Common Sense Media Review
By David Chapman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Live theme park experience, one bite-sized piece at a time.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge
What's It About?
STAR WARS: TALES FROM THE GALAXY'S EDGE is a virtual reality experience that gives players the opportunity to live out their fantasy from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Players start their adventure as a droid technician working on a ship in the Outer Rim when it's raided by pirates from Guavian Death Gang. After making a quick exit via an open escape pod, players wind up stranded on the planet Batuu, finding sanctuary in the run-down cantina of a good-natured (and long winded) barkeep named Seezelslak. While dodging their pirate pursuers, players will get the chance to interact with the cantina and explore the rest of the Black Spire Outpost as they help Seezelslak with a few errands. Along the way, they'll run into a few familiar faces from the Star Wars universe and experience its rich history by reliving some of Seezelslak's more colorful "Tales from the Galaxy's Edge."
Is It Any Good?
Since the original Star Wars movie first introduced fans to "a galaxy far, far, away," fans have watched its universe develop into a true phenomenon through film, television, books, toys, and video games. Star War: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge brings you closer to the Star Wars lore than ever, thanks to its unique combination of virtual reality and storytelling. This is the opening chapter of a planned anthology, with Seezelslak's Cantina serving as the main hub. Here, you can throw darts, play the jukebox, and take in the atmosphere. You can also step out and explore the Black Spire Outpost, to some extent, taking care to watch for the occasional gang ambush. All of this hits just the right chords to feel like you've left the real world behind and stepped directly into Star Wars, so long as you don't stray too far. Considering the Black Spire Outpost is modeled after the popular Galaxy's Edge area of the Disney theme parks, the Hollywood set feeling makes perfect sense.
The anthology aspect comes after gathering a few necessities for your hospitable and talkative barkeep host. After picking up some items and turning them in to Seezelslak, he starts to reminisce about Batuu's past, recalling a legend of a lost temple, a Jedi, and a dark Sith artifact. This is the first of the "Tales" planned for the game, in which players take on new roles and experience new stories. In this chapter, the story takes on a much darker, more serious tone, but one that's no less engaging. The only real problem here is that the episode is surprisingly short. After just a couple of hours, the story wraps itself up and you find yourself back in the cantina. Admittedly, these bite-sized sort of adventures make sense for VR, as spending too much time in a headset can get disorienting. But it's hard not to feel left wanting for just a little more. Then again, with the foundation laid for future adventures, it's hopeful that more is exactly what fans will get in the not-too-distant future.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about virtual reality. What are some ways that virtual reality can create a more immersive storytelling experience? How has VR technology evolved and improved over the years, and what could the future hold for VR entertainment?
What are ways that different form of media can come together to build and expand on an entertainment franchise? How important is it to make each individual item to be part of a greater whole, such as how Tales from the Galaxy's Edge ties into the theme park experience?
Game Details
- Platform : Oculus Quest
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : Disney Interactive
- Release date : November 19, 2020
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Robots
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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