Electronic Arts recently released Star Wars: Zero Company, a highly praised title that blends tactics with fan-favorite elements, reminding players of the franchise's rich gaming history. The Star Wars video game legacy began in 1982 with The Empire Strikes Back on the Atari 2600, and since then, the medium has evolved alongside the universe it depicts. Many early titles remain enjoyable, even with their technological limitations. Here are 12 of the best Star Wars games ever released.
Space Combat and Piloting
Star Wars: Squadrons, released in 2020, focuses on thrilling space battles, allowing players to inhabit cockpits reminiscent of the original films. While its online component has seen reduced activity, the game offers an immersive experience, especially with VR support.
Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter (2002) built upon its predecessor by introducing Force abilities into space combat and adding a split-screen cooperative campaign. Despite some criticism regarding its similarity to the previous game and a disjointed story, it offered an expanded arsenal and remains accessible on modern platforms like the PlayStation 4.
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron, launched in 1998 for the Nintendo 64, required an expansion pak for its full intended experience. This title brought iconic Star Wars locations to life with engaging dogfights and an addictive gameplay loop that still resonates today, even with dated visuals. The Steam version offers a way to revisit this classic.
Modern Jedi Adventures
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) introduced Cal Kestis and explored the dark period after Revenge of the Sith. The game emphasizes satisfying lightsaber combat and exploration of diverse environments, though it suffered from performance issues and backtracking at launch.
Its sequel, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023), expanded upon the first game with more combat options, larger maps, and a fast-travel system. While it faced technical difficulties at launch, subsequent patches have improved the experience, allowing its strengths in combat and exploration to shine.
Role-Playing and MMO Experiences
Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011) emerged as an MMORPG from BioWare, offering a different path than the highly anticipated Knights of the Old Republic. Despite initial concerns and a lack of a robust endgame, the game evolved through content updates and a free-to-play model, allowing players to experience a vast amount of its story and content.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 - The Sith Lords (2004) delved into moral ambiguity, questioning the Jedi and Sith philosophies through its compelling narrative and nuanced characters. Despite development being rushed, leading to some unpolished elements, the game's deep themes and character interactions were celebrated. Modders have since worked to restore cut content.
Genre-Bending and Unique Entries
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga (2022) offers a comprehensive take on the nine-film saga, blending modern gameplay with the charm of Lego. It refines older elements like camera control and level design, presenting a vast and accessible adventure suitable for all ages, though occasional player-two limitations persist.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005) is remembered for its large-scale battles, allowing players to engage in chaotic combat on foot or in vehicles. While lacking modern shooter depth, its unbridled mayhem provided countless memorable moments, a quality the 2017 iteration struggled to replicate.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 (1997) distinguished itself by incorporating Force powers into its first-person shooter gameplay, making players feel like powerful Jedi. The game offered a choice between the Light and Dark sides, affecting the story and ending. Though its graphics and platforming have not aged gracefully, its innovative ideas and thematic elements remain impactful.
These 12 titles represent a diverse range of experiences that celebrate the Star Wars universe, from intense space combat to compelling narratives and engaging gameplay mechanics.