Star Wars: Galactic Racer review – High-speed skirmishes
Somehow, podracing returned, in this blisteringly fast, planet-hopping racing game
At least one good thing came from The Phantom Menace: the Nintendo 64 game Star Wars Episode I: Racer. Based on the film’s standout podrace scene, it sparked an unlikely subgenre of racing games set in the Star Wars universe. Galactic Racer is the latest take on the formula, featuring a typically diverse cast of aliens (including a charming, four-armed Scouse monkey), detailed recreations of familiar worlds such as Tatooine, Jakku and Crait, and a punchy orchestral score from veteran Star Wars game composer Gordy Haab.
The campaign takes a roguelite approach, guiding you through a series of races in landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders, with the iconic podracers appearing later on. Each craft is alarmingly fragile, demanding a careful balance between speed and control. An afterburner provides a moderate boost, while the much faster ramjet engine needs to be used judiciously to avoid smashing your vehicle into the scenery. Upgrades and abilities can improve vehicle resilience and, when a run ends in defeat, players start again with some improvements retained.
UK developer Fuse Games comprises senior staff from the Burnout and Need For Speed franchises, whose fast-paced racing and thrilling vehicular skirmishes earned them devoted followings. Galactic Racer is blisteringly fast and its short races demand strict concentration as you negotiate the hazards ahead. The clear sound design conveys vital information about vehicle status and race conditions, allowing you to keep your eyes on the track, while the controls strike a good balance between accessibility and complexity. With numerous skirmish and multiplayer modes to complement the campaign, there’s plenty here for race fans, whether they’re into Star Wars or not.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is out now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.