Star Wars: Galactic Racer gets the most important thing right: the racing is fun. It looks fantastic, sounds exactly as a Star Wars game should, and delivers the sort of high-speed thrills that remind me why I love futuristic racers. There are shades of F-Zero here, alongside the obvious nostalgia for Star Wars Episode I: Racer. That is a combination with plenty of appeal, and when everything comes together on the track, it is difficult not to enjoy yourself.
The graphics are one of its strongest features. There is something satisfying about seeing the Star Wars universe used as the backdrop for a racing game again. Paired with the excellent sound, it captures the atmosphere brilliantly. Even before considering the mechanics, the presentation does a lot to pull you in.
Thankfully, the handling lives up to it. Racing feels exciting, and getting comfortable with your vehicle is rewarding. There is that familiar temptation to squeeze in another race, convinced you can take the next corner better or find a little more speed. It scratches an itch that too few games bother with these days. We could certainly do with more racers willing to channel this sort of energy.
Where Galactic Racer starts to lose ground is variety. There are relatively few tracks, which raises questions about its lasting appeal. However enjoyable the racing is, repeatedly visiting the same circuits can only carry things so far.
The roguelite campaign can become repetitive, too. It gives the racing a structure and encourages repeat attempts, but I am not entirely convinced it will keep things interesting for long enough. The potential problem is that the campaign asks you to keep coming back without offering enough variety to make every return feel worthwhile. Albeit it can also become pretty addictive once you finally get to grips with it.
Having just three vehicles is another disappointment. They are highly customisable, which certainly helps, and there is plenty of room to make them your own. Even so, customisation does not entirely replace the appeal of a bigger selection. I would have liked more vehicles to choose from.
Podracing is included, but only in special circumstances or via multiplayer. I am pleased it is there, although separating it feels like a missed opportunity as when you use them you just yearn for the days of Episode 1 racer. They’re bumb clenching fast and a lot of fun.
My biggest complaint, however, is the lack of split-screen multiplayer. I want to play this with my wife. We should be able to sit on the sofa, pick our vehicles and spend an evening trying to beat each other. This is exactly the sort of game that would benefit from it, and its absence takes away a huge part of the appeal for me. Online competition cannot replace laughing at someone sitting beside you when they mess up a corner, especially when you promptly do something worse.
Overall, Galactic Racer is an exciting, great-looking racer with excellent sound and enjoyable handling. I like what is here, but the limited tracks, small vehicle selection and potentially repetitive campaign hold it back. Add split-screen and more variety, and I would be considerably happier.
As it stands, it earns a solid 8/10.
