Tales of the Empire review: "Mature, beautifully animated shorts that are worthy additions to the Star Wars canon"

2024-05-02

GamesRadar+ VerdictThese six mature, beautifully animated shorts are worthy additions to the animated Star Wars canon.

GamesRadar+ Verdict

These six mature, beautifully animated shorts are worthy additions to the animated Star Wars canon.

Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy.

Tales of the Jedi has returned with a dark side makeover. The anthology series has rebranded to Tales of the Empire, and these six new shorts are mature, fascinating, and worthy additions to the animated Star Wars canon.

While season 1 focused onAhsoka Tanoand Count Dooku, season 2 pushes into more uncharted waters. I personally would be happy to watch endless animated shows featuringAhsoka, but branching out is the right move for Tales of the Empire – after all, the best thing about an anthology show is its potential to explore previously untold stories. This time, our main characters areMorgan Elsbethand Barriss Offee, AKA the villain of the live-action Ahsoka show, and a key character from the Clone Wars.

Now, Tales of the Empire might be a little inaccessible for newcomers, as no time is wasted recapping who these figures are and what their significance is. Though, that’s not entirely important, as each character’s three episodes function as self-contained stories in their own right. You’ll get more out of Barriss’s episodes if you’re familiar with the reasoning behind her disillusionment with the Jedi Order, of course, but there really is no required viewing for these six shorts.

Exploring the saga

(Image credit: Disney)

Tales of the Empire

Morgan’s story pairs perfectly with Barriss’s, too. While Morgan is coldly committed to the Empire, Barriss is more uncertain. We pick up with her in the aftermath of Order 66 as she trains to be an Inquisitor, with her complicated emotions running alongside her relationship with an Inquisitor named Lyn (who you might recognize from theObi-Wan Kenobiseries, but, again, it doesn’t matter if you don’t). Barriss’s tale takes us through familiar Star Wars themes, though it doesn’t feel like a mere retread of anything we’ve seen before. Instead, it’s another exploration of that timeless theme of light vs. dark, and how that conflict can play out within just one individual.

Tone poems

(Image credit: Disney)

Tales of the Empire

When Tales of the Jedi was announced, Filoni described each short as a"tone poem"with minimal dialogue in exchange for a focus on visuals. Tales of the Empire looks as stunning as its predecessor, though it feels a little more dialogue heavy, meaning it plays more like mini episodes of The Clone Wars. This means it suffers ever so slightly in comparison to Tales of the Jedi thanks to losing some of that unique, atmospheric feel. The slight runtime remains, though, with each installment between 10 to 15 minutes long – so the economical storytelling really shines, and each episode feels like a snapshot in time.

The structure of focusing on two characters per season really works, and I hope the future of the show continues to follow the same pattern: there are so many unexplored points in the Star Wars canon and characters who have yet to take the spotlight, which could all flourish in the Tales structure.

With the mainline Star Wars saga focusing on galaxy-shaking goings-on, it’s a pleasant change of pace to dive deep like this, in slower, more meditative episodes that don’t have to propel the overarching narrative. Slowing down to look at the scenery is just as satisfying as speeding through those major events.

It’s unclear at the moment if there will be more Tales, but this season is proof that there’s space for it – and if there is a season 3, I’ll definitely be tuning in.

All episodes of Tales of the Empire arrive onDisneyPlus this May 4. See what else the galaxy far, far away has in store with our guide to all theupcoming Star Wars movies and TV shows.

Today’s best Disney+ dealsDisney+ and Hulu Bundle - Monthly (With$7.99$10.99/mthViewatDisney+Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle - Monthly$16.99/mthViewatDisney+Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle - Monthly$16.99/mthViewatDisney+

Today’s best Disney+ deals

Disney+ and Hulu Bundle - Monthly (With$7.99$10.99/mthViewatDisney+Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle - Monthly$16.99/mthViewatDisney+Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle - Monthly$16.99/mthViewatDisney+

Disney+ and Hulu Bundle - Monthly (With$7.99$10.99/mthViewatDisney+

Disney

Disney+ and Hulu Bundle - Monthly (With

$7.99$10.99/mthView

$7.99$10.99/mth

$10.99/mth

/mth

atDisney+

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle - Monthly$16.99/mthViewatDisney+

Disney+

Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ Bundle - Monthly

$16.99/mthView

$16.99/mth

/mth

atDisney+

Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle - Monthly$16.99/mthViewatDisney+

Disney+

Disney+, Hulu, Max Bundle - Monthly

$16.99/mthView

$16.99/mth

/mth

atDisney+

TOPICSDisney PlusDisney

TOPICS

CATEGORIESDisney PlusStreaming Services

CATEGORIES

Latest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history": Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetFlorence Pugh and Andrew Garfield say their new romantic drama changed them as actors: “I’ve never had an experience like that before"26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest►

Latest"Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetFlorence Pugh and Andrew Garfield say their new romantic drama changed them as actors: “I’ve never had an experience like that before"26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest►

Latest

“Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yetFlorence Pugh and Andrew Garfield say their new romantic drama changed them as actors: “I’ve never had an experience like that before"26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time”

“Issues encountered during the initial launch are a genuine part of the game’s history”: Wuthering Waves producer on the road to 2.0 and the open-world action RPG’s biggest update yet

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield say their new romantic drama changed them as actors: “I’ve never had an experience like that before”

Promo artwork for Colin McCrae Rally 2005 showing a car jumping above desert sands

26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time”

See more latest►

Most PopularNemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became"Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”

Most Popular

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Anbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up”

Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever created”

Glorious Series 2 Pro review: “comfortable and nimble, but not quite punching with the flagships”

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

Bouiles Elite Series review: “The longer I sat in it, the more comfortable I became”

Azeron Cyborg II review: “One of the best gaming peripherals I’ve ever used”

Atari 7800+ review: “a retro console remake for the ‘80s kids”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

Squid Game season 2

1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”

2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

GamesRadar+ Verdict

Exploring the saga

Tone poems

Contents