The galaxy far, far away has seen its fair share of video games over the years, with some being instant classics, whilst others have missed the target worse than a Storm Trooper. Through this we've seen everything from lightsaber combat to first-person shooters, and even pod racing. One thing we've surprisingly not seen up until now is a full fledged open world game, with Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor being the closest we've seen. This all changed with the release of Star Wars Outlaws, with Ubisoft's first venture into the franchise looking to deliver an experience unlike anything we've seen before.
Taking place between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the game sees players take control of Kay Vess, a cunning thief looking to make a better life for herself. Just when it looks as if our scoundrel has stumbled upon the heist of a lifetime, the rug is quickly pulled out from under her, forcing her to abscond from her home planet. This leads Kay on a voyage through the galaxy , with the light-fingered outlaw being swiftly introduced to the galactic underworld.
When all is said and done, there isn't any real originality within this game, with most of its elements being borrowed. What it does do very well, is turn them into something unique, allowing for a Star Wars experience unlike any we've seen before.
An early example of this comes in the form of your adorable companion, Nix, with the cunning pet being a pivotal aid in navigating the criminal underworld of Outlaws. Acting like a pocket sized Arkham detective vision, your furry friend will let you spot nearby enemies, allowing for a stealthy approach to missions. This isn't all Nix is useful for, with players being able to use him to both distract and attack enemies as well as disable machinery and access out of reach terminals. If that wasn’t enough, players are also able to use him to fetch items as well as steal both credits and weapons from unsuspecting NPCs. Though this quickly becomes a novelty, it is a nifty take on an established stealth technique, with Nix himself proving to be a cute addition.
Though the game favours a stealthy approach most of the time, it isn't always a necessity, with there being plenty of occasions where it's not even an option. When this is the case, or if you simply prefer a gung-ho approach, the game offers a third-person shooter perspective, arming Kay with a trusty blaster. As players progress through the game they'll find various modules and upgrade materials, increasing both the power and capabilities of the blaster. Additionally Kay can pick up weapons from fallen foes, with these packing a bigger punch than her basic blaster. Unfortunately these secondary weapons have a limited capacity, being automatically dropped when players either climb obstacles or jump on their speeder.
Talking of Kay's speeder, this is how players will predominantly traverse the various planets in this open world game. Much like the blaster, players will be able to upgrade this as they progress through the game, adding improved durability, acceleration and mobility. As for how this vehicle measures up as a mode of transportation, it isn't exactly the best in comparison to similar games. Granted it does prove fun at times to blast across the various terrains of the different planets, with the wiring noise of its engine bringing a joyous feel of nostalgia, but all this quickly wears off. Once this happens it's hard to overlook its flaws, with the initial set-up of the speeder handling poorly. The game also lacks in speeder combat, with the only way to dispatch pursuing enemies being through the game's adrenaline rush ability or evasion.
Though this is unfortunately the only land based transportation in the game, players do have an alternative experience, voyaging between planets in Kay's Trailblazer ship. Now for full transparency, I've never been a huge lover of space exploration in video games, as despite being an appealing idea, the gameplay usually fails to hit the mark. Outlaws falls into the bang average category, as despite being miles better than the likes of Starfield, it still felt rather clunky at times. This is most noticeable during the combat, as even with its lack of challenge, locking onto enemies can at times prove mind-numbingly tedious.
One of the more interesting aspects of Outlaws is its syndicate system. Being introduced almost instantaneously upon landing on the first planet, the game introduces us to two factions, the Pykes and Crimson Dawn. Naturally choosing to side with one will automatically put you in ill sted with their rival faction with players having the option to either balance their reputation or fully commit to a particular syndicate. As you progress through the game this becomes a fun novelty, with the challenge/reward aspect making completing certain missions or contracts all the more enjoyable. The syndicates themselves also add another dimension to the game's dynamic, with their different styles and mindsets only adding to the rivalry aspect of this system.
As for the campaign itself, for the most part it's an enjoyable experience, with Kay's criminal escapades being full of drama and excitement. Where the game sets itself apart from its counterparts is in its approach to side quests, with the extensive nature of certain tasks resulting in a dynamic combination of combat and puzzle solving. Another way in which Outlaws sets itself apart from its contemporaries is the way it approaches these tangents. Where most games utilise these A to B side quests as a means to bulk out its content, the objectives within Outlaws side quests manage to add depth to its lore, building on the various relationships within.
The game offers plenty of downtime between missions, featuring several mini games to keep players occupied. Whether it's challenging the high rollers at a game of sabacc, playing the arcade machines or placing a bet on faither races, Outlaws offers a plethora of recreational activities to participate in. In addition to this the game features a couple of practical mini games, with the data spike lockpicking and slicing kit hacking device being a novel way of accessing otherwise inaccessible areas. The former proves the more enjoyable of the two, as despite at times becoming more than a little frustrating, the rhythm based mini game allows for a unique take on a classic games mechanic. As for splicing, it quickly proves to be a tedious addition, with the Wordle-esque symbol puzzle being a novelty that quickly wears off.
Visually speaking Outlaws is a mesmerising game, with its vast landscapes and dramatic cinematics looking crisp from start to finish. The lighting and mood of the various settings also gives a dynamic atmosphere to proceedings, with the dingy corridors and bright Imperial bases complimenting each other perfectly. Transitioning also proves a delight, as despite various glitches being a topic of concern shared by many online, my personal experience was fortunately glitch free.
Verdict
Star Wars Outlaws is a fun new adventure in the galaxy far, far away, that despite not breaking the mould, somehow manages to blast its way into becoming an engrossing space escapade. Whether it's currying favour with the various syndicates or a simple game of sabacc, there are plenty of different ways to pass the time in this galactic caper. The mixture of stealth and third-person combat also adds a dynamic layer to proceedings, that despite becoming repetitive at times, still manages to enthral. Throw in an adorable furry sidekick that steals, fetches and helps combat enemies for you and you're left with a game that despite its imperfections manages to become a refreshing new direction for the franchise.
7.5/10
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