There’s something timeless about podracing. The thunder of twin engines, the screech of a too-sharp turn, the danger that makes it all so intoxicating — Star Wars: Beyond Victory taps into that legacy and brings it right into your living room. Designed exclusively for Meta Quest 3, this new mixed reality (MR) title aims to make you feel like the Force is racing across your coffee table.
The result? A visually stunning experiment that’s part Anakin’s workshop, part Lego set brought to life, and part “wait, why is my podracer in the fruit bowl?” It’s a game that swings for the stars — even when it doesn’t always hit hyperdrive speed.
A Galaxy Built Around You
From the first moment Beyond Victory boots up, you’ll realize this isn’t your typical VR adventure. The game transforms your room into a Star Wars diorama — podracers zoom across your desk, droids scuttle under your bookshelf, and holographic readouts float midair like a Rebel command terminal.
The mixed reality effect is convincing. The lighting adapts to your environment, and the holographic blue glow feels authentically Star Wars. It’s clear that Lucasfilm Games and Meta wanted to showcase the Quest 3’s MR power, and they’ve done so beautifully.
Even the smallest details shine. A crashed podracer might spill sparks onto your real-world floor, or a Jawa might scurry out from behind your couch to inspect your furniture. The illusion works best in a well-lit space with plenty of room, but even small setups deliver that “living galaxy” vibe.
Story and Characters with Heart
Set during the Reign of the Empire, Beyond Victory doesn’t just rely on nostalgia. You play a young podracer trying to make a name in the shadow of the Galactic Empire. Familiar faces pop up — yes, Sebulba is back, still causing chaos — and a cast of quirky side characters help keep the story light and fun.
The writing finds a balance between earnest and humorous. Your crew actually feels like a small family of outcasts, not just quest-givers with one-liners. Their personalities shine through in the voice acting and animations — particularly in the garage sequences where you repair and tune your podracer.
The campaign isn’t long — around three to four hours — but it’s heartfelt. There are lessons about loyalty, trust, and what it means to chase victory when the odds are stacked against you. It’s not quite The Mandalorian in narrative weight, but it’s got soul.
Podracing Reimagined
Now for the big question: how does it play?
This is where Beyond Victory divides the fandom. Instead of placing you behind the controls in a first-person VR cockpit, the game opts for a mixed reality tabletop view. Imagine controlling tiny podracers on a holographic race track laid out across your real-world table.
It’s an unexpected design choice — and one that some players will either love or loathe. On one hand, it’s incredibly charming to see a miniature podrace unfold inches from your face, complete with explosions and sandstorms that spill out of the hologram. On the other hand, it lacks that visceral speed that Episode I: Racer fans crave.
Races are fast-paced and mechanically solid, though. You can boost, dodge, and drift around corners with tight controls that feel responsive and satisfying. The sound design sells it: engines roar, sand whips by, and announcers shout over the chaos. It’s just not quite the pulse-pounding cockpit chaos of classic podracing.
There are only a handful of tracks — three main ones plus an arcade mode with variations — and while they’re gorgeous, the limited selection hurts replayability. Once you’ve finished the campaign, there’s not much reason to come back unless you’re chasing time trials or showing it off to friends.
Mixed Reality Magic (and Mayhem)
Beyond racing, Beyond Victory offers two additional modes: a story-driven garage sequence and a diorama “playset” builder.
In the garage, you can interact with your podracer, talk with your crew, and upgrade your parts. It feels intimate — like stepping into a slice of the Star Wars universe. The diorama mode, meanwhile, lets you arrange miniature Star Wars figures and structures in your real space, turning your room into a custom Star Wars scene.
It’s charming, but also limited. Once the novelty of seeing aliens and droids standing on your coffee table wears off, you’ll probably move on. Still, it’s a fantastic showcase of what mixed reality can do — and it’ll impress anyone watching you play.
Visuals and Performance
Graphically, Beyond Victory is a showpiece for Meta Quest 3. The textures, lighting, and reflections are crisp, and performance is buttery smooth. The game maintains consistent frame rates even during intense races, and load times are minimal.
The environments are packed with detail, from flickering neon signs in back-alley hangars to the gleaming chrome of podracer engines. The holographic projection effects are particularly impressive — they make the MR transitions feel natural rather than gimmicky.
You might encounter minor hiccups, like objects clipping through your furniture or holograms flickering when the headset loses tracking, but these are rare and usually short-lived.
Replayability and Longevity
Let’s be honest — Beyond Victory is more of a showcase than a full-fledged Star Wars racing game. Its three main tracks and short story mode mean it won’t replace your go-to racing fix.
That said, it’s a game you’ll want to show off. It’s the kind of experience that makes visitors say, “Wait, that’s Star Wars on your table?” The novelty alone is worth a few replays, especially if you’re into mixed reality tech.
A few additional races or challenge modes could have elevated it from experimental to essential. Hopefully, future updates or sequels expand on its potential.
The Verdict
Star Wars: Beyond Victory is one of the most ambitious mixed reality experiments we’ve seen yet. It’s visually stunning, heartfelt in its storytelling, and packed with enough charm to make you smile — even when the podracing doesn’t quite hit light speed.
If you go in expecting a full VR podracer revival, you might leave wanting more. But if you’re looking for a new way to experience Star Wars — one that blends nostalgia, innovation, and a healthy dose of spectacle — you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.
Final Score: 7/10
The Force is strong with its visuals and heart, even if the podracing needs one more engine..
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