Star Wars Outlaws

September 7, 2024

YouTube Audio Article

Star Wars Outlaws: Navigating a Galaxy of Crime and Chaos

Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws is the first fully open-world Star Wars game, offering players a chance to explore the galaxy from the perspective of Kay Vess, a cunning outlaw. While the game ambitiously steps away from the more traditional Jedi-centric stories, focusing instead on the criminal underworld, it delivers captivating experiences and notable flaws. Here's a deep dive into its strengths and shortcomings based on early reviews from critics and players.

Story and Narrative: A Rogue's Journey in a Familiar Universe

Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Outlaws presents a fresh perspective. It follows Kay Vess as she navigates the dangerous terrain of crime syndicates and the Empire. The game's narrative shines in depicting the galaxy's seedy underbelly, with players engaging in heists, bounty hunting, and reputation-building with factions like the Hutt Cartel and Crimson Dawn.

However, while the story captures the gritty tone of the Star Wars underworld, some critics argue that it doesn't fully reach its potential. Although Kay Vess is a compelling protagonist with a charismatic voice performance by Humberly Gonzalez, the surrounding cast and overall plot feel somewhat shallow. According to TheGamer, the supporting characters and overarching story arc fail to deliver the emotional depth seen in other Star Wars narratives.

Gameplay: Thrilling Combat, But Clunky Stealth

Exploration and Open World Design
The game's open world is one of its standout features. It allows players to explore various planets, from the bustling cities of Tatooine to desolate wastelands teeming with danger. Ubisoft's signature open-world design gives players the freedom to take on side quests, uncover hidden secrets, and engage with factions as they see fit. Fans of Red Dead Redemption 2 or Ghost of Tsushima will appreciate the game's immersive environments and the wealth of content scattered across each planet.

Outlaws doesn't offer the intricate, systemic designs seen in other RPGs despite its open-world strengths. While exploration is engaging, the worlds lack the depth of interactivity that games like The Witcher 3 are known for. Nonetheless, for Star Wars fans, the game's ability to make them feel part of a larger universe is a significant achievement.

Combat and Stealth
Combat in Star Wars Outlaws is dynamic and accessible. Players can switch between different blaster types, providing tactical flexibility, while Kay's companion, Nix, adds an extra layer of strategy. The combat system has been praised for its fast pace, with adrenaline-pumping moments like the Adrenaline Rush mechanic that allows players to dispatch multiple enemies in a flash.

However, the game's stealth mechanics are a notable weak point. Forced stealth sections interrupt the flow of gameplay, and reviewers like IGN and Eurogamer have criticized the system as being too simplistic for a game of this scale. This results in a gameplay loop that can feel repetitive and frustrating.

Features: Choices, Companions, and Progression

One of the more exciting features of Star Wars Outlaws is its light choice-and-consequence system. As Kay Vess interacts with various factions, her choices impact her reputation and the story's direction. While not as deep as other narrative-heavy RPGs, this system adds enough weight to make decisions feel meaningful.

Customization and progression are handled organically, allowing players to improve their blasters, ships, and gear as they explore the galaxy. This freeform progression system is a refreshing departure from more rigid skill trees and aligns with the game's outlaw theme.

Visuals and Performance: A Beautiful, Yet Buggy Galaxy

Visually, Star Wars Outlaws is stunning. The game's environments, from the iconic desert planet of Tatooine to the interiors of bustling cantinas, capture the '70s-inspired aesthetic of the original Star Wars trilogy. The attention to detail in recreating the Star Wars universe is a highlight, with authentic sound effects and atmospheric music that further immerse players in the galaxy.

However, the game has its technical issues. Performance problems, particularly on PC, have marred the experience for many players. Framerate drops, bugs, and stability issues have been reported, detracting from the overall enjoyment. Ubisoft has promised patches to address these issues, but they remain a significant drawback at launch.

Final Verdict: A Promising but Flawed Adventure

Star Wars Outlaws immerses players in a richly detailed galaxy, offering an expansive open-world experience and a fresh take on the Star Wars universe. Its engaging exploration, character progression, and tactical combat provide plenty of fun for fans of the franchise. However, technical issues, weak stealth mechanics, and underdeveloped story elements keep the game from being a great entry in the Star Wars gaming catalog.
For Star Wars enthusiasts, Outlaws offers a compelling adventure through the galaxy's underworld, filled with iconic locations and thrilling heists. However, the game's flaws might be more challenging to overlook for those seeking a more polished and deeply intricate experience. As it stands, Star Wars Outlaws is an ambitious yet imperfect addition to the Star Wars universe.

With its Metacritic score hovering around 76, Outlaws is a good, but not great, Star Wars game. It offers a tantalizing glimpse of what a genuinely open-world Star Wars adventure can be, though it leaves room for improvement in future updates or sequels.