In the vast galaxy of Star Wars, the stories of characters wielding the Force have captivated audiences for decades. From the legendary Jedi Knights to the mysterious Sith Lords, Force users often find themselves at the heart of epic battles between good and evil. Two notable figures in the expanded Star Wars universe are Galen Marek from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Cal Kestis from Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. While both characters are central to their respective narratives and wield incredible power, their journeys, motivations, and roles within the Star Wars lore present interesting contrasts.
Let’s dive deep into the similarities and differences between these two beloved Force users and how their stories fit into the larger Star Wars saga.
Galen Marek: The Apprentice With a Dark Destiny
Galen Marek, also known by his codename Starkiller, is the central figure of The Force Unleashed, which takes place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Galen’s story begins in darkness—he’s raised as the secret apprentice of Darth Vader after the Sith Lord kills his Jedi father. Trained to be an assassin and taught to wield the Dark Side of the Force, Galen is an incredibly powerful Force user, tasked with hunting down and eliminating the remaining Jedi across the galaxy.
As Galen grows, so too does his power. He masters abilities beyond what most Force users can dream of—using the Force to bring down Star Destroyers, unleash devastating electrical storms, and hurl enemies across the battlefield with ease. The game emphasizes his overwhelming strength, often portraying him as a nearly unstoppable force of nature.
However, Galen’s story isn’t as straightforward as a Dark Side assassin. Throughout The Force Unleashed, he begins to question his allegiance to Vader and the Sith. His relationships with key characters, including Juno Eclipse and Rahm Kota, help him rediscover his humanity and eventually lead him to turn against Vader, embracing a path of redemption.
Key Traits of Galen Marek:
- Raw Power: Galen is an exceptionally powerful Force user, more akin to an avatar of destruction than a traditional Jedi.
- Internal Conflict: His journey is one of self-discovery and redemption, from being Vader’s apprentice to embracing his Jedi heritage.
- Loyalty and Betrayal: Galen’s story is rife with betrayal, both from Darth Vader and his own internal struggle to escape the Dark Side.
- Outsized Abilities: Galen’s feats with the Force—such as pulling a Star Destroyer out of the sky—are legendary, often surpassing what we see from other Force users in the franchise.
Cal Kestis: The Survivor on the Run
In contrast, Cal Kestis is the protagonist of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, a sequel to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Set in the aftermath of Order 66, Cal’s story takes place in a galaxy where the Jedi are all but extinct, and the few remaining are hunted relentlessly by the Empire. Cal begins his journey as a former Jedi Padawan, hiding his abilities and laying low to avoid detection by the Empire’s Inquisitors.
Unlike Galen Marek, whose story is marked by overwhelming power and his dark origins, Cal’s journey is one of survival and rebuilding. He’s not the most powerful Jedi in the galaxy, but he is resourceful, using his knowledge of the Force and his connection to his fallen master to navigate the dangerous galaxy. Cal’s mission is to restore the Jedi Order, which puts him on a collision course with the Empire.
Cal’s strength lies in his determination, resilience, and the relationships he builds along the way. His bond with his crew aboard the Mantis and the mentors he finds during his journey help him grow as both a person and a Jedi. His story is about perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds and finding hope when all seems lost.
Key Traits of Cal Kestis:
- Survivor: Cal’s story is one of survival, as he evades the Empire’s Jedi hunters while striving to restore the Jedi Order.
- Growth and Development: Unlike Galen’s raw power, Cal’s abilities develop steadily throughout his journey as he reconnects with the Force and learns from his experiences.
- Relatable and Grounded: Cal is a more grounded character. His story is marked by perseverance, and he represents the “everyman” in a galaxy filled with larger-than-life figures.
- Close Bonds: Cal’s relationships with his crew and the people he meets along the way are central to his character and growth.
Power vs. Perseverance: A Tale of Two Force Users
While both Galen Marek and Cal Kestis are incredibly powerful Force users, their approaches to combat, the Force, and their personal journeys differ significantly.
Combat Style: Brute Force vs. Tactical Approach
One of the most obvious differences between Galen and Cal is their combat styles. Galen Marek, raised as Darth Vader’s apprentice, uses his power in the Force as a weapon of mass destruction. His abilities in The Force Unleashed are over-the-top, with feats like pulling a Star Destroyer from the sky and wiping out legions of enemies with a single move. Galen’s sheer strength makes him one of the most powerful characters in Star Wars lore, though this power often isolates him.
On the other hand, Cal Kestis is much more tactical in his approach. He uses his abilities to explore, solve puzzles, and engage in combat with precision. His journey is more grounded, as Cal focuses on honing his skills over time rather than simply overpowering enemies. In Jedi: Survivor, Cal grows stronger by reconnecting with his past and learning from those around him, making his progression feel more natural.
Motivation: Redemption vs. Restoration
Galen’s motivation in The Force Unleashed is rooted in his struggle between his loyalty to Darth Vader and his growing desire for redemption. He starts as a tool of the Dark Side, but as he interacts with Jedi like Rahm Kota and experiences love through Juno Eclipse, he begins to reject the Sith and seek out a path of light.
Cal’s story, in contrast, is driven by the need to restore the Jedi Order and survive in a galaxy actively hunting him. He doesn’t struggle with the Dark Side in the same way Galen does. Instead, his story is about overcoming trauma, rebuilding, and finding hope after the fall of the Jedi. His growth is less about internal conflict and more about external pressures and how he rises to meet them.
Connection to the Star Wars Universe
Both characters have unique relationships with the larger Star Wars universe, but in different ways. Galen Marek’s story is tied to some of the most famous characters in the franchise, including Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. His journey shows the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Empire and the inner workings of the Dark Side. However, Galen’s story is part of the now non-canon Star Wars Legends timeline, which makes him a figure of what could have been in Star Wars storytelling.
Cal Kestis, meanwhile, is fully part of the modern Star Wars canon, making him a key player in the story of the Jedi post-Order 66. His role in the franchise gives us insight into a more grounded story of survival and rebuilding, making him a key figure in the newer stories being told within the Star Wars universe.
Conclusion: Two Force Users, Two Unique Journeys
In the end, both Galen Marek and Cal Kestis are fascinating characters in the Star Wars universe, each offering something unique to fans of the franchise. Galen Marek’s journey is one of redemption through power, starting in the darkness and clawing his way to the light. He’s the ultimate example of raw strength in the Force. Cal Kestis, on the other hand, represents hope and resilience, a character who survives not by being the most powerful, but by being resourceful and determined.
Whether you’re drawn to Galen’s epic feats or Cal’s grounded perseverance, both characters show us different sides of what it means to wield the Force and face the darkness in a galaxy far, far away.
