I played Star Wars Outlaws for four hours — here are 28 surprising things I’ve learned

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I was pleasantly surprised by Star Wars Outlaws. Having grown tired of the same old high-stakes space operas, this game offered a refreshing change of pace.


As a dedicated cinema enthusiast and avid Star Wars fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about an upcoming gem from Ubisoft – Star Wars Outlaws! This single-player open-world adventure will immerse you in the galaxy far, far away, allowing you to embody the role of a roguish character named Kay Vess, where you’ll get to live out your spacefaring scoundrel dreams. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on this thrilling new venture!

Some call it “Grand Theft Auto in the cosmos,” where Kay faces the challenge of choosing which space gang to align with while navigating the complexities of avoiding Imperial interference.

You’ll know all that if you’ve seen any of the trailers, though.

As someone who has attended numerous gaming events over the years, I must admit that the recent preview event I attended was particularly captivating. Over the course of four hours, I had the privilege of exploring two distinct planets in a new game. Here are 28 fascinating things I discovered during my immersive experience.

1. NPCs are not to be trusted

1. Upon reaching the moon Toshara, one of my earliest experiences was falling victim to a scam perpetrated by an NPC, who was peddling VIP passes inside the cantina.

As a movie buff, I found myself determined to gain access to the crime boss’s exclusive lounge. However, just as I approached the entrance, a shady character deceived me into believing I needed to pay him 50 credits for a phony ticket. Sadly, after being turned away from the lounge without explanation, both the man and my hard-earned credits were nowhere to be found.

2. Crime pays!

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent exploring virtual worlds, I can tell you that the way to amass 50 credits in this game took me by surprise. You see, I’ve played many games before where earning credits was a laborious process of completing missions or selling resources. But in this one, I discovered an intriguing method: sending my trusty alien companion, Nix, to pickpocket unsuspecting characters.

3. Nix is the real MVP

Based on my extensive experience as a seasoned gamer, let me tell you, my dear reader, that Nix is not just a one-trick pony! This little guy packs a punch in various situations. He’s got the knack for distracting enemies with his sneaky charm, enabling us to slip by unnoticed and unscathed. And if the situation calls for it, he can take them down directly with his formidable abilities.

4. Gambling also pays!

As a movie buff exploring the cosmos, I’ve come across an intriguing opportunity: space horse gambling. It’s not a guaranteed win, but it could potentially line your pockets with some space credits. You’ll find holographic racing tables scattered throughout the galaxy, each showcasing animals with unique stats and forms. If you play your cards right, you might strike it rich. However, if luck isn’t on your side, you might find yourself light on galactic currency. Proceed with caution!

5. Sabacc is hard

Unlike the straightforward Pazaak from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, learning how to play Han Solo’s preferred game might require some time. However, you’ll come across Sabacc tables in many locations across the universe. The robot dealer is quite charming, but mastering its rules can be a bit tricky!

6. Kay is from Canto Bight

When discussing gambling, our character Kay Vess casually reveals that she’s originally from the casino-centric planet Canto Bight. Previously introduced and disliked by some in The Last Jedi. Consequently, she is well-versed in the diverse methods of earning a living through this pastime.

7. It’s more like Assassin’s Creed than ‘GTA in space’

In this game, while there’s an abundance of common criminal activities, a significant portion revolves around infiltrating bases unnoticed to acquire crucial information. To my perception, this experience is more akin to Assassin’s Creed Mirage than Grand Theft Auto due to its focus on stealth and subtlety, as well as the pickpocketing reminiscent of AC.

8. The stealth can be quite strict

As a film enthusiast, I can tell you that there are certain spots in some movies where using your weapons is simply not an option due to the layout of the environment. In these situations, you’ll need to find a clever and hidden path to bypass the guards without being detected. It might take a few tries before you figure out the most effective and unseen route. If you get caught in the act, the consequences could be severe – either getting kicked out of the base entirely or being sent back to your last checkpoint.

9. Enemies ain’t too smart

After completing the sneaking part on Toshara, I transitioned to using a combat scanner. Following several setbacks and tactical modifications, I identified an optimal position to take out enemies from. Since their artificial intelligence left much to be desired, the entire group repeatedly charged into the hazardous area, providing me with the opportunity to eliminate them one at a time.

10. Choices are quite binary

sharing the intel with this gang or that gang. There wasn’t an opportunity to be secretive or retain the information for myself, or even give it to both groups. Despite feeling like a simplified tutorial level, perhaps future choices would bring more complexity.

11. Gangs can be quite forgetful

After feeling compassionate towards the gang boss whose hideout I had recently burgled, I informed him that one of his lieutenants was betraying him. This act of kindness put me in his favor (even though I had just stolen from him). Consequently, I could enter the hideout unchallenged and utilize its resources.

The guards I had shot not long ago were now allowing me to pass without protest. It seems they don’t have great recall!

12. But random NPCs remember the olden days

In a local tavern, I caught someone mentioning, “Don’t forget about podracing!” This goes to show that there are memories alive even in this time. As the game is positioned during the original trilogy timeline (between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi), it was refreshing to see a reference to an earlier period.

13. Don’t get too attached to one gang!

In one of the game’s tutorials, it advises you to be prepared for betrayals. Essentially, it means maintaining a certain detachment towards any specific gang. The narrative may find you under threat from each of the four criminal organizations at some point in time.

14. You don’t have to worry too much about Imperial heat

1. In this game, there’s a system called “Wanted,” reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto, but don’t fret about it excessively. A character from Imperial NPC on Kijimi, a snowy planet with a criminal reputation in The Rise of Skywalker, will approach you for money (credits) to clear your Wanted status as you make your way from the ship towards town.

15. Droids can cook

I observed a few robot vendors preparing street food. Mushroom-like objects soared through the air as their mechanical arms moved briskly back and forth. It’s fascinating, but how can these robots ensure the taste?

16. Quests can come from anywhere

At times, a prompt may appear on the screen asking you to “listen in.” When this happens, press the designated button and Kay will lean against an object to eavesdrop, gathering intel that you can utilize. For instance, the location of hidden weapons. This experience was reminiscent of Assassin’s Creed. (Or: Occasionally, you’ll come across a prompt instructing you to “listen in.” In response, press the assigned button and Kay will lean against an object for surveillance, uncovering intel that can be used. For example, discovering the hidden location of someone’s weapons cache. This scenario brought Assassin’s Creed to mind.)

17. Exploration is important

1. In certain areas, you’ll have to scale, swing, and run to advance, much like in the platforming sections of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. This unexpected addition, given the game’s emphasis on its criminal aspects, was nonetheless delightful!

18. Yellow paint is on special

At certain stages in the game, some players might find it irritating, but the path ahead is indicated by vibrant yellow paint smears and equally vivid yellow ladders.

19. Fall damage can be strict 

1. On occasion, I encountered an immediate game over when venturing into forbidden paths. The game seems to discourage certain types of exploration by sending players back to their last saved spot after a long pause or loading screen.

20. Animals can also guide you

During my exploration of Kijimi, I was pleasantly surprised when a large, owl-like bird with a distinct resemblance to an Space Owl, caught my attention. I’d been diligently searching for an entrance into a notorious gang base, and just as I was starting to lose hope, this majestic bird perched on a ledge that led me straight in. The sight of it brought back memories of Ahsoka Tano’s faithful companion from The Clone Wars and Rebels.

21. Speeder driving isn’t easy

1. In the vast expanse of Toshara, I lost balance multiple times from my speeding vehicle. And yes, landing after a fall like that results in injury. It hurts! (Informal)

22. Arriving at a planet can have some drama

Upon reaching Kijimi, I found myself navigating skillfully between clusters of asteroids, a necessary step to enter the planet. Simultaneously, other spaceships were making their way towards the world, adding to the thrilling scene and heightening the excitement, surpassing even the most dramatic space sequences in certain video games.

23. Landing is a cut scene

Just like Jedi: Survivor (and more modern than Starfield with its traditional loading screens), Star Wars Outlaws smoothly transitions you to a planet without any interruptions from loading screens. After navigating an asteroid field, pressing the landing prompt initiates this seamless transition, keeping the experience uninterrupted.

24. The hills are alive with the sound of crime

While traversing the expansive landscape of Toshara, I chanced upon a pirate attack on a humble settlement. Just as in games such as Spider-Man, you’re given the option to intervene or carry on with your journey.

25. You’ll see villains’ side of the things

Using a more conversational tone,

26. The stakes feel quite small

1. The primary antagonist I encountered appears to have a strong affinity for antique vessels, and seems displeased that Kay has pilfered the specific one she had. It’s an unusual Corellian model, with few of its kind remaining. No, this ship is not the Millennium Falcon. This seemingly minor storyline about the stolen vessel pales in comparison to the grandeur of all the Death Stars featured in the Skywalker Saga.

27. You can pet the space dog

1. Option: Nix enjoys cuddling anytime, just like many other animals around us. On Kijimi, I once shared a warm embrace with a large creature resembling a mammoth, kept in a stable. Cheers to all animal enthusiasts!

28. In space, no one can hear you scream at the minigames

Lastly, I have one small criticism: In Star Wars Outlaws, there are two distinct lock-picking challenges.

1. One of them was like a cosmic game of guessing sequences, limited by the number of attempts you have, but the other one drove me up the wall (It required quick reflexes to match the beeps on the screen with your gunfire, and I just couldn’t get the hang of it, leading to desperate button-pressing).

1. To sum up, Star Wars Outlaws turned out to be quite unexpected in many ways. Frankly, the plot wasn’t particularly engaging, and the gameplay wasn’t exactly what I anticipated, but the characters Kay and Nix make for an enjoyable addition to the galaxy. It’s refreshing to delve into a morally ambiguous perspective now and then.

I shall follow this one’s progress with great interest…

Beginning on the 30th of August, Star Wars Outlaws will be available for purchase on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Feel free to secure your own copy from popular retailers like Amazon.

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2024-07-30 19:36