Star Wars: Galactic Racer has officially released on Steam, bringing a fast-paced racing experience with roguelike progression to portable gaming. For Steam Deck owners, the release raises immediate questions about whether the title runs smoothly on handheld hardware or if the genre's speed demands more power. We tested the game to see if it holds up during on-the-go sessions or if performance issues make it a poor fit for the device.
Performance testing reveals gameplay limits on handheld hardware
The game combines racing mechanics with roguelike elements and explores various planets within the Star Wars universe. The reviewer described the experience as combining fast-paced racing with roguelike progression and unfamiliar planets that they grew to love throughout the Star Wars universe. The game design encourages engagement by offering diverse tracks and roguelike progression loops instead of a traditional linear campaign.
Performance on the Steam Deck varies significantly between gameplay and cinematic sequences. We observed gameplay locked to a 30-40 FPS range when running on the Low quality preset with FSR set to performance. Cutscenes can reach up to 90 FPS, but the actual driving segments drop into that lower 30-40 range. The reviewer considers the game playable on the handheld but notes that 60 FPS is preferred for the racing genre.
The title is priced at 59.99 USD (around $59.99) on Steam. The reviewer stated that if you only have one way to play and do not mind 30 FPS, they would confidently say players should be good to play on the go. However, the reviewer also noted they have only started playing the game and have not experienced the majority of the tracks yet. This means optimal settings for higher FPS or better stability are not yet determined.
Our coverage of the last Star Wars: Galactic Racer update highlighted several balance and stability themes that are relevant to the current release. The game is now available globally, allowing players to test these performance characteristics themselves. The confirmed performance metrics show that while the game is playable, it does not meet the optimal standards for smooth racing action on the Steam Deck.
Source: Star Wars, SteamDeckHQ
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