Prior to engaging with Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft’s open-world exploration of one of the most enduring franchises in media history, I was invested in another title set in the Star Wars universe. During my deep dive into Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, I found myself charmed by its vintage elements. While Respawn’s action-adventure Jedi simulator incorporates a range of complexities and mechanics, it balances its intricate systems with appealing simplicity. For me, the true delight in the game stemmed from its straightforward pleasures.
Jedi Survivor resonated with me due to its deep commitment to the spirit of Star Wars. I was drawn in by its unique take on familiar landscapes and its poignant retelling of the Star Wars saga. The game’s desolate terrains, stirring soundtrack, and a protagonist who embodies both the tragedy and hope of this universe allowed it to evoke intangible joys. Ultimately, Star Wars is more than just its settings and characters; it embodies the emotion of John Williams’s magnificent score and Yoda’s wisdom, alongside Luke’s iconic gaze over twin suns.
My anticipation for Star Wars Outlaws was fueled by the hope of experiencing that same evocative magic. I wasn’t seeking intricate gameplay systems or mechanical complexity; I merely yearned for the essence of Star Wars. Unfortunately, Ubisoft’s latest offering sometimes falters in delivering that experience. While the game showcases a visually stunning and faithful representation of recognizable worlds—from vibrant cantinas filled with colorful characters to high-speed chases across Tatooine’s deserts—it often misses the mark in the less tangible aspects that encapsulate the spirit of Star Wars.
Concord Review: Firewalk’s Hero-Shooter Didn’t Deserve to Die, but Sony Dug Its Grave
The narrative of Star Wars Outlaws centers around Kay Vess, a resourceful scoundrel eager to escape her mundane life in Canto Bight for a grander adventure in the Core Worlds. Dreaming of a life beyond her minor criminal endeavors, she is accompanied by her friend Nix, a small creature known as a merqaal, who assists her in various jobs. Following the traumatic loss of her mother during her childhood, Kay feels an familial bond with Nix. In a decisive move to leave Cantonica behind, she agrees to participate in a perilous heist, catching the attention of Sliro, a formidable leader of the emerging criminal syndicate Zerek Besh.
As the plot unfolds, Kay discovers that her crew, responsible for the heist targeting Sliro’s secured vault, had ties to the Rebel Alliance and ulterior motives. Amid the chaos, she cleverly evades Sliro’s guards, commandeers one of his ships, the Trailblazer, and crashes on the planet of Toshara. With her ship damaged and a bounty on her head, Kay ventures into the depths of the criminal underworld, navigating complex alliances and enmities among the galaxy’s notorious syndicates: the Pikes, Crimson Dawn, Hutt Cartel, and Ashiga Clan.
Kay and Nix build an inseparable bond
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The narrative challenges Kay to navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and deceit, managing the demands of various syndicates while protecting herself and Nix, repairing her ship, and evading her death mark. This intriguing premise immerses players into the world of smugglers and outlaws right from the start. However, the initial overwhelming rush of balancing syndicate tasks and side missions may leave players disoriented as they adapt to the game mechanics. Exploring Toshara, the first major open-world setting, leads to encounters with informants, bar keepers, and opportunists, each looking to capitalize on Kay’s journey. Gathering intel often relies on casual eavesdropping or tips from NPCs working behind the bar.
Star Wars Outlaws shines particularly in its portrayal of minor criminals engaging in their devious trades. Players are encouraged to make quick decisions, switch allegiances, and betray contacts for better rewards. Here, there are no definitive right or wrong choices, and unlike narrative-rich games such as Baldur’s Gate III, moral flexibility is limited. Instead, players can relish the freedom of being chaotic, embodying a form of rogue similar to a less malevolent Joker, pursuing spontaneous decisions without a clear plan.
Kay leverages eavesdropping to gain insights from NPCs
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
However, as the storyline progresses, Star Wars Outlaws becomes mired in repetitive tasks and stagnant character development. Set on Toshara, Kay’s journey diverges again as she is hunted by a relentless bounty hunter on Sliro’s orders. Following a series of betrayals and the forging of new alliances, she eventually repairs her ship with the assistance of outlaw Jaylen Vrax and the commando droid ND-5. When Vrax proposes a daring heist into Sliro’s vault to secure immense riches, Kay, out of desperation, teams up with him and ND-5, embarking on a planet-hopping mission to assemble the perfect crew.
Kay forms an alliance with ND-5
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Lucasfilm
The journey continues as Kay travels to planets such as Tatooine, Kajimi, and Akiva, recruiting companions for the heist while juggling contracts and reputation among the syndicates. The narrative feels familiar, yet the pacing is slow, causing players to feel as though they spend too much time in Toshara without significant progression. NPCs that initially appear critical often fade into the background, leading to underwhelming payoffs that lack emotional resonance. This dilutes the impact of treachery or loss, rendering secondary characters forgettable.
Despite possessing the makings of an engaging protagonist, Kay’s character ultimately fails to resonate. She mirrors Han Solo’s bravado but lacks the charm that makes Solo iconic. Kay often appears to be swept along by the tides of her own narrative, following predefined plotlines without actively shaping her fate. The game sporadically reveals fragments of her backstory through flashbacks, yet these glimpses are too infrequent to create a compelling emotional narrative.
Kay explores multiple planets with her ship, the Trailblazer
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
The broader narrative backdrop in Star Wars Outlaws can overshadow the personal story at its center. Star Wars typically thrives on grand narratives, positioning compelling heroes and villains against evocative backdrops. Although the world-building is intricate, there’s a tendency for the larger context to obscure the character-driven narrative. The game populates Kay’s journey with a plethora of peripheral characters who do little to enrich her development, losing sight of capturing significant emotional growth.
While the narrative layer sometimes grows unwieldy, the gameplay mechanics in Star Wars Outlaws taper off as the game progresses. It’s important to note that I approached Outlaws not expecting intricate gameplay; rather, I anticipated an experience consistent with Uncharted with a focus on story and character. However, with the narrative waning in excitement, the absence of engaging gameplay becomes a notable concern. The essential dynamics of combat and exploration remain stagnant after the game’s opening segments, failing to introduce meaningful variety.
Explore the vibrant streets of Mos Eisley on Tatooine
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Mission protocols typically follow a similar pattern: approach a contract broker, be directed to another source, infiltrate a syndicate base, discreetly eliminate guards, hack devices, and ultimately secure the objective, often culminating in an action-packed escape. This repetitive structure risks relegating the gameplay to autopilot status as players progress further into the game.
While the individual components of these missions could potentially be engaging, they often lack depth. Stealth mechanics, as found in many modern Ubisoft titles, feel superficial, relying on simplistic actions such as crouching and surprise attacks. Additionally, this aspect suffers from awkward animations that detract from the immersion. Although missions offer various paths to the objective, repetition dulls the challenge after several encounters. The enemy AI proves predictably inept, rendering encounters devoid of genuine threat.
Combat mechanics feel equally basic; initiating shootouts often boils down to popping up from behind cover and firing your blaster with little variation. Players have a limited selection of weapons, primarily revolving around a single blaster with interchangeable modules rather than a diverse arsenal. The shooting mechanics lack satisfying impact, leading to unchallenging gunfights. While players can temporarily wield enemy weapons, these are quickly discarded when performing actions like climbing or moving to another area, limiting strategic depth.
Combat mechanics in Outlaws feel shallow
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Although enemy encampments are designed with multiple pathways, overuse leads to predictability that diminishes their challenge. Repeated confrontations reveal their simplistic AI, allowing players to engage in reckless behavior without facing dire consequences.
Exploration mechanics do provide an enjoyable avenue, with Kay capable of using a grappling hook for basic traversal challenges. However, platforming elements feel clumsy compared to titles like Tomb Raider or Uncharted, and exploration is largely facilitated by speeders, which, although thematically relevant, can be cumbersome to control in tighter areas. Combat while using a speeder also suffers from limited targeting mechanics, further complicating the experience.
On-foot exploration can be tiresome despite the grappling hook
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
In contrast, space exploration and dogfighting on the Trailblazer stand out as a highlight of the gameplay experience. Players can traverse orbital areas filled with diverse environments, engaging in ship combat and uncovering riches in a way that feels richly authentic to the Star Wars ethos. The visual designs evoke the nostalgic essence of the franchise, effectively immersing players in its expansive lore. This aspect greatly contrasts with Jedi Survivor, which managed to capture the heart and soul of the universe, demonstrating that authenticity in a narrative is not simply about emulating familiar assets but rather understanding and expressing its essence dynamically.
Shipcombat is a standout feature
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Massive Entertainment deserves recognition for its ambitious attempt to capture the essence of Star Wars. The exhilaration of commanding the Trailblazer, the immersive vibrancy of neon-lit cantinas, and the exhilarating experience of cruising through vast desert vistas exemplify moments where Outlaws truly shines. Visually captivating, the game showcases how storytelling through imagery can articulate profound experiences. However, while the expansive worlds are rendered beautifully, the inconsistency in facial animations—falling into the realm of the uncanny valley—often detracts from the immersive experience. Conversely, the voice acting remains impressive, yet the lifeless animations during cutscenes fail to convey the intended emotions in critical moments.
The twin suns of Tatooine set beautifully in the distance
Photo Credit: Ubisoft/ Screenshot – Manas Mitul
Ubisoft’s titles often bear a semblance due to shared developmental DNA, reminiscent of how Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora echoed Far Cry. It can be challenging to categorize Star Wars Outlaws into any singular pattern that distinctly aligns with earlier Ubisoft titles. While borrowing elements from its predecessors, the game also strives to carve out its own identity amid familiar formulas. Unfortunately, what transpires is a patchwork of uneven gameplay that lacks significant innovation, falling prey to issues that uniquely plague Outlaws. It grapples with inconsistency, is buoyed by its authentic moments, but ultimately suffers from mediocrity. Is Outlaws a successful extension of the Star Wars legacy? At times, it undoubtedly satisfies that criterion. However, in the broader context of gaming standards, it struggles to solidify its standing as a truly great game.
Pros
- Stunning visuals
- Engaging ship exploration and combat
- Rich environments
- Captivating story
- Nix adds charm
Cons
- Combat and stealth lack depth
- Facial animations fall short
- Repetitious missions
- Platforming feels rigid
- Enemy AI is poor
Rating (out of 10): 7
Star Wars Outlaws was released on August 30 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
Pricing starts at Rs. 4,899 for the Standard Edition on Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games Store for PC, and Rs. 5,599 on PlayStation Store for PS5 and Xbox Store for Xbox Series S/X.
