Fast machines, wild tracks: "Star Wars: Galactic Racer" reviewed
7/10/2026
Translation: machine translated
The idea is not new: a racing game in the "Star Wars" universe. Over 20 years after "Episode 1: Pod Racer" comes "Galactic Racer". How good is this racing game from the future?
The Empire is history. Podracing has long since ceased to exist. As a faceless rookie named Shade, I am trying to gain a foothold in the intergalactic racing series. Along for the ride: my monkey-like mechanic, Hibi. Thanks to her high-pitched Scottish accent, she competes with Claptrap from Borderlands for the title of "most annoying NPC".
To even be able to start, Shade makes a shady deal with Darius Pax. He runs the racing series and is thus the Gianni Infantino of intergalactic racing. Can this only end well...?
WARNING, SPOILERS!!!!!
It cannot. Obviously.
The story of "Galactic Racer" is more predictable than Red Bull's dominance in the 2023 Formula 1 season.
The three acts of the story serve as self-contained racing seasons. I travel from planet to planet, compete in various races, meet unknown faces, or test new vehicles. I cannot restart individual races if I fall behind. If I suffer too many defects or am eliminated in an eliminator race, where the person in last place is knocked out, I have to give up one of my ultra-rare tokens. These are the entry tickets for the racing series.
Act 1: What the hell?
The start is difficult; there are so many things to decide:
Three vehicles are available to choose from, over a dozen "pilot styles" for pre-installed abilities (weapon, shield, turbo), upgrades in the form of parts, and "favors" from NPCs for boosts.
Sounds complicated? It is at first. "Galactic Racer" doesn't explain much to me and just lets me race. Keywords like "ventilation", "energy", or "afterburner" are overwhelming. Fortunately, there are always short explanations. Nevertheless, the beginning frustrated me. Suddenly the screen lights up and alarms blare. Why? No idea. After a few runs, it levels out. Other keywords like "overvoltage" or "cooled" suddenly make sense. And now the fun begins.
Act 2: Now this isn’t Podracing!
After the initial familiarization phase, I understand the various mechanics. For example, the dual-turbo system, which I can activate at the push of a button: the afterburner gives me extra thrust without taking any risks. The ramjet is more powerful but risky. If I stay on the turbo button for too long, I enter the red zone, after which my vehicle blows up. The trick: the red zone gives me even more thrust. Through upgrades, I can extend the red zone or generate even more thrust. High risk brings high reward.
I need that. It's the only way to defeat my main competitor, Kestar Bool, on the racetrack. And rarely do I want to finish off an opponent as much as this polished, arrogant, exceptional pilot. During the race, he mocks me; after the race, he corners me in the paddock and delivers verbal uppercuts. And at the beginning, he leaves me in the dust. My vehicle is simply too weak. If I don't win the last race, I have to start all over again. With a new vehicle and a few, fixed, pre-installed upgrades.
Instead of clicking through sterile menus, I can walk around the paddock between races, talk to NPCs, accept sponsorship contracts, and equip my racer with upgrades. This is atmospheric and carries over directly to the racetrack. Before the race, the engines howl; in a mini-game, I activate my modules by pressing the correct button sequence. And for the perfect start, I have to dose the gas pedal. Then follows science-fiction racing action like I haven't experienced since "Wipeout XL" on the PlayStation.
The beautifully designed landscape just rushes by; long straights and wide plains alternate with meandering tunnel sections. The racetracks on six different planets feel completely different: here, ice freezes my engine; there, lava overheats the vehicle. The sun blinds me in the desert; salt dust swirls around on Crait and blocks my view.
These characteristics of the planets also influence my decisions: if I optimize my racer incorrectly, it might overheat too quickly in the desert landscape of Jakku or take too much damage from acid pools on the industrial planet Sentinel I. There is no such thing as the perfect vehicle; I always have to make compromises. This starts with the selection: Landspeeders are bulky vehicles that are excellent for ramming, but slow in corners. Speeder bikes are fast and agile, but highly fragile.
Skimspeeders are a middle ground. All three vehicles can handle tight corners at the push of a button. Sometimes by drifting with Landspeeders, sometimes by using a special brake on Speeder bikes, which then accelerate out of the corner with extra power. My favorite weapon for tight corners is the Skimspeeder, which can be turned sideways and steered through corners like on a razor's edge, although corrections are not possible then. Again: risk and reward. And then there are also Podracers... You have to find out what's up with them yourself in the side story with this charming fellow:
Act 3: I want more!
So I zip through the three acts and make a proper racket. The sound design of "Galactic Racer" is some of the best and most atmospheric I have ever heard in a racing game. Here, the engines rattle, the jets howl, and the misfires rumble. The only point of criticism: the music. The iconic John Williams orchestral noodling doesn't really fit the action. That is the defining influence of the "Wipeout" soundtrack, which pulled me away from hip hop into electronic music in the late 90s, no question.
For all my love for "Galactic Racer", the enthusiasm unfortunately fades after a certain time. What overwhelms at the beginning is soon repetitive. I wish for more planets and more significant upgrades. Sure, there are several weapons, boosts, the far-too-powerful autopilot, and thus some variety. But somehow I always end up with similar combinations that don't differ enough. The beautifully designed tracks also become too monotonous over time. More tracks would be desirable.
Whether the multiplayer mode can keep the motivation high remains to be seen. There is no split-screen for action on the same screen, for starters. A pity.
So, after three acts, I am pleased that there is finally a really good science-fiction racer again with a fresh concept that could achieve perfection with more tracks and more significant upgrades.
"Star Wars: Galactic Race" is available for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. My PS5 review copy was provided to me by Secret Mode.
In a nutshell
Thanks! Sci-fi racers are finally back!
"Star Wars: Galactic Racer" takes me back to the golden era of science fiction racers: insane speed, plenty of action, and a motivating career mode are the right ingredients. Worth mentioning in particular: the excellent sound effects. Unfortunately, it lacks a bit of variety in the end. Too few tracks and upgrades that barely make a difference are the biggest points of criticism.
Pro
- fast-paced tempo
- motivating career mode
- great sound effects
- many upgrades
Contra
- too few routes
- Upgrades often appear identical
- no split screen
- inappropriate soundtrack
Simon Balissat
Teamleader Editorial
Simon.Balissat@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I flew the family nest over 15 years ago, I suddenly had to cook for myself. But it wasn’t long until this necessity became a virtue. Today, rattling those pots and pans is a fundamental part of my life. I’m a true foodie and devour everything from junk food to star-awarded cuisine. Literally. I eat way too fast.
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