Star Wars fans have long dreamed of an open-world game offering true galactic immersion. Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws attempts to deliver on this promise, presenting a sprawling galaxy far, far away with diverse planets to explore. Players step into the shoes of Kay Vess, an aspiring thief aiming to become the galaxy’s best, navigating a compelling narrative and a dynamic reputation system. While Outlaws offers much to admire, it falls short of its full potential due to some familiar gameplay pitfalls.
This latest Star Wars title shifts away from the Force-centric narratives seen in many other games and films, focusing instead on the gritty realities of life under the Empire’s rule. Similar to Andor and parts of The Book of Boba Fett, Outlaws explores the impact of Imperial oppression on ordinary individuals. This grounded perspective enhances immersion, allowing players to connect with the characters and their struggles in a way that resonates more deeply than Force-wielding adventures.
Early comparisons to Red Dead Redemption 2 set high expectations for Outlaws. While the game boasts dense environments ripe for exploration and enjoyable traversal mechanics with Kay’s starship and speeder, it doesn’t quite reach the narrative and gameplay heights of Rockstar’s masterpiece. The environments are certainly as detailed and engaging as those in RDR2, offering plenty to discover. However, Outlaws lacks the same depth of character development and the sheer fun factor present in its open-world counterpart.
The narrative, while engaging and clearly crafted by Star Wars enthusiasts, falters slightly in its character portrayals. Sliro, a compelling crime boss, and Kay’s companion, Nix, stand out as memorable additions to the Star Wars universe. However, other characters, including Kay herself, fail to leave a lasting impression. While the intertwining storylines and nostalgic appearances of familiar faces keep players invested, the lack of truly compelling new characters feels like a missed opportunity.
The game’s most innovative feature lies in its Reputation and Imperial Wanted systems. These mechanics add a dynamic layer to gameplay, altering NPC interactions and opening up different avenues for progression. The thrill of escalating the Empire’s frustration and building a reputation within the criminal underworld provides substantial replay value. However, the core gameplay loop holds Outlaws back from fully realizing this potential.
Outlaws suffers from the same repetitive gameplay often associated with Ubisoft titles. While seasoned Ubisoft players will find familiar comfort in the mechanics, the formulaic approach can feel tiresome. The open world, despite its vastness, feels constrained by repetitive tasks and predictable stealth sequences. The stealth mechanics, in particular, become increasingly frustrating due to poorly communicated enemy sightlines and illogical guard placements. These issues detract from the overall enjoyment and create unnecessary obstacles in an otherwise promising game.
The stealth mechanics are the primary downfall of Outlaws. Navigating the criminal underworld often becomes a tedious exercise in frustration rather than a thrilling experience. The poorly designed level layouts and inconsistent enemy AI frequently disrupt the flow of gameplay and diminish the sense of immersion.
In conclusion, Star Wars Outlaws offers a captivating glimpse into the seedier side of the galaxy far, far away. Its rich environments, engaging story, and innovative reputation system provide a unique Star Wars experience. However, the repetitive gameplay and frustrating stealth mechanics prevent it from achieving true greatness. While the exploration aspects are undeniably compelling, the core gameplay loop holds the game back from reaching its full potential.
3.5/5
Star Wars Outlaws launches on August 30th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
