From the makers of Burnout and Need For Speed comes Star Wars: Galactic Racer, an arcade racer aiming to redefine the future racing scene. Set shortly after Return of the Jedi, the game explores the aftermath of the Empire's collapse, where racing becomes the galaxy's newest obsession.
Fuse Games founder and CEO Matt Webster and Lucasfilm Games executive producer Craigg Derrick emphasized that Galactic Racer is more than nostalgia bait. 'We've always loved second-to-second visceral arcade style racing games,' Webster said. 'When you put it in your hand, you feel like a hero racer straight from the beginning.'
A fresh premise in the Star Wars universe
The game is set in the lawless Outer Rim, where criminal syndicates dominate and a new underground sport emerges. At its center is Darius Pax, a Besalisk mechanic who establishes the Galactic League. His rival is Kestar Bool, the reigning champion described as prideful and ruthless. Players take on the role of Shade, a pilot recruited to challenge Kestar's dominance.
'The Empire's fallen. Where did the pilots go? Where did the mechanics go? All that machinery built for war now gets turned into racers,' Derrick explained, drawing parallels to the post-World War II period.
Roguelite campaign structure
Unlike traditional racing games, Galactic Racer features a 'runs-based campaign.' Progression unfolds through Galactic Tours spanning three acts, with branching routes across multiple planets. League Entry Tokens act as lives; lose them all and your run ends, forcing a restart while retaining some progression, including credits and upgrades.
'The mechanics of the run-based system really take you through competing, discovering who your allies are, and who your rivals are,' said Derrick. 'It brings you into the story in a way that I haven't seen in a racing game.'
Deep customization and vehicle types
Customization allows players to modify six base stats, equip active abilities, install passive parts, and unlock 14 distinct racer styles. Parts interact with environmental conditions, creating a staggering number of combinations—reportedly reaching into the trillions. The game features four major vehicle types: landspeeders, speeder bikes, skim speeders, and podracers.
'The skim speeder is one of the most unique,' Webster said. 'It's all about putting it on the knife edge and taking the apex incredibly tight. It's almost like a low flying plane kind of thing.'
Podracing and environmental effects
Podracing returns through campaign and multiplayer modes, with dedicated events and legendary racers including Sebulba. The team remained faithful to canon: 'Not everybody can race a podracer. Anakin Skywalker winning in Episode I was extraordinary,' Derrick noted.
Planets range from Jakku, with wrecked Star Destroyers as shortcuts, to new worlds like Lantaana, which mixes rivers and lava flows. Each planet has unique environmental effects tied to the ramjet mechanic, a secondary boost that risks overheating. Water cools engines, lava burns, and cold temperatures extend boosts while affecting handling.
Galactic Racer releases on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. A release date has not yet been announced.
