order seenin the Clone Wars. Oftentimes, in the High Republic, Jedi could form strong relationships with others and experiment with their force abilities and lightsabers, such as Vernestra Rwoh’s purple lightwhip. These precedents could allowEclipse’s Jedi protagonist to potentially romance other characters, similar to how players can romance companions inStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Players could even modify their lightsabers into unique lightsaber iterations such as curved hilts, which were shown inStar Wars Eclipse’s announcement trailer. A more emotional Jedi character could even lead players to fall to the dark side depending on their choices.
Star Wars Eclipse
WHERE TO PLAY
FROM AWARD-WINNING INDEPENDENT STUDIO QUANTIC DREAM AND LUCASFILM GAMEScomesStar WarsEclipse™, a new action-adventure, multiple-character branching narrative game set in the High Republic era of the iconicStar Wars™ galaxy, now early in development.Weave a tapestry of interlaced destiniesSee the galaxy through the eyes of an ensemble cast of multiple, charismatic playable characters, each with their own morality, personality, motivations, and impact upon each other and the story at large.Compose an originalStar Wars™ storyWith all-new characters and environments, you have the power to make choices with consequences thanks to many outcomes in this deeply branching narrative.Shape your fate in the Outer RimIn an uncharted section of the galaxy with never-before-seen species and planets to discover, this part of the Outer Rim is rife with opportunity – and political tensions that could alter the fabric of peace. What will you do?
