Can Star Wars Outlaws Deliver One of the Biggest Experiences of 2024?

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must admit that the preview for Star Wars Outlaws has left me feeling somewhat conflicted. On one hand, the game’s setting and visuals are undeniably appealing, transporting us to a galaxy far, far away in stunning detail. The variety of locations on offer, from the desolate plains of Tatooine to the lush jungles of Akiva, promise an immersive experience that could rival any cinematic Star Wars adventure.

It’s clear that Ubisoft is facing challenges, there can be no denying it. The lukewarm reception of Assassin’s Creed Shadows and the cultural sensitivity concerns, followed by apologies, have put them in a tough spot with their investors. Similarly, the underwhelming response to Star Wars Outlaws has added to their woes. However, they assure us that we can expect top-notch content from their upcoming open-world game, hinting at its richness and exploration possibilities across multiple galaxy locations. The Chief Financial Officer, Frederick Duguet, has reassured shareholders that pre-orders for Star Wars Outlaws have been confirmed gold, ensuring the game’s release on August 30th will proceed as planned, despite early previews suggesting some areas of the game may need further polishing.

Experience the gameplay of “Star Wars Outlaws” personally, and you’ll notice rough textures and stiff animations. It’s important to note that early gameplay previews may not always reflect a fully completed game, but the company’s relatively positive defense suggests they’re satisfied with what they’ve shown so far. This could mean they’re content or perhaps they’re cautiously optimistic based on their vague public statements. However, their dwindling stock price indicates that their reassurances aren’t having a positive impact.

It appears that a steady flow of negativity is arising from the players, not the investors. With many people announcing their cancellations of pre-orders, it seems crucial for the company to focus on winning back the players’ support. Regardless of whether the game has already been finalized or more ‘so-called’ high-quality videos are being released, if what’s been shown so far doesn’t meet the standards they’ve set, it won’t make a difference to those who will actually be playing the game.

Ubisoft’s open-world games are starting to feel like a repetitive script, and it seems they haven’t deviated much from their traditional formula even in the upcoming game, Star Wars Outlaws. The footage shared by IGN doesn’t show any significant changes. A mission in the game involves the character Kay Vess negotiating with Jawas to retrieve a Sarlacc tooth, which feels like a typical fetch quest. The landscape is Tatooine, a desert, but it lacks excitement. The Sarlacc pit and the Oldest House from Control’s Foundation seem quite similar. The Sarlacc tooth is stolen, creating an illusion of danger (although the thermal detonator used by Kay’s enemy is comically ineffective), and recovering the tooth is as simple as breaking into one of Jabba’s hangars, shooting some motionless enemies, and then speeding across a long stretch of monotonous sand. The enemies’ AI makes them appear like statues since they don’t react to Kay’s gunfire at all.

When the supposedly valuable tooth is returned to the Jawa, it’s carelessly thrown onto a heap of teeth from the Sarlacc, which might seem comical but mostly gives off a vibe of futility. In another adventure shown in a different video, Kay attempts a stealthy intrusion into a bandit fortress. Her adorable sidekick Nix uses his scanning ability (similar to Joel’s in The Last of Us) to locate enemies on the premises. After that, Kay sneaks around and Nix jumps onto the enemies, revealing them for Kay to deliver a quick punch (much like when Joel throws a brick at hunters in The Last of Us).

In this scene, there are two aspects that seem less than ideal:

One key aspect that’s been heavily emphasized about the game “Star Wars Outlaws” is its honor system, where the protagonist, Kay, must navigate a delicate balance among the criminal organizations controlling the galaxy. Her actions, we’re led to believe, influence her standing significantly; strained relationships often force her to lay low when visiting the shadiest establishments in the outskirts. The prospect of having a bounty on her head, fleeing pursuers across the cosmos, and dodging capture for carbonite freezing certainly sounds intriguing. However, it appears from the gameplay previews that regardless of Kay’s actions or location, her reputation seems to be consistently poor within the game.

We might discuss the lack of depth in the gameplay mechanics of “Star Wars Outlaws.” We can delve into the straightforward nature of its space battles or mention the gunplay, which despite allowing Kay to collect weapons from fallen enemies, seems limited and flat. However, it’s plausible that the developers are deliberately aiming for simplicity, targeting a broader audience with the promise of an open-world “Star Wars” game. If this is their strategy, then on its own, it’s not necessarily negative. Creating a familiar “Star Wars” experience can be as satisfying as eating at a popular chain restaurant or enjoying mainstream pop music. Even though it may not be unique, it still has value. The problem lies in the fact that simplicity could lead to something more detrimental – a dull gaming experience.

It’s worth mentioning some positive aspects of “Star Wars Outlaws” gameplay before we wrap up. Although Tatooine’s monotonous desert is a letdown, the developers have created an array of incredibly detailed settings that stand out. The interiors are raw and genuine, while the selection of locations is intriguing – from the savannahs of fresh planet Toshara to the frozen wastes of Kijimi. Furthermore, each location promises distinct gameplay experiences, such as playing a thief in the glamorous Canto Blight or conquering rough terrain on jungle world Akiva.

Kay’s fundamental abilities will be enhanced by talents bestowed by experts scattered across the galaxy. This suggests that her demonstrated skills might just be a small fraction of her true potential. To add to that, the latest gameplay clips show noticeable improvement compared to a few months back.

There’s a possibility that “Star Wars Outlaws” could overcome the long shots, but the promotional efforts must put in significant work focused on the players to encourage reinstatement of pre-orders. To echo Han Solo, “This has a whiff of trouble.”

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I feel it is important to clarify that the opinions expressed in this article are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of GamingBolt as a whole. My personal gaming journey has exposed me to diverse perspectives and experiences, but ultimately, the thoughts shared in this piece are my own.

2024-08-09 16:41

Read More