Summary
There are dozens of games set in theStar Warsuniverse that have dabbled various video game genres over the years, immersing fans in a galaxy far, far away. Many of these games are confirmed as non-canonical, known as Legends, while others have been createdas official canonentries into theStar Warsuniverse, connecting to numerous movies, television shows, comics, and novels.
EverycanonStar Warsgameeither introduces new worlds and storylines that have not been seen before or expands upon elements from other projects. Some of these games successfully do both, pleasing dedicated fans while also welcoming newcomers to theStar Warsmythology who may not have experienced the movies or other expanded content beforehand.
Harkening back to classic PC games likeStar Wars: X-WingandStar Wars: TIE Fighter,Star Wars Squadronspresents the most realistic video game portrayalof being a starfighter pilot. It follows the lives of two pilots, one serving the New Republic and the other the Imperial Remnant, set in the aftermath ofReturn of the Jedi.
In addition to top-notch visuals,Star Wars Squadronsfeatures gameplay that is far from easy to master. Each ship feels accurate to the films in terms of its control, and it requires a lot of focus and reflexes.Squadronsalso features multiple legacy characters, including Hera Syndulla and Wedge Antilles, as important parts of the New Republic storyline.
Not everyone can afford a trip to Galaxy’s Edge in the two Disney parks, but there is another solution for those with virtual reality systems, such as PSVR2 and Meta Quest 2.Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edgeis set on the planet of Batuu, the same setting as the Galaxy’s Edge park, allowing players to engage in the world from a new perspective.
Tales from the Galaxy’s Edgefeatures a droid mechanic embarking on avibrant and immersive adventure, fighting Stormtroopers, droids, and alien creatures using blasters and other tools. Every weapon is meticulously designed to look, sound, and feel straight out of the movies, which, combined with characters like C-3PO and R2-D2, helps turn the game into a genuineStar Warsadventure.
WhereTales from the Galaxy’s Edgeis more action-packed and pulpy,Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Seriesis more story-driven and atmosphericthanks to its titular character as the main antagonist. The player has to creep and fight their way through the bowels of Darth Vader’s fortress on Mustafar, which can be as intriguing as it is terrifying.
Darth Vader is shown through the eyes of someone who only knows him to be the dark and powerful dictator of the galaxy, so being stalked by him through black hallways and caverns is a nightmare. However, getting to play with a lightsaber in VR and fighting the Sith Lord while unlocking mysteries about Mustafar and Darth Vader results inVader Immortalbeing unlike any otherStar Warsgame.
Star Wars Outlawspresents the gaming industry with the first truly open-worldStar Warsgame,featuring expansive maps filled with side quests and storylines acrossmultiple new and familiarplanets. As a rising figure in the criminal underworld, the player can be as heroic or as villainous as possible, mixing action, stealth, and narrative decision-making to create an ambitiousStar Warsadventure.
The story is set betweenThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi, when the galaxy was at its most lawless due to the Empire being too busy with the war. Kay Vess is introduced, and she must assemble the best crew of criminals to undertake the greatest heist, which leads her to meet multiple famous underworld bosses, including Jabba the Hutt.
Thanks toStar Wars: The Clone WarsandThe Bad Batch, the existence of clone commandos helps solidifyStar Wars: Republic Commandoas canon. In many ways, it is considered a precursor toThe Bad Batch, as it also follows a team of specially bred clones serving the Republic as a special operations squadron that can do what regular clones cannot.
From the battle of Geonosis to the beginning of the Kashyyyk reinforcement,Star Wars: Republic Commandomixes intense first-person shooter action with tactical squad commands. It helps create a campaign that may be short, but tests the player every step of the way, rather than letting them rely on blinding blasting their way through battle droids, pirates, and extraterrestrials.
Not all Stormtroopers are blind servants of the Empire, as shown inStar Wars: Battlefront 2’sstory mode, which depicts Iden Versio’s gradual transformation from Imperial commando to a decorated commander of the New Republic. Fans gain multiple important insights into the universe through Iden’s perspective, such as the destruction of the Star Destroyers on Jakku and the Resistance’s acquisition of knowledge about the Dreadnought inStar Wars: The Last Jedi.
The story is a notable feature, but the primary focus is on the intense online multiplayer experience spanning allStar Warseras. The game offers dozens of maps, characters, units, vehicles, weapons, and abilities. Even years after its last update,Star Wars: Battlefront 2still has a dedicated player base that continues to engage in battles on land, in the air, and in space.
The story of Cal Kestis inStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Ordermasterfully depicts the trauma and anguish a young Jedi goes through after surviving Order 66. Taking place five years afterRevenge of the Sith, Cal Kestis is being hunted by Sith Inquisitors and their Imperial forces as he tries to prevent them from finding other Force-sensitive children.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderwas designed by Respawn Entertainment to look and feel like an interactiveStar Warsmovie, while also offering gamersengaging lightsaber combat. Many have compared it toBloodborneorElden Ring, but far less grueling, with elements of Metroidvanias andTomb Raider, creating a mish-mash that became an explosive hit, even for aStar Warsgame.
Cameron Monaghan, the actor portraying Cal Kestis, and the team at Respawn Entertainment return in a sequel that takes everything that the first game established and expands on it in the best ways.Star Wars Jedi: Survivorfeatures even bigger planets,better customization for Cal, improved lightsaber combat, and an even darker story that pushes Cal to his limits as a Jedi, or potentially something darker.
Like its predecessor,Star Wars Jedi: Survivorcontinues to showcase how survival can twist someone’s disposition to a darker state, especially with some of its narrative twists and turns. It also continues to add elements that connect to differentStar Warscanon media, such as remnants of the High Republic, but even players who have never watchedStar Warscan still enjoy it.
