"A new challenger enters the podrace."
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on October 6, 2025. Developed by Fuse Games—a studio formed by veterans of the Need for Speed and Burnout series—this title aims to blend arcade racing with the deep lore of a galaxy far, far away.
A Roguelite Run in the Outer Rim
Set after the fall of the Empire during the New Republic era, the game puts you in the helmet of a pilot known only as Shade.
Your goal: Climb the ranks of a renegade racing circuit and confront the mysterious enemy, Kestar Bool.
The campaign is structured as a roguelite, run-based experience. Players navigate a flowchart of races—including time trials and special stages—earning League Tokens to stay in the competition. Losing an Eliminator race forces a restart of the entire run.
Between races, you leave the cockpit. During on-foot segments in the paddock, you walk from your spaceship to the garage. Here, rival racers can initiate conversations or invite you to special events. This is also where you access upgrades and story interactions.
Three Distinct Vehicle Types
Players can choose from three unique vehicles, each with a distinct handling profile:
- Blade (Middleweight): Capable of drifting and tilting onto its side to corner. Trades top speed for agility.
- Landspeeder (Car-Shaped): The most stable option. Maintains speed better than others during contact and jostling.
- Skimspeeder: Rewards aggressive driving. Gains a significant speed burst when accelerating out of tight corners.
Core Mechanics: Boost, Drift, and Survive
The game features two distinct boost systems, forcing strategic risk-management:
- Afterburner: A safe, gradual refill system. Provides a mild, reliable speed boost.
- Ramjet: A high-risk, high-reward system. Heats the engine to "Redline." Staying in this state too long causes a catastrophic explosion.
Starting a race requires skill. An Ignition Sequence (timed button presses) grants bonuses like a primed afterburner or a charged shield. In addition, a Starting Surge lets you manage throttle timing for a burst of speed off the line.
Combat is arcade-style and aggressive. Players deploy shields, hacking abilities, and status effects that can disable an opponent's boost system. The game features "Takedowns" with Burnout-style slow-motion camera angles.
Crashing matters. Most races allow three crashes before elimination. After a crash, a Burnout-style respawn occurs, getting you back into the action quickly.
Drifting is not just for show; it is critical for navigating turns and unlocking shortcuts on the track.
Upgrade and Customize
Progression comes from the track and the garage.
- Cosmetic and gameplay-affecting parts can be applied to your character and vehicles.
- Upgrade parts (improving cornering, top speed, and the Ramjet system) are earned by placing high in races.
- Parts are installed using credits earned throughout your run.
Planetary Hazards
Tracks are set across varied worlds, each with unique environmental hazards that directly affect gameplay:
- Jakku: A standard planetary environment; no special hazards.
- Lantaana: Magma hazards require careful boosting and precise shield usage to survive.
- Ando Prime: An ice world featuring temperature-based track hazards and heating tunnels.
- General Environments: Some planets feature acidic rivers that require shields for traversal. Conversely, icy planets allow for longer use of the Ramjet system without overheating.