The resurgence of Lucasfilm Games has led to multiple new Star Wars games being developed, but there are plenty of canceled LucasArts projects that deserve to be revisited as well. The now-defunct video game publisher and studio presided over the development dozens of iconic Star Wars games over multiple decades, but many were sadly canceled in the years running up to its shutdown in 2013. Disney's purchase of Star Wars prevented many projects from reaching completion, including the Boba Fett-led Star Wars 1313. The upcoming remake of Knights of the Old Republic, has led some to raise the prospect of Knights of the Old Republic 3 one day happening, but there are other unfinished Star Wars video games that deserve to be revisited too.
Many Star Wars games have been canceled due to budgetary concerns, creative differences, or a reorientation of the studio and staff towards new projects. Nevertheless, there are many interesting characters and stories to utilize in games within the wider Star Wars mythos. Unfortunately, many stories never reached completion during development. However, with the current status of the Star Wars franchise, Lucasfilm should consider reviving some abandoned projects.
Star Wars has always been profitable - especially in recent years - but even its games are not immune to the turbulent world of game development. LucasArts' collapse cut short development for several promising games, and EA - who had exclusive access to the Star Wars license afterward - failed to replace them with titles of a similar scale. There have been successes, such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and there are new Star Wars games on the way for fans to look forward to, but there are also unfinished gems from the franchise's past that deserve to be resurrected.
Star Wars 1313 Would've Depicted The Rise Of Boba Fett
Star Wars 1313 is a well-known canceled game set in the galaxy far, far away, as it came closest to completion and launch before its untimely cancellation in 2013. Bounty hunters have always maintained a high level of popularity thanks to characters like Boba Fett, but The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett have heightened fans' interest in the product as well. Star Wars 1313 began with players controlling an unidentified bounty hunter Boba Fett would kill. Players would then control Boba Fett for the duration of the game. The number '1313' refers to the sublevel of Coruscant Boba Fett explores and references the alibi he used during the Clone Wars as CT-1313. The story details of Star Wars 1313 are still a mystery, but given the success of Jango Fett's solo game (Star Wars: Bounty Hunter) and the current popularity of Boba Fett, Star Wars 1313 could see serious success with a release in the 2020s.
KOTOR Remake Should Lead To Knights of the Old Republic 3
The Old Republic era, as depicted in the KOTOR games, told the stories of Jedi fallen from grace. The first KOTOR explored Darth Revan's story, creating a legacy that Star Wars later referenced in movies. With many Star Wars fans still clamoring for a Darth Revan movie or an Old Republic TV series, KOTOR 3 could explore and expand that time period. Though Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords didn't focus on Revan, the existence of thousands of Sith and Jedi presents a unique opportunity in the Star Wars universe. Knights of the Old Republic 3 could focus on uniting the stories of Darth Revan and the Exile or embrace a new character affected by both their legacies and explore a new chapter post-Revan.
Star Wars' Canceled Darth Maul Game Should Be Revived
Though Darth Maul's first appearance in Star Wars: The Episode I - The Phantom Menace provided the character with little more than an intriguing aesthetic with exciting combat, Star Wars projects over the last decade have expanded upon the character's potential and identity. The canceled Darth Maul video game dedicated an entire story to the Sith's rise to power, first being set during the Clone Wars until eventually switching eras completely. The game, developed by Red Fly Studios, would've featured Force powers, stealth mechanics, and combat similar to Jedi: Fallen Order, but was eventually met with cancellation.
Maul's resurgence means a new game is worth pursuing. Maul received a dedicated storyline in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and appeared in Solo: A Star Wars Story as the secret leader of Crimson Dawn. With the character's popularity and the unique opportunity to explore the story of a Sith Lord, a new version of Battle of the Sith Lords could delve even further into the fan-favorite character's history, and provide a dark side contrast to Respawn's Star Wars Jedi series.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 3 Could Make Starkiller Canon
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed followed Starkiller, a Jedi who became Darth Vader's apprentice during the reign of the Galactic Empire. The events of the games are no longer considered canon, but there are ways for a third Force Unleashed game to be made. A direct sequel is unlikely, but Jedi: Fallen Order 2 could make Starkiller canon were it to utilize canceled plans from Star Wars Rebels and make him an Inquisitor. Unfortunately, at this point, a remaster or remake of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is much more likely before Lucasfilm Games would risk developing a sequel to an older franchise, but there's still scope for a spiritual successor to emerge should Galen Marek mark his canon return.
Star Wars: Rebel Warrior Would've Featured A Wookiee Hero
Star Wars has its fill of shooter games with human protagonists, and Star Wars: Rebel Warrior could have broken this streak. Described as a "violent action game" with a Wookiee protagonist in GameInformer's deep dive into LucasArts' decline, players could have engaged in brutal combat against the Galactic Empire as a Kashyyyk native. The unique opportunity to develop a story-oriented, ground combat game from an alien's perspective bypasses many repetitive story tropes in Star Wars games. Even all of EA's canceled Star Wars games featured human protagonists.
Additionally, the canceled Star Wars: Rebel Warrior game would have served as a starting point for a series of games, including Star Wars: Rebel Agent, Rebel Scum, and Rebel Jedi. Star Wars: Rebel Warrior could have become a successful franchise if its successors followed a similar formula and embraced neglected species and perspectives within the Star Wars universe. Star Wars: Rebel Warrior deserves some consideration for developing more diverse characters in the franchise.
EA Should Let DICE Make Star Wars Battlefront 3
Though Star Wars Battlefront 2 suffered a rocky launch due to loot boxes and microtransactions, the game eventually became a product worth purchasing. It struggled with player population in later years, its popularity became renewed when it became free on Epic Games. Its new lease on life put the game in the spotlight and called attention to the various Battlefront 2 game mods that implemented characters to the game like Din Djarin, Ahsoka, Jedi Master Plo Koon, and more.
Unfortunately, there have been reports that EA rejected DICE's pitch for Star Wars Battlefront 3, disappointing hordes of fans who had only recently discovered Battlefront 2. However, with the continued development of existing Star Wars shows and the production of new adventures, characters, and planets, there are more reasons than ever to produce a third Battlefront game. A third entry could introduce the second game's canceled DLC heroes, and even have maps inspired by The Mandalorian.
Though it's unlikely for many canceled games to receive a second lease on life, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary for the Star Wars community. Boba Fett perished in Return of the Jedi but experienced a triumphant return thanks to public support and outcry. Additionally, Darth Maul's death in The Phantom Menace proved anything can come back to life with enough community support. If the timeline, budget, and public interest is there, then Lucasfilm could revive some canceled Star Wars games in the coming years.