In a galaxy filled with Jedi and Sith, Star Wars Outlaws ventures to explore the lives of individuals beyond these iconic factions. The game immerses players in the adventurous tale of Kay Vess, a clever rogue navigating the criminal underworld with her trusty blaster and lovable alien companion. As Kay embarks on daring heists and navigates dangerous alliances, she may discover a sense of belonging among the stars. Can Outlaws capture the charismatic essence of beloved characters like Han Solo and Lando Calrissian? Loaded with intriguing possibilities and potential challenges, the game invites players to explore its vast planets, engage in cinematic gunfights, and interact with a diverse cast of characters. Join me as I delve into Outlaws to determine if it has what it takes to stand alongside the best Star Wars games. So fasten your seatbelts and prepare for an adventure to see if Star Wars Outlaws possesses enough charm to charm even the most skeptical of space pirates.The Star Wars twist adds a refreshing element to the storyline in Outlaws. Kay travels between planets, forming a diverse group of misfits and rogues. Memorable characters include ND-5, a reprogrammed battle droid with a clever sense of humor, and Jaylen Barron, a charming fixer who involves Kay in a major heist. Familiar figures like Jabba the Hutt and Qi'ra from Crimson Dawn make appearances, connecting Outlaws to the larger Star Wars universe.
The narrative unfolds quickly, featuring betrayals, daring escapes, and high-stakes risks. While it may not match the grand scale of the movies, Outlaws weaves an entertaining tale that captures the essence of Star Wars' criminal underworld. The true heart of the story centers on Kay's personal evolution, as she learns to trust and rely on others, forming an unconventional family along the way, adding genuine emotional depth to the plot.
However, the story has its flaws, including underdeveloped character motivations and unresolved plotlines. The main storyline follows a rather linear path despite the game's open-world design, occasionally conflicting with the promised freedom of exploration. Despite these shortcomings, Outlaws offers an immersive narrative that will keep players engaged until the end.
Ubisoft provides players with a wide range of tools to experience their own Star Wars adventures in the game. The core gameplay focuses on combat, stealth, and puzzles as Kay infiltrates enemy strongholds and carries out missions for different factions. Combat mechanics are enjoyable, featuring a responsive cover system and impactful gunplay. Kay's customizable blaster allows for quick adjustment between fire modes to suit different combat situations. The "Focus" ability slows down time for cinematic gunfights, immersing players in the Star Wars universe. While enemies present a challenge on higher difficulty levels, the AI behavior can be predictable at times.For players who enjoy a quieter approach, Outlaws provides a strong stealth gameplay experience. Using tactics such as sneaking through tall grass, utilizing distractions, and executing silent takedowns, Kay can evade detection. Nix plays a significant role by scouting ahead, marking enemies, and disabling security systems. Incorporating your furry companion into your strategy adds an enjoyable tactical element to sneaking around. While the stealth AI may not be overly complex, it effectively enhances the satisfaction of smoothly navigating through areas undetected.
As you progress, Kay gains access to new gear and abilities to enhance her skill set. Rather than following a traditional skill tree, you unlock new talents by completing challenges tied to "Expert" characters scattered throughout the galaxy. This unique system links progression to exploration and specific gameplay objectives. Although progression may feel slow at the beginning, by the late stages of the game, you have a diverse array of tools at your disposal.
Outlaws offers a blend of planetside and space exploration. On land, you traverse between objectives on Kay's speeder bike, which offers smooth handling and upgradable performance. However, space flight presents mixed experiences, with Kay's ship, the Trailblazer, feeling somewhat cumbersome in aerial battles. Nevertheless, navigating through asteroid fields and between capital ships still provides moments of excitement. Space exploration is somewhat constrained, mostly restricted to small orbital zones surrounding each planet.
The game's open world encompasses multiple planets, each featuring distinct biomes and settlements to investigate. From the iconic dunes of Tatooine to the vibrant streets of Kijimi, the environments capture the essence of the Star Wars universe with visual diversity. Each planet teems with side activities and hidden collectibles awaiting discovery. Engage in bounties, partake in Sabacc games in cantinas, wager on alien races, and more. While at times it may feel like ticking off boxes on a map, the array of diversions contributes to immersing players in the Star Wars universe.
The faction reputation system introduces weight to your decisions within the open world, impacting the consequences of your actions.Completing tasks for one group may upset others, resulting in restricted access to certain areas or attracting enemies seeking revenge. Although it is not a complex system, it enhances replayability and compels you to consider your decisions. While the gameplay is generally solid, there are some drawbacks. Mandatory stealth segments in the storyline missions can be frustrating if your skills do not align with that specific playstyle. Despite an abundance of open-world activities, they may become monotonous over time. Additionally, the space combat, while visually striking, falls short of the standards set by dedicated Star Wars flight simulators.
Is it optimized like a well-functioning droid?Visually, Outlaws is a visual delight for Star Wars enthusiasts. The settings are richly detailed, embodying the franchise's distinctive aesthetics. Characters exhibit emotion during cutscenes, yet facial animations may appear somewhat rigid during in-game dialogues. Special effects like blaster fire and explosions are vibrant and energetic. Lighting stands out as a key strength, as dimly lit cantinas and neon-lit streets establish a captivating atmosphere.On PC, performance varies based on your hardware. With a high-end setup (RTX 3080, i7-10700K, 32GB RAM), we sustained a mostly stable 60 FPS at 1440p with maxed-out settings. However, densely populated areas or intense combat sequences could cause noticeable frame rate drops. Lower-end systems may struggle to deliver consistent performance without substantial visual compromises.Load times are generally swift, with smooth transitions when entering buildings. Yet, initial load times when starting the game or fast traveling between planets may be protracted. Some technical issues emerge, such as texture pop-in upon entering a new area. Although a few crashes occurred, regular saving mitigated the inconvenience.The sound design encapsulates the essence of Star Wars, from the iconic blaster sounds to the familiar swoosh of speeders and...Starships. In "Star Wars Outlaws," John Williams' iconic themes are reimagined and remixed in fresh yet unmistakably Star Wars ways. The voice acting is strong overall, with the main cast delivering engaging performances. The incorporation of alien languages and droid sounds adds authenticity to the audio experience. The game doesn't reinvent the open-world formula but brings this familiar concept to a galaxy far, far away with mostly successful results. The main storyline offers an engaging heist caper with charismatic characters, blending action, stealth, and exploration to embody the essence of a charming rogue navigating a galaxy full of opportunities and dangers.
However, where "Outlaws" falters is in fully realizing its open-world structure. Some side activities feel disconnected from the main plot, and the faction system lacks the impact it could have. The game appears torn between delivering a tightly woven cinematic experience and providing true sandbox freedom. Additionally, technical glitches and incomplete systems hinder Outlaws from reaching masterpiece status.
"Outlaws" may not be perfect, but as Han Solo said, "She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid." Despite its shortcomings, the game exudes charm and uniqueness, offering a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe that is worth exploring. For fans eager to create their own scoundrel's journey through the galaxy, "Outlaws" fulfills a desire that few other Star Wars games have tackled. While it may not be the ultimate Star Wars experience, it sets a promising foundation for future adventures in this grittier side of the galaxy far, far away.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
