Star Wars: Galactic Racer is now available on PS5, Xbox, and PC, offering a blend of fast racing, arcade action, and roguelike elements that make it one of the standout Star Wars games available. However, the game can present a steep learning curve and doesn't explicitly explain all its mechanics. To help players navigate the challenges and aim to defeat champion Kestar Bool, here are a dozen tips to improve your racing prowess and survival.
Embrace Losing and Prioritize Survival
Galactic Racer can be a demanding title, where a single misstep can lead to significant setbacks. NPC racers are aggressive, and mastering various vehicle parts, boosts, and shortcuts is crucial. Consequently, be prepared for losses in the campaign. In the main tour mode, finishing a race to continue is often more important than aggressively pursuing a win. Crashing too many times can force a full restart of the tour. Many single-player events are not overly punishing, so finishing in a respectable position, earning credits for upgrades, and progressing to the next event is a sound strategy.
Choose Your Vehicle Wisely
The game features three distinct vehicle types in tour mode. The landspeeder is a reliable choice, capable of easy drifting and withstanding damage. The speeder bike is nimble and offers a turbo boost upon exiting a drift. The skimmer, while less agile, delivers powerful impacts and excels in straightaways. Experimentation is encouraged to find the vehicle that best matches your playstyle, whether it's the defensive landspeeder or another option.
Enhance Cornering and Speed Stats
As you progress through events and races, you can upgrade your speeder's stats. While all upgrades are useful, prioritizing cornering and speed is highly recommended. Improved cornering allows for tighter, faster turns, which is critical in close races. Naturally, increased speed is a fundamental advantage in any racing game.
Learn Tracks in Arcade and Scenarios
Beyond the main story mode, the Arcade and Scenarios modes offer valuable practice environments. These modes provide races and time trials with various vehicles and characters across different tracks. They serve as less stressful venues to learn track layouts and handling, contrasting with the higher stakes of the tour mode where failures can have long-term consequences.
Utilize Shortcuts
Look for and take advantage of shortcuts whenever possible. Some offer minor benefits, while others can be game-changing, allowing you to gain the lead or shave significant time off your runs. Be cautious, as some shortcuts can be hazardous at high speeds.
Understand Speeder Abilities
As you upgrade your vehicle, you can unlock and equip special abilities. These are powerful tools activated with a d-pad button, costing battery charges. The shield ability, for instance, provides a protective energy bubble, allowing safe passage over hazards like lava and acid. Careful management of battery charges is essential to ensure these abilities are available when most needed.
Master the Two Turbo Boosts
Your speeder is equipped with two distinct boost functions. The primary is a standard afterburner that provides a temporary speed increase. The secondary is the Ramjet. Once charged, activating Ramjet mode and then the boost button results in a much greater speed increase. However, the Ramjet can overheat and explode if held too long. Cooling it down with water found in rivers or icy areas can mitigate this risk.
Repair Damaged Parts
Crashes can sometimes result in broken parts and negative traits. Between tour segments, seek out the alien scrap dealer to repair these parts for a fee. Weigh the cost of repair against the severity of the negative trait.
Focus Your Build
Avoid simply acquiring the best parts indiscriminately. Instead, consider the overall build of your speeder. Select and purchase upgrades that complement your chosen playstyle or strategy. For example, if you are not utilizing ship abilities, you may not need to invest in battery capacity upgrades.
Plan Your Tour Mode Progression
The tour mode features a node-based menu for advancing. Before selecting your next event, examine the path ahead to see upcoming races and potential random events. This foresight can help you avoid overly risky races for your current build or strategically engage with events that offer advantages.
Explore Podracing
While the main tour mode eventually incorporates podracing, it is not the primary focus. For dedicated podracing experiences, check the Arcade section or engage in online multiplayer tours, which unlock as you level up. Additionally, engaging with Sebulba during the main tour may provide opportunities to relive his past and even drive his famous podracer.