Star Wars Outlaws invites players to step into the boots of Kay Vess, a burgeoning space smuggler navigating the treacherous criminal underworld of the Star Wars galaxy. Can this open-world adventure “Force” its way into the hearts of Star Wars fans? Read on to find out!

A Galaxy of Intrigue and Adventure

Outlaws presents a compelling narrative that, while not ground-breaking, effectively captures the spirit of a classic Star Wars adventure. You assume the role of Kay Vess, a low-level smuggler who is simply trying to survive. Along with her utterly adorable pet and companion Nix, she sets off across the galaxy to meet all manner of people (and aliens – lots of aliens) and see if she can earn some coin along the way.

Kay’s journey is filled with thrilling heists, perilous encounters, and morally ambiguous choices. The story, while linear, is bolstered by a variety of side quests that offer additional lore and gameplay opportunities. One thing I noticed during my time with Outlaws is that certain areas of the game are extremely linear, despite the game being open-world. Whilst not a huge problem, it broke the immersion for me temporarily because I wasn’t expecting to not be allowed to go somewhere that looked perfectly accessible. The pacing can also be inconsistent, with some missions feeling drawn out or repetitive and the reliance on stealth is sometimes immersion-breaking as it would be nice to approach missions in different ways. There are (were) also some performance issues in the form of framerate drops when riding Kay’s speeder, but this now appears to have been resolved.

A Smuggler’s Toolkit

Stealth is a key component of Star Wars Outlaws, enabling Kay to silently move through enemy territory. The sneak/crouch ability allows her to move with grace and precision, avoiding detection. She can utilise cover to conceal herself from watchful eyes and employ distraction tactics to divert attention. Kay can also make use of a sensory mode of sorts (courtesy of Nix), which is a powerful tool that temporarily highlights enemies, objects of interest, and potential hazards, granting her a tactical advantage.

Combat is another essential aspect of Kay’s survival, and she is proficient in both ranged and melee combat. The cover-based shooting system allows Kay to strategically engage enemies from a distance, whilst her close combat skills enable her to neutralise enemies with a single button press.

Space travel is an integral part of the game, with Kay’s spaceship serving as her primary mode of transportation. The ship can be upgraded to improve its speed, shields, and weaponry, allowing for thrilling fights against enemy vessels. Ship combat feels smooth and fun. Space travel also serves as a means of exploring various planets, each with its own unique challenges and opportunities. If a particular planet that you choose to land on has some story attached to it, then that will play out as you land. Otherwise, you are free to do whatever you wish once landed.

The ability to listen to conversations and gather information is crucial for some missions, and this has been implemented well. Kay can use Sensory Mode to eavesdrop on conversations, uncovering valuable intel. By examining the environment, she can find hidden clues and even solve puzzles.

Character customisation allows players to personalize Kay’s appearance and abilities. By gaining experience points and levelling up, players can unlock new skills, such as improved stealth, combat, and hacking abilities.

Star Wars Outlaws also has a decent reputation system, which adds depth to the narrative and gameplay. By completing missions and making choices that align with the goals of different factions, players can build trust and unlock exclusive rewards. However, it’s important to balance relationships between factions, as actions taken can have significant consequences. For example, establishing an amicable relationship with a particular faction typically results in a hostile one with their adversaries. In short, you can never be friendly with everyone at the same time!

A Universe Brought to Life

Star Wars Outlaws is a visual spectacle that immerses players in the iconic Star Wars universe. As soon as you begin playing, it is immediately apparent that you are playing a Star Wars game. The settings consistently look and sound authentic and sympathetic to the Star Wars universe.

The stunning environments, from bustling cityscapes to desolate wastelands, are brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. The character models, especially Kay Vess, are highly detailed and expressive, capturing the essence of a classic Star Wars protagonist.

The sound design is equally impressive. The orchestral score perfectly complements the on-screen action, evoking the grandeur and excitement of the Star Wars galaxy. The sound effects, from the hum of engines to the roar of blaster fire, are crisp and immersive, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Also, despite Nix having been developed especially for Star Wars Outlaws (i.e. his species was never introduced before this point), he sounds exactly how you would imagine such an adorable creature to sound.

A Smuggler’s Endless Journey

While Star Wars Outlaws offers a compelling single-player experience, its replayability is significantly enhanced by the upcoming Season Pass. This additional content will introduce new story missions, challenges, and rewards, expanding the game’s universe and providing players with fresh opportunities to explore the galaxy.

The vastness of the Star Wars universe, combined with the intricate details of the game worlds, encourages exploration and discovery. Players can spend countless hours delving into the lore, completing side quests, and uncovering hidden secrets. The Season Pass will further enrich this experience, offering new ways to interact with the game world and its inhabitants.

Conclusion

Star Wars Outlaws offers a thrilling adventure through the Star Wars galaxy. Its immersive open world, engaging combat, and captivating narrative make it a must-play for fans of the franchise and open-world games alike. There are some occasional performance issues and for an open-world game, it can seem quite linear in places. While the initial release may have some limitations, however, the upcoming Season Pass promises to significantly enhance the overall experience, ensuring that players will have plenty of reasons to return to the galaxy far, far away.

Grade: 8/10