The Star Wars franchise is known for having a deep catalogue of games that combine the whimsy of a galaxy far, far away with solid gameplay and fresh stories. Everyone has their own fantasy of what role they want to play in the Star Wars universe, and the many games that have been made under the license have fulfilled most of those dreams. Whether players want to be an ace pilot for the Rebel Alliance, feel the power of the Force as a Jedi, or storm battlefields as the menacing Empire, Star Wars video games have historically offered a little bit of something for everyone.
In this new age of gaming, Star Wars is undergoing a bit of a transitionary period when it comes to available games. It was recently announced that Lucasfilm Games would be returning to oversee the production of future games, starting with an open-world title helmed by Ubisoft. The development of any mainline Star Wars games for the past few years has been contractually tied to Electronic Arts, and although the company has been responsible for some stellar Star Wars releases, it hasn't been without controversy and backlash from some fans. That being said, there are some Star Wars titles that EA was responsible for that deserve some attention, as well as some releases that came out a long time ago that are still worth playing today.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
For gamers looking to feel like a skilled Jedi, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order should be able to scratch that particular itch. The 2019 release from Respawn Entertainment put players in control of Cal Kestis, a young Jedi trying to rebuild the Jedi Order while on the run from the Empire. What stands out about this game is how it combines elements from so many other games to make one unique Star Wars experience.
The lightsaber combat and checkpoint system are reminiscent of the Dark Souls series, the exploration and doubling back to previous locations works similarly to Metroid, and the traversal systems in the game take clear inspiration from Uncharted. The game was a refreshing return to form for Star Wars gaming, as players hadn't gotten the chance to wield the Force in this capacity since 2010's Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. Fallen Order also has a completely original story that follows a new cast of characters, so for people that enjoy the deeper lore of Star Wars, this game will likely be a welcome addition. The game was so well-received that a sequel is currently in the works, giving a lot of fans a reason to watch its development with great interest.
Star Wars: Squadrons
Some of the most exciting parts of the Star Wars films are the intense dogfights that pit ace pilots against one another in a battle for supremacy. With how thrilling the movies make flying an X-Wing or TIE Fighter look, it's no wonder that there's so many fans that want a starfighter of their own. In Star Wars: Squadrons, players get to live out that dream in at least some capacity, as this game's primary focus is on creating exhilarating space battles behind the backdrop of the original movie trilogy. The painstaking attention to detail that Motive Studios demonstrates is one of the most commendable aspects of this title, as players have a tremendous amount of control over their fighters.
From determining how much power to put into the engines, shields, or blasters to having total control over throttle and fighter movement, this game essentially doubles as a flight simulator. The experience can also be enhanced by flight stick compatibility, and players have the option to immerse themselves even further with PSVR support. Much like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, this game also boasts an original story that is set after the end of Return of the Jedi, filling in some more gaps in the Star Wars lore. This game is one of the best pilot experiences in the franchise since the Rogue Squadron games, making it a great opportunity for players to put themselves back in the cockpit.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
If there's one thing that the realm of Star Wars gaming is known for, it's RPGs. Specifically, the Knights of the Old Republic series, of which the first two are still considered the best Star Wars games by a lot of gamers. They combined round-based action with a twisting narrative where your decisions mattered, all set thousands of years before the movies ever even took place. The most recent addition to the series, Star Wars: The Old Republic, took a very different approach and went from an RPG to an MMORPG, shaking things up considerably and promising an epic adventure when it was announced in 2009. Ever since its release in 2011, The Old Republic has given players the chance to sculpt their own Star Wars story with a large variety of character classes that each have their own unique narratives.
SWTOR has seen consistent updates from BioWare, with its most recent expansion releasing in 2019. There are hundreds upon hundreds of hours of gameplay available with this game, and for Star Wars fans that want to live out their dreams of being a Jedi, Sith, bounty hunter, smuggler, and more, this game delivers. The game is also free-to-play for gamers that want to try it out, so no one gets locked into a subscription if they don't want to be, although subscription plans are available for players that wish to take advantage of the additional benefits. For fans looking for an updated RPG experience to hold them over until something akin to KOTOR 3 is revealed, Star Wars: The Old Republic should provide enough content to do just that.
Star Wars is a vast franchise made up of nearly every medium of entertainment, and video games are perhaps one of the most popular forms of Star Wars entertainment other than the movies. They're a fantastic way to help gamers feel like they're a part of the series, and there really is a Star Wars game for just about everyone. Now that Lucasfilm Games has been revamped and EA seems to have found its footing with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, it should be exciting to see what the future of Star Wars gaming has in store.