Jedi, Sith, Imperials, Rebels, bounty hunters… Star Wars has finished all of it within the realm of video video games, however typically it’s laborious to navigate such a crowded galaxy of interactive adventures, so right here’s our listing with the ten greatest Star Wars video games, most of which you’ll play proper now.
It’s additionally the right time to get into the Jedi (or darkish aspect) spirit, as EA’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the long-anticipated sequel to 2019’s Jedi: Fallen Order, has simply been launched. It’s virtually actually worthy of a spot on this listing, however we’re ready for a number of efficiency patches earlier than we give it that honor. It’s on this council, however we don’t grant it the rank of grasp till the bugs get patched out.
In the meantime, different publishers are working alongside Lucasfilm Video games (a comeback of kinds of the LucasArts label) to ramp up the output of Star Wars titles. If Disney’s new plan for the IP in gaming works out, we is perhaps a brand new golden age of Star Wars video video games akin to that of the early 2000s.
The darkish aspect clouds all the pieces. Inconceivable to see the longer term is although, so for now, listed below are our picks for one of the best Star Wars video games of all time.
10. Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux
- Developer: Ensemble Studios
It was a detailed competitors between Empire at Battle (2006) and Galactic Battlegrounds (2001) for the crown of one of the best Star Wars real-time technique (RTS) sport, however actually, Galactic Battlegrounds is a Star Wars reskin of Age of Empires – it was actually developed by the identical studio – and there are few blueprints within the realm of video video games as 100% future-proof as that one. The bottom sport was already packed, however its 2002 marketing campaign, Clone Campaigns, added tons of prequel content material that rounded the bundle out.
Very similar to the OG Age of Empires titles, Galactic Battlegrounds is a extremely accessible RTS, packing meaty campaigns in addition to customizable skirmishes (versus AI or different gamers) that can by no means not be enjoyable. Aerial models all the time had been janky trash although, so we’d suggest ignoring them as a lot as doable.
9. Star Wars: The Outdated Republic
- Platforms: PC
- Developer: BioWare
Again within the day, plans for a 3rd KOTOR sport had been scrapped and ultimately changed into a Star Wars MMORPG that might compete towards World of Warcraft. BioWare returned to the IP underneath EA’s orders, however the launch of the sport did not hit the bold targets set by LucasArts and EA. Regardless of the rocky begin, The Outdated Republic ultimately grew to become a well-liked on-line sport that also will get new content material and common updates to this present day.
Seems that KOTOR and BioWare followers merely needed extra narrative-heavy content material and one thing that didn’t really feel like a worse model of WoW (who would have thought!), so issues bought noticeably higher for one of the crucial costly video games ever as quickly as EA and BioWare doubled down on the story content material. These days, it’s a reasonably chill “freemium” on-line sport crammed with dozens (if not a whole lot) of hours of top-notch Star Wars storytelling.
8. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
- Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Collection X/S
- Developer: Respawn Leisure
Many anticipated Respawn’s Jedi-centric action-adventure Star Wars undertaking to observe within the footsteps of the Jedi Knight collection or The Pressure Unleashed, however fortunately, the veteran studio – which got here on the time from a first-person shooter background – had different plans. Fallen Order seems like the right mixture of Soulslike video games and the correct quantity of Metroid DNA. That may sound bizarre on paper for Star Wars, however belief us: it really works.
Cal Kestis’ journey – set within the huge time interval between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope – may have simply gone overboard on the fan-service, however the creatives behind the sport as a substitute targeted on increasing the lore and exploring outdated and new corners of the galaxy from a brand new perspective. It’s a blast to play by, but in addition one of many strongest Disney-era Star Wars tales launched thus far.
7. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron collection
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube
- Developer: LucasArts, Issue 5
Star Wars and flight simulators even have an extended historical past collectively. Consequently, choosing the perfect from the style was powerful, however Rogue Squadron got here out on high. It’s only a actually constant collection that hit the candy spot between simulation controls and an arcade-y feeling.
We’re dishonest a bit right here by rolling all three of them into one entry, however we actually cannot resolve between them. Many followers are conversant in the unique sport because it was launched on PC, however issues had been taken to the following stage with the sequels, each of which had been GameCube exclusives that also haven’t been remastered nor re-released. Past the good use of GameCube’s highly effective {hardware}, they include probably the most memorable aerial and area clashes you will discover in Star Wars video video games, and that’s saying rather a lot.
6. Star Wars: Republic Commando
- Platforms: PC, Xbox, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Change
- Developer: LucasArts
Republic Commando bought a second probability at wowing informal gamers due to a latest re-release for contemporary consoles (together with its debut on PlayStation and Nintendo platforms). Regardless of the optimistic reception again in 2005 and its devoted cult following, it all the time lived underneath the shadow of different Star Wars releases.
Republic Commando used the chance of exploring the darker aspect of the Clone Wars to craft a decent tactical first-person shooter (FPS) that also holds up immediately. Furthermore, followers beloved the Delta Squad – the starring group of enhanced clones – a lot that they ultimately made the bounce to the brand new Star Wars canon by the 3D Clone Wars collection and EA’s Star Wars Battlefront II.
5. Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)
- Platforms: PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox
- Developer: Pandemic Studios
For a lot of, the unique Battlefront II stays the last word Star Wars online game. Launched round a 12 months after its predecessor, it featured places, models, heroes, weapons, and automobiles from all around the authentic trilogy and the prequel motion pictures. Moreover, modders went (and nonetheless go) completely wild with the PC model of the sport.
With out rose-tinted nostalgia glasses, it doesn’t maintain up fairly in addition to you bear in mind: the AI of enemy models is sort of unhealthy, the area battles had been clearly rushed out the door, and a few mechanics inexplicably went lacking coming from the primary sport.
Nonetheless, it’s an exquisite Star Wars playground for lovers of first/third-person shooters that did far more than simply mimicking the unique Battlefield video games.
4. Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox One/Collection X/S, Nintendo Change
- Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Maybe the one Star Wars all-in-one bundle extra full than EA’s Battlefront II, the newest Lego Star Wars sport went over all the Skywalker Saga and rebuilt from scratch each main location and plot beat to create the last word celebration of the immortal franchise.
In the event you don’t thoughts the Lego aesthetics, don’t skip this one. And if you happen to love Lego playsets and figures as a lot as Star Wars, this will likely develop into certainly one of your all-time favorites. There’s a lot content material and heartfelt love for the universe crammed into this one which it nonetheless makes our (blocky) heads spin. It’s the right sofa co-op sport for the entire household, too.
Simply be careful, it is an actual gateway drug in direction of spending all of your credit on the actual Lego Star Wars units.
3. Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017)
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
- Developer: DICE
EA and DICE’s second try at reviving the Battlefront franchise had one of many roughest triple-A launches in latest reminiscence, but the writer and the studio’s dedication to turning the ship round paid off massive time. By the point post-launch help ended within the first half of 2020, Battlefront II had develop into probably the most trustworthy Star Wars online game obtainable since Pandemic’s efforts over a decade prior.
Public opinion has additionally modified significantly since then, and the very fact it’s extra lively on-line than many big-name releases that launched afterwards proves our level: it is a rattling good Star Wars online game. From Episode I to IX, it’s a beautiful, action-packed journey (full with an honest story marketing campaign) by all of the Star Wars motion pictures so as, showcasing their most iconic heroes, villains, and battles.
2. Star Wars: Jedi Knight collection
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Change, PS4
- Builders: LucasArts, Raven Software program
This entry was a no brainer, with one tough caveat; Darkish Forces (1995) is the primary chapter of the Jedi Knight storyline – which follows mercenary-turned-Jedi Kyle Katarn – however technically doesn’t depend as a result of it lacks that denomination. Jedi Knight: Darkish Forces II was step one right into a extra bold model of gameplay that combined FPS motion and third-person action-adventure that the collection is greatest recognized for. We’re counting it, and the collection as a complete, for this entry.
The Jedi Knight video games all the time felt particular as a result of they nailed each the capturing and the Jedi gameplay. Their lightsaber system was incredible, and the collection of obtainable Pressure powers (together with darkish aspect ones) is nothing in need of spectacular. Jedi Outcast and Academy’s excellent multiplayer modes had been the icing on the cake and nonetheless maintain wholesome on-line communities of veteran gamers.
1. Star Wars: Knights of the Outdated Republic 1 & 2
- Platforms: PC, macOS, Linux, Android, Xbox, Nintendo Change
- Builders: BioWare, Obsidian Leisure
Many Star Wars followers and old-school avid gamers keep the KOTOR video games are absolutely the peak of Star Wars video video games, and it’s laborious to argue towards them. Each entries – developed by legendary RPG studios BioWare and Obsidian – nailed the party-based role-playing methods as a lot because the refreshing Star Wars world-building.
To this present day, the impression of the Knights of the Outdated Republic video games is felt throughout many areas of contemporary Star Wars, and Lucasfilm nonetheless hasn’t straight-up contradicted a lot of the occasions that transpired 1000’s of years earlier than The Phantom Menace. Now, we’re all eagerly awaiting a shiny, extremely reworked remake of BioWare’s authentic masterpiece.
In the event you’re in search of different area gaming lists, you would possibly wish to take a look at our listing of the greatest area exploration video games or possibly the all-spooky greatest area horror video games listing. And if it is Star Wars content material you crave, you’ll want to sustain with our Mandalorian season 3 opinions.