LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga gives players a massive galaxy to explore across all nine Star Wars episodes. Therefore, it goes without saying that the game is bigger than any LEGO title thus far. Numerous planets lie at players' fingertips, daring them to explore their exotic sights and unique challenges.
Certain worlds are more fun than others, though. The more enticing ones tend to have more secrets and quests, spreading these activities over multiple levels and hammering home the sense of scope. Players will quickly find that among The Skywalker Saga's many pastimes is finding those planets with the most to offer.
7 Bespin
Lando Calrissian's city is just as glamorous as its ruler. It may not look like much at first, but beneath the elevated paths lies a colossal courtyard with countless collectibles and quests. The beautiful sunset lighting only makes it more picturesque. It's easy to see why so many people flock here.
Sadly, that glamour fades somewhat once players enter the buildings. The simplistic, snow-white hallways are a bit of an eyesore, though not nearly enough to dampen the splendor of the exterior. They say it's what's on the inside that matters, but it's the opposite with Cloud City.
6 Yavin 4
This forest moon is technically not a planet, but it's just as recognizable among the Star Wars fan base. Upon landing, players are greeted by the massive pyramidal temple, challenging them to reach the top. Inside lies the hustle and bustle of the Rebel Alliance--stretched across three floors, each more filled with goodies than the last. It doesn't end there, though.
The surrounding ruins also hold a few secrets. Amid the exoticism are additional puzzles to solve and bounty hunters to battle. Whenever the side quests send players out here, it's hard not to feel like another Rebel fighter, scouting a hostile area to secure the base. This is an unexpected-yet-welcome bit of immersion most people likely don't look for in a LEGO game.
5 Naboo
This is among the prettier and more peaceful planets. That's immediately clear upon entering the underwater Gungan city. This otherworldly hub is rife with puzzles, calling for precise traversal of the narrow walkways and bubble-shaped rooms. Ascending to the surface yields an even more striking sight.
Players can then bask in the glory of Theed. The royal city has gorgeous architecture right out of the Italian Renaissance. Unfortunately, there's not much variety in that architecture. Most buildings look the same, and they have limited means of climbing and navigation compared to other cityscapes. As artists say, "Look, but don't touch."
4 Cantonica
How ironic that one of the series' worst sequences makes for one of the most striking worlds here. That success comes from showcasing everything except the casino. Canto Bight is a classical castle town akin to Bradford-on-Avon, with the moody candlelight giving it a vague Final Fantasy flavor on top of that. Players can spend hours wandering the maze of pathways and alleys before ever reaching the main gambling hub.
Thankfully, this is not nearly as noisy or obnoxious as the movie. Rather, it's a smooth nightclub with goodies both out in the open and behind closed doors. These elements ensure Cantonica doesn't capture the experience of the film but improves on it.
3 Kashyyyk
This is the home of the tree-dwelling Wookiees. As such, they have a village atop the massive trees like the Ewoks on Endor. Players can go in and around the dense vegetation. Unlike Endor, however, the planet isn't limited to this.
The ground is just as enticing on Kashyyyk. Fans can comb the beach for kyber bricks or run through the riverside woods, freeing the furballs from oppressive clone troopers. The environment isn't as packed as others, but nor does it feel empty of worthwhile content. It goes to show that even the more remote planets of this sci-fi franchise are worth visiting.
2 Coruscant
The movies describe the Republic capital as a city that encompasses the whole planet, and every city has several sides. The Federal District on the upper level is as impressive as you'd expect in its massive scope. It looks simple in terms of navigation, yet the collectibles call for creativity to access. Nearly everything--from climbing the massive sculptures to just getting into the rooms of the huge Senate hub--requires some problem-solving. Thankfully, these feats always yield rewards.
On the other hand, it's relatively easy to access the imposing Jedi Temple. The downside is that this locale is somewhat barren of useful items.
The street level of the Uscru District more than makes up for that. The grungy buildings and neon lights give off a cyberpunk vibe, and the unfriendly alleys are teeming with puzzles to solve and quests to take on. In the end, Coruscant's variety is matched only by its density.
1 Tatooine
The saga's most popular and recurring planet, Tatooine obviously gets plenty of attention from the developers. The sprawling openness of the Jundland Wastes is a sight to behold, especially after scaling the towering cliffs for secrets. Those pursuing the right-side quest can even fight a massive krayt dragon.
For a change in scenery, you can then travel to the two major towns. Mos Espa is the more crowded of the two, due to both the taller buildings and podracing popularity. Mos Eisley, on the other hand, is just as dangerous as one expects. Mercs and crooks prowl the wider streets, and they only grow harder to avoid upon entering the famous cantina. For as bleak as it is, the iconography immortalized in sci-fi cinema is done ample justice here.
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is currently available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Switch.