Modern and old-school game design come together in a great solo campaign in Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The arcade racing game, spearheaded by former Burnout developers, makes great use of the Star Wars universe to create a thrilling experience filled with high stakes and even higher speeds. While not necessarily breaking new ground in terms of its racing mechanics, the game features an innovative roguelite single-player campaign that injects a modern sensibility into the genre's arcade roots.
A Modern Twist on a Classic Structure
At first glance, the concept of a roguelike racer might seem unusual. However, Galactic Racer's single-player campaign demonstrates that the idea works better than one might expect and is a sensible match for the traditional structure of the genre. Players take on the role of Shade, a rookie racer entered into an unsanctioned racing league. The objective is to ascend through the ranks of the Galactic League and defeat a rival, Kestar, by winning a series of races.
The campaign is structured as a roguelite. Players spend a token to begin a new run, selecting events from a branching map similar to Slay the Spire. Victories grant upgrades, allowing players to fine-tune vehicle stats and experiment with synergistic builds. A meta-progression system allows players to earn currency in races to apply permanent stat boosts to their cars. Otherwise, losing a run means starting from the bottom of the league.
Echoes of Arcade Design
Beneath the modern roguelike veneer, Galactic Racer's campaign is deeply rooted in classical arcade design. At its core, the structure involves completing a series of races sequentially, with the requirement to restart upon failure. This mirrors the traditional Grand Prix format found in many racing games, enhanced by temporary boosts and rewards with each victory. It draws parallels to the