As a fan of racing games, it’s been one area I’ve wanted to see expanded with Star Wars games. We had podracing (twice or three times counting the arcade game) and a very fun-looking kart racer, but nothing that really explored the wide variety of ways racing in the galaxy far, far away could be done. Enter Fuse Games, made up of former Criterion developers, and their debut with Star Wars: Galactic Racer.
Right from the opening drive, teaching the basics of this high speed racing league, it’s clear Fuse knew what they were doing. Each of the three types of vehicle competing in these races have handling differences, such as speeder bikes being great in straight lines but needing to heavily rely on drifts for corners. Each also comes with two types of boost. The regular afterburner, and the riskier ramjet that can explode if allowed to redline too long.
Each section of the opening drive sees a new planet visited. Each is unique, with its own challenges to face. The heat of Jakku will reduce the amount of time the ramjet can be used before it redlines. It can be used a lot longer on Ando Prime, with its cold environment meaning it doesn’t overheat as quick. But the entire vehicle is at risk of freezing, needing strategic use of the heat tunnels placed around the tracks to avoid that.
With that opening drive complete, enter Shade. A helmeted figure whose flight suit, helmet, and voice can be customised with a few options. I gave my Shade some red in the outfit and a feminine voice, letting me cross universes with my own Space Race Championship. As someone who works deliveries, Shade matched with my idea of a younger Kerry.
Making a delivery to Darius Pax – founder of the Galactic League, it seems he had something more than just a simple delivery in mind. He wants Shade to race, knowing they have what it takes to take down Kestar Bool. Who, as current champion of the League, has been trying to push Pax from his position of running it. What follows is three acts of story getting Shade qualified into the League and bringing Bool down for good.
This is roguelike progression, with each act having a set order of planets and multiple routes of events to choose between, that merge and split at various points. Those routes continue through to the next planet, so there’s strategy in the choice made. I could take the top route for a race, but then the first event of the next planet would be an eliminator, which could end very badly for me and end my run if I’m not well prepared.
With each race, there’s a limited amount of crashes I’m allowed to make before my run is ended. But succeed at a race, or any event, I get money depending on my position. And a new upgrade part. There are several stats that can be upgraded, with one of three random upgrades offered after each event. At the end of a run, all those upgrades will be gone. But permanent upgrades can be applied before the start of a new run.
When first arriving at a new planet, I can wander around the paddock area. This is where plenty of fun interactions can be found. Whether between the other racers, or between myself and another racer. Or even Pax. The shop is also here, letting me buy new parts that improve the vehicle outside of the stats, along with abilities that can allow for more aggressive or defensive plays when racing.
That racing is fast, needing quick reactions and knowledge of the tracks to navigate them and get ahead. Handling is smooth, with some great crash cameras having taken someone out or being taken out myself. Though I usually slip up when it reverts back to the usual view, with the autopilot lasting a few seconds more. So that when it gives me control back, I end up crashing myself.
The feel of Galactic Racer is very Star Wars. Various alien species populate the racers. They can be heard talking in languages such as Huttese along with Basic. The planets raced on have familiar elements, such as big ones such as racing through the skeleton of a Star Destroyer. Or small ones such as architectural elements found across the tracks. Even the HUD has a distinctly Star Wars flavour, being a solid light of one colour.
For anyone after high speed thrills in the Star Wars universe, Galactic Racer is one you need to play. It runs smooth, has a great campaign that favours constant improvement. A racer that has many great tracks, smooth controls, and a very enjoyable cast of characters within this post-Empire period of the galaxy far, far away. Galactic Racer is an easily recommended experience. And for anyone wanting podracing, that can be found here too. In a history lesson from a certain Dug.
Images Taken From:
Star Wars: Galactic Racer | Xbox Series S
