Preview: Star Wars: Galactic Racer’s physics-based destructive tech and high-speed DNA shows promise

Fuse Games, a newly formed studio led by veterans from Criterion Games, has unveiled Star Wars: Galactic Racer, an ambitious arcade racing title launching October 6th on PlayStation 5. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the game represents the first Star Wars racing game in two decades and draws heavily from the team’s legacy at Criterion, particularly the Burnout series. Previewed at Summer Game Fest 2026, Galactic Racer replaces traditional Star Wars elements like lightsabers with high-speed podracing action, featuring speeders and swoops in a narrative-driven campaign set in a post-war galaxy.

The game’s core appeal lies in its physics-based destruction mechanics that recreate the aggressive, collision-focused gameplay Burnout fans cherish. Players pilot a character named Shade through a story involving the underground racing circuit, with destructive takedowns and chaotic races described as the most intense racing experience since Burnout 3: Takedown. Beyond the campaign, Galactic Racer features a roguelike structure where players upgrade and specialize individual craft between races, with creative director Kieran Crimmins emphasizing that aggressive, collision-heavy racing is a viable strategy.

Multiple outlets emphasize the game’s depth—both mechanically and narratively. While maintaining arcade sensibilities, Fuse Games crafted a story exploring how racing fits into the wider political landscape of a war-torn Star Wars galaxy, matching the narrative ambition of Respawn’s Star Wars Jedi series. The combination of destructive action, roguelike progression, and story-driven campaign suggests Galactic Racer may fulfill the long-awaited desire for a true Burnout spiritual successor, delivering the chaotic high-speed racing fans have craved for years.

Preview: Star Wars: Galactic Racer’s physics-based destructive tech and high-speed DNA shows promise

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