Star Wars Outlaws Review
Game Title: Star Wars Outlaws ?
Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft Massive / Ubisoft ?️
Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC ??
Release Date: Expected in 2024 ?
Genre: Open-World Action-Adventure ?
Elevator Pitch:
The galaxy is your playground—do you have what it takes to survive as an outlaw in the Star Wars universe? ??
Overview ?️
Star Wars Outlaws throws players into the chaotic underworld of a galaxy far, far away. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, this open-world game lets you embody Kay Vess, a charming outlaw with a lovable companion, Nix. As the Empire tightens its grip, you must navigate through treacherous landscapes, deal with shady figures, and plan daring heists. Whether you’re sneaking past stormtroopers or blasting your way through blaster fire, the galaxy feels like it's truly yours to explore (and break a few rules in). ??
Gameplay ?
Imagine combining the best elements of Red Dead Redemption 2, Assassin’s Creed, and Star Wars—boom, you get Star Wars Outlaws. The game features open-world exploration, and from what’s been teased, you can seamlessly hop between planets like Tatooine, Hoth, and even brand-new worlds in the Star Wars universe. ?
The core mechanics revolve around being an outlaw, meaning heists, blaster shootouts, and riding cool speeders through the galaxy. Combat looks smooth, with both stealth and full-on action styles available. Plus, you get to command your little buddy Nix for puzzle-solving and distractions. There’s also space combat! Yes, space combat. You can pilot ships and engage in dogfights. ??
The control system looks fairly intuitive, especially if you’re familiar with Ubisoft’s other open-world games. Expect a mix of platforming, shooting, and some nifty quick-time events during high-stakes situations.
Story ?
The narrative centers on Kay Vess, a charming smuggler looking for her next big score while staying one step ahead of the Empire and rival syndicates. Think of Kay as the Han Solo you never knew you needed—she’s witty, clever, and ready to get into trouble for the right price. Alongside her adorable pet/partner Nix, she finds herself in the middle of galactic chaos, from heisting imperial cargo to cutting deals with shady underworld figures.
This is set during the rise of the Rebel Alliance, so you'll cross paths with famous Star Wars faces while carving out your own legacy. The story is a blend of original characters and familiar Star Wars icons, promising a mix of nostalgia and fresh excitement. ??
Graphics and Sound ??
The visuals in Star Wars Outlaws are pure eye candy. Ubisoft's Snowdrop engine is really pushing the boundaries, with stunning planetary landscapes, detailed character models, and smooth animation transitions. Expect epic views from dusty Tatooine to icy Hoth—all of it looks visually true to the Star Wars aesthetic. ?
The sound design is equally captivating, from the familiar hum of lightsabers and blaster fire to the iconic orchestral score. You'll be fully immersed in the Star Wars world, right down to the smallest audio details like droids beeping and ships roaring overhead. ??
Performance ⚙️?
Given the scale of the game, there are some concerns about performance. The footage released so far shows smooth frame rates on high-end systems, but considering the massive open-world environments and space-to-ground transitions, we hope Ubisoft nails the optimization at launch. Expect some minor bugs at release—it’s an open-world game after all—but nothing that a few patches can't smooth out. ?
Load times have been reported to be almost non-existent thanks to next-gen tech. You can apparently jump from planet to planet with minimal delays, which is a huge win for immersion. ?
Replayability ??
With vast worlds to explore and the allure of space-faring missions, Star Wars Outlaws looks to have decent replay value. The open-world setting means plenty of side missions, treasure hunts, and bounty collections, alongside the main storyline. There’s also the possibility of multiple endings depending on your choices (because you are an outlaw, after all). ?
Post-launch content and possible DLC could extend the life of the game, and multiplayer modes or co-op features could add more fun for the long term. For now, the single-player experience seems to offer plenty to keep players coming back. ?️
Comparison ?
If you're a fan of Red Dead Redemption 2 or Assassin’s Creed, this game will feel like a natural fit, though with a Star Wars skin and its own unique twists. In comparison to Jedi: Fallen Order, this is less about the force and more about scoundrel-style survival and cunning. Think of it as Star Wars without the lightsaber baggage—unless you steal one! ?
Pros and Cons ??
Pros:
- Open-world design with seamless space and ground exploration.
- Nix the companion—adorable and useful! ?
- Unique story set in the Star Wars underworld.
- Varied gameplay (shooting, sneaking, space combat).
- Gorgeous graphics and sound that nail the Star Wars vibe.
Cons:
- Potential for bugs at launch (Ubisoft games, you know the drill).
- Space combat might not be as deep as dedicated Star Wars flight games.
- Could lean too heavily on Ubisoft’s usual open-world formula (map clutter, anyone?).
Conclusion ?
Star Wars Outlaws is shaping up to be the open-world Star Wars experience we've all been dreaming of. With its mix of space and ground combat, charismatic characters, and massive planets to explore, it offers something fresh in the Star Wars gaming universe. If you’ve ever wanted to live the life of an outlaw in a galaxy far, far away, this might just be your dream game. ✨
Rating: ⭐ 9/10
Tags:
Open-world, Action-Adventure, Star Wars, Single-player, Space combat
