14 Things I’m Excited to Try Out in Star Wars Outlaws

As a seasoned space rogue and self-proclaimed Star Wars enthusiast with over three decades of intergalactic adventures under my belt, I must say, the upcoming title “Star Wars: Outlaws” has certainly piqued my interest. The concept of a free-roaming, open-world Star Wars game is not new to me, but the unique blend of stealth, exploration, and customization that Massive Entertainment seems to be offering has me intrigued.

Although there’s been a mix of anticipatory feedback about Star Wars Outlaws, it would be dishonest not to acknowledge some intriguing aspects. With a developer presenting such an expansive open-world sandbox, particularly within one of the most cherished science fiction universes, it’s challenging not to feel a pull towards its features. Here are 14 elements I’m eager to explore when it debuts on August 30th, available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Playing Sabacc

For the very first time within the game, you’ll now have the chance to play Sabacc, the renowned card game that Han Solo won from Lando Calrissian and secured the Millennium Falcon. As Kay journeys through the galaxy, he will uncover diverse challenges for this game. If high-risk bets aren’t your preferred style, there are tricks to help you out (such as having Nix sneak a peek at someone else’s cards) to give yourself an edge.

Annoying Enemies With Nix

Stealth appears to offer a variety of aspects, but one constant that seems intriguing is the ability to unsettle opponents using Nix. This can range from causing distress by lowering hanging lights onto their heads, feigning death to lure them in, up to brutally tearing off a Stormtrooper’s helmet. The array of enjoyable options is vast, and having him fetch weapons adds an extra layer to the gameplay.

Discovering Han Solo in Carbonite

In Massive’s upcoming game, there’s a hint that Han Solo might be seen encased in carbonite, similar to his appearance in “The Empire Strikes Back.” Since the storyline unfolds within Jabba’s Palace during the time gap between “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” this cameo is fitting. However, it remains unclear whether Han is merely a decorative element or if he serves as a clue about the consequences of betraying the Hutt Cartel. As we progress through the game, we’ll find out more about this potential interaction, which promises to be intriguing either way.

Arcade Game Cabinets

In the game “Outlaws,” it’s not as if you’re playing “Virtua Fighter 3tb” or “Sega Bass Fishing” within “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.” Instead, the arcade machines offer an entertaining diversion. We’ve come across a shoot ’em up game called Raven 6, a racer with an unknown name, and a game that resembles shooting, each with its own nostalgic feel (and records to beat). It seems there are more games to uncover, but could we possibly have a console installed in the Trailblazer? Here’s crossing our fingers.

Betray a Syndicate

As a die-hard space outlaw enthusiast, I’m thrilled to find that Star Wars Outlaws isn’t holding back on plunging players into the gritty underworld of the Syndicates. Helping them out and receiving some perks along the way is all well and good, but where the real excitement lies is in crossing them – especially when it comes to betrayal. It seems that some betrayals are final with no room for redemption, but that just makes the moment of crushing Jabba’s spirit all the sweeter.

Battling Syndicate Assassins

In the game “Outlaws,” I’m least excited about the combat, which could be due to the unbalanced AI or limited interesting features thus far. However, I’m intrigued by the Syndicate assassins who chase Kay if she irritates a faction excessively. I hope they offer a distinct challenge, more akin to the diverse bounty hunters in “Jedi: Survivor” and less like the generic Killsquad from “Suicide Squad.”

Harass the Empire

Acting against a faction might have temporary consequences, but antagonizing the Empire can lead to lasting trouble. Characters like Kay demonstrate this when they reject bribes and confront Imperial agents, yet there are numerous ways to incur their disfavor. In the game, for instance, players may encounter an event called “Empire Inspection of a Smuggler’s Ship,” as mentioned by creative director Julian Gerighty on IGN. Players could choose to stay out of it or offer help. There might be more chances to express defiance, even if just for amusement’s sake.

Exploring Locations, Encountering Random Events

Independent of the reviews regarding the narrative and conversations, many people appreciate the exploration aspect. Racing across Toshara in a speeder, experiencing spontaneous occurrences approximately every two or three minutes, discovering new places that offer insights into points of interest, and uncovering secrets – it’s all quite entertaining, particularly for those who enjoy immersing themselves in an open world environment.

Visiting Different Space Stations

While strolling through different towns and observing people living their daily lives can indeed be charming, space stations hold a far greater allure. There’s a certain thrill in exploring these dimly lit, grungy corridors – dens of intrigue and mischief – to pass the time or gather additional insights. It’s possible that there are cleaner stations with entirely different atmospheres waiting to be uncovered, each holding its unique set of mysteries.

Recruiting Experts

In the world of Outlaws, skills play a significant role in shaping your gaming adventure, and they don’t follow the traditional RPG learning format. Instead, you traverse the cosmos encountering diverse Experts, who become part of your team and teach you new abilities. These abilities could be anything from cracking safes to haggling with vendors, each with various enhancements. This system not only strengthens your bond with the game’s characters but also contributes to the ultimate objective of gathering a crew for that massive heist.

Customizing the Trailblazer

In the narrative, Kay’s vessel is known as The Trailblazer, and it has been her constant companion during her adventure so far. We’ve witnessed numerous space battles, or dogfights, if you will. However, what catches my attention is not the combat itself but the customization of this ship.

Investigating Wrecks

One intriguing aspect of life in these Living Spaces involves scrutinizing derelict wrecks, often triggered by a distress signal. These situations might be traps, leading to intense combat for survival. I’m envisioning encounters with eerie, abandoned spaceships that players can dock onto and explore. They may stumble upon terrifying alien creatures or bizarre occurrences. If it seems like requesting a blend of the horror genre in Star Wars, you’re spot on! Let’s bring this idea to life, Massive Entertainment.

Explorer Mode

Despite the ongoing discussion about the controversial yellow paint, it’s wonderful that the game Star Wars Outlaws offers the ability to disable it. This makes platforming and exploration feel more immersive, as some environmental elements might seem a bit too strategically placed. At least, it encourages players to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from their experiences as they navigate through the environment, rather than having everything pre-mapped out (while maintaining the option for those who prefer it).

Making Tough Decisions

Instead of just witnessing the consequences when a Syndicate is cheated, let’s discuss more challenging narrative-driven choices. Although the game doesn’t present multiple endings, could these decisions still affect the story’s outcome in different ways? Might they unveil content that wouldn’t be accessible otherwise? Here’s to hoping for such intriguing possibilities.

The Heist

Despite the ongoing discussions about mini-games, space events, Syndicates, stealth, and other aspects, Massive Entertainment has been quite secretive regarding Kay’s planned heist. I can’t wait to uncover how her relationships with the different Syndicates influence this mission, and if we’ll need to delegate tasks to our companions based on their skills, similar to Mass Effect 2’s suicide mission. Regardless, it promises an exciting conclusion to the storyline.

2024-08-09 16:11

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