Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws steps into uncharted territory as the first open-world action-adventure game set in the Star Wars universe. It offers a sprawling sandbox experience that invites players to immerse themselves in the gritty underworld of the galaxy. With a mix of familiar and new locations, a rich narrative, and a diverse range of gameplay mechanics, Star Wars Outlaws strives to be a standout entry in the Star Wars gaming pantheon. At the same time, it doesn’t completely escape some of the issues regularly associated with open world titles.
The narrative centers on Kay Vess, who is as cunning as she is resourceful. Her journey through the galaxy’s criminal underbelly is one of survival, deception, and high-stakes heists. The story is filled with classic Star Wars elements – galactic syndicates, moral dilemmas, and daring escapes. Kay is a compelling protagonist, and her partnership with Nix, her cute and loyal companion, adds both emotional depth and gameplay variety. The relationship between Kay and Nix is one of the highlights of the story, providing moments of levity as well as strategic gameplay opportunities where you work together.
From a gameplay perspective, Star Wars Outlaws offers a rich blend of exploration, combat, and stealth. The open-world design allows for a wide range of activities, from speeder racing across vast landscapes to engaging in tense firefights with Imperial forces that can happen in small environments to add to the tension. The game does an excellent job of making each planet feel distinct, with vibrant cities, desolate wastelands, and hidden outposts offering varied environments to explore – and they all feel like they deserve to be a part of the Star Wars universe. However, the open-world format also introduces some of the common drawbacks of the genre. The mission structure can feel repetitive at times, and certain activities, like fetch quests and resource gathering, may not hold the player’s interest as strongly as the main story missions.
The combat in Star Wars Outlaws is mostly excellent, and Kay’s arsenal includes blasters, gadgets, and stealth options, allowing for multiple approaches to each encounter. The ability to switch between different tactics on the fly keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging. Nix’s ability to distract enemies or interact with the environment adds another layer of strategy, making each confrontation feel dynamic. However, the game’s controls can occasionally feel imprecise, particularly during more intense battles or when navigating tight spaces. This issue can lead to some frustration, especially in high-stakes situations where mistakes can cost you dearly.
Besides more typical open world fare, Star Wars Outlaws also features space combat. Piloting Kay’s ship, the Trailblazer, players can engage in dogfights against Imperial forces and other foes. The controls are intuitive, and the sense of speed and danger in these space battles is definitely there. The game also allows for seamless transitions between planetary exploration and space combat, which adds to the immersive experience. However, some players may find that the space combat, while fun, doesn’t evolve much over the course of the game, potentially leading to a sense of repetition in these sequences.
Visually, Star Wars Outlaws is captivating. The game’s environments are richly detailed, capturing the diverse aesthetics of the Star Wars universe, from bustling cantinas to desolate desert planets. The character models are also impressively detailed, with expressive faces and fluid animations that bring the story’s characters to life – though at times we felt like there’s been a downgrade since the trailers were made. The game’s visual fidelity is complemented by a stellar audio experience, with a soundtrack that blends new compositions with familiar Star Wars themes. The voice acting is top-notch as well, with Kay’s performance standing out as particularly strong, conveying her mix of confidence and vulnerability effectively.
On the downside Star Wars Outlaws’ pacing can be uneven, with some missions dragging on longer than necessary, while others feel rushed. Additionally, while the open-world design offers freedom, it also leads to moments where the narrative momentum slows down, especially when players are left to grind through side activities that don’t always feel rewarding. The game’s ambition is admirable, but there are times when it feels like it’s trying to do too much at once, leading to a sense of bloat that detracts from the overall experience. It’s fairly typical of the open world genre, but there were times where we wished it has been a more condensed/linear experience.
In conclusion, Star Wars Outlaws is a bold and ambitious entry in the Star Wars franchise that offers a rich and immersive experience, and a must-play for fans of the series. Its open-world design, compelling narrative, and varied gameplay mechanics outweigh the game’s occasional pacing issues and repetitive mission structure. Overall, Star Wars Outlaws successfully captures the spirit of the Star Wars universe, even if it stumbles occasionally in its execution.
Score: 8.0/10
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