You can free roam in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga without having to finish the game first. It turns the traditional formula on its head a little.
In the past, you were treated to a series of linear levels. Only upon finishing the story were you provided with a free roam mode, which unlocked a miniature hub, letting you replay missions and explore the hub for secrets. The Skywalker Saga is built with an open-world design from the outset, meaning the traditional concept of free roam has changed.
How to Unlock Free Roam in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Free roam in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga exists in two different forms. There’s the free roam portion you can take part in while still working through the story mode. Alternatively, there is a dedicated free play mode.
You’re actually able to have a free-play-mode-like experience almost immediately. When initially entering a new hub area, you probably won’t be able to explore much because you’re often following an existing story thread. This locks you into specific characters.
Once a mission is completed, however, you’re given free rein to explore as you see fit, swapping characters and traveling to previously-visited planets and star systems for unlockables. Free roam isn’t blocked off again until you activate the next story mission.
These options can be accessed by pressing your preferred platform’s equivalent to the traditional select button. On a PlayStation controller, this would be the touchpad. Meanwhile, on Xbox, this refers to the view button. This opens up the world map, where you’ll immediately be able to select any unlocked planet for free roam. If you move over one tab with the shoulder button, you can swap characters to help with the open-world exploration and puzzle-solving.
Alternatively, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has a dedicated galaxy free roam mode that is accessible from the main menu. Selecting Galaxy Free Play instead of a dedicated episode is effectively the same, with the only difference being that you won’t be given story missions.
Galaxy Free Play lets you replay any previously completed missions. If you have yet to complete the story, however, you’ll need to return to the episode select screen. Once the entire story is complete, Galaxy Free Play provides access to all side content and story missions along with free roam. For more, check out our other LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga guides here on GameSkinny.
