Star Wars is an intellectual property that has spawned nigh countless pieces of art across all mediums. In the realm of video games, the galaxy far, far away has been omnipresent since 1983. From the early days of home consoles, the franchise has made its mark on fans worldwide.
The most recent releases in the Star Wars video game canon have been almost universally loved. Respawn Entertainment’s Jedi: Fallen Order and the recent Jedi: Survivor are masterpieces. They give players an experience like no other. Despite being (arguably) the best games set in this universe, there have been plenty of other stellar entries. Let’s take a look at some that aren’t Fallen Order or Survivor.
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (2002)
Jedi Outcast can be seen as the blueprint for all action RPG Star Wars games since its first release. The game's single-player campaign followed Kyle Katarn as he earned Force abilities and various weaponry from the franchise. Katarn’s story began with him forsaking The Force, only to eventually regain his abilities after falling to The Dark Side.
The gameplay was well-measured and offered players a mix of first-person and third-person action. This game was a revelation for Star Wars fans and has remained a hallmark. While it might seem quaint to modern-day gamers, Jedi Outcast was nothing short of exhilarating when it first launched.
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001)
Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader was a launch title for the Nintendo GameCube. While most launch titles were often swallowed up by the annuls of video game history, Rogue Leader was an absolute standout. With fast-paced action and combat, this game stood head and shoulder above other titles looking to move console units.
The game spans across the Original Trilogy, in which both Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles battle in epic dogfights against The Empire. Actor Denis Lawson, who portrayed Wedge in the films, even returned to record new lines for the game. This game set a precedent for aerial combat in Star Wars video games. Even over twenty years after its release, it still plays like gangbusters.
Star Wars Battle Pod (2014)
Star Wars Battle Pod is more of an interactive amusement attraction than a video game but is a singular experience. Players sit in the cockpit of various vehicles from the Original Trilogy and find themselves immersed in classic scenes. From The Battle of Yevin to the speeder run on Endor, Battle Pod gives players an unparalleled immersive experience.
Unfortunately, unless you’re willing to shell out a king’s ransom, Battle Pod can only be experienced in an arcade setting. But if players are willing to hoof it to a Dave & Busters or similar ilk, it’s a must-play. Star Wars Battle Pod is an assault on the sense in the best way possible.
Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)
Star Wars: Battlefront II from Pandemic Studios improved upon its predecessor in every way. It introduced a new campaign where players took control of a veteran from the 501st Legion. The scope is simply massive, from the Battle of Geonosis of The Clone Wars to the Battle of Hoth.
Battlefront II set a precedent for multiplayer combat by infusing Star Wars lore with a boots-on-the-ground experience. The game was nothing short of epic. While the single-player mode was relatively straightforward, the multiplayer mode was infinitely deep. The game was a bigger, badder version of what came before in all the best ways.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic was nothing short of a masterpiece. Developer Bioware created a rich world for players, unlike any other Star Wars game. The game took play roughly 4000 years before the events of A New Hope, making it a wholly original experience.
With a refreshingly rich lore and character creation options, Knight of the Old Republic (KOTOR) presented fans with an unparalleled gaming experience. The game was such a hit with fans, it spawned novels and comics set in its world. Knights of the Old Republic is simply iconic in every sense. This sort of world-building was exactly what long-time fans had been craving. KOTOR might hold one of the most extraordinary tales ever told, not in only Star Wars, but video game history.
