The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is one of the best art books for a video game that I’ve ever seen. If you love the Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, this art book is a must.
I decided to play the game before reading the art book for two reasons. First, I figured the book would contain spoilers (which it does by the dozen, so you’ve been warned). Second, I wanted to gain the emotional attachment to the game so the art would have more meaning.
The art book is terrific companion to the game because the art during gameplay is often lost due to focusing on battles and missions. The art becomes more of a subconscious element of the game. That’s why this book works so well as a companion. You can enjoy the finer details of a world, a starship, characters, and even monsters without having to worry about getting eaten by said monsters.
The book is organized similar to the journey taken by Cal in the game. Each world gets its own chapter. Before you set off on your journey, the Art of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order begins with a light forward by Lead Concept Artist Jordan Lamarre-Wan.
Then the book reviews the evolution of the heroes in the game: Cal Kestis, BD-1, Cere Junda, and Greez Dritus.
One thing I really like about this art book is it goes all in on character design evolution. The book spends eight pages exploring Cal’s designs and four pages on Greez. A lot of other art books I’ve read skimp on the conceptual evolution, but not this book.
The next chapter features the villains starting with the stormtroopers (Heavy Assault, Scout, and Flame Trooper). Following them is the Inquisitorius including the Purge Trooper, Ninth Sister, and Second Sister. The evolution of the second sister the most interesting of the villains (rightfully so). Six pages are devoted to many looks before arriving on her final design – somewhere between Star Wars Rebel’s Seventh Sister and the Purge Troopers in helmet design.
And now we’re off to the worlds of Jedi: Fallen Order, starting with Bracca and all the way through to Fortress Inquisitorius on the water moon Nur in the Mustafar System (so daddy Vader can keep a close watch on his Sith kids from his castle).
Within the world chapters, the artists include the concept art for terrain, characters, plants, animals, and, of course, monsters particular to each world. I have to confess I really want a pet bogling from Bogano, not to be confused a Boglin from the 1980s. As you probably know, you can get your own bogling companion in the game.
The location designs are fantastic. In particular, the concept art for the Tomb of Kujet on Dathomir is as beautiful as it is horrific.
There’s also vehicles and starships, with eight pages featuring the design evolution of the Stinger Mantis.
The book is a testament to all the work that goes into video games. The art book, published by Dark Horse Books, is a visual feast throughout its 240 pages with a strong influence of Ralph McQuarrie. Also, the attention to detail of the book design is top notch from the graphic layout to the low gloss paper to avoid glare. Even the binding is well done.
The last art book that impressed me this much was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The Art of the Movie.
If you love Jedi: Fallen Order or Star Wars in general, you should take a look at this book. The Art of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is available on Amazon and most book retailers.
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