Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars as a franchise started with a shockwave of a debut in 1977, and since then there have been all sorts of sequels, spinoffs, and different forms of media released with the label. If it involves Lucasfilm, or the old school Lucasarts, then you are virtually guaranteed a Star Wars story that will take you to that galaxy far, far away. That doesn't, however, mean you are guaranteed the best time in your life. There have been plenty of Star Wars games released over the years that are lackluster. Hell... even some of the movies that have been released could bear that badge of dishonor. It seems like a gamble to throw the label on and try to engage a fickle fanbase, but that's what some of these entertainment companies end up doing anyway.

Star Wars: Outlaws takes place just after the events of The Empire Strikes Back. The rebels are on the back foot after a crushing defeat on the ice planet of Hoth, and the imperials are spread thin around the Outer Rim desperate to find and eliminate them. Meanwhile, crime syndicates are on the rise. The ongoing war the empire is hosting against the rebels leaves certain avenues open for criminals to make their moves, find their marks, and establish empires of their own in the underworld.

Enter Kay Vess.

Kay is a confident young woman with a chip on her shoulder due to her mother having abandoned her years before. As an adult, she's an expert slicer always looking for her next mark. Unfortunately for her, she's already made a list of enemies on Canto Bight and needs to make the next one count. She decides to hook up with a gang about to hit a big score on a new crime lord named Sliro. He's in possession of tens of millions of credits in the form of unmarked beskar, that wondrous metal we heard so much about in The Mandalorian, but he has excellent security to keep it safe. As this is all within the first hour, it's not much of a spoiler to let you know that the mission fails. However, Kay is able to hijack her own sweet ride in the process and begin to make her way in the galaxy by dealing with rebels, imperials, syndicates, and freelancers. And this is all utilized to pave the way for her return to that illustrious vault with a new crew so she can try it again.

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There's a lot to like about this game. Nix, Kay's pet is an effective tool to help you sneak past storm troopers to infiltrate Imperial Bases. Shooting down Tie fighters and recovering cargo during the space faring areas was a highlight. Taking place right after Empire Strikes Back made for some great nostalgic moments. Familiar storm troopers, droids, and aliens from the original trilogy is an easy slam dunk. Even the lack of Jedi didn't feel like a short coming as the gameplay felt like a familiar shooter instead of one-off light saber controls. Imagine Assassins Creed with a blaster on Tatooine.

The story was the low point of the game. You play as Kay Vess, a thief trying to work her way up in 6 different factions of crime syndicates simultaneously without any sort of finesse or cunning. Just betraying them to each other without ever really feeling like she was in danger. The only interesting character is an android.

I must point out that most of the characters I interacted with were women, even the storm troopers. It wouldn't have been so noticeable if the characters were written better but even Kay's story is thin and illogical.

I like the game and recommend it for Star Wars fans, just skip the cutscenes.

Really enjoying the game so far. I've encountered very few bugs, no more than any other game, really.

It can be a little bit repetitive at times but the quests are usually interesting and enjoyable.

One annoying thing is the blindingly obvious lack of male characters. I mean, there's hardly any! All important ones are male, seems to be Very disproportionate. And I am female, by the way. The Empire was supposed to be a misogynistic and alien hating organisation so it seems a bit daft there's so many women as stormtroopers and etc.

Other than that, the gameplay is good, graphics mostly great.

Really hope there's DLC !

This is a quality game, outside of a handful of bugs, this game is immersive and beautiful. It tells a unique Star Wars story and puts you right in the middle of various syndicates and let's you choose differing options to tell the story in varying ways.

I metered my expectations based on some reviews but was more than pleasantly surprised with the detail and gameplay. The open world can be overwhelming but you'll find chests, fights, and stories everywhere to keep you busy without burning out doing the same thing over and over.

Your companion, Nix, is equivalent to a droid from other Star Wars media and helps you along the way, either by stealing, opening, or blowing someone up.

As someone who has enjoyed many titles in the Star Wars gaming universe-from the legendary *Knights of the Old Republic* to the thrilling *Jedi: Fallen Order*-my interest was piqued when *Star Wars Outlaws* was announced. After skipping the initial release due to a slew of bugs and complaints, I recently dove into the patched PS5 version, and I can confidently say that the game offers a solid experience, despite the distracting noise around its release.

Set between the events of *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*, *Outlaws* introduces us to Kay Vess, a young scoundrel navigating the dangerous underbelly of the Star Wars galaxy. The sandbox nature of the game allows exploration across four distinct planets and a vast expanse of space, engaging players in side missions, faction quests, and the main storyline. While this variety should be thrilling, the game leans heavily into stealth mechanics that might not resonate with everyone. The stealth itself feels somewhat basic, lacking the depth found in other Ubisoft titles like *Splinter Cell* or *Watch Dogs*. Crouching behind cover is your main tactic, which can feel a bit underwhelming given the expectations for a character focused on thievery.

Combat is another area where *Outlaws* falters, particularly when compared to Ubisoft's usual standards. While the blasters are upgraded to reflect the series' iconic weaponry, they often fail to deliver that satisfying thrill associated with engaging shooting mechanics. Though several unique weapons add variety, many are easily discarded after missions, leaving players feeling as though they missed opportunities for meaningful upgrades and attachments.

One of the game's standout features is Kay's companion, Nix-a semi-sentient creature that provides both charm and functionality. The developers excelled in creating an engaging sidekick who adds heart to gameplay. Nix not only assists in stealth but also engages in delightful segments where the two share meals, deepening the personal narrative and enhancing player connection.

The mission structure comprises Intel missions that often seem like busywork, while faction missions boast better engagement, offering impactful choices that affect standing with various groups. Main missions feature high points reminiscent of *Uncharted*, but sadly do not reach that level of intricacy or excitement. While I was surprised by the brevity of the main story-clocking in at just 12-14 hours-my total playtime extended over 35 hours, thanks to side quests and the intriguing card game, Sabacc.

Speaking of Sabacc, this minigame serves as a delightful diversion from the main quest. A reverse blackjack, players aim to get as close to zero as possible with their card values. This engaging activity not only allows for a refreshing change of pace but also offers an opportunity to interact meaningfully with NPCs. I found myself so enamored with the game that I devoted considerable time to mastering Sabacc, which became a rewarding aspect of my overall experience in *Outlaws*.

On the topic of crafting immersive experiences, the game's score plays a significant role. The music is a masterful blend of familiar themes and fresh compositions, enhancing the mood across different planets and intense moments. With each discovery or confrontation, the score skillfully pulls you deeper into the adventure, reminding us of the epic narrative backdrop of the Star Wars universe.

While exploring the game, I encountered the lock-picking minigame, which initially intrigued me due to its relevance to Kay's scoundrel nature. Unfortunately, the rhythm-based system felt repetitive and cumbersome, detracting from the overall enjoyment. It lacked the finesse and engagement needed to truly enhance the anti-theft experience, making it feel more like a chore than a fun mechanic.

Despite its many strengths and charm, *Outlaws* has been dismissed by a vocal minority online, driven by an unfortunate "anti-woke" backlash. It's perplexing that a game should receive such disdain simply because it features a female protagonist, which should have no bearing on the quality of gameplay itself. If you set aside this ridiculous hate campaign, you'll uncover a title that, while flawed, offers plenty and deserves to be experienced.

In conclusion, *Star Wars Outlaws* is a solid addition to the franchise, appealing to die-hard fans and newcomers alike. While aspects such as combat and lock-picking could use refinement, the immersive music, engaging companion dynamics, and enjoyable diversions like Sabacc contribute to its unique charm. With a little more polish and a wider reception free from unfounded vitriol, I firmly believe this game has a brighter future ahead.

**Rating: 7.5/10**