Star Wars: Galactic Racer: PS5 Review

Developed by Fuse Games
Published by Secret Mode
Platform: PS5

A long time in a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars games were all the rage.

Tapping into the nostalgia of the Force and the original Lucasfilm saga, the universe was the limit, pushing the games into both the hearts and minds of players everywhere.

But after Star Wars Battlefront fell a little flat in its second iteration, the games somewhat disappeared from favour. But 2026 has already seen a revival with a third installment of Battlefront reportedly under development, the release of turn-based Star Wars: Zero Company to critical acclaim and now Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a game that fuses the galaxy's greatest racers with the ethos of a Burnout via WipeOut to maximum effect.

Essentially a racer, but also mixing a story within it (albeit a very light one), Star Wars: Galactic Racer follows Shade, who finds himself ensconced in the Galactic Racing League after he's taunted into hopping into a speeder for old time's sake. But as Shade begins to build a career, old secrets bubble to the fore and rivalries are formed as they look to build on their racing skills amid life in the New Republic Era.

Mixing both chaos and carnage on the racing front, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is a thrilling game that feels as realistic as it does punishing from time to time. Whether it's eliminator races that see you pushed to break times and avoid the chop, simple racing around various planets or even just trials that see you needing to fill various boost metres, the game's got a way of getting its hooks into you.

Blasting around planets like Tattooine and Jakku feel familiar yet new and the different worlds and racetracks offer plenty of spectacle and variety. One moment you can be racing through lava fields and the next through a downed Star Destroyer - Fuse Games has done everything and more to make this universe feel both lively and exciting, as well as familiar to older fans.

Occasionally Star Wars: Galactic Racer can throw a curveball. Some of the racing feels exceptionally hard and it's very easy to lose control of your own craft after the game stops to watch someone behind you wipeout after you've caused them to crash. The crash scenes are genuinely thrilling and up there with the kind of gameplay smash-ups you'd get from a Need For Speed.

There's a smart progression chart in play too. Races unlock tokens and side bets allow you to build up your craft - only to potentially lose it all if you're wiped out of the league. Star Wars: Galactic Racer doesn't exactly hold your hand but it does feel real when it's got you in its sights.

It's everything a Star Wars racer should be - and while some of the story elements do feel a little flat in parts thanks to a rather cut and paste way of interacting with other characters in worlds, Star Wars: Galactic Racer is the Star Wars game you're looking for - and more.