Announced with considerable fanfare, Star Wars Outlaws promised an expansive experience where players could navigate the galaxy’s underworld. Developed by Ubisoft Massive Entertainment, it is the first open-world game set in the Star Wars universe. Now that it’s been out for several months, it’s time to assess whether it lived up to the anticipation.
A New Hero in the Star Wars Universe
Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the game introduces us to Kay Vess, a cunning scoundrel seeking freedom and fortune. Accompanied by her loyal companion, Nix, Kay traverses various planets, engaging with criminal syndicates and evading Imperial forces. The narrative delves into the less-explored facets of the Star Wars universe, focusing on the criminal underworld rather than the traditional Jedi-Sith dichotomy. This fresh perspective offers a unique storyline that diverges from the usual epic battles between light and dark.
Exploring a Vast Open World
The open-world design allows players to explore iconic locations like Tatooine and new environments such as Toshara. The game’s approach to exploration is commendable; instead of overwhelming players with markers and objectives, it encourages organic discovery. This design choice fosters immersion, allowing players to uncover secrets and missions at their own pace. The inclusion of space travel and combat adds depth, with seamless transitions between planetary surfaces and space, enhancing the feeling of a vast galaxy waiting to be explored.
Gameplay Strengths and Shortcomings
Gameplay mechanics encompass stealth, combat, and space dogfights. The stealth elements, while functional, have been critiqued for lacking innovation and becoming repetitive over time. Combat is straightforward, offering a mix of blaster firefights and melee encounters. Space battles, however, stand out by providing thrilling engagements that require strategic manoeuvring. The reputation system is integral, as players’ actions influence their standing with various factions, leading to different narrative outcomes and mission opportunities.
Visuals and Sound: A True Star Wars Experience
Visually, Star Wars Outlaws captures the essence of the franchise. From bustling urban centres to desolate wastelands, the environments are meticulously crafted, immersing players in a galaxy far, far away. Character models and animations are detailed, though some secondary characters lack the dynamism seen in the main figures. The musical score, reminiscent of John Williams’ iconic compositions, further enriches the gaming experience, evoking nostalgia while introducing new themes.
Technical Issues and Post-Launch Fixes
Despite its strengths, Star Wars Outlaws was not without its flaws. At launch, players reported numerous bugs and technical issues, with the PlayStation 5 version being particularly problematic. These ranged from minor graphical glitches to more severe problems that disrupted gameplay progression, frustrating early adopters. Additionally, the game’s AI received heavy criticism for being lacklustre, with enemies often displaying poor decision-making and unresponsive behaviours, which diminished the challenge and immersion. Ubisoft has since released multiple patches addressing many of these issues, improving stability and refining certain gameplay mechanics. However, for some players, the initial shortcomings left a lasting negative impression.
Critical Reception and Commercial Performance
Star Wars Outlaws had mostly good reviews from critics, with Metacritic showing a largely positive consensus. A dearth of unique ideas was suggested by some critics, who also drew attention to the game’s dependence on well-known open-world formulae. IGN’s Tristan Ogilvie gave it a 7 out of 10, praising some of its features but pointing out its technical flaws.
Commercially, the game had a mixed performance. It was the third best-selling game in the United States during August 2024 and ranked fifth in downloads on the PlayStation Store in Europe. However, sales figures fell short of Ubisoft’s expectations, leading to a 19.6% decline in revenue for the first half of the fiscal year. This underperformance prompted the company to delay the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which also received some backlash, and adjust its PC release strategies.
A Worthy Adventure or a Missed Opportunity?
To sum up, Star Wars Outlaws provides a deep and engrossing experience that perfectly embodies the essence of the Star Wars universe. It deserves praise for its evocative presentation, captivating story, and open-world concept. It is unable to realise its full potential, though, due to technical difficulties and what is thought to be a lack of creativity in several gaming features. In terms of franchise aficionados, it offers a fun trip into the galaxy’s dark side. Others would see it as a familiar experience with a Star Wars twist. Individual expectations will determine if the hype was worthwhile, but there is no denying that the game adds a significant chapter to the vast Star Wars mythology.
