The sequel to 2017’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor may have launched with technical issues, but delivered a punchier story filled with memorable moments, with the masterfully executed betrayal of Bode Akuna standing out the most.
The gunslinging newcomer, played by Noshir Balal, wasn’t just a helpful ally to Cal Kestis, but a ticking time bomb with a dark secret. Players were undoubtedly shocked by the plot twist, and the game’s writers revealed that its impact resonated deeply even with the actors themselves.
Star Wars Jedi Survivor‘s Actors Collaborated With Writers
In an interview with Game Rant, Star Wars Jedi Survivor senior writer Pete Stewart and lead writer Danny Homan spoke about the extent of the actors’ involvement in the twist. Homan explained:
We bring our actors in pretty early on in the process to discuss the story with them, their roles, and get a lot of great feedback and contributions. Noshir, who plays Bode, pours his entire soul into his acting and he’s always pulling you aside to ask, “Well, what do you think Bode would do in this situation, hypothetically?” because he really wants to understand the core of that character.
It’s interesting that the actors weren’t kept in the dark, and instead used to gauge feedback for the characters and the story, and Balal’s creative process when playing Bode more than proves how dedicated an actor he is.
“We do bring all the actors in for a table read when we have a first version of what we’re happy with for a script, and I do remember going through it and when we get to certain moments there were gasps, and we had to wait for that to calm back down to continue,” remarks Stewart.
The Plot Twist About Bode Akuna In Question
Throughout Jedi Survivor, Bode establishes himself as a reliable companion for Cal. They run missions together for the Resistance, forging a bond built on shared struggles. However, beneath the newcomer’s surface lies a nature that can be best described as dubious.
Bode, a former Jedi who survived Order 66, found love and fatherhood, only to lose his wife to the Empire. Desperate to protect his daughter, Kata, he struck a deal with the Imperial Intelligence to become a spy (ISB) and betray the Resistance in exchange for his family’s safety.
The reveal of Bode’s true allegiance throws Cal’s world into chaos. Eno Cordova is murdered, the Resistance base on Jedha falls under attack, and Cere Junda sacrifices herself to hold off Darth Vader. This emotional rollercoaster culminates in Cal’s first defeat at the hands of a now-revealed Force-wielding Bode, complete with a menacing red lightsaber.
Despite knowing the plot twist from the onset, the script readings still had the actors struggling to catch their breath. The writers mention of gasps and pauses during pivotal moments is a testament to the emotional weight of the writing, and makes the game a definite must-play on Star Wars Day.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is available to Game Pass subscribers at no additional cost.
