Star Wars: Galactic Racer reviews are strong, with one big catch
If you're deciding whether to buy the new Star Wars racing game, the reviews are in, and most are very good. Star Wars: Galactic Racer launches October 6 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Its Metacritic scores run from 82 to 88 depending on the platform, and 96% of critics on OpenCritic recommend it. The main complaints are online-only multiplayer and a thin track list.
The scores
The PS5 version sits at 88 on Metacritic, Xbox at 86 and PC at 82. That 88 would be the best score for a Star Wars game since Knights of the Old Republic in 2003. Eurogamer gave it 100/100. IGN scored it 80.
Galactic Racer is the first game from Fuse Games, a studio that includes veterans of Criterion, the team behind Burnout. Secret Mode and Lucasfilm Games are publishing it. It follows a long gap: the last Star Wars racer, Racer Revenge, came out in 2002. OpenCritic has the full list of reviews.
The game
Reviewers say it captures the speed and danger of the Episode I podrace. You can pick from several customizable speeders, and there is a third-person world to explore outside the tracks. The campaign is a roguelite, meaning each run is a fresh attempt with real risk and you start over if it goes wrong.
IGN calls the result a mix of George Lucas's universe and the destructive spirit of Burnout and MotorStorm. Eurogamer calls it a "surprisingly gripping" campaign and a gift to Criterion fans. The same reviewers say fans of Wipeout will feel at home.
The catch
There is no local multiplayer. Online is the only option, which stings for a series that grew up on couch chaos. IGN also says the planets repeat often, so runs get stale over time. Some critics found the story thin, though few people play racers for the plot. Critics also flag a small set of maps at launch.
Price
In the UK, the Standard edition costs £39.99 and the Deluxe edition £64.99. A Collector's edition is £139.99, according to the publisher's April press release. US pricing wasn't in the material available. PC buyers can choose Steam or the Epic Games Store.
Star Wars fans have had a busy few weeks. Star Wars: Zero Company passed a million sales, and Jon Watts is in talks to direct a new film. If you only play with friends on one sofa, wait for a sale. Everyone else has a well-reviewed arcade racer to look forward to.
