In a vast galaxy filled with Jedi and Sith, the video game Star Wars Outlaws challenges the notion of what ordinary people can achieve. This ambitious open-world adventure places players in the shoes of Kay Vess, a clever rogue making her way through the criminal underworld. Armed with a trusty blaster and a charming alien companion, players will engage in daring heists, navigate dangerous alliances, and perhaps even discover a sense of belonging among the stars. However, the question remains: can Outlaws capture the same roguish appeal that endeared characters like Han Solo and Lando Calrissian to audiences?

Like a valuable smuggler's cargo, Outlaws presents both exciting opportunities and potential challenges. By exploring the game's expansive planets, engaging in cinematic gunfights, and interacting with a diverse cast of characters, we can determine if it has what it takes to stand out among other Star Wars titles. So, prepare for adventure and let's see if Star Wars Outlaws possesses enough charisma to win over even the most skeptical space pirate.

Set in the period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Outlaws introduces us to Kay Vess, a resourceful outlaw navigating the shadows of the criminal underworld. Orphaned and self-reliant, Kay relies on her sharp wit and quick reflexes to survive. Her loyal companion is Nix, a lovable alien creature with a mix of ferret and axolotl traits, adding depth to Kay's transformation from self-serving survivor to reluctant hero.

The narrative unfolds with a classic premise – a botched heist lands Kay in trouble with Sliro, the enigmatic leader of the Zerek Besh syndicate. To clear her name and seize a lucrative opportunity, Kay must assemble a team and carry out an even riskier mission. While this setup echoes familiar themes found in heist films like Ocean's Eleven or space adventures like Guardians of the Galaxy, Outlaws offers a fresh take on the genre.The unexpected twists in Star Wars keep the storyline exciting. While navigating through different planets, Kay forms a diverse group of outcasts and troublemakers. Memorable characters include ND-5, a witty reprogrammed battle droid, and Jaylen Barron, a charming fixer who involves Kay in a major heist. Familiar cameos from characters like Jabba the Hutt and Crimson Dawn's Qi'ra connect Outlaws to the broader Star Wars universe. The fast-paced plot is packed with betrayals, daring escapes, and high-stakes risks. Although it doesn't match the scale of the movies, Outlaws weaves a captivating tale that captures the essence of the criminal side of Star Wars. The real emotional core of the story lies in Kay's personal growth as she learns to trust and build bonds with others, creating a makeshift family along the way.

Despite some underdeveloped character motivations and loose ends, Outlaws offers a compelling narrative that will keep players engaged until the end. Blending blasters, speeders, and sabacc, Ubisoft provides players with a variety of tools to immerse themselves in their own Star Wars adventure. The primary gameplay involves gunfights, stealth missions, and puzzles as Kay infiltrates enemy bases and undertakes missions for different groups.

Combat mechanics are enjoyable, featuring a responsive cover system and impactful gunplay. Kay's customizable blaster can switch between different firing modes on the fly, allowing for tactical adaptations in diverse situations. Activating Kay's "Focus" ability slows down time for intense cinematic shootouts reminiscent of the Mos Eisley Cantina. Enemies present a worthy challenge on higher difficulty levels, although their AI can be exploited in certain instances.For players who prefer a more subtle approach, Outlaws provides solid stealth gameplay features. Kay can navigate through tall grass, utilize distractions, and execute silent takedowns to avoid being detected. Nix plays a crucial role by scouting ahead, marking enemies, and disabling security systems. Including your furry companion in your tactics adds an enjoyable strategic element to stealth maneuvers. While the stealth AI may not be overly advanced, it's effective enough to make slipping through areas undetected satisfying.

As you progress, Kay gains access to new equipment and abilities to enhance her capabilities. Rather than using a conventional skill tree, you unlock new skills by completing challenges for "Expert" characters across the galaxy. This unique system intertwines progression with exploration and specific gameplay objectives. Initially, progression may seem slow, but by the endgame, you have a diverse array of tools at your disposal.

Outlaws encompasses both planetary and space exploration. On the ground, you swiftly move between tasks on Kay's speeder bike, which handles smoothly and can be upgraded for improved performance. Space combat, however, has its ups and downs - Kay's ship, the Trailblazer, can feel cumbersome in battles. Nonetheless, navigating through asteroid fields and between capital ships still offers some excitement. Space exploration is somewhat restricted, mainly revolving around small orbital zones near each planet.

The game's open world comprises multiple planets, each boasting unique biomes and settlements for you to investigate. From the iconic dunes of Tatooine to the vibrant streets of Kijimi, these environments exude an authentic Star Wars vibe while providing visual diversity. Each world is teeming with side activities and hidden items to uncover. Engage in bounties, play Sabacc in cantinas, bet on alien races, and more. It may occasionally feel like simply ticking off boxes on a map, but the array of distractions successfully immerse you in the Star Wars universe.

The faction reputation system adds weight to your decisions in the open world, with consequences for your actions.Completing tasks for one group may upset others, restricting your access to certain areas or leading to retaliation. While not overly complex, this system enhances replayability and prompts you to carefully consider your decisions. Though the gameplay is generally solid, there are some areas that could be improved. Mandatory stealth segments in missions can be frustrating if stealth is not your preferred style of play. The various activities in the open world, while abundant, can become monotonous over time. Although the space combat is visually stunning, it falls short of the standards set by dedicated Star Wars flight simulations.

How smoothly does it operate?Visually, Outlaws is a delight for Star Wars enthusiasts. The settings are rich in detail that captures the essence of the franchise. Character animations are expressive in cutscenes, but can appear rigid during gameplay conversations. Special effects such as blaster fire and explosions are vibrant and lively. Lighting, in particular, is a standout feature, creating atmospheric environments like moody cantinas and neon-lit streets.

On PC, performance can range widely based on your hardware. With a top-of-the-line system (RTX 3080, i7-10700K, 32GB RAM), we achieved a mostly stable 60 FPS at 1440p with all settings maxed out. However, busy locations like crowded city streets or intense combat scenes might lead to noticeable performance drops. Lower-end systems could struggle to maintain consistent framerates without significant graphical sacrifices. Load times are generally swift, with seamless transitions between entering buildings. Nonetheless, initial load times when starting the game or traveling between planets can be lengthy. Some technical glitches are present, such as texture pop-in when entering new areas and occasional crashes, although frequent saving can mitigate the impact.

The sound design effectively captures the essence of the Star Wars universe, with authentic blaster sounds and speeder noises.Starships. John Williams' iconic themes are creatively reimagined in Star Wars Outlaws, providing a fresh take while still retaining the classic Star Wars essence. The voice acting from the main cast is impressive, delivering engaging performances. Authenticity is added to the soundscape with the incorporation of alien languages and droid noises.

In Star Wars Outlaws, the familiar open-world formula is transported to a galaxy far, far away with mostly successful results. The main storyline follows an exciting heist caper featuring charismatic characters, while the gameplay combines action, stealth, and exploration to capture the essence of a charming rogue navigating a galaxy of opportunities and dangers.

However, Outlaws falls short in fully embracing its open-world design. Many of the side activities feel disjointed from the main plot, and the faction system lacks the impact it could have had. The game struggles to find a balance between delivering a cinematic experience and providing true sandbox freedom. Technical glitches and incomplete systems hinder Outlaws from achieving greatness.

Although Outlaws isn't perfect, it exudes charm and character, offering a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe worth exploring despite its flaws. For fans seeking to forge their own path as a scoundrel in the Star Wars universe, Outlaws presents a unique opportunity. While it may not be the ultimate Star Wars gaming experience, it sets a promising foundation for future adventures in this darker side of the Star Wars galaxy. Our rating: 3.5/5