I finished the story a few minutes ago and then came here to see some spoiler reviews XD. And yes, I loved it! I kinda wish it was longer, and I hope they either add updates and side missions to this game or do a Fallen Order 2. I'd like to see how Cal continues his life and if he ever died since, well, Yoda did tell Luke that Luke was the last of the Jedi.
My legs are still shaky from when Vader showed up! TRILLA GET OUT OF THE WAY!
Oh and then Cere was tossed into the abyss, that freaked the kriff out of me! You're so right, Vader in Rogue One was terrifying, but this was even more scary due to how close players may have gotten to Cal at this point. Cal's character has a lovely spot in my fangirl heart and I would've been so upset if Vader succeeded in killing him, and thank the Force Cere survived! I'm all for Vader destroying everything the protagonist loves, but I'd rather Cere get run through while saving Cal instead of just being tossed into the abyss. And I loved the panic and desperation to get away. Vader's presence is one you must escape, not fight, especially since Cal isn't a fully trained Jedi and Cere, though strong in her own right, would never have stood a chance.
Anyways, all in all I really enjoyed this game, I'd go as far as to say Cal is the best character Disney canon has produced!
I also have to agree with Elven, they were great potentially emotionally rending moments... The game did get dark, and didn't feel afraid to do so BUT I feel like they wanted too strongly to leave the audience with "feel good vibes" or simply leave it open to a sequel (which for this title I could accept and appreciate). I spent the whole game waiting for the whole crew to be slaughtered, the Mantis to explode/crash land, the crew sacrificing themselves to let Cal escape (like his Master) with the holocron only to see some epic scene of him surrounded by the entire Inquisitorious. Have the whole thing play out like Halo Reach, and have a glorious end like that (because that story and ending will always be one for the record books IMO). I mean you only see 2 sisters. So if you assume since 9th makes an appearance, there are at least 7 "sisters"/inquisitors you never meet. Even if Darth Vader is the "Grand Inquisitor" and takes the place of #1... there would be 6 more at least, and who even said the number stopped at 9? I mean even if Cere managed to kill 1 or 2 with the Force in her great escape, It would have been an epic ending to the game to see Cal surrounded by 5 Inquisitors and having an unwinnable boss battle. Done in stages like survival one after another, then even if you beat/maim them they gang up on him and kill him inevitably! OR just a 5 way fight from the get go, and right before losing he destroys the holocron to keep it from Imperial hands... Even a fight with them all, and if they lose Vader shows up saying "you have all failed in your duties, you know the punishment for failure..." then after failing to turn Cal he Force chokes him to death.
I'm not saying the ending didn't work, just that it seems a bit lack luster to the glorious final stand it could have been! And I agree with Psycho, my girl Merrin deserved like a whole planet worth of journey with Cal! You do that whole fight together, then you can't "use her" again which is a little sad... she's so OP, and rage filled Cere is a great bit of backup too. It's sad there aren't levels you could call them in on, or some epic team up fight/final showdown... I can't remember the timeline for Force Unleashed but I wouldn't argue with a crossover for Cal & Co to die in. Vader wanting to test his apprentice out against a bit of a challenge, so you get to see Galen Merrick VS Cal Kestus in a death battle.