Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+ The Games, Movies, TV & Comics You Love
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • Games
  • TV
  • Movies
  • Hardware
  • Video
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Guides
  • Deals
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Total Film
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • Grounded 2
  • The Fantastic Four: First Steps
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
  • Switch 2 Starter Pack
Recommended reading
Destiny 2 Guardians in new Star Wars armor
Destiny Destiny 2 lead insists divisive Star Wars-inspired expansion Renegades "is in-canon for the Destiny universe" as players worry the MMO is pulling a Fortnite
RS fights a giant enemy crab in Sea of Remnants, with a Summer Preview 2025 GamesRadar+ frame
RPGs Sea of Remnants is an online pirate swashbuckler take on Honkai Star Rail that's had me rolling dice in turn-based duels and trading cannonfire with a gorilla
Screenshot of a Clone Trooper shooting their gun from Star Wars: Zero Company
Strategy Games Star Wars Zero Company is inspired by the best parts of every era: Andor's "political intrigue," Rogue One's grit, and the OG trilogy's "mythic pulp adventure"
Star Wars Battlefront 2 screenshot showing
Third Person Shooters Remember 2017's Star Wars Battlefront 2? It’s good now – like, really good
Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2017) screenshot showing Darth Vader walking through a hangar flanked by two stormtroopers
Third Person Shooters I've spent 11 hours fighting AI in EA's Star Wars Battlefront 2, and it's taking me back to the glory days of PS2 skirmish modes
FPS Games Former Star Wars Battlefront 2 dev says "we want to get the gang back together" for a potential sequel as the game surges in popularity once more
A screenshot from Star Wars: Zero Company, showing a shadowy figure looking down at an orange, holographic battlefield filled with droids.
Strategy Games Respawn and XCOM veterans' new strategy game Star Wars Zero Company looks like Fire Emblem: Clone Wars Edition, and it's coming to PC, PS5, and Xbox in 2026
  1. Games
  2. RPG
  3. Star Wars: The Old Republic

SWTOR's Galactic Starfighter expansion puts your dogfighting skills to the test

Features
By Lorenzo Veloria published 14 November 2013

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

It came from behind

It came from behind

When you want to make an MMO feel more like Star Wars, what's the best way to transport gamers to a galaxy far, far away? Easy. Add more spaceships and explosions--in space. In Star Wars: The Old Republic's upcoming free-to-play expansion, you're getting just that. In Galactic Starfighter, you can hop into your own starfighter and engage in 12-vs.-12, free-flight, PVP matches.

At any character level, you'll be able to hop in a match from the new Hanger interface. The Hanger is where you can customize various starfighter types, which include the fast and nimble Scout, the all-around Strike Fighter, and the long-range Gunship (with more classes on the way). Everything from blasters to engines to ordnance can be earned and upgraded, which makes changes to the appearance of your fighter so you won't feel like a clone (trooper?) of every other player.

In the cockpit, you control the pitch and yaw of your starfighter with the mouse. Your speed and roll are controlled with the keyboard (WASD). At first, the control scheme feels a bit awkward, but after a few minutes, I could pull off quick banks and simple maneuvers easily. Dogfighting is much more complicated than simply flying and shooting. Players also have access to class specific abilities that include missile lock-breaking maneuvers like barrel rolls and retro thrusters as well as shield boosts. Then there's power allocation, which allows you to change the recharge rates of your shields, weapons, and engines, for additional strategery. It's all very intricate and skill-based. Plus, with all those tactical controls, you could start spouting lines to your squadmates like "switch all power to your front deflector screen," or "accelerate to attack speed," and even, "cut the chatter Red 2," just for kicks.

Check out the following slides for more info and images.

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
You won't be flying alone--you can pick a co-pilot out of your existing companions.

You won't be flying alone--you can pick a co-pilot out of your existing companions.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Not all maps are in space, as you'll also play matches on planet surfaces.

Not all maps are in space, as you'll also play matches on planet surfaces.

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
Everything on your fighter is customizable, including the paint, engine trails, and even the blaster bolts.

Everything on your fighter is customizable, including the paint, engine trails, and even the blaster bolts.

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Once you choose your ship class, you'll be able to refine your playstyle through component and skill upgrades.

Once you choose your ship class, you'll be able to refine your playstyle through component and skill upgrades.

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
The map environments are much more than empty space next to bulk cruisers.

The map environments are much more than empty space next to bulk cruisers.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
Domination match types task you with capturing these big, green satellites.

Domination match types task you with capturing these big, green satellites.

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Every ship type plays a different roll. For instance, the gunship's railgun makes it a long-range sniper.

Every ship type plays a different roll. For instance, the gunship's railgun makes it a long-range sniper.

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Platforms
Lorenzo Veloria
Lorenzo Veloria
Social Links Navigation

Many years ago, Lorenzo Veloria was a Senior Editor here at GamesRadar+ helping to shape content strategy. Since then, Lorenzo has shifted his attention to Future Plc's broader video game portfolio, working as a Senior Brand Marketing Manager to oversee the development of advertising pitches and marketing strategies for the department. He might not have all that much time to write about games anymore, but he's still focused on making sure the latest and greatest end up in front of your eyes one way or another.

See more PC Gaming Features
Read more
Destiny 2 Guardians in new Star Wars armor
Destiny 2 lead insists divisive Star Wars-inspired expansion Renegades "is in-canon for the Destiny universe" as players worry the MMO is pulling a Fortnite
RS fights a giant enemy crab in Sea of Remnants, with a Summer Preview 2025 GamesRadar+ frame
Sea of Remnants is an online pirate swashbuckler take on Honkai Star Rail that's had me rolling dice in turn-based duels and trading cannonfire with a gorilla
Screenshot of a Clone Trooper shooting their gun from Star Wars: Zero Company
Star Wars Zero Company is inspired by the best parts of every era: Andor's "political intrigue," Rogue One's grit, and the OG trilogy's "mythic pulp adventure"
Star Wars Battlefront 2 screenshot showing
Remember 2017's Star Wars Battlefront 2? It’s good now – like, really good
Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2017) screenshot showing Darth Vader walking through a hangar flanked by two stormtroopers
I've spent 11 hours fighting AI in EA's Star Wars Battlefront 2, and it's taking me back to the glory days of PS2 skirmish modes
Former Star Wars Battlefront 2 dev says "we want to get the gang back together" for a potential sequel as the game surges in popularity once more
Latest in RPG
Cyberpunk 2077 Johnny Silverhand
One more Cyberpunk 2077 delay for old times' sake: the Nintendo Switch 2 version of patch 2.3 has been pushed back, but seemingly not for long
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 dev is "a little disappointed" in Reddit after dropping a hint about one of patch 2.3's new vehicles that no one noticed: "Guys, you need to really pay more attention"
Oblivion Remastered Dark Brotherhood Lucien Lachance
Upcoming Oblivion Remastered update may be the RPG's most important yet, as Bethesda is fixing a door that's been irking lore fans for the past 2 months
Screenshot from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 showing a number of characters stood together, a gloomy sky ahead of them.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's outsourcing allowed the RPG's in-house team to stay "very focused on building that core," speculates former Dragon Age dev: "Everyone was able to synergize together"
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim screenshot showing the an armored man wielding a shield in front of a raging dragon, holding back against the creature's fiery breath
Skyrim NPCs are only as complex as they are thanks to a literal "napkin drawing" that Todd Howard doodled, reveals ex-Bethesda dev: "It's actually a napkin story"
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild screenshot of Link cooking over a campfire
The Legend of Zelda and Red Dead Redemption 2 have whetted my appetite, so I've found the 7 best cooking games to tuck into
Latest in Features
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Five questions I hope Fantastic Four: First Steps answers
Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Starlord (Chris Pratt), Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Drax (Dave Bautista) in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
I've watched all the best James Gunn movies and TV shows, and this is how I'd rank them
One of the new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4
Borderlands 4 is releasing in just under 2 months, so I'm revisiting the 5 best Gearbox games while I count down the days
The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature screenshot of a fairy, a ghost, and a mermaid looking scared
After 400 hours in The Sims 4, I've finally met my match: an occult-only household riddled with phantoms, house fires, and dead plants
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild screenshot of Link cooking over a campfire
The Legend of Zelda and Red Dead Redemption 2 have whetted my appetite, so I've found the 7 best cooking games to tuck into
David Corenswet as Superman fighting back flames
I’m tired of MCU post-credits scenes that go nowhere, which is why Superman’s organic world-building is such a breath of fresh air
  1. DK and Pauline look surprised in Donkey Kong Bananza
    1
    Donkey Kong Bananza Review: "Destruction isn't just a flashy gimmick for the Minecraft generation, it's one of the best inventions Nintendo has had in years"
  2. 2
    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 review: "A nostalgic, must-play hit for fans"
  3. 3
    College Football 26 review: “Thanks to rivalries and dynasty, this is the greatest show on turf”
  4. 4
    Mecha Break review: "This mech battler makes up for lacking customization with a varied roster that lets me live out my Evangelion fantasy"
  5. 5
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  1. David Corenswet as Superman inside the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's Superman.
    1
    Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU"
  2. 2
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  3. 3
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  4. 4
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  5. 5
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...