Star Wars: Galactic Racer Leads Indie Roundup Ahead of October 6 Launch

Engadget said the racing game uses a roguelite structure to keep races from becoming too repetitive despite its limited scope, though the outlet's main complaint was that there are not enough tracks and planets. Crashing too often or failing to stay ahead of the pack in an eliminator race can end a run. The outlet said it took a couple of runs to understand how to craft an effective build and manage the dual boosting system, and that the speeder bike's tight cornering helped once unlocked. Podracers appear later. The campaign includes a pulpy story with random encounters with foes and potential allies. Ship parts can sustain damage that applies a negative effect until the player reaches a mechanic. There are hundreds of possible upgrades, as well as permanent stat upgrades between runs.

The races themselves were a joy, Engadget said. Course design includes red minerals on Crait that make it harder for opponents behind to see, and routes through the skeletons of much larger ships on Jakku. Players must manage environmental effects including burning, which makes boosts harder to use, and acid, which temporarily corrupts abilities. Engadget described the crashes as spectacular and said Fuse Games captured a strong sense of speed. The outlet had not yet checked multiplayer races.

The roundup also noted several other indie updates. Sifu will come to iOS and Android on October 12. Coffee Stain held its first Big Break Showcase, where it revealed games and updates. Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor will hit PlayStation 5, Switch and Switch 2 on October 7. The first paid expansion for Satisfactory, Core Values, is on the way and will add new biomes, creatures and buildings while taking players underground. Engadget also said it has enjoyed seeing Dressmaker players share their garments and that the game has resonated with creative players.

Among new releases, Engadget highlighted Toem 2 from developer Something We Made and publishers Something We Made and Popagenda. Engadget listed it for Steam on Windows, Mac and SteamOS/Linux with Steam Deck Verified status, as well as PlayStation 5, Switch and Switch 2. It usually costs $20, with a 15 percent discount until October 13; the PS5 discount requires PlayStation Plus. The sequel to 2021's Toem: A Photography Adventure gives players an upgraded camera with new attachments for puzzles. There is a new cast of characters to meet and help. Completing quests fills a journal with stamps that serve as a record of the journey and a way to open the next region. The game also includes platforming as players find hidden paths and vantage points for photographs. Engadget called the first game a real charmer and said the follow-up seems like another fine way to spend a few hours.

Editor's Summary Engadget's October 3 indie roundup puts Star Wars: Galactic Racer, a $60 roguelite racer, at the center ahead of its October 6 launch. It also notes Sifu's mobile release, Coffee Stain showcase updates, Dressmaker player creations and Toem 2's release. The roundup covers product release timing and game details rather than broader industry trends.