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For as long as Star Wars has existed, the series has been about the underdogs going up against a tyrannical Empire in an attempt to rebel against it. Over the course of the series, we saw our simple farm boy hero Luke Skywalker blow up the Death Star, redeem his Sith Lord father, and bring about the collapse of the Empire.
Unfortunately, creator George Lucas had to introduce the concept of a "Chosen One" in the prequels, which kind of reduces the impact of how impressive our heroes are for pulling off what they did.
But regardless, this underdog spirit has been at the core of the franchise, and is one that even some of the video games have taken to heart.
If you're a fan of this trope, then you're in luck, because we'll be looking at 10 of the best Star Wars games that capture that underdog quality perhaps even a little better than the films did.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Fix The Future of the Jedi
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor sees us play as Order 66 survivor Cal Kestis once more, who has since become a famous Rebel fighter against the Empire.
At the start of the game, we learn that Cal's crusade against the Empire has been for naught. All of his missions and his several companions who have died along the way have done little to stop the Empire from expanding its reach across the galaxy. That is, until we come across information about Tanalorr, a hidden planet tucked away outside the Empire's reach.
From here on, we embark on a quest to discover more about this safe haven while battling against forces who seek to make it their own for nefarious goals. Throughout the game, we see Cal get kicked down several times, bringing him to the brink of the Dark Side. It's this allure of the Dark Side in the face of insurmountable odds that permeates throughout the game, and makes Cal an understandably tragic hero.
Star Wars: Outlaws
Follow a Scoundrel Build Their Reputation & Escape an Expensive Bounty
Star Wars: Outlaws follows Kay Vess, a down-on-their-luck scoundrel who ends up being roped into a plan to break into the vault of a local criminal warlord. This plan naturally falls apart, leaving Kay with a mighty bounty on her head. Kay is eventually saved by Jaylen Vrax, a suspicious scoundrel and his assassin droid.
Promptly, Jaylen promises to help Kay, on the condition that she's able to assemble a new crew of eccentric criminals who can help us take another go at breaking into this mysterious vault. Throughout the game, you'll often feel like a fish out of water heading into different criminal underworlds, finding yourself caught up in different faction wars, while leveraging your alliances to best suit your interests at any given moment.
Star Wars: Dark Forces
Some Light Rebel Espionage Reveals a Deadly Imperial Super Weapon
If you've ever wanted a video game that has you infiltrating Imperial bases to uncover secrets of their most powerful weapons, then Star Wars: Dark Forces is for you.
You play as Kyle Katarn, a rebel-affiliated mercenary tasked with investigating rumors of a "Dark Trooper" project the Empire is supposedly working on. Throughout the game, you'll pick up on leads while blasting your way through several Imperial outposts before coming face to face with one of these monstrous soldiers at the end of the game.
It's a story that pits you alone against the entire force of the Imperial army, who are desperate for their super weapon to remain a secret until it's ready to deploy, making the stakes fairly high.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2
Overcome Extreme Odds & Heal From the Trauma of War
BioWare's Knights of the Old Republic series is some of the finest storytelling in the Star Wars franchise. However, I'd argue its sequel, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, holds the stronger underdog story.
The game follows The Exile, a former Jedi commander who cut themselves off from the Force after being excommunicated by the Jedi following the Battle of Malachor V. Over the years, the remaining Jedi have been picked off by powerful Sith Lords who have now picked up on your existence. You spend the game rallying allies and gathering the surviving Jedi Masters to figure out a plan to end these Sith Lords for good and to restore the Jedi Order.
The game is overall an exploration of trauma and helping yourself, and your allies, overcome their fears and doubts of their abilities, helping them heal and grow into the best versions of themselves that they can be.
Star Wars: Republic Commando
Take Control of an Elite Clone Task Squad
Say what you will about the Prequels, but if there's one thing we can be thankful for, it's the existence of the Clones, who end up being a pretty tragic faction. In Star Wars: Republic Commando, we get to play as the elite squad of Clone Commandos named Delta Squad who are able to execute operations most regular clones can't.
Throughout the game, we're pitted against enormous odds. Whether it's going behind enemy lines to take out a research center, or joining in massive battles throughout the Clone Wars, we almost never have a moment of reprieve, moving from battle to battle. Throughout the game, amid the horrific spectacle of battle, we see Delta Squad's trust in one another and unwavering faith shine through.
It's this camaraderie and humanization of the Clones that makes us want to play through every mission perfectly, even knowing the tragic fate that awaits most Clones by the end of the war.
Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Rebuild Your Connection to the Force After a Personal Crisis
Kyle Katarn remains the most unfortunate Star Wars video game character. We follow our beard-donning hero following his decision to cut himself off from the Force after feeling the temptation of the Dark Side. To make ends meet, Katarn and his partner Jan Ors continue their mercenary work, which is interrupted after the two stumble onto a massive Imperial base. Here, the duo stumble upon the dark Jedi Desann, who easily defeats Katarn and kills Jan in front of us, spurring Katarn to pick up his lightsaber once more.
Over the course of the game, Katarn rebuilds his connection to the Force thanks to the help of Luke Skywalker and several life-or-death situations. This finally culminates in one last duel with Desann on Yavin 4, who's able to strike down the Raptor-looking fallen Jedi without succumbing to the Dark Side.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter
Grow Your Career in the Empire
Star Wars: TIE Fighter is an interesting game, as this time, you're not the underdog fighting against the Empire. In fact, you're but a simple cog in the Imperial machine, doing your best to get recognized for your achievements in shooting down Rebel scum.
You play as a fresh recruit who's joined the Empire right after the Battle of Hoth and sees your rise from rookie flyer to a more trusted member of the Imperial Navy. Throughout the campaign, you'll find yourself joining operations such as patrols, escort duty, interceptions, and eventually, galactic-sized battles where you'll play a key part in turning the tide of battle for the Empire.
While it isn't a happy version of this trope, it does offer a glimpse into the daily life of a regular Imperial soldier and what serving the Empire looked like throughout the original trilogy.
Star Wars: Bounty Hunter
Become the Iconic Bounty Hunter Before the Films
Before we're introduced to Jango Fett in Star Wars Episode 2: The Attack of the Clones, who has claimed the title of being one of the best bounty hunters in the galaxy, he was just your average hard-working Mandalorian bounty hunter doing their best to make ends meet.
In Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, we get to follow Jango Fett through some of his toughest bounties, which helped grow his reputation as one of the most ruthless and capable hitmen on the planet. Eventually, these missions tie Jango Fett into Count Dooku's plot to raise a Clone army and deliver them to the Republic. We eventually take on a Bounty that sees us take down a Jedi-turned-cult-leader, demonstrating our Jedi killing potential, which would be ideal for a Clone army.
It's a shame the mission didn't cover using a poison dart that could easily track him to the lost planet of Kamino, therefore almost exposing Palpatine's plan to launch the Clone Wars. But it all worked out in the end, at least.
