A long time ago, in a galaxy not too far from here, a young Padawan was taken by her dad to experience her first-ever Star Wars movie on the big screen. Little did she know that this would ignite a lifelong obsession with the Force and everything in it.
So when Star Wars Outlaws first popped up on my radar, I was excited – if not a little hesitant about what it might or might not bring. But in a twist of fate, it turned out that my worries were as misplaced as a Sith Lord’s moral compass.
Star Wars Outlaws managed to bring the whole galaxy to life in a way that makes it feel less like a distant fantasy and more like a bustling cantina hangout. Whether I was exploring the gritty back alleys or sneaking around syndicate hideouts, Star Wars Outlaws made wandering around feel like a delightful adventure.
With a mix of Uncharted-style platforming, stealth and even some hacking, Kay Vess and Star Wars Outlaws genuinely shine brighter than a supernova in the Outer Rim. And that’s not to say that the game is perfect by any means, but with a game that feels so alive, the Darkside was to be expected.
Star Wars Outlaws kicks off the adventure in the driver’s seat in Canto Bight, the glitzy casino planet, straight out of The Last Jedi. The game doesn’t walk for its first few hours; it runs, and because of that, it might feel like you’re trying to understand the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.
But in essence, the setup couldn’t be more straightforward: Kay’s after one big score to secure a cosy life for herself and her little buddy Nix. However, this also highlights the game’s most significant and most glaring shortcomings:
Other than knowing what Kay has set out to do and learning that she was raised by a scoundrel, we don’t ever truly learn that much more about Kay or what makes her tick.
This omission wouldn’t be as glaring if the overall game didn’t feel so alive, only failing to deliver on its protagonist’s story. But while the game speeds past what should have been a slower, more detailed intro, it eventually lets you loose in the galaxy, which is where everything just comes together so well.
Star Wars Outlaws sets itself apart from other games in the franchise by taking a brave leap away from the typical Star Wars saga. Sure, you’ll sneak into Jabba’s Palace, but lightsabers are notably absent. This isn’t a game that clings onto the Death Star; instead, it charts its own course through the galaxy.
Star Wars Outlaws is filled with charming side characters and quirky dialogue. Across the five planets you can explore, you’ll meet four shady criminal syndicates – the Hutts, Pykes, Crimson Dawn, and Ashiga Clan – who run the show. They provide the backbone for the game’s narrative and gameplay, and thankfully, they deliver.
The main quest revolves around Kay Vess, who is on a high-stakes mission to gather a ragtag crew of criminals for one epic heist: breaking into a vault on Canto Bight that she missed out on during the game’s opening sequence.
From the very start, we knew that Star Wars Outlaws would be telling the scoundrel story, and that’s just driven home by every mission in the game being handed out by one of the four major criminal syndicates, so get ready to do their dirty work and make a few questionable choices.
Like a shady cantina bartender, these syndicates will offer you better pay or unique rewards as you complete their tasks. Throughout the game, you’ll be switching allegiances more than a bounty hunter on the run, which means you’ll either be sneaking around to avoid factions that hate you more than a Jawa hates sand or strolling in like you’re besties with the local underworld.
This constant game of cat and mouse makes Outlaws feel super captivating, and on the gameplay front, it’s like an unholy alliance between Star Wars, Watch Dogs 2 and Uncharted – minus the glowing lightsabers and mind tricks, of course.
And while Kay Vess might not wield the Force, she’s packing a trusty blaster and fists that can knock out enemies faster than a Wookiee can win a poker game. Taking about Kay’s fists, most enemies, including Stormtroopers, will go down after just three of Kays’s punches, which might seem unrealistic, but this is Star Wars – it’s all unrealistic, and at the end of the day, realistic or not, it feels incredibly satisfying.
And let’s not forget Nix, Kay’s adorable sidekick. Nix isn’t just there to win hearts; he’s your go-to for combat and platforming, ready to distract, steal, or attack whoever Kay needs him to with a flick of a shoulder button. Nix also excels at flipping switches and manoeuvring through tricky spots, making him an invaluable partner in your space escapades.
As the story unfolds, you’ll see how much he and Kay have been through together – however, much like the rest of the game’s story, this emotional bond feels a bit last-minute and undercooked. All too often throughout the game, the narrative will take a detour from your thrilling hijinks to deliver some story that usually feels as flat as a podracer without its engines.
The actual narrative magic does not come from Kay, Nix, or even main supporting characters like ND-5. Instead, it’s in the stories you’ll create with quirky locals you’ll meet on the way. Even as I’m writing this out, I’m not sure how Massive Entertainment was able to nail the gritty underworld vibes and bring the galaxy to life like never before but then fall short of delivering a compelling main story.
But despite that, Star Wars Outlaws is still one of the most refreshing projects out of Ubisoft. The game’s universe is a masterclass in interconnected worlds that blend together perfectly, and the missions and content are more satisfying than a well-timed thermal detonator.
Going into the game, I feared that Star Wars Outlaws might be a classic case of “Ubisoft-ing” the open world, which means a story wrapped around a bunch of recycled mechanics and monotonous tasks. But thankfully, much like a stormtrooper’s aim, my fears never hit.
Instead, almost everything in Star Wars Outlaws feels unique and hand-crafted. Each planet is packed with exceptional locations and hidden treasures – whether you’re scaling the peaks of Toshara in search of a pair of stylish pants or delving into the dark, mysterious caves of Tatooine for that elusive blaster upgrade.
Every planet offers a fresh adventure, making the exploration as exciting as a Jedi’s first encounter with the Force.
At its core, Star Wars Outlaws is a pure Star Wars experience. I was utterly sucked into the galaxy and loved every moment of the Star Wars fanservice packed into the game.
I won’t give away too much, but let’s say that eagle-eyed fans will spot more nods to the comics, series, games, and movies than you can shake a lightsaber at. It’s like a love letter to fans that even the most jaded Sith would appreciate.
From sneaking through a vast Imperial outpost to upgrading Kay’s skills in ways that feel as natural as a Wookiee’s roar, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into, and the game is packed with enjoyable moments, from shootouts to playing a few rounds of Sabacc.
