After more than twenty years without a proper Star Wars racing game, Fuse Games has finally answered the call with Star Wars: Galactic Racer. This isn’t merely a nostalgic callback to the days of Episode 1 Racer and Racer Revenge — it’s a bold reimagining that injects fresh mechanics and modern design philosophy into a beloved but long-dormant subgenre.
A Roguelike Racing Campaign Unlike Anything Before
The heart of Galactic Racer lies in its run-based campaign structure, drawing inspiration from roguelike design. The stakes are real here: no mid-race restarts, no rewinding time to undo mistakes. Once you’re on the track, you live with the consequences. This design choice creates genuine tension that most racing games lack entirely, where unlimited retries often strip away any sense of danger.
The narrative unfolds across three acts, following your journey as Shade, a mysterious racer climbing through the ranks of the Galactic Racing League. Your ultimate target? The insufferably arrogant Kestar Bull, who awaits in a final showdown. Failure doesn’t reset your progress entirely — you simply continue forward, racing until you emerge triumphant.
Vehicle Variety That Goes Beyond Podracing
While classic podracers make their triumphant return with lightning-fast speeds and authentic sound design, Galactic Racer expands the garage considerably. Players can choose from:
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Land Speeders: Floating cars with predictable handling and solid durability — this reviewer’s personal favorite
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Speeder Bikes: Fast but fragile, rewarding risky playstyles
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Skim Speeders: Featuring podracer-like vertical banking for tight turns and narrow gaps
Each vehicle class requires different strategies, and the customization system allows for meaningful stat upgrades, performance parts, and special gadgets. The autopilot gadget in particular proves invaluable during treacherous track sections.
A World Worth Exploring
Rather than shuffling through menu screens, Galactic Racer places you in a fully explorable racing paddock between events. This third-person hub builds an authentic atmosphere around the Galactic Racing League, filled with characters who acknowledge your previous failures and triumphs. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes the world feel inhabited rather than merely functional.
The story cleverly mirrors the real-world gap between Star Wars racing games. Set after Return of the Jedi, podracing has become a distant relic — making its presence feel genuinely special when it appears.
Stunning Locations, Limited Variety
The track design impresses with environmental storytelling and dynamic hazards. Highlights include:
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Jakku: Racing through starship graveyards, from open dunes to cramped tunnels formed by wreckage
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Crait: Salt flats that expose red minerals beneath, connected by sprawling caves
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Ando Prime: A frozen world where heating tubes thaw control surfaces but risk overheating your ramjet
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Sentinel 1: Toxic wastelands requiring careful navigation over acidic pools
However, the limited planet selection becomes a significant weakness. While circuits shuffle between tours, the backdrops remain identical. After several championship runs, repetition sets in — a few additional planets would have dramatically improved longevity.
Burnout DNA Runs Deep
Fuse Games’ founders hail from Criterion Games, and it shows. Takedowns — slamming opponents into obstacles and watching them shatter — are actively encouraged with slow-motion cameras and upgrade incentives. The comparison to Motorstorm also rings true: wide tracks, multiple routes, and boost management that punishes overuse with fiery results.
Multiplayer Shortcomings
Disappointingly, Galactic Racer lacks split-screen multiplayer entirely — a notable omission given the franchise’s console roots. Online options include twelve-player standard races or eight-player podracing events, with a six-event championship structure. Your upgraded vehicle gets discarded after each finale, similar to the single-player experience.
The Verdict
Star Wars: Galactic Racer represents a confident debut from Fuse Games. It successfully blends Lucasfilm lore with arcade racing’s destructive spirit, delivering a visually stunning and mechanically satisfying experience. The roguelike campaign structure adds meaningful risk, while the vehicle variety and world-building exceed expectations.
The repetition caused by limited planets and the absence of split-screen multiplayer hold it back from greatness. Yet for Star Wars fans and racing enthusiasts alike, Galactic Racer proves that this dormant corner of the galaxy far, far away deserves to roar back to life.