Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker is one of the most critically panned Star Wars films, but Episode IX's minikits in LEGO Skywalker Saga or playing story mode for the first time, the game's Rise of Skywalker missions prove themselves to be more than worthy retellings of the film's biggest moments. In what may be one of the game's biggest surprises, The Rise of Skywalker story mode ranks among the game's best, actually improving on the film's plotlines and set pieces. This is just one of the many ways that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga proves that it understands what fans love about the series and how best to adapt that within the game.
While The Rise of Skywalker may rank among LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's best episodes, the film it's based on hasn't had the same luck. When Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker first released in theaters in 2019, many critics and fans alike were unimpressed. While the film touted itself as the finale of the entire nine-episode Skywalker Saga, its messy plot, rushed pacing, and occasionally nonsensical conclusions to character plotlines barely addressed the narrative arcs in the sequel trilogy alone. All in all, the story did not sit well with many critics and fans, garnering the film one of the lowest Rotten Tomatoes scores of any live-action Star Wars film, tied in last place with The Phantom Menace at 52%.
However, players who avoid LEGO Star Wars: Skywalker Saga's pointless mumble mode will discover that the game's impressive dialogue actually works to expand upon many of the plot points and character arcs that fell flat in the film. While LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga doesn't drastically change the narrative beats from the film, dialogue between characters helps to build relationships and provide context that was otherwise missing. The ability to free-roam many of The Rise of Skywalker's planets (though sadly, Kijimi is not one of them), allows players to delve deeper into the film's lore, such as exploring the culture and festivities of the Ancestor's Festival on Pasaana or the ancient temple of the Sith on Exegol.
How LEGO Star Wars Improves The Rise Of Skywalker
In addition to better servicing the film's principal characters, such as giving LEGO Star Wars' Finn and Poe some love, the game also improves upon The Rise of Skywalker by giving certain moments that were rushed through in the film a chance to breathe. For instance, one of the most interesting developments in The Rise of Skywalker is when Rey, Finn, and Poe have to take C-3P0 to the First Order occupied planet of Kijimi in order to hack into his programming, allowing him to speak the forbidden language of the Sith. It's an exciting setup, but unfortunately, the film has the heroes immediately bump into Zorii Bliss, an old acquaintance of Poe's, who takes them to see Babu Frick. LEGO Star Wars improves upon this scene, forcing players to fight their way through the dangerous city, using a combination of stealth and disguises (reminiscent of A New Hope's Death Star scene).
This is far from the only Rise of Skywalker scene to be improved in LEGO Star Wars. Much like LEGO Skywalker Saga's Episode II lightsaber duel, Rey's duels with both Kylo Ren on Kef Bir and Emperor Palpatine on Exegol are made more epic through the game's extended scenes, while other exciting moments such as Finn, Rose, and Jannah's assault on the surface of a Star Destroyer and the Resistance crew's escape on Pasaana are made more memorable though impressive gameplay decisions. The elements not only make The Rise of Skywalker's story stand out among LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's missions, but improve on the film on which it is based as well.
