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Star Wars Outlaws review

August 31, 2024

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Get ready to embark on an exciting adventure in the Star Wars universe with Star Wars Outlaws. Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, this game marks a significant milestone as the first open-world title set in this iconic galaxy.

In Star Wars Outlaws, you play as Kay Vess, a cunning thief navigating the treacherous underbelly of the galaxy. Alongside her quirky companion, Nix, you’ll explore diverse planets and engage in thrilling missions that challenge your skills and creativity. With its vibrant environments and engaging gameplay, Star Wars Outlaws immerses you in a world filled with iconic locations and memorable characters. Let’s take a look at Star Wars Outlaws and see why this is one of 2024’s must-play games!

Star Wars Outlaws details

Platform(s): PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X|S, PC, Amazon Luna and GeForce NOW
Developer(s): Massive Entertainment
Publisher(s): Ubisoft
Genre: Action-adventure, open-world, shooter
Mode(s): Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

An original story set in the Star Wars universe

Star Wars Outlaws is a fresh and original story set between the events of Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. You step into the shoes of Kay Vess, a skilled thief navigating the criminal underworld of the galaxy. The game immerses you in a vibrant world filled with danger and excitement, set against the backdrop of iconic Star Wars planets. At the heart of the story is Kay’s ambition to escape her criminal life and seek personal growth, which adds depth to her character and keeps players engaged in her journey.

Accompanied by her adorable alien companion, Nix, the story blends humour and action, capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe pefectly. The dialogue and character interactions are engaging, allowing you to connect with the characters on a deeper level. The diverse missions allow you to explore the galaxy while gradually revealing Kay’s backstory, making each encounter feel significant.

However, while the story is interesting and a great addition to the Star Wars universe, some plot points could benefit from further development. Certain character arcs feel rushed, which left me wanting more. For instance, ND-5, a character with impactful moments, is pretty much not there for much of the game, limiting his potential for a more fleshed-out arc. Other secondary characters appear only during specific missions and lack significant roles afterward, which diminishes their impact and left me wanting to know more. Additionally, the story’s pacing can stumble at times, particularly during mission transitions, disrupting the flow of the story.

Overall, I feel that the story has a solid foundation and is enjoyable. There are a few tweaks here and there that I feel could make an already great story even better.

A good mix of action and exploration

Star Wars Outlaws offers an exciting blend of action and exploration in a living and breathing open world. The game features five planets, each with unique environments and challenges ranging from bustling urban settings to desolate wastelands. This variety keeps gameplay fresh and entertaining as you explore different biomes and complete missions, while also encouraging you to interact with a wide array of NPCs and uncover hidden treasures throughout the galaxy. Additionally, the immersive atmosphere and attention to detail in each of the five planets adds to the sense of adventure, making every journey feel meaningful and rewarding.

One standout aspect of the gameplay is the dynamic duo of Kay and her alien companion, Nix. Their interactions add humour and depth to the experience. Nix can distract enemies, deactivate alarms, and steal small items, highlighting his usefulness in gameplay. This not only adds to Outlaws’ gameplay mechanics but also adds depth to the relationship between Kay and Nix. The game also incorporates a reputation system, allowing your choices to impact how factions perceive you. This means that you have to carefully think how you’ll respond in any given situation, making decisions feel meaningful.

However, there are some nitpicks I have with Outlaws’ gameplay. I found the stealth mechanics to be a bit clunky and repetitive at times. And, early in the game, the gunplay felt underwhelming at times. Additionally, I found some of the AI enemies to act unexpectedly, which led to a few moments that felt less challenging than I was expecting. I feel that with some tweaks to gameplay mechanics and enemy AI, Star Wars Outlaws’ gameplay could be that much better.

Impressive visuals and sound design

Star Wars Outlaws uses the Snowdrop Engine, to bring the game and worlds around you to life. Each planet is beautifully crafted, showcasing unique environments that feel alive and dynamic. You’ll make your way through lively cities and barren terrains, each with remarkable detail that feels authentic to the Star Wars universe.

The sound design in Outlaws is equally as impressive as its visuals. The game features a rich audio landscape that adds to the overall experience. From the hum of spacecraft engines to the ambient sounds of alien worlds, every detail adds to the immersion. The iconic Star Wars music is also present, instantly evoking nostalgia and excitement as you navigate the galaxy.

Voice acting plays a crucial role in bringing Outlaws’ characters to life. Kay Vess, is voiced by actress Humberly Gonzalez who does a great job doing so. Humberly adds a depth to Kay that makes here relatable and interesting. Her interactions with Nix are filled with humour and charm. This dynamic duo adds a layer of personality to the game, making their journey feel genuine. Overall, Massive Entertainment has done a phenomenal job in making you feel like you are part of the Star Wars universe, exploring its rich lore and vibrant worlds.

Star Wars Outlaws is a solid addition to the franchise that fans will not want to miss

Star Wars Outlaws offers a thrilling experience that fans of the franchise will appreciate. The game does an excellent job in capturing the essence of Star Wars, with its rich environments and engaging story. Outlaws has a beautifully crafted universe that is filled with iconic locations and memorable characters. The dynamic duo of Kay Vess and her companion Nix adds charm and humour to the adventure.

However, the game does have its shortcomings. Some gameplay mechanics, like the stealth sequences, can feel repetitive and frustrating. The AI can also be inconsistent, which can be frustrating at times. Additionally, while the visuals are impressive, certain animations and character movements can appear stiff at times.

Despite these issues, Outlaws’ open-world design allows for exploration and freedom that I found really enjoyable. You can go to various planets, each with its unique atmosphere and challenges. The reputation system adds depth to gameplay, making your choices feel impactful within the game world.

Overall, I think Star Wars Outlaws is a solid addition to the franchise. It offers a nice mix of action, exploration, and storytelling. While it may not be perfect, it successfully delivers an engaging experience that will no doubt resonate with Star Wars fans. If you are looking for a game that combines adventure with the beloved Star Wars universe, Star Wars Outlaws is worth your time.

Pros	Cons
Brand-new original story that provides a unique perspective within the Star Wars universe.	Stealth mechanic can feel clunky and repetetive at times.
Five distinct planets to explore, each with unique settings and challenges.	Some charater arcs feel rushed and lack depth
Beautiful visuals and sound design creating an authtentic Star Wars atmosphere.