Star Wars Outlaws Review: Immerse Yourself in the Galaxy Far, Far Away, But Prepare for Monotony

Star Wars Outlaws Review: Immerse Yourself in the Galaxy Far, Far Away, But Prepare for Monotony

As a lifelong Star Wars fanatic who’s been through the trials of waiting for the next big thing, I can confidently say that Ubisoft has finally delivered what we’ve all been craving – an immersive, open-world adventure in the galaxy far, far away with Star Wars Outlaws. It may not have reached the heights of Red Dead Redemption 2, but it certainly comes close.


Fans of Star Wars have longed for years to be fully engulfed in an open-world game set within the galaxy, and Ubisoft has finally granted their wish with the debut of Star Wars Outlaws. Although not perfect, this game provides a vast exploration of the distant galaxy that Star Wars enthusiasts haven’t encountered before, as players try to establish themselves as the most skilled thief in the universe. They can earn a reputation by making their mark through Outlaws‘ system while being part of an exciting new chapter in the Star Wars saga.

Similar to “Andor” and many episodes of “The Book of Boba Fett,” the new game, “Star Wars Outlaws,” provides a refreshing change from the usual Star Wars narrative that revolves around the Force. Instead, this series explores parts of the galaxy where Jedi are not at the center, offering an immersive experience that hasn’t been achieved in previous Star Wars games. Like “Andor,” “Outlaws” delves into the effects of Imperial rule on ordinary people and their families, making it more relatable as we can’t relate to a life with Force abilities (regrettably). This allows players to become fully immersed in the game world, offering a fresh perspective in the Star Wars universe.

Initial impressions suggested that “Star Wars Outlaws” was poised to be the space equivalent of “Red Dead Redemption 2“, but while it doesn’t quite match Rockstar Games’ masterpiece in terms of storytelling and exploration, it comes incredibly close. The game’s settings are as intriguing to explore as those in “RDR2“, with the spaceship and speeder Kay Vess controls providing engaging travel mechanics. Given some modifications and improvements, “Outlaws” could have easily been “Red Dead Redemption 2” set in space, but falls short slightly – mainly due to the lack of standout characters that might elicit excessive adoration in the future, and gameplay that isn’t as engaging.

In this game, the writers, who are undeniably knowledgeable about the Star Wars universe and enthusiastic about telling a captivating tale, have come close but not quite hit the mark when it comes to the game’s content. The characters, particularly Sliro as the crime boss and Nix, Kay Vess’ companion, stood out for me. I didn’t form much of an emotional bond with any other character, which is a pity as it could have added depth to the gaming experience. It’s disappointing when I don’t connect with the protagonist, and unfortunately, I don’t see Kay Vess as a character that will resonate with many players.

As Kay Vess, your goal is to become the top galactic thief. The intriguing aspect of the game lies in navigating its Reputation and Imperial Wanted systems. It’s thrilling to infuriate the Empire and watch your reputation among criminal syndicates evolve based on your decisions. This dynamic offers a unique twist to each playthrough, as other characters’ behavior towards you changes according to your choices. This feature adds replay value to the game, making me eager to replay ‘Outlaws’ multiple times to explore different scenarios – if not for the significant obstacle that is the gameplay itself.

As a diehard fan of Ubisoft games, I can attest that Outlaws feels strikingly familiar – as if you’ve played this very title before in their collection. It’s often been said that once you’ve played one Ubisoft game, you’ve played them all. This similarity from a gameplay perspective is evident when playing Outlaws, making it an easy transition for those who have played previous games from the studio. However, this uniformity in game design can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on your feelings towards Ubisoft’s approach to gaming.

In Outlaws, it seems that the emphasis on stealth is what limits the game from offering genuinely enjoyable gameplay. At times, navigating the criminal underworld can be downright aggravating, as the level designs for stealth don’t facilitate a smooth gaming experience. The enemy’s line of sight isn’t clearly indicated, the guard layout frequently doesn’t make sense and requires excessive planning, making it an unnecessarily frustrating aspect. Eventually, the stealth mechanics become repetitive and lack excitement.

In summary, I completed the primary storyline and had a decent dose of exploration, but I can’t wait to dive back into Star Wars Outlaws later today, mainly for the part that I find most engaging – the exploration aspect. However, I’m not particularly keen on having to replay more of its gameplay.

3.5/5

Star Wars Outlaws launces on August 30th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

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2024-08-26 16:10