The firstStar Warsvideo game released back in 1982. TitledStar Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, this Atari 2600 titlelet fans play through a primitive version of the battle of Hoth, where they were tasked with taking down waves of oncoming AT-ATs.Star Warsgames have obviously come a long way since then, with sprawling RPGs, planet-hopping action-adventures, and realistic flight simulators being just a few examples of where the franchise has gone over 40 years.
Odds are there’s at least oneStar Warsgame that has made use of practically every genre in gaming. However, there are a handful of smaller, newer genres thatStar Warsgames haven’t worked their way into just yet. They should, as these genres would be the perfect fit for different aspects of theStar Warsuniverse.
RELATED:The Clone Wars Are Underutilized in Star Wars Games
A Star Wars Survival Game Seems Perfect
AStar Warssurvival game just makes sense. While there are a few different contexts and time periods in theStar Warscanonthat lend themselves to the survival genre, the most obvious is Order 66 and its immediate aftermath. Seen from a slew of different angles, Order 66 marks the climactic moment when the Clones turn on their Jedi leaders, wiping out the vast majority of the order in one fell swoop. This event is the perfect backdrop for aStar Warssurvival game.
Action is usually centered around events several years after Order 66. For instance,Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Ordersees players try to escape from Clones during the operation, but it’s only for a few minutes during a flashback sequence. AStar Warssurvival game could tap into the intensity and horror of this shocking event by putting players in the boots of a young Jedi who’s forced to escape from the relentless Clone army with nothing but their lightsaber and undeveloped Force powers. To survive, players would have to craft various items and find shelter, making sure to return there each night so they can avoid the Empire’s deadly patrols. It’s often the case thatStar Wars’Jedi are overpowered, so it would be interesting to see a game shift perspectives and put the player against overwhelming odds.
A Star Wars Battle Royale Could Work Well
The battle royale craze is starting to die out as its top three representatives,Fortnite, Warzone,andApex Legends, dissuade other competitors from throwing their hats into the ring. That being said, aStar Warsbattle royale has enough inherent brand recognition to become a potential hit, and with some creative writing it could work well. Developers could set the game in the Old Republic era, and justify 100+ Force wielders duking it out at once in the context of a Sith trial where only the strongest apprentice survives. It’s a bit tenuous, but would justify some pretty fun gameplay, with players being able to collect different lightsabers and Force powers across aStar Wars-themed map.
A Retro-Styled Star Wars Metroidvania Has a Lot of Potential
WhileStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Orderhas some Metroidvania influences, with players having to travel back and forth between planets to unlock new abilities that in-turn unlock new areas, it isn’t quite a full, traditional Metroidvania. A 2D, retro-inspiredStar WarsMetroidvania could work well. Taking inspiration from titles likeHollow KnightandThe Messenger,a newStar WarsMetroidvaniacould see players explore a pixelatedStar Warslocale, finding keys and abilities that unlock new areas while taking on exciting new foes that lie within.
