A Daring Heist Through the Star Wars Underworld
Star Wars Outlaws sets the stage for a thrilling open-world adventure, taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This time, you’re not wielding a lightsaber or fulfilling Jedi prophecies—you’re Kay Vess, a rogue scoundrel just trying to stay one step ahead of both the Galactic Empire and criminal syndicates. Developed by Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment, Outlaws blends familiar mechanics from open-world games with a fresh Star Wars sheen, giving players a chance to explore vibrant planets, engage in high-stakes crime, and forge their path through the galaxy.
Gameplay: Scoundrel Stealth and Open-World Freedom
Outlaws offers a variety of ways to tackle missions, from sneaky infiltrations to chaotic firefights. Kay isn’t a superhuman—she’s a thief, which means you’ll spend much of the game using stealth tactics to disable alarms, distract guards, and avoid detection. When stealth fails, though, firefights break out. Combat feels decent, but at points can get muddy and somewhat disconnected—as if missing the crisp impact players expect from action titles. However, Ubisoft spices things up with an active reload system that rewards precise timing for damage boosts, adding a satisfying twist to the gunplay.
The missions tend to follow a familiar formula—sneak in, grab the loot, and escape before the alarms blare. Some players may find this repetitive over time, but the game’s immersive Star Wars vibe and open-ended design offer enough charm to carry through these moments. Traversal, however, is a bit underwhelming. While Kay has a grappling hook, its limited use makes climbing feel clunky and overly simplistic compared to more refined platforming in other games like Uncharted.
World-Building: A Galaxy Full of Choices and Consequences
Outlaws dazzles with its open-world environments, drawing players into a galaxy filled with variety and charm. Each planet bursts with character, whether you explore bustling cities or wander through remote wilderness. The gritty underworld vibe fits perfectly within Star Wars lore, giving every location a sense of belonging in the galaxy.
As Kay Vess, your actions directly shape your journey through the game’s dynamic reputation system. Every decision and alliance matters. Supporting one crime syndicate strengthens your bond with them but creates enemies with rivals, forcing you to carefully juggle relationships to survive and thrive.
Exploration invites curiosity. Eavesdrop on conversations in cantinas to uncover hidden contracts, or dive into mini-games like Sabacc to add some playful distractions between missions. Scouring the world for mentors unlocks abilities that enhance Kay’s skills, weaving character progression tightly into the game’s world-building. Every exploration feels purposeful, keeping you immersed in the scoundrel lifestyle and rewarding your curiosity at every turn.
Story and Characters: A Rogue’s Life
Kay Vess embarks on a high-stakes journey for freedom, diving headfirst into dangerous heists while running from both her past and the Empire. Along the way, her quirky sidekick Nix adds charm to missions, helping with puzzles and distracting enemies to lighten the tension. The narrative keeps players hooked, even though it doesn’t break new ground. Every decision you make carries weight, shaping Kay’s reputation with factions and influencing how allies and enemies respond throughout the game.
However, technical hiccups hold the experience back. Preview builds reported bugs and visual glitches, though Ubisoft continues rolling out patches to address these issues. Despite its flaws, Star Wars Outlaws successfully delivers a refreshing adventure that steps away from Jedi or Sith storylines, offering something new for fans eager to explore a different side of the Star Wars universe.
Verdict: A Solid, If Imperfect, Star Wars Experience
Star Wars Outlaws delivers a bold and refreshing take on the Star Wars universe, plunging players into the thrilling life of a scoundrel. It nails the fantasy of living on the edge—pulling off daring heists, striking shady deals, and making narrow escapes at every turn. While the gameplay can feel repetitive at times and traversal mechanics leave room for improvement, the game keeps you engaged with its immersive world-building, vibrant settings, and dynamic faction system.
Though Outlaws doesn’t revolutionize the open-world genre, it offers a fun, action-packed adventure for fans who want to explore the galaxy beyond traditional Jedi stories. If you’re looking to dive into the criminal underworld of Star Wars and carve your own path, Outlaws provides a satisfying romp through a galaxy filled with intrigue and danger.
A good Star Wars adventure with room for improvement.
Available on:Ubisoft, Epic Games, Xbox, and Playstation.
A PC review copy of Star Wars Outlaws was provided for the purposes of this review.
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