An O-Kay outlaw fantasy adventure
By Paul Hunter
Han Solo has long been one of my favourite Star Wars characters because of his magnetic charm and his outlaw lifestyle, which always has him hanging around the seediest places in the galaxy. So the prospect of Star Wars Outlaws is exciting for me, as it introduces us to Kay Vess, a cunning outlaw who, alongside her adorable companion, Nix, lets us navigate the dangerous underbelly of the galaxy.
Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, Outlaws is set between the iconic films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and takes us on a thrilling spacefaring journey. The game marks a significant departure from the 'usual' Ubisoft open-world formula, with a tighter experience focused on storytelling and offering a mix open open-world and linear segments in this rich universe. There are several planets to visit, including the iconic Tatooine, and four criminal syndicates you can choose to ally with or fight against, depending on your actions and decisions.
With its combination of stealth, shooting, exploration, and some incredibly fun matches of the gambling card game Kessel Sabacc, Outlaws offers a unique gameplay experience that captivates both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Let's take a closer look at what the game has to offer!
The story of Star Wars Outlaws centres around Kay Vess, a resourceful outlaw navigating the treacherous world of crime. Since it's set during the original trilogy, the Galactic Empire is out in full force and you'll meet or find easter eggs for beloved characters like Jabba the Hutt, Lando Calrissian and maybe even the big baddie Darth Vader himself. Kay's journey begins as she seeks a new life, and accompanied by her demure companion, Nix, they set out to explore a galaxy filled with danger and hopefully big payouts.
Kay's story is strong and goes through many highs and lows, making her journey resonate and feel personal. The dialogue is often witty and entertaining just like a good Star Wars story should, and it's interesting to watch Kay meet a variety of criminal factions with which she can choose to build a relationship with or fight against, depending on your actions. There are many ways to build rapport with factions, including taking on contracts they assign you, or several missions will end with a decision to support one faction while sabotaging another. Gaining the trust of criminal factions like Pyke Syndicate or Hutt Cartel has many perks like being able to traverse their zones freely and getting discounts at merchants, but on the flipside, getting on the bad side of a faction means higher merchant rates and getting caught for trespassing if you step into their territory.
Star Wars Outlaws offers compelling narrative twists, some that were foreshadowed and some that I didn't see coming. There's an expanding cast of characters as the story progresses, with some of the coolest ones getting introduced in the latter half, which keeps the story feeling fresh and engaging. The new characters introduced, like Nix and ND-5, really capture the essence of the Star Wars universe and are great additions. While I enjoyed the story overall, the pacing can be a little even, such as the opening planet and its moon, which acts almost like one giant tutorial that slowly introduces you to all the game's mechanics over several hours.
Star Wars Outlaws contains a range of gameplay experiences including action, stealth and platforming sequences, along with several planets ripe for exploration using your speeder bike and trailblazer ship.
While I typically fully search maps in Ubisoft games to uncover every last secret, Outlaws has such a compelling story that mostly did the golden path, along with a few side missions along the way. That said, each planet you visit has a moderate-sized open world you can explore to uncover secrets and find rare materials used to upgrade your blaster and speeder bike. It was a joy exploring the sandy dunes of Tatooine, the jungles of Akiva and the cold, mountainous planet of Kijimi. Each planet is beautifully designed and has areas where the criminal factions reside, allowing you to interact with them and make choices that impact your journey.
Nix is not only Kay's loyal companion, but he's also quite useful during combat or stealth sections. You can command Nix to wiggle around in front of enemies to distract them, or you can have him outright attack foes giving you an opportunity to rush up for a melee knockdown. Nix can also steal items from enemies, which is great for grabbing material supplies or grenades. Beyond combat, Nix can crawl through small vents to pull switches that unlock doors or drop energy barriers, and he can steal valuable items out of Kay's reach. Kay and Nix's banter and teamwork create a charming atmosphere as the little guy squawks and squeaks while going about his business.
However, one area that could use improvement is Outlaw's stealth mechanics, which are clunky and make it challenging to execute plans smoothly. The problem is, stealth missions can take upwards of ten minutes to complete and if even a single enemy spots you have to start all the way back at the beginning. Compounding this is that Kay has an insufficient stealth toolkit and mostly relies on Nix dancing to distract enemies while you either sneak past or subdue them. Stealth missions can be a little buggy, too, and a few times I got caught in the geometry and got spotted or the numerous times enemies would get alerted even though I was clearly out of their sightline. It doesn't help that platforming can be a bit clunky too, which can sometimes result in getting spotted and having to redo lengthy sections.
Graphically, Star Wars Outlaws looks good overall, but locations can be hit or miss because of variable resolution. It is impressive how Ubisoft has captured the essence of the Star Wars universe with richly detailed planets and bustling cities that draw you in with familiar-looking droids and characters.
The character designs are equally impressive. Kay Vess and her companion, Nix, look great and are full of personality. The same could be said about faction bosses and various characters that help Kay along her journey. Cutscene animations are smooth, making their interactions feel natural and lively. The one downside is the lip-synching, which looks off and distracts from the conversations at hand.
Turning our attention to sound design, the blaster sounds and ambient noises create a realistic atmosphere during combat. While wandering towns, you can hear the hustle and bustle of alien markets and cantinas, adding depth to city exploration. The music complements the action perfectly, evoking the iconic Star Wars feel.
Voice acting is another highlight of Star Wars Outlaws. Kay and Nix's chemistry shines through their dialogue, adding humour and emotion. Kay's crew also deliver their lines with charisma, bringing the characters to life and making the story more memorable. With its attention to detail, the game does a great job of transporting you to a galaxy far, far away.
The gameplay offers classic Star Wars blaster and speeder bike action, along with numerous interesting planets to explore. It's too bad the stealth mechanics and platforming are unrefined and a bit buggy, as these sections can get frustrating. Despite these issues, Star Wars Outlaws is a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise. It successfully captures the essence of Star Wars while providing an engaging adventure worthy of this legendary franchise.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Developer: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Han Solo has long been one of my favourite Star Wars characters because of his magnetic charm and his outlaw lifestyle, which always has him hanging around the seediest places in the galaxy. So the prospect of Star Wars Outlaws is exciting for me, as it introduces us to Kay Vess, a cunning outlaw who, alongside her adorable companion, Nix, lets us navigate the dangerous underbelly of the galaxy.
Developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, Outlaws is set between the iconic films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and takes us on a thrilling spacefaring journey. The game marks a significant departure from the 'usual' Ubisoft open-world formula, with a tighter experience focused on storytelling and offering a mix open open-world and linear segments in this rich universe. There are several planets to visit, including the iconic Tatooine, and four criminal syndicates you can choose to ally with or fight against, depending on your actions and decisions.
With its combination of stealth, shooting, exploration, and some incredibly fun matches of the gambling card game Kessel Sabacc, Outlaws offers a unique gameplay experience that captivates both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Let's take a closer look at what the game has to offer!
The story of Star Wars Outlaws centres around Kay Vess, a resourceful outlaw navigating the treacherous world of crime. Since it's set during the original trilogy, the Galactic Empire is out in full force and you'll meet or find easter eggs for beloved characters like Jabba the Hutt, Lando Calrissian and maybe even the big baddie Darth Vader himself. Kay's journey begins as she seeks a new life, and accompanied by her demure companion, Nix, they set out to explore a galaxy filled with danger and hopefully big payouts.
Kay's story is strong and goes through many highs and lows, making her journey resonate and feel personal. The dialogue is often witty and entertaining just like a good Star Wars story should, and it's interesting to watch Kay meet a variety of criminal factions with which she can choose to build a relationship with or fight against, depending on your actions. There are many ways to build rapport with factions, including taking on contracts they assign you, or several missions will end with a decision to support one faction while sabotaging another. Gaining the trust of criminal factions like Pyke Syndicate or Hutt Cartel has many perks like being able to traverse their zones freely and getting discounts at merchants, but on the flipside, getting on the bad side of a faction means higher merchant rates and getting caught for trespassing if you step into their territory.
Star Wars Outlaws offers compelling narrative twists, some that were foreshadowed and some that I didn't see coming. There's an expanding cast of characters as the story progresses, with some of the coolest ones getting introduced in the latter half, which keeps the story feeling fresh and engaging. The new characters introduced, like Nix and ND-5, really capture the essence of the Star Wars universe and are great additions. While I enjoyed the story overall, the pacing can be a little even, such as the opening planet and its moon, which acts almost like one giant tutorial that slowly introduces you to all the game's mechanics over several hours.
Star Wars Outlaws contains a range of gameplay experiences including action, stealth and platforming sequences, along with several planets ripe for exploration using your speeder bike and trailblazer ship.
While I typically fully search maps in Ubisoft games to uncover every last secret, Outlaws has such a compelling story that mostly did the golden path, along with a few side missions along the way. That said, each planet you visit has a moderate-sized open world you can explore to uncover secrets and find rare materials used to upgrade your blaster and speeder bike. It was a joy exploring the sandy dunes of Tatooine, the jungles of Akiva and the cold, mountainous planet of Kijimi. Each planet is beautifully designed and has areas where the criminal factions reside, allowing you to interact with them and make choices that impact your journey.
Nix is not only Kay's loyal companion, but he's also quite useful during combat or stealth sections. You can command Nix to wiggle around in front of enemies to distract them, or you can have him outright attack foes giving you an opportunity to rush up for a melee knockdown. Nix can also steal items from enemies, which is great for grabbing material supplies or grenades. Beyond combat, Nix can crawl through small vents to pull switches that unlock doors or drop energy barriers, and he can steal valuable items out of Kay's reach. Kay and Nix's banter and teamwork create a charming atmosphere as the little guy squawks and squeaks while going about his business.
However, one area that could use improvement is Outlaw's stealth mechanics, which are clunky and make it challenging to execute plans smoothly. The problem is, stealth missions can take upwards of ten minutes to complete and if even a single enemy spots you have to start all the way back at the beginning. Compounding this is that Kay has an insufficient stealth toolkit and mostly relies on Nix dancing to distract enemies while you either sneak past or subdue them. Stealth missions can be a little buggy, too, and a few times I got caught in the geometry and got spotted or the numerous times enemies would get alerted even though I was clearly out of their sightline. It doesn't help that platforming can be a bit clunky too, which can sometimes result in getting spotted and having to redo lengthy sections.
Graphically, Star Wars Outlaws looks good overall, but locations can be hit or miss because of variable resolution. It is impressive how Ubisoft has captured the essence of the Star Wars universe with richly detailed planets and bustling cities that draw you in with familiar-looking droids and characters.
The character designs are equally impressive. Kay Vess and her companion, Nix, look great and are full of personality. The same could be said about faction bosses and various characters that help Kay along her journey. Cutscene animations are smooth, making their interactions feel natural and lively. The one downside is the lip-synching, which looks off and distracts from the conversations at hand.
Turning our attention to sound design, the blaster sounds and ambient noises create a realistic atmosphere during combat. While wandering towns, you can hear the hustle and bustle of alien markets and cantinas, adding depth to city exploration. The music complements the action perfectly, evoking the iconic Star Wars feel.
Voice acting is another highlight of Star Wars Outlaws. Kay and Nix's chemistry shines through their dialogue, adding humour and emotion. Kay's crew also deliver their lines with charisma, bringing the characters to life and making the story more memorable. With its attention to detail, the game does a great job of transporting you to a galaxy far, far away.
The Verdict
Star Wars Outlaws presents an exciting journey through the beloved Star Wars universe. The game features a captivating story centred around Kay Vess, a charming outlaw and has you explore beautifully designed planets, each filled with unique environments, friendly characters and criminal factions.The gameplay offers classic Star Wars blaster and speeder bike action, along with numerous interesting planets to explore. It's too bad the stealth mechanics and platforming are unrefined and a bit buggy, as these sections can get frustrating. Despite these issues, Star Wars Outlaws is a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise. It successfully captures the essence of Star Wars while providing an engaging adventure worthy of this legendary franchise.
Final Score: 7.5/10 - Good
Star Wars Outlaws details
Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Massive Entertainment
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Action Adventure
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.