The Star Wars franchise has been a staple in pop culture for over four decades, and it has spawned numerous video games over the years. From action-packed shooters to role-playing adventures, there’s a Star Wars game for every type of gamer out there. In this article, we’ll be ranking the 12 best Star Wars games of all time.
Star Wars: Jedi Survivor (2023)
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor retains many of the successful gameplay mechanics from its predecessor, while introducing a host of new features. One such addition is the expanded lightsaber combat system, which sees protagonist Cal Kestis now able to access five distinct stances, each with its unique set of moves and benefits.
Players can use the single blade and double blade stances featured in Fallen Order, as well as a fully playable dual-wield stance that was only included as a special attack in the previous game due to time constraints.
Two entirely new stances are also available, one of which emulates the crossguard lightsaber style of Kylo Ren, requiring precise timing to be used effectively.
The other new stance combines lightsaber and blaster for both close and ranged attacks. Each stance is designed to combat specific enemy types, forcing players to carefully choose their weapon of choice. Additionally, players can now freeze enemies and blaster bolts in mid-air with a new Force stasis ability, adding a new layer of strategy to the combat system.
- Release Date: April 28, 2023
- Publisher: Respawn Entertainment
- Genre: Action RPG
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations: N/A
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (2003)
Released in 2003, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is widely considered to be one of the best Star Wars games ever made. Developed by BioWare and published by LucasArts, this action-packed role-playing game is set 4,000 years before the events of the Star Wars movies.
In Knights of the Old Republic, players assume the role of a customizable character who must navigate a complex storyline filled with twists, turns, and moral dilemmas. Along the way, they’ll encounter iconic characters like Jedi Knight Bastila Shan and the dark lord of the Sith, Darth Malak.
The game’s engaging combat system combines real-time action with strategic planning, allowing players to execute thrilling lightsaber battles and epic Force powers. With its immersive story, memorable characters, and groundbreaking gameplay, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has rightfully earned its place as a beloved classic in the Star Wars franchise.
- Release Date: July 15, 2003
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Action RPG
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations: BAFTA Games Award for Best Xbox Game
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)
Released on November 15, 2019, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-packed, single-player, action RPG developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts.
The game features an engaging storyline that takes place shortly after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, with players assuming the role of Cal Kestis, a young Jedi Padawan on a quest to restore the Jedi Order.
Fallen Order’s lightsaber combat system is a highlight of the game, with players able to use a variety of moves and abilities to take down enemies. The game’s mechanics also allow players to use various Force powers, including slowing down time and pulling objects towards them.
With its stunning graphics, challenging gameplay, and memorable characters, Fallen Order was nominated for several awards and quickly became a fan favorite. It received critical acclaim for its engaging storyline, thrilling combat, and faithful recreation of the Star Wars universe, cementing its place as one of the best Star Wars games in recent years.
- Release Date: November 15, 2019
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Genre: Action RPG
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations:
- The Game Awards 2019: Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, Best Narrative, Best Audio Design, Best Performance (Cameron Monaghan as Cal Kestis)
- 23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards: Game of the Year, Adventure Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction, Outstanding Achievement in Game Design, Outstanding Achievement in Story, Outstanding Technical Achievement
- BAFTA Games Awards 2020: Best Game, Best Game Design, Best Performer (Debra Wilson as Cere Junda), EE Mobile Game of the Year (People’s Choice Award)
Star Wars: Battlefront II (2005)
Star Wars: Battlefront II is a first and third-person shooter developed by Pandemic Studios and published by LucasArts. Released in 2005, the game allows players to participate in iconic battles from the Star Wars movies, including the Battle of Hoth and the Battle of Endor.
The game features a robust multiplayer mode that allows up to 64 players to engage in battles across a variety of maps and modes, including Conquest and Capture the Flag. In addition to its multiplayer mode, Battlefront II also includes a single-player campaign that spans the events of the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the original trilogy. Players assume the role of a clone trooper who defects to the Rebel Alliance, leading them on a thrilling journey across the galaxy. With its stunning graphics, intense gameplay, and faithful recreation of the Star Wars universe, Battlefront II remains a beloved title for Star Wars fans and gamers alike.
- Release Date: November 1, 2005
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: First and third-person shooter
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Nominations: BAFTA Games Award for Best Gameplay, VGX Award for Best Shooter
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast (2002)
Developed by Raven Software and published by LucasArts, Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast is a first and third-person shooter that puts players in the shoes of Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn. The game features a gripping storyline, intense combat, and challenging puzzles.
Jedi Outcast takes place several years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and follows Kyle as he struggles to come to terms with his own Force abilities and his place in the galaxy. Along the way, Kyle must battle his way through a variety of enemies, including Imperial stormtroopers and Dark Jedi. The game’s combat system allows players to use a variety of lightsaber styles and Force powers to dispatch their foes. With its engaging storyline, thrilling combat, and iconic characters, Jedi Outcast has become a fan favorite and remains a beloved classic in the Star Wars gaming universe.
- Release Date: March 26, 2002
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: First and third-person shooter
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Nominations: VGX Award for Best PC Game
Star Wars: Republic Commando (2005)
Star Wars: Republic Commando is a first-person shooter developed by LucasArts and published by Activision. The game puts players in the shoes of an elite clone commando as they take on various missions during the Clone Wars.
Set in the prequel era of the Star Wars universe, Republic Commando allows players to experience the brutal and gritty reality of war through the eyes of a clone trooper. With its emphasis on tactical gameplay, players must work together with their squadmates, each with their own unique abilities, to complete their objectives.
The game’s AI system allows players to issue commands and coordinate their squadmates, adding a layer of strategy to the fast-paced action. With its immersive storyline, challenging gameplay, and impressive visuals, Republic Commando has garnered a loyal fanbase and is often regarded as one of the best Star Wars games of its time.
- Release Date: March 1, 2005
- Publisher: Activision
- Genre: First-person shooter
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations: BAFTA Games Award for Best Action Game
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008)
Developed by LucasArts and published by Activision, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is an action-adventure game that takes place between the events of Episode III and Episode IV. The game features an original storyline and introduces players to a new character, Starkiller.
As an apprentice to Darth Vader, Starkiller is tasked with hunting down and eliminating the remaining Jedi who survived Order 66. However, as the story unfolds, Starkiller begins to question his loyalty to the dark side and ultimately decides to forge his own path. The game’s mechanics allow players to wield the Force in powerful new ways, such as unleashing devastating Force lightning and using telekinesis to manipulate their environment. With its cinematic storyline, memorable characters, and innovative gameplay, The Force Unleashed was a commercial success and has become a cult classic among Star Wars fans.
- Release Date: September 16, 2008
- Publisher: Activision
- Genre: Action-adventure
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations: BAFTA Games Award for Best Story
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (2001)
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader is a flight simulator developed by Factor 5 and published by LucasArts. The game allows players to take control of various starfighters from the Star Wars movies and participate in iconic battles like the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Hoth.
Released for the Nintendo GameCube in 2001, Rogue Leader boasts impressive graphics and sound design, immersing players in the Star Wars universe like never before. The game’s mission structure challenges players to complete a variety of objectives, such as escorting important ships or taking down enemy turrets. With its intuitive controls and fast-paced action, Rogue Leader is widely considered one of the best flight simulators ever made. The game also features a multiplayer mode, allowing players to engage in dogfights with friends or complete co-op missions together. Rogue Leader’s success led to a sequel, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike, which was released for the GameCube in 2003.
- Release Date: November 9, 2001
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Flight simulator
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations: VGX Award for Best GameCube Game
Star Wars: X-Wing
Set during the Galactic Civil War, X-Wing features a dynamic campaign that sees players completing various missions for the Rebel Alliance, such as attacking enemy ships and protecting convoys. The game’s realistic physics and challenging gameplay make for an immersive experience, with players needing to manage their ship’s shields and weapons systems while dodging incoming fire.
X-Wing’s success led to several sequels, including TIE Fighter and X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, which expanded on the game’s mechanics and added new features such as multiplayer modes. With its engaging gameplay, faithful recreation of the Star Wars universe, and groundbreaking graphics for its time, X-Wing remains a beloved classic among fans of both Star Wars and flight simulators.
- Release Date: July 17, 1997
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Space simulation
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Nominations: None
Star Wars: Empire at War (2006)
Developed by Petroglyph Games and published by LucasArts, Star Wars: Empire at War is a real-time strategy game set during the Galactic Civil War. Players can command either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire in the struggle for control of the galaxy.
Released in 2006, the game features an engaging storyline that takes place across a variety of planets and space battles. Empire at War’s gameplay allows players to build and manage their own armies, construct bases, and engage in strategic battles across the galaxy. Players must make important decisions that affect the outcome of the war, such as which planets to invade and which technologies to research.
The game’s impressive graphics and sound design, combined with its immersive gameplay, make it one of the best Star Wars strategy games ever made. Empire at War also features a multiplayer mode, allowing players to compete against each other online in intense battles. With its engaging storyline, dynamic gameplay, and deep strategy mechanics, Empire at War has become a fan favorite and remains popular among Star Wars fans and strategy game enthusiasts.
- Release Date: February 16, 2006
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Real-time strategy
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Nominations: None
Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1994)
Star Wars: TIE Fighter is a space flight simulator developed by Totally Games and published by LucasArts. Released in 1994, the game puts players in the shoes of an Imperial TIE Fighter pilot during the Galactic Civil War.
As a member of the Imperial Navy, players must complete a variety of missions, such as escorting ships and attacking Rebel forces. The game’s immersive storyline explores the darker side of the Star Wars universe, allowing players to experience the conflict from the perspective of the Empire.
TIE Fighter’s gameplay features advanced physics and realistic ship handling, making for a challenging and rewarding experience. The game also introduces new ship types and weapons, allowing players to customize their loadouts and tackle different challenges.
With its engaging storyline, challenging gameplay, and faithful recreation of the Star Wars universe, TIE Fighter has become a classic among fans of space flight simulators. The game’s success led to an expansion pack, TIE Fighter: Defender of the Empire, which added new missions and features. To this day, TIE Fighter remains a beloved title in the Star Wars gaming universe.
- Release Date: July 1994
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: Space flight simulator
- Modes: Single-player
- Nominations: None
Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II (1997)
Developed by LucasArts, Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II is a first-person shooter that allows players to wield a lightsaber and use Force powers as Jedi Knight Kyle Katarn. The game features a mix of first-person shooting and third-person lightsaber combat.
Released in 1997, Dark Forces II takes place several years after the events of the original Dark Forces game and follows Kyle as he discovers his own Force abilities and becomes embroiled in a battle between the light and dark sides.
The game’s mechanics allow players to use a variety of weapons, from blasters to the iconic lightsaber, and master different Force powers such as Force push and Force lightning. The game also features a multiplayer mode that allows players to engage in lightsaber duels and team-based battles.
With its engaging storyline, innovative gameplay, and faithful recreation of the Star Wars universe, Dark Forces II remains a beloved classic among fans of both first-person shooters and Star Wars games. The game’s success led to several sequels, including Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy.
- Release Date: October 9, 1997
- Publisher: LucasArts
- Genre: First-person shooter
- Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
- Nominations: None
Conclusion:
Star Wars is a franchise that has captivated fans for generations, and the video games based on the series have been no exception. From epic space battles to lightsaber duels, these 12 games represent some of the best that the Star Wars video game universe has to offer. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed shooters or immersive RPGs, there’s a Star Wars game out there for everyone.
