Is Star Wars Outlaws Not Taking Enough Risks with its Gameplay?

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As a longtime enthusiast of both open-world games and the Star Wars universe, I must admit that I find myself torn between excitement and apprehension regarding the upcoming release of Star Wars Outlaws. On one hand, the game seems to be promising an enticing scoundrel fantasy within the beloved Star Wars setting, with its unique Reputation system serving as the backbone of its gameplay mechanics.

In terms of Massive Entertainment’s projects, the upcoming game Star Wars Outlaws represents uncharted territory. While the studio has a rich history beyond just The Division, it is primarily recognized for creating live service looter shooter experiences. Consequently, it’s accurate to say that with Star Wars Outlaws, Massive is venturing into realms that may not be their usual domain. Indeed, while it retains elements of an open world and third-person shooting, as a single-player, story-driven, sci-fi game based on a prominent license, Outlaws departs from the type of projects Massive is typically associated with (it’s worth noting that similar descriptions could also apply to Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, which was released last December).

Despite the studio undoubtedly learning numerous new techniques while creating Star Wars Outlaws for an successful execution of its objectives, the player’s experience appears to be vastly dissimilar. Over the past year or so, we have witnessed significant developments in various aspects of Star Wars Outlaws, such as combat and stealth, open world, factions, characters, and more, with numerous details being shared ahead of release. While much of it has appeared visually appealing, some elements have raised eyebrows- however, this discussion is not about whether it looks good or bad. Instead, the concern for many is that the game seems overly familiar, lacking the sense of innovation or risk that they had hoped for in a Star Wars title.

Let’s take a moment to recap the aspects of Star Wars Outlaws we’ve glimpsed so far. The game features cover-based shooting, stealth mechanics like those found in recent open-world games with stealth elements, space dogfights, fast-paced vehicle traversal across expansive maps, climbing mechanics akin to Uncharted, and a witty protagonist accompanied by an endearing furry friend. Each of these features is not new, as they have been showcased in various other games or media before.

In simpler terms, some people wonder if “Star Wars Outlaws” is too predictable given its similarities to other AAA action-adventure games and third-person shooters that have been released recently. Although Massive Entertainment is venturing into new territory by not creating a live service looter shooter, it seems the game doesn’t bring anything particularly unique or fresh compared to numerous games in this genre. From what we’ve seen so far, it appears there isn’t much new to expect from “Star Wars Outlaws.”

However, it’s important to note that “but” doesn’t always imply a negative connotation. In this context, it means a transition to another point, not necessarily a contrast or contradiction. Earlier, I mentioned that the quality of Star Wars Outlaws isn’t about whether its actions are good or bad. Of course, players primarily care about enjoyment. Yes, it might appear as if the game was mass-produced by a committee (Super AAA Committee™), due to its systems and mechanics. But, if these elements are skillfully implemented and enjoyable during gameplay, the lack of originality becomes less significant.

Essentially, if a game doesn’t get the basics right when it comes to crucial elements, audiences will be less patient with its reluctance to innovate and try new ideas, considering how crowded the AAA open-world action-adventure market is. In such a competitive landscape, a game that falls short of a certain standard of quality may either go unnoticed at best or face severe criticism at worst, regardless of its high-profile branding. For instance, consider the reception Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League received.

Instead of viewing it as criticism, consider these Star Wars games, particularly Respawn Entertainment and EA’s single-player titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, as creative adaptations of various game elements. These games incorporate aspects from Metroidvania design, Soulslike mechanics, traversal techniques, and more, yet they aren’t necessarily pioneering anything new. Despite not revolutionizing the gaming industry, their high-quality production has made them both critically and commercially successful. Even if you’re not a diehard Star Wars fan, these games are still worth playing due to their exceptional gameplay.

Is it possible that Star Wars Outlaws will achieve the same level of success as other games in its genre? Given what we’ve seen so far, it certainly seems promising. The game doesn’t lack intrigue, and it’s not short on features that are common in open-world titles like this one. The reputation system is a key element of Star Wars Outlaws, and it appears to be quite engaging, given its potential to fully realize the game’s claim of offering the ultimate Star Wars scoundrel experience.

Prior to its launch, the game has encountered a fair share of doubts from some quarters. This skepticism stems primarily from the game’s apparent adherence to the conventional AAA structure within its genre, which has led many to question if it dares to innovate. However, Ubisoft’s actions haven’t helped matters, with issues such as the expensive Ultimate Edition, the locked Jabba the Hutt mission in paid DLC, and the need for a download even with the physical disc. These are practices that have been observed before, not just by Ubisoft but also other major players in the industry. When these inconveniences accumulate and combine with the game’s performance not resonating with everyone, it results in more negative publicity than usual as the release date approaches.

It’s exciting news that “Star Wars Outlaws” will be available soon, at the end of August on current generation consoles and PC. The long-awaited open-world sci-fi title is almost here, and we won’t have to wait much longer to find out if it meets its high expectations. Here’s hoping that “Outlaws” will prove the doubters wrong; a top-tier single-player open-world “Star Wars” game has been something fans have looked forward to for years. Cross your fingers!

Please be aware that the opinions expressed within this piece are solely those of the writer, and may not align with or reflect the perspectives of GamingBolt as a whole.

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2024-07-31 16:12