Star Wars: Galactic Racer Brings Podracing Back With a Runs-Based Twist

Star Wars: Galactic Racer takes the podracing concept from The Phantom Menace and expands it into a run-based racing game. Players can pilot different types of repulsorcraft, choose between events, upgrade their vehicles and compete against other racers.

Developed by Fuse Games in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is set in the Outer Rim after the Empire’s fall. The Galactic League provides the setting for the game’s racing campaign.

A Different Take on Star Wars Racing

The campaign uses a run-based structure rather than a fixed sequence of races. Players choose events as they progress, earn rewards and improve their vehicle. A failed run can send the player back to the beginning, while some progression carries forward between attempts.

This structure places more emphasis on decisions made during a run. Players must decide which events to enter and how to develop their vehicle as they progress. Lucasfilm Games’ story overview confirms the campaign includes branching choices, different events, vehicle upgrades and persistent unlocks.

More Than Podracers

Several other repulsorcraft classes, including landspeeders, speeder bikes and skim speeders, join podracers. Each class is designed around different handling characteristics, giving players alternatives to the extreme speed associated with podracers.

The PlayStation hands-on report details the differences between the vehicle classes and their abilities. The variety gives the game more options than a racing system built exclusively around podracers.

Speed Comes With Risk

Vehicles can use systems such as Afterburner and Ramjet to increase speed. Ramjet introduces a heat-management element, meaning players must balance extra speed against the risk of overheating.

That creates a choice during races rather than making every boost an automatic advantage. The effect on each race will depend on how players manage speed, obstacles and vehicle handling.

Combat Is Part of the Racing

Galactic Racer includes collisions, takedowns, and vehicle abilities that let players interfere with opponents. Tracks also contain environmental hazards that can affect a race.

The official gameplay coverage highlights thegame’ss focus on aggressive racing, including shunting and taking down rival vehicles.

The Galactic Tour Campaign

The single-player campaign uses a Galactic Tour structure in which players choose between different events as they progress. This creates branching paths through individual runs rather than requiring every player to follow the same sequence.

The campaign follows Shade, a racer pursuing revenge while attempting to challenge Galactic League champion Kestar Bool. Characters including Hibi also feature in the story, alongside established elements from the Star Wars universe. The official story coverage provides additional information about the campaign.

Upgrades and Persistent Progression

Vehicle upgrades allow players to improve their craft and adjust how they approach races. Rewards earned during progression can also contribute to persistent unlocks between runs.

This system is intended to give unsuccessful attempts some longer-term value. Players can return to another run with additional options rather than starting with the same progression each time.

Star Wars Details

Galactic Racer uses locations, vehicles and characters from the Star Wars universe alongside original material created for the Galactic League. The game includes locations such as Jakku and combines familiar elements with new racers and settings.

The official reveal coverage provides additional details about the game’s setting and its place within the Star Wars universe.

Multiplayer and Other Modes

Beyond the campaign, Galactic Racer includes Scenario and Arcade modes as well as multiplayer racing. These options allow players to approach the racing system without relying entirely on the main Galactic Tour campaign.

On PS5, PlayStation lists support for up to 12 online players, with online multiplayer requiring PlayStation Plus. The game is also available on Xbox Series X|S and PC.

Where the Runs-Based Structure Can Be Challenging

The same runs-based design that adds persistence can also make failed attempts more demanding. A late mistake can end a run and require players to repeat earlier events.

The combination of multiple vehicle classes, boost management, upgrades and combat also means there are several systems to learn. Players looking for a straightforward arcade racer may find the additional progression and decision-making less familiar.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Expands podracing with multiple repulsorcraft classes
• Runs-based campaign includes branching events and persistent progression
• Vehicle upgrades provide additional customisation
• Combat abilities add another layer to races
• Uses locations, characters and vehicles from the Star Wars universe
• Includes campaign, Scenario, Arcade and multiplayer modes

Cons:

• Failed runs can require players to repeat earlier events
• Multiple vehicle and progression systems may take time to learn
• The aggressive racing format may not suit players looking for traditional racing

Final Verdict

Star Wars: Galactic Racer expands the familiar podracing concept with different repulsorcraft, branching events, upgrades and a runs-based campaign. Its combination of racing and combat gives it a distinct structure within Star Wars games.

The runs-based design will likely appeal most to players who enjoy progression and replayable challenges. Those looking for a simpler racing format may prefer a more traditional approach. The game’s broader appeal will depend on how well its vehicle handling, progression and multiplayer systems work together in practice.