10 Best Star Wars Games Where You Don’t Play As A Jedi

Ever since Star Wars first came out, many of us have dreamed of having a lightsaber and using the Force. But the idea of being a daring smuggler like Han Solo, piloting your own ship, is often just as exciting as becoming a Jedi.

Over the years, many fantastic Star Wars games have successfully brought the galaxy far, far away to life, letting us experience what it’s like to be part of that universe and connect with its characters.

Between the new Star Wars Galaxy Racer and the highly anticipated Star Wars Zero Company (an XCOM-style game), we’re revisiting some of the most memorable Star Wars games that focus on blaster battles instead of lightsaber duels.

Looking for Star Wars games where you don’t play as a Jedi? Here are 10 fantastic options that show you can have a great time in the Star Wars universe without a lightsaber!

10. Star Wars: Outlaws

Assassin’s Creed in Space

I’ve spent a lot of time with Star Wars Outlaws, and I’m confident I’m its biggest fan right now! It didn’t launch with a huge impact, but it’s really come into its own as a good game. Think of it like this: if you’ve always dreamed of an Assassin’s Creed-style game set in the Star Wars galaxy, where you can team up with different criminal groups, then you’ll likely enjoy this one.

You play as Kay Vess, a budding scoundrel with an alien pet dog and, eventually, a thirst trap assassin droid. After a heist goes awry, a bounty is put on your head by the new criminal syndicate, the Zerek Besh. Eager to clear your name (and take another chance at that loot), you trek across the galaxy, assembling a team of experts to help you pull it off.

As you progress, you’ll take on jobs from various criminal groups and earn their trust. But gaining favor with one group might damage your relationships with others, meaning you’ll eventually have to deal with a powerful crime boss at some point.

Star Wars Outlaws is a really enjoyable game if you want to explore the famous worlds of Star Wars and experience their darker, criminal side.

9. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire

A Han Solo OC Done Right

Originally launched for the Nintendo 64, Shadows of the Empire was one of the first Star Wars video games, and many fans still consider it to be among the best.

Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, you take on the role of Dash Rendar, a mercenary working with the Rebels. Your mission is to stop Prince Xizor, the dangerous leader of the Black Sun organization, from carrying out his sinister plot. Along the way, you’ll assist iconic heroes like Leia, Lando, Chewbacca, and Luke by helping them fight the Empire and rescuing them from bounty hunters and criminal groups.

The game’s story closely follows the novel it’s based on, making it one of the earliest examples of the Star Wars universe expanding into other forms of media – a fun fact for fans! Gameplay-wise, it’s similar to classic games like Contra, where you run and gun through side-scrolling levels, defeating enemies and battling challenging bosses. It’s a tough game, but very satisfying for anyone who loves Star Wars.

8. Star Wars: Episode 1: Racer

Now This is Podracing!

Love it or hate it, Star Wars: Episode I introduced us to the exciting sport of Podracing. Luckily, LucasArts didn’t waste any time turning that excitement into a fantastic racing game that truly feels like you’re part of the action.

Star Wars Episode 1: Racer is a fast-paced racing game where you can choose from 20 different Podracers and compete on tracks across various planets, including the famous dirt tracks of Tatooine. Unlike typical racing games, you also need to manage your Podracer’s engine temperature and perform quick repairs to prevent it from exploding. If it does explode, you’ll lose valuable time getting back into the race.

People have loved this game for a long time, so we’re thrilled to be getting a new game, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, that captures the same exciting racing experience.

7. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Choices Galore

Okay, so as a gamer, I gotta say Star Wars: The Old Republic is amazing if you really want to get lost in a role-playing game. The best part is how many different classes you can play, and each one has its own awesome story. You can go the classic route with a Jedi or Sith, sure, but they also have classes that aren’t about the Force, like playing a Smuggler, a Trooper, a sneaky Imperial Agent, or a badass Bounty Hunter. It really lets you create the character you want.

Each character class has its own unique story, and you’ll have opportunities to make choices that shape how your character develops. For example, you could play a Smuggler and make selfish decisions like a scoundrel, or you could be a Bounty Hunter who always tries to do the right thing, much like the Mandalorian. The game lets you really define your character’s personality and path.

Thanks to numerous expansions and a strong focus on solo gameplay, you can easily get absorbed in Star Wars: The Old Republic for a month – or even longer!

6. Star Wars: Dark Forces

Quake Meets Star Wars

Star Wars: Dark Forces was created to capitalize on the popularity of first-person shooter games like Doom, System Shock, and Wolfenstein 3D. It proved successful enough to spawn a whole series of games, most notably the fan-favorite Star Wars: Jedi Academy.

Set just before the first Star Wars movie, you play as Kyle Katarn, a skilled mercenary and former Imperial officer who now fights for the Rebel Alliance. Your mission is to shut down the Empire’s dangerous Dark Trooper Project, led by the unusual General Rom Mohc.

If this seems like something you’ve seen before, it’s because parts of this game later influenced the show The Mandalorian, including the creation of the villain Moff Gideon, played by Giancarlo Esposito.

Though Kyle Katarn later becomes a Jedi, in the original game, he’s simply a skilled mercenary who easily defeats waves of Stormtroopers.

5. Star Wars: Squadrons

A Pilot’s Dream

Star Wars is famous for its exciting spaceship battles, and the game Star Wars: Squadrons perfectly brings that thrilling experience to life.

This isn’t the first game to feature space battles, but it’s the most refined and immersive one yet. The game focuses entirely on making you feel like you’re part of a huge space conflict, and it also features a good story that effectively teaches you the ropes of space combat and shows off its complexity.

Even without the iconic ships like TIE Fighters and X-Wings, this game is a fantastic air combat simulator, and it absolutely deserves all the praise it has received.

4. Star Wars: Empire at War

Age of Empires, but in Star Wars

Ever dreamed of commanding armies in a massive Star Wars battle? Star Wars: Empires at War lets you do just that. Released in 2006, this game blends the strategic gameplay of Starcraft with the iconic Star Wars setting – a combination that feels natural and leaves you wondering why there aren’t more games like it.

This game, like other real-time strategy titles, lets you command a diverse army in battle. Expect to control everything from basic soldiers to massive vehicles like AT-ATs. While Jedi characters do appear, they’re more support roles and won’t single-handedly win battles for you.

A major draw for Star Wars enthusiasts is the ability to play as either the Empire or the Rebellion, each with a unique campaign set in famous locations from the movies. If you wished the Battle of Yavin 4 had gone differently, this game lets you replay it your way – without any Ewoks if you prefer!

3. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter

The Jango Fett Prequel We Deserved

Most people agree that bounty hunters are awesome, and Jango Fett is a particularly popular character. Fortunately, there’s a video game that lets you learn more about him and experience his story.

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Okay, so in Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, you get to play as a Mandalorian – a total badass bounty hunter – and your main mission is to take down Komari Vosa, the head of this really dangerous crime group called the Bando Gora. It’s a pretty cool story because you find out she used to be a Jedi apprentice to Count Dooku! Plus, the game actually shows you how Jango Fett met Zam Wessel, that shapeshifting bounty hunter you see at the very beginning of Attack of the Clones. It’s a nice little tie-in to the movies.

The game received an updated release in 2024, so there’s never been a better time to play and experience the life of a Bounty Hunter!

2. Star Wars: Republic Commando

A Different Take on the Clone Wars

Star Wars fans deeply connect with the Clone Troopers, and games like Star Wars Republic Commando let us see them as individuals. Plus, it’s a fantastic first-person shooter – easily one of the best in the entire Star Wars series.

You’ll lead a team of elite Clone Troopers, Delta Squad, and issue commands to your teammates during combat, much like how Shepard directs their crew in Mass Effect.

You play as yourself and a team of unique clones, experiencing a range of missions that reveal what life was like between the events of Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.

1. Star Wars Battlefront

Arguably the Best Star Wars Series of all Time

The Star Wars Battlefront games offer an incredibly immersive Star Wars experience, and they’re a great choice if you want to play as anyone other than a Jedi.

The Battlefront series began in 2004 and quickly became a favorite among Star Wars fans. It’s known for its diverse maps, based on iconic locations from the films, and its large roster of playable characters. While you can play as Jedi and Sith, the most engaging part of the game for many is experiencing intense battles as a regular soldier.

The newest Battlefront 2 offers something for every Star Wars fan. Ever dreamed of joining the Rebel Alliance and battling the Empire on iconic locations like Yavin or the Death Star? Now you can. Or, if you prefer the prequel era, you can create your own Clone Trooper and defend planets like Naboo and Kashyyyk from the Separatists.

If you love Star Wars, you really need to experience the Battlefront games. They offer something for everyone – from realistic ground battles as a soldier, to powerful, solo action as a hero, and even thrilling spaceship fights.

2026-04-18 20:02