In a universe filled with Jedi and Sith, Star Wars Outlaws poses the question: What about the ordinary folk? This ambitious open-world game puts players in the shoes of Kay Vess, a clever rogue making her way through the criminal underworld. Armed with a trusty blaster and a lovable alien companion, players will embark on daring heists, navigate tricky alliances, and perhaps even find a sense of belonging among the stars. Can Outlaws capture the same adventurous spirit that endeared characters like Han Solo and Lando Calrissian to fans? With its vast planets, cinematic action sequences, and diverse characters, I explore whether Outlaws has what it takes to stand out among other Star Wars games. So buckle up and get ready to see if Star Wars Outlaws can charm even the most skeptical space adventurers.The Star Wars twist adds a refreshing element to the story as Kay travels between planets, gathering a diverse group of outcasts and rogues. Among the standout characters are ND-5, a reprogrammed battle droid with a dry sense of humor, and Jaylen Barron, a charismatic fixer who involves Kay in a major heist. Familiar faces from the Star Wars universe, such as Jabba the Hutt and Qi'ra from Crimson Dawn, make appearances, connecting Outlaws to the larger timeline.
The fast-paced plot is full of twists, narrow escapes, and high-stakes risks. While the narrative doesn't reach the grandeur of the movies, Outlaws weaves an engaging story that captures the essence of the criminal side of Star Wars. The true heart of the tale lies in Kay's personal growth, as she learns to trust and rely on others, forming an unconventional family along the way, adding a genuine emotional depth.
While the story is compelling, some character motivations may feel lacking, and certain plotlines are left unresolved. The main storyline tends to remain linear despite the open-world structure, which may feel restrictive compared to the promised freedom in other aspects of the game. Despite these shortcomings, Outlaws presents a captivating narrative that will keep players engaged until the end.
Ubisoft offers players a variety of opportunities to live out their Star Wars fantasies through blaster battles, speeder chases, and games of sabacc. The gameplay centers on gunfights, stealth missions, and puzzles as Kay infiltrates enemy strongholds and completes tasks for different groups. Combat is enjoyable, featuring a responsive cover system and impactful gun mechanics. Kay's versatile blaster can toggle between different firing modes on the fly, allowing for adaptability in combat situations. Using Kay's "Focus" ability slows down time, creating intense cinematic shootouts reminiscent of the Mos Eisley Cantina. Enemies present a challenge on higher difficulty levels, although their AI may have exploitable weaknesses.For players who prefer a more subdued approach, Outlaws provides a robust stealth gameplay experience. Kay can utilize tactics such as moving through tall grass, using distractions, and executing silent takedowns to evade detection. Nix plays a significant role in this aspect by scouting ahead, marking enemies, and disrupting security systems. Directing your furry companion adds an enjoyable tactical element to navigating stealthily. Although the stealth AI may not be overly complex, it functions effectively, making it satisfying to stealthily maneuver through areas.
As you advance through the game, Kay gains access to new equipment and abilities to enhance her abilities. Instead of a traditional skill tree, you acquire new skills by completing challenges for "Expert" characters scattered across the galaxy. This unique system links progression to exploration and specific gameplay objectives. While progression may feel slow initially, by the endgame, you will have a diverse array of tools at your disposal.
Outlaws offers a blend of planetary and space exploration. On the ground, you swiftly move between objectives on Kay's speeder bike, which controls smoothly and can be upgraded for improved performance. Space combat, however, is more hit-and-miss. Kay's ship, the Trailblazer, can feel cumbersome during dogfights. Nonetheless, navigating through asteroid fields and between capital ships still provides thrills. Space exploration is relatively contained, largely revolving around small orbital zones near each planet.
The open world of the game encompasses several planets, each boasting unique biomes and settlements to discover. From the iconic dunes of Tatooine to the vibrant streets of Kijimi, the environments capture the essence of Star Wars while presenting visual diversity. Each planet is brimming with side activities and hidden items to find. Engage in bounties, partake in Sabacc games at cantinas, wager on alien races, and more. The gameplay can occasionally feel like ticking off checkboxes on a map, but the range of diversions helps immerse you in the Star Wars universe.
The faction reputation system infuses a sense of consequence into your decisions in the open world.Completing jobs for one group might upset others, limiting your access to certain areas or prompting hostile pursuit. While the system isn't overly complex, it boosts replayability and prompts you to consider your decisions. The gameplay is generally solid, but there are some drawbacks. Stealth-based segments in story missions can be challenging if you're not geared for that style of play. Although there is a variety of open-world activities, they may become monotonous over time. Additionally, the space combat, while visually stunning, falls short of expectations set by dedicated Star Wars flight simulators.
Visually, Outlaws is a delight for Star Wars enthusiasts. The environments are rich in the lived-in details characteristic of the franchise's style. Characters are expressive in cutscenes, though facial animations may appear rigid during gameplay conversations. Special effects like blaster shots and explosions are vibrant and dynamic. Lighting is a notable strength, setting the mood with dimly lit cantinas and neon-lit streets for a captivating atmosphere.
On PC, performance can heavily vary based on your hardware. With a high-end setup (RTX 3080, i7-10700K, 32GB RAM), we were able to maintain a mostly consistent 60 FPS at 1440p with maxed settings. However, busier locations such as crowded city streets or intense combat scenes could lead to noticeable frame rate drops. Lower-end systems may struggle to sustain smooth frame rates without significant visual adjustments. Load times are generally swift, providing seamless transitions when entering buildings, though booting up the game or fast traveling between planets may result in longer initial load times. Textures may pop in frequently, particularly when entering new areas. Though there were a few crashes, frequent saving helped alleviate the issue.
The sound design authentically captures the Star Wars essence, from the distinct blaster fire to the recognizable sounds of speeders.In Star Wars Outlaws, John Williams' iconic themes are reimagined in fresh ways that still retain the essence of the Star Wars universe. The voice acting is strong, with the main cast delivering engaging performances. Authenticity is added to the soundscape through alien languages and droid sounds. The game brings the familiar open-world formula to a galaxy far, far away with mostly successful results. The main storyline features an engaging heist caper with charismatic characters, blending action, stealth, and exploration to capture the essence of being a charming rogue in a galaxy full of both opportunities and dangers.
However, Outlaws falls short in fully realizing its open-world structure. Many side activities feel disconnected from the main plot, and the faction system lacks impact. The game struggles to find a balance between a tightly-woven cinematic experience and true sandbox freedom. Technical issues and some underdeveloped systems hold the game back from achieving perfection.
Despite its flaws, Outlaws possesses charm and uniqueness, offering a fresh perspective on the Star Wars universe. While not flawless, the game provides an opportunity for fans to carve out their own scoundrel's path through the galaxy, which few other Star Wars games have attempted. It may not be the ultimate Star Wars experience, but it sets a promising foundation for future adventures in the galaxy's seedier side.
Overall rating: 3.5/5
