Outlaws is a fun open-world Star Wars game, filled with stealth mechanics but lacking in one major way

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours under my belt across various genres and platforms, I must say that Star Wars Outlaws has left quite an impression on me. Despite some technical hiccups here and there, which any game of this magnitude can be expected to have, the overall experience is truly enjoyable.

From my childhood, I spent hours exploring the single-player sagas of the Star Wars universe, particularly games like Dark Forces (focused on Kyle Katarn) and the Knights of the Old Republic series. These games were incredibly captivating back then, and I’ve always yearned for a new Star Wars RPG to spark that same excitement. Given this, it’s no wonder that I’ve been intrigued by Star Wars Outlaw ever since Ubisoft announced it.

My fascination with the game Outlaws grew significantly when I discovered it marks the debut of an open-world experience within the Star Wars universe. Unlike more recent Star Wars Jedi games featuring Cal Kestis (which follow a hub structure), Outlaws presents me with the opportunity to play as a rogue character, rather than a Jedi. To be frank, this focus has long been a desire of mine in contemporary Star Wars games.

I was traveling while playing Star Wars Outlaws, so I ended up running the game on both a gaming laptop (check out my Legion 9i (Gen 8) review) and my ROG Ally X. It took me roughly 30 hours to beat the main story and see credits roll. Here’s what I think about this single-player adventure. 

Star Wars Outlaws: What is it?

In the opening scene of Star Wars Outlaws, we meet Kay Vess, a resourceful thief struggling by in the gambling metropolis Canto Bight on the planet Cantonica (featured in The Last Jedi). Her trusty companion and fellow crook, Nix, is an unusual creature with sensitive axolotl-like antennae that can detect nearby people and objects. Kay and Nix have been teaming up since Kay was young, using their skills to pull off minor heists and pocket change.

Initially, I found myself in a precarious situation, forced to pilfer a spaceship and flee my home world. The influential Zerek Besh syndicate, led by Sliro – a dominant figure in the galaxy – had issued a bounty on me, making me a target for countless pursuers.

In this story, the events unfold during the period following “The Empire Strikes Back” and before “Return of the Jedi.” At this point, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, and their allies have not yet defeated the Empire. The ongoing Galactic War between the Empire and the Rebellion offers numerous chances for a character named Kay, who is predominantly involved in smuggling, theft, and other illicit activities. In regions where the Empire exerts no control, powerful crime syndicates hold sway, necessitating that Kay frequently accept jobs from these criminal organizations. However, her choices will often elevate her standing with one syndicate while diminishing it with another. This risky game can be rewarding if played astutely.

DIFFICULTY & ACCESSIBILITY: The game has four levels of difficulty: Explorer (Story), Adventurer (Easy), Outlaw (Normal), and Scoundrel (Hard). Once the game is completed, an additional level may be unlocked. Additionally, a variety of accessibility features are offered, such as customizable colorblind settings, narration for menus, and adjustable hearing options.

Star Wars Outlaws: Story and progression

The overall idea for a heist in the Star Wars galaxy is intriguing. However, Outlaw’s plot wouldn’t be able to stand on its own feet if it wasn’t propped up in Star Wars nostalgia. 

After successfully burglarizing Sliro’s stronghold and narrowly escaping, Kay is compelled by Jaylen Vrax to become part of his band of thieves and even recruit additional members for the job. To ensure her compliance, Jaylen delegates an old droid from the Clone Wars era, ND-5, to work with Kay. However, Jaylen equips ND-5 with orders to fire at Kay if she defies his instructions. Since ND-5 is programmed to follow Jaylen’s commands without question, it lacks the ability to make its own decisions based on personal feelings.

The narrative in the story appears to have certain elements that seem forced and hasty, particularly the development of relationships among characters. For instance, Kay shows an unexpected allegiance towards individuals she barely knows, yet she withholds her affection from others without a clear explanation, which gives off an immature and puzzling impression. This inconsistency also causes some parts of the plot to seem unrealistic and implausible. I was hoping that Kay’s character would develop or become more relatable as the story advanced, but unfortunately, this didn’t happen.

I won’t go into end-game spoilers, but even her actions at the end of the main plot felt amateurish and unreasonable. That said, based on what I saw at the end of my game, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are multiple endings depending on the quests you finish or your syndicate Reputation levels. I personally rushed through the game to be able to get this review out on time, but there are several other side quests that I could complete. So, who knows? Kay might come off a little different in a better ending if there is one. 

The most captivating aspect of Outlaws’ narrative is its exploration of how the conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion impacts everyday people. Kay finds the Imperial regime oppressive, yet she acknowledges that the Rebels often view their actions as righteous, regardless of any harm they may cause. It’s not surprising then, that Kay chooses to navigate the system by engaging in syndicate politics, fostering discord among groups, and carving out her own freedom. However, she continues to learn from those she encounters along the way.

In terms of progression, Outlaws’ approach to skill trees and side quests seems more organic compared to many other open-world games. Unlike most games where you can easily access a skill tree, in Outlaws, I need to seek out Experts across the planets I visit. Upon completing their quests, these Experts teach Kay up to five new skills. Similar to Skyrim’s renowned progression system, Kay only learns skills when she uses them.

For example, Bram the Bartender is the first expert Kay encounters. His Quick-Chatter ability diverts a single adversary with conversation, providing an opportunity for me to eliminate them before they alert others. If I can pull off this strategy effectively on six occasions, I can also acquire the Keep Chatting skill, which enables me to distract multiple enemies using Quick-Chatter. In summary, this system creates a sense of accomplishment when learning new skills.

Beyond enhancing herself, Kay has options to enhance her speeder bike, blaster, attire, and spaceship too. Enhancements could boost her firepower, defense, health, carrying capacity, and other aspects. To achieve this, she must complete specific quests to gather the necessary upgrade materials. Once obtained, these materials should be brought back to a suitable mechanic or workbench for implementation. Similarly, Kay can discover new street foods for Nix which could provide him with extra abilities like pushing grenades away from her.

Beyond the primary quests that introduce the game, numerous side quests involving upgrades are available as options. Consequently, I find myself drawn to these upgrades out of interest, rather than feeling compelled to complete them.

Star Wars Outlaws: Gameplay and combat

In light of its being a Ubisoft title, it’s not unexpected that Outlaws carries some resemblance to an engaging blend of Assassin’s Creed and Star Wars. This is due to the fact that the gameplay involves numerous stealthy takedowns, moving inconspicuously through vents, and other activities such as scaling rocky cliff faces, traversing chasms using ropes, hacking computer systems (or “slicing”), and exploring massive shipwrecks. In essence, if you enjoy the Assassin’s Creed series, Outlaws might be right up your alley.

While on assignment, you could find yourself assigned to secretly enter territory governed by a syndicate, stealthily maneuvering around an Imperial fortress, or delving into a cave or sunken vessel in search of valuable artifacts. Each gameplay element offers a thrilling method to traverse the Star Wars universe.

Among the most enjoyable aspects of Star Wars Outlaws for Kay is her companion, Nix. With his oversized mouth, endearing expressions, and round shape, he bears a resemblance to both Toothless and Stitch in terms of cuteness. His amusing actions during scenes often cause me to break into a smile.

This creature’s antennae help him detect people or valuable items nearby, which turn blue after he’s activated his powers. Consequently, I frequently took advantage of this being’s skills. Not only can Kay make Nix steal from non-player characters (NPCs), retrieve distant objects, press buttons to open doors, divert guards, attack foes, and so forth, but the more imaginative you are with Nix, the simpler a task becomes. Typically, I’d dispatch Nix to distract someone, allowing me to approach unnoticed and silently eliminate them.

In terms of lock picking and slicing, Kay needs to engage in mini-games for these tasks to be accomplished effectively. Lock picking involves listening to a rhythmic pattern (which also has a visual light signal) and pressing buttons according to the beat. On the other hand, slicing is like playing Wordle but with alien digits. You choose from a list of characters and input them. If the character doesn’t fit the code, it will be crossed out. A character will appear yellow if it belongs in the code but is not in the right position. Finally, a character turns green when it is correctly placed. With some easy trial and error, figuring out the correct code becomes straightforward and rewarding.

In simpler terms, it seems that some of the controls used for actions like cutting, unlocking doors, ventilating spaces, and so forth, aren’t particularly easy to understand or use naturally.

In some instances, the controls for tasks such as slicing, lock-picking, vent-opening, and others can seem less intuitive. For example, on my ROG Ally X, I initially thought activating slicing required pressing the A button instead of RT. After completing Wordle, I found that I had to press A again to toggle the command I’d just unlocked, which is different from what I’m used to. Although I’ve become familiar with these controls now, beginners might find them confusing until they understand their workings.

In terms of combat equipment, Kay primarily uses her blaster, her fists, and some hand-held grenades when moving on foot. However, if an adversary is defeated and their weapon falls, she can seize it temporarily until its ammunition is depleted. The variety of firearms, such as sniper rifles, assault rifles, and grenade launchers, ensures an engaging battlefield. The enemies may also drop grenades and life-saving Bacta Vials, which are crucial for staying alive.

Initially, I didn’t have much fun, but things changed once I infiltrated an Imperial base and got spotted by a guard. In no time, the entire facility went on high alert, searching for me. I tried to hide up on the roof, but a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle arrived next to me, discharging more Stormtroopers onto the premises (unfortunately, I couldn’t sneak aboard the ship). However, I was able to defeat one of these enemies and grab their weapon, which was stronger than Kay’s blaster. Eventually, I hid in a secure spot and eliminated numerous Stormtroopers until the area was clear.

Being sought by the Empire adds an exhilarating twist to my gaming experience, keeping me constantly tense and engaged.

Upon my actions within the facility, it led me being marked as a fugitive by the Empire, making every step I took under surveillance by Scout Troopers. After departing, I found myself pursued whenever I came near. To clear my name, a Death Trooper outpost was pointed out to me. There, I had to stealthily infiltrate a facility while evading the black-armored Death Troopers, pilfer a key card from their commanding officer, and manipulate a nearby terminal. Completing these tasks allowed me to slip back into obscurity from the Empire’s grasp. The entire ordeal was thrilling and had me on the edge of anticipation throughout.

Syndicates and side quests

In Outlaws, how do side missions function? You can discover numerous side missions by exploring the game world and interacting with NPCs. Moreover, syndicate brokers are stationed in urban areas, where you can take on jobs from them to boost Kay’s standing with particular criminal organizations such as The Hutt Cartel, Pyke Syndicate, or Crimson Dawn. Generally speaking, the more challenging the assignment, the greater the rewards and the more Reputation points Kay will earn upon successful completion. However, some missions can be quite tricky and cannot be reattempted if Kay is caught during the mission.

Toward the culmination of my assignment, I frequently find myself facing a dilemma where I must decide either to betray one of two groups by deceiving them or, at the very least, mislead one of them.

As the final act in many missions approaches, I’m often faced with a tough decision: either deceive or disappoint one of two rival factions. This could mean breaking my allegiance to the group I initially joined or seeing the mission through to its conclusion. After all, I’m a tech enthusiast, not a saint, so it’s up to me to decide the most advantageous course of action. The challenge lies in determining which faction to double-cross at the right moment, in an attempt to maintain good standing with all parties involved.

In the game, the Reputation section in the menu indicates my relationship with different criminal organizations. If my reputation is “Good” or “Exceptional,” these groups will reward me and I can move freely on their territory. However, if my standing is “Poor,” “Bad,” or “Awful,” gang members either attack me immediately upon sight or swiftly eject me from their areas if they catch me sneaking around. Even with an “Exceptional” Reputation, there are always off-limits zones within a criminal-controlled area, so stealth becomes crucial if you wish to, for example, pilfer the group’s hidden vault.

During lulls in my undercover operations, I often spend my time traversing diverse planets, accepting odd jobs in cantinas, gathering information, passing time with basic arcade games in stores, racing swiftly on my speeders, or delving into the world to discover hidden stashes of treasure and other mysteries. Exploration is typically rewarded generously with valuable items to sell at shops, enhance equipment, or simple credits. If I come across useful intelligence, I can even barter it with one of the syndicates, thereby boosting my standing within their ranks.

In the world of Assassin’s Creed, the speed bike outpaces a typical horse significantly. I had the chance to enhance mine with an accelerator, making it possible for me to dash swiftly across precipices and jump off ramps at times. This skill comes in handy when I find myself pursued by hostile syndicate members or watchful Scout Troopers.

In my opinion, since I have a soft spot for animals, it’s been wonderful observing Kay’s ability to gently touch even the tame creatures I’ve encountered. The various animations that each species exhibits while being petted adds an extra layer of enjoyment when discovering new animal friends.

There’s no need to fret. Feel free to pat Nix whenever you like, simply by pressing the control button first and then choosing him. Many thanks for this feature, Massive Entertainment.

Space travel and dogfights

Regarding space travel in the game Outlaws, players aren’t given control over landings or takeoffs. Instead, they can engage in thrilling space battles (dogfights), navigate through asteroid fields, and investigate shipwrecks nearby. Kay’s spaceship, the Trailblazer, is agile and responsive, making quick turns without feeling cumbersome.

If I have gained the ability to visit another planet, traveling at light speed reduces travel time significantly, allowing me swift movement across the galaxy. However, the regions of space that can be freely explored seem rather confined and limited in size. This restriction helps avoid a sense of vast emptiness similar to what is experienced in Starfield.

Star Wars Outlaws: Art and performance

This game excels in its art design and visual effects. To give players a sense of the vastness of the explored planets and locations, the game initially sets the screen to a cinematic 21:9 widescreen format. Although you can adjust this to full screen in settings, doing so significantly alters your viewing experience. In terms of stealth gameplay, I found that having a broader view was also advantageous because it provided more information at once.

I’m really fond of how Outlaws authentically captures the visual style of the original Star Wars trilogy from the late 1970s and early 1980s. From Kay’s hairstyle and clothing to her ship, speeder bike, and gear, it all seems like it was plucked straight from that era. As a result, she seamlessly blends into the classic Star Wars environments. As you progress through the game, you can unlock more clothes, paint jobs, and gear, many of which offer extra benefits while still maintaining the appropriate galaxy look.

By default, the game is set for a cinematic 21:9 widescreen view, but you have the option to adjust this in the settings to a full screen display if that’s what you prefer.

As Kay explores each planet, he finds himself surrounded by familiar movie elements such as plants, structures, locations, creatures, characters, and items. To avoid spoiling anything, I’ll concentrate on describing Tatooine since it has been featured in trailers and promotional photos. The sight of underground moisture farms, the Mos Eisley Cantina, or a Jawa Sandcrawler on Tatooine never fails to excite me. Everything looks fantastic, with intricate details, special effects, and superb shading. I often find myself activating photo mode to capture the stunning vistas I encounter.

The NPCs and the two leading characters appear visually appealing, but occasionally Kay’s facial expressions seem somewhat stiff during less crucial quests. Conversely, during significant storyline events, high-definition cutscenes are activated, which are a joy to behold, boasting even greater detail than typical gameplay.

Stuttering, choppiness, and bugs oh my!

Previously, I’ve been alternating between my Star Wars Outlaws gaming sessions on my ROG Ally X portable console and my powerful Legion 9i gaming laptop with an Intel Core i9-13980HX and RTX 4090 L graphics card. Generally, the game runs well on both systems when set to default settings. However, I’ve experienced some screen tearing, laggy gameplay, and choppy cutscenes on both my gaming PC and handheld device. These issues weren’t persistent, but when they occurred, they were quite noticeable.

It’s quite disappointing that my high-performance laptop is experiencing issues like lag and skipping. Since these problems might be more noticeable on less powerful gaming devices, let me see how it fares on the Steam Deck and I’ll update you shortly.

Have you considered other gaming platforms? My coworker, Zachary Boddy, has been enjoying Outlaws on Xbox Series X and finds the game visually appealing and runs smoothly on the console. Just a heads up, Star Wars Outlaws is not available on Xbox Game Pass. To experience Ubisoft’s adventure, you’ll need to buy it separately from the Xbox subscription service.

In summary, the PC version of the game generally performs smoothly, but during my 30-hour playtime with Outlaws, I’ve noticed several glitches such as characters getting stuck in walls or respawning mid-fight, assets suddenly appearing and disappearing, character transformations like Kay turning into a wall of hair, frequent stuttering during cutscenes, low-resolution textures even on higher settings, and more. These issues were usually resolved by traveling to another location or restarting the game. Although these bugs could be annoying at times, none hindered my progression, and none significantly affected my overall enjoyment of the game.

Ubisoft has acknowledged various issues occurring on both PC and console platforms and is currently working towards resolving them. For example, it seems that extended gameplay on a PC might cause textures to become blurry at times, which could be one of the problems I’ve experienced myself. Hopefully, these issues will either be rectified before or shortly after launch.

Star Wars Outlaws: Can you play on gaming handhelds?

Over the span of multiple hours, I explored Star Wars Outlaws on my ROG Ally X. From this extended playtime, it appears the game runs optimally on Windows 11 gaming handhelds equipped with an AMD Z1 Extreme processor.

Does Star Wars Outlaws run well on gaming handhelds?

Star Wars Outlaws: Should you play it?

I’ve had a good time with Kay, Nix, and ND-5, and overall, it’s been enjoyable. To be honest, this open-world adventure has fulfilled a desire that the Star Wars Jedi games didn’t quite meet. Massive Entertainment did an excellent job of reviving recognizable spots and offering activities to keep players engaged. Whether you’re playing simple arcade games, breaking into mansions, or speeding around on a bike, Outlaws offers plenty of action that’s exciting!

If you like stealth mechanics, open-world RPGs, and Star Wars, then you really ought to check out Star Wars Outlaws. There are definitely some mechanics that could use a bit more polish, but overall, it’s a very satisfying game. Focusing on the criminal underworld and giving players choices provides a strategic element that allows you to take in a very different side of a galaxy far far away, one that we haven’t seen as much of in other Star Wars games. 

The one-player, open-world action adventure game titled “Star Wars Outlaws” will be launched on August 30, 2024, and can be played on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Ubisoft Connect, and PlayStation 5. However, it won’t be accessible through the Xbox Game Pass service.

Is Star Wars Outlaws on Xbox Game Pass?

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2024-08-26 15:11