Star Wars Outlaws: A Pirate’s Fortune DLC Review – Redemption

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In August 2024, we critically assessed the initial release of “Star Wars Outlaws” and scored it a 6/10. At that time, we pointed out that despite its positive aspects – an engrossing open world, a reasonably good narrative reflecting the scoundrel genre, and a stimulating exploration experience – the game felt unpolished with numerous flaws. Technical glitches, uneven writing, and some antiquated design elements made “Outlaws” appear as a game that could have used an additional year in development. We concluded our review by suggesting that, being Star Wars enthusiasts, we might continue playing it, but weren’t sure if it would offer more enjoyment than just waving a toy lightsaber.

After making numerous significant updates to enhance different aspects of gameplay, one may wonder if the game is now worthy of your attention and if the latest story addition, “A Pirate’s Fortune“, significantly benefits from these improvements.

Let’s delve into the main topic at hand: “A Pirate’s Fortune“. This brief story expansion typically lasts from three to four hours, depending on your proficiency. Characters Kay Vess, Nix, and their mechanical ally ND-5 embark on an expedition through the Khepi system. They find themselves joining forces with the renowned pirate Hondo Ohnaka in pursuit of a clandestine treasure buried within the Khepi Tomb. As one would guess, Hondo dominates the narrative, offering a blend of sarcastic wit, humor, and skepticism. Jim Cummings’ voice acting for this character lends the DLC its most vibrant characterization.

In this tale, Stinger Tash, head of the Rokana Raiders gang, is the central villain. She thinks she can crack the secrets hidden within the tomb and guide her band to the riches. The story commences with an engaging premise and a palpable air of enigma, but unfortunately, the resolution didn’t quite hit the mark for me. To avoid spoilers, let me say that their endeavors culminate in an ending that feels somewhat anticlimactic, causing me to ponder whether the voyage was truly valuable. Yet, despite the story’s weak conclusion, Hondo Ohnaka’s involvement alone makes the DLC a must-see until the very end. He essentially carries the entire expansion, and honestly, he’s the primary reason I remained engaged throughout the DLC’s brief duration.

Though the story doesn’t leave a strong impression, the appearance of Hondo Ohnaka is enough to make you want to finish the DLC right to the end.

Similar to the original version, A Pirate’s Fortune maintains its fundamental gameplay elements. If you’re anticipating entirely novel systems or mechanics, it might be wise to adjust your expectations slightly. However, there are minor enhancements such as environmental traps strategically placed throughout the environments that will challenge you. What truly shines, though, is the significant improvement in overall gameplay due to post-launch updates.

The AI of adversaries has significantly improved since the game’s initial release, although they can still exhibit some odd behavior at times. They have become more aggressive and are more likely to outmaneuver you during combat. Occasionally, they may overlook Kay even when she is standing right beside them, but such instances occur less frequently now. The stealth mechanics feel smoother, with Kay moving more gracefully, and avoiding enemies feels more intentional. While the game doesn’t reach the level of mastery found in games like Metal Gear Solid V and Kay isn’t comparable to Snake, it is no longer the letdown it once was. The combat has been greatly enhanced by adjusting damage values, making weapons feel powerful, and third-person shooting is now enjoyable. It leaves one pondering why the developers didn’t incorporate a cover system similar to that in The Division 2, as such a feature could have elevated firefights to even greater heights of dynamicity and coolness.

A minor disappointment is that there are no fresh gameplay mechanics introduced for Kay and Nix in this expansion. In the original game, Nix had abilities to distract enemies or flip switches on Kay’s behalf. It would have been exciting to see new interactive elements between them, but regrettably, this isn’t present. However, with enhanced stealth, more impactful gunplay, and more intelligent enemies, the overall adventure is now much more enjoyable and significantly less underwhelming. Could it have been even better? Of course. But is it still not underwhelming? Definitely not.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my exhilaration over the new DLC gameplay that’s heavily focused on space battles. If you’ve played the base game before, you’ll find the basics familiar – managing shields, evading missiles, and attacking enemies using the upgrade system still apply. However, there’s a thrilling twist: thanks to Hondo Ohnaka, you get to pilot a Rokana Raider ship! This is where things get truly exciting. Although the core controls remain unchanged, the battles are now faster-paced and offer two flight modes. In Recon Mode, you can adjust your wings for swifter travel, while Assault Mode shifts the wings horizontally and unlocks powerful weapons like missiles for maximum damage. The DLC features a lengthy space combat segment where you control this ship in an epic, visually stunning battle – it’s absolutely mind-blowing! Navigating between modes during combat, all while dodging attacks and launching missiles, was simply exhilarating. It would have been great to have more of these sequences, but what’s here certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Star Wars Outlaws, with some peculiar character expressions, stood out as one of the most stunning games in 2024, particularly when played on a top-tier PC. It was nothing short of graphical splendor, without a shadow of a doubt. One aspect I found truly commendable about the core game was its exquisite open-world settings and meticulous attention to detail. Each location seemed bursting with character, and due to exceptional art direction, merely traveling through these worlds on your speeder was an enjoyable experience in itself. Fortunately, A Pirate’s Fortune upholds that visual standard. Although it doesn’t present new expansive open spaces like the base game, the interior settings and atmospheric design, notably within the Khepi Tomb, are visually stunning. From dynamic lighting to various atmospheric effects, the DLC is just as visually impressive and engrossing as the core game.

Every map seemed bursting with character, and the skillful art direction made navigating these realms on your speeder an enjoyable experience all by itself.

Initially, as mentioned in our evaluation from last year, Star Wars Outlaws seemed to be a game brimming with potential, yet it appeared that certain aspects needed further development to coalesce effectively. Leaping ahead to 2025, after multiple updates focusing on core gameplay mechanics, I’m pleased to confirm that Outlaws has indeed matured into a rather satisfying gaming experience. The Pirate’s Fortune DLC, despite its shortcomings in narrative, serves as a testament to the enhancements the developers have made over the past few months in terms of gameplay.

In wrapping up this critique, Hondo Ohnaka takes center stage, making a lasting impression. The thrilling display featuring the Rokana Raider ship stands out as a noteworthy moment. Here’s hoping the developers can expand on these updates and bring more gameplay enhancements in the future. Nevertheless, it’s undeniable that Star Wars Outlaws struggled significantly in the area that truly mattered: sales. If these advancements had been implemented at launch, the narrative of this game could have unfolded quite differently. It was evident back then that Star Wars Outlaws was released prematurely, and the consequences are now apparent. With that, it seems possible that A Pirate’s Fortune might mark the end of Kay Vess’s journey along with her partner, Nix.

It’s possible that the film “Star Wars Outlaws” could eventually achieve cult classic status in the future, despite being initially rejected at its release but gaining popularity through word of mouth. Time will tell if this becomes reality, but I’m grateful I didn’t abandon it after its mixed reception at launch. The movie has grown into a good production that deserves recognition, even though it might be a bit late for the accolades it deserves.

This game was reviewed on PC.

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2025-05-19 11:13