Star Wars: Galactic Racer, developed by former Burnout team members at Fuse Games, is set to bring a unique blend of high-speed racing and roguelike progression to the universe. Creative director Kieran Crimmins stated that the team's goal is to inject "real consequence" into racing games, making player decisions and vehicle builds more impactful than in traditional, more relaxed racers.
A Roguelike Approach to Racing
The campaign mode draws heavily from the structure of games like Slay the Spire. Players begin at the bottom of an underground racing league, piloting various vehicles including speeder bikes, landspeeders, and skim speeders, each with distinct handling characteristics. The progression system presents a map of available races, similar to Slay the Spire's map screen, where choices matter. Failure to complete a league before a certain point results in starting over, but players retain earned credits and progress toward unlocks, allowing for persistent advancement.
"That's where that structure comes from: it's kind of a roguelike, run structure, which allows us two things," Crimmins explained. "You have to build well as well and race well so that you can continue, so your decisions matter. Every line you take matters because the environment has effects on the build."
Consequence and Customization
The emphasis on consequence means that both player skill and strategic preparation are vital. For instance, equipping a landspeeder with a shield ability can mitigate damage from collisions, and successful use of such abilities can unlock upgrades or new "racing styles" that alter build strategies for future runs. Conversely, opting for aggressive abilities like the Ramjet, which provides a sustained turbo boost, increases speed but also the risk of critical failures.
Crimmins highlighted the extensive customization options available for each vehicle, extending beyond visual changes to fundamental build mechanics and synergistic part combinations. "An unbelievable amount of options to customize each one of those vehicles, and not just visually, but in the way the build works, the synergies of things that go on there," he said.
Balancing Challenge and Accessibility
While the roguelike structure introduces significant challenge, with early attempts on higher difficulties potentially leading to crashes and restarts, it also provides a learning curve. Crimmins noted that repeated play of certain courses familiarizes players with track layouts, which is crucial for progression. The game aims to be accessible through multiple difficulty options, allowing players to find a curve that suits their skill level.
"From a progression point of view, it's probably more about track knowledge than it is upgrades," Crimmins stated. "If you know the tracks, it's not too difficult to get through the planets, and that is the motivation of it: you want to get to the next planet, see what it's about, further the story each time."
Despite the potential repetition of tracks after failed runs, a downside noted during a demo, the game's innovative approach has generated significant interest. Star Wars: Galactic Racer promises a unique take on the racing genre by combining high-speed action, deep customization, and roguelike elements, setting it apart from other upcoming racing titles.