A reader has praised the recent run of Star Wars video games, arguing that the licence is being used to revive genres that have fallen out of fashion. The reader, writing in a Reader's Feature for GameCentral, highlighted titles such as Zero Company and Galactic Racer as examples of this trend.
A Long History of Star Wars Games
The reader recalls a fond history with Star Wars games, from the Atari coin-op to the Super Star Wars series on the SNES, Rogue Squadron, Knights Of The Old Republic, Battlefront, The Force Unleashed, and Lego Star Wars. They note that while the quality of these games has varied widely, the recent output from Lucasfilm Games has been consistently strong.
According to the reader, the current era is a significant improvement over the past, when licensed games were often poor. They suggest that the high cost of acquiring a licence now forces developers to make a genuine effort, though this does not guarantee commercial success, citing the "increasingly spooky Marvel curse" as an example.
Lucasfilm's Recent Successes
The reader credits Lucasfilm Games, which returned in 2021, with a "Capcom style roll" of quality releases. They list the new Lego Star Wars game, Survivor, Outlaws, Zero Company, and Galactic Racer as all being "good to fantastic." They also note some less successful titles, such as Hunters and the PlayStation 2 Battlefront remasters, but feel the overall run has been excellent.
Beyond the quality, the reader values that these games promote genres that are otherwise rarely made. They point out that EA would not publish a turn-based strategy without a licence, and that futuristic racers like WipEout and F-Zero are no longer produced, making Galactic Racer a unique opportunity.
Looking to the Future
The reader hopes Lucasfilm will continue to support niche franchises, as older Star Wars fans are more likely to appreciate them. They express interest in upcoming titles like the third Jedi game and Fate Of The Old Republic, while noting that the Knights Of The Old Republic remake remains uncertain.
They also suggest other genres they would like to see, including a real-time strategy game, an Elite-style space trader, a point-and-click adventure, a 3D platformer, and a business sim set on Tatooine. The reader concludes that Star Wars' vast universe allows for almost any kind of game, making it ideal for reviving fading genres.
