Set in a galaxy filled with Jedi and Sith, Star Wars Outlaws poses the question: what about the ordinary people? This expansive open-world game puts players into the shoes of Kay Vess, a clever scoundrel making her way through the criminal underworld. Armed with a trusty blaster and a cute alien sidekick, players will partake in daring heists, navigate dangerous alliances, and possibly find a sense of belonging among the stars. Can Outlaws capture the rebellious essence that endeared characters like Han Solo and Lando Calrissian to fans? Like a smuggler's cargo, Outlaws offers exciting possibilities and potential challenges. I explore the game's vast planets, cinematic battles, and diverse characters to assess if it has what it takes to stand out among the best Star Wars games. Buckle up and get ready for an adventure to see if Star Wars Outlaws possesses enough rugged charm to win over even the most skeptical space pirate.The Star Wars twist adds a fresh element to the story of Kay, who travels between planets and assembles a diverse group of characters, including ND-5, a witty battle droid, and Jaylen Barron, a persuasive fixer. Familiar faces like Jabba the Hutt and Qi'ra from Crimson Dawn make appearances, connecting Outlaws to the broader Star Wars universe. The fast-paced plot is filled with betrayals, escapes, and risky moves, capturing the essence of the Star Wars underworld. The real heart of the story lies in Kay's personal growth as she learns to trust others and forms an unconventional family along the way, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

Although the story has its flaws, such as at times underdeveloped character motivations and unresolved plot points, Outlaws offers an engaging experience with a linear main storyline that contrasts with the game's open-world structure. Despite these imperfections, the captivating tale will keep players interested until the end.

In Ubisoft's Outlaws, players can immerse themselves in Star Wars fantasies with a variety of gameplay options. Gunfights, stealth missions, and puzzles form the core gameplay loop as Kay navigates enemy territories and undertakes missions for different factions. Combat mechanics are enjoyable, with a responsive cover system and impactful gunplay. Kay's customizable blaster allows for versatile fire modes, and the "Focus" ability slows down time for cinematic shootouts, creating an immersive experience reminiscent of iconic Star Wars locales. While enemies present a challenge on higher difficulty levels, some aspects of the AI can be exploited.

For players who prefer a quieter strategy, Outlaws provides a robust stealth experience. You can navigate through tall grass, create distractions, and perform silent takedowns to stay undetected. Nix plays a crucial role, scouting ahead to mark enemies and disable security systems. Giving commands to your companion adds an enjoyable tactical element to sneaking around. While the AI for stealth isn't the most advanced, it still offers a satisfying experience for ghosting through areas.

As you advance, Kay gains access to new gear and abilities to enhance her skills. Instead of a typical skill tree, you unlock talents by completing challenges for "Expert" characters across the galaxy. This unique system connects progression to exploration and specific gameplay objectives. Progress may seem slow initially, but by the endgame, you'll have a diverse toolkit at your disposal.

Outlaws combines both planetside and space exploration. On land, you travel swiftly between objectives on Kay's speeder bike, which can be upgraded for improved performance. Space travel presents a mixed experience. Kay's ship, the Trailblazer, may feel cumbersome in combat, but navigating asteroid fields and maneuvering between capital ships still offers excitement. Space exploration is somewhat limited, mainly confined to small orbital zones around each planet.

The game's open world encompasses multiple planets, each with distinct biomes and settlements to discover. From the sandy terrains of Tatooine to the illuminated streets of Kijimi, the environments capture the essence of Star Wars while providing visual diversity. Each world offers numerous side activities and hidden collectibles to uncover. Engage in bounties, play Sabacc in cantinas, participate in alien races, and more. While it may occasionally feel like ticking boxes on a map, the range of diversions helps breathe life into the Star Wars universe.

The faction reputation system introduces consequences for your actions in the open world.Completing jobs for a single group may upset other factions, preventing access to certain areas or leading to retaliatory attacks. While this aspect enhances replay value and prompts players to contemplate their decisions, it is not the most intricate system. Despite generally solid gameplay, there are some drawbacks. Mandatory stealth segments in story missions can be frustrating for players not adept in that style of play. Additionally, the numerous open-world activities may become repetitive over time. Although the space combat is visually stunning, it falls short of the standards set by dedicated Star Wars flight simulators.

Visually, Outlaws offers a delightful experience for Star Wars enthusiasts. The environments are richly detailed, capturing the essence of the franchise's aesthetic. Character models are expressive in cutscenes; however, facial animations during gameplay conversations may appear somewhat rigid. Special effects like blaster shots and explosions are vibrant and dynamic, while the lighting, in particular, enhances the atmosphere with its moody cantinas and neon-lit streets.

Performance on the PC can vary depending on the hardware. With a high-end system, a stable 60 FPS at 1440p with maximum settings was attainable, although crowded areas or intense combat scenes could result in noticeable framerate drops. Lower-end systems may struggle to maintain consistent performance without compromising visuals. Load times are generally swift, with seamless transitions when entering buildings. However, initial loading times and fast travel between planets can be lengthy. Some technical issues, such as texture pop-in and occasional crashes, were encountered, though frequent saving mitigated the impact.

The sound design effectively captures the iconic Star Wars atmosphere, featuring the distinctive sounds of blasters and speeders that fans will appreciate.In "Star Wars Outlaws," John Williams' iconic themes receive fresh remixes, staying true to the unmistakable Star Wars essence. The voice acting impresses with engaging performances from the main cast, enhanced by authentic alien languages and droid sounds. While the game doesn't revolutionize the open-world formula, it effectively transports this familiarity to a distant galaxy.

The main storyline of "Outlaws" offers an exciting heist adventure with charismatic characters, blending action, stealth, and exploration to embody the charm of a rogue in a perilous yet full-of-opportunities galaxy. However, the game falls short in fully utilizing its open-world structure, with side activities feeling disconnected, and the faction system lacking significant impact. Straddling between cinematic storytelling and sandbox freedom, technical issues and underdeveloped systems hinder "Outlaws" from reaching its full potential.

Although not flawless, "Outlaws" exudes charm and character akin to the Millennium Falcon, offering a distinctive Star Wars experience despite its imperfections. For fans seeking the thrill of navigating the galaxy as a scoundrel, this game scratches a unique itch seldom explored in the Star Wars realm. While not the paramount Star Wars adventure, "Outlaws" sets the stage for exciting future escapades in this rough and tumble corner of the universe. Our rating: 3.5/5