Star Wars Outlaws on PS5
One of the most prominent genres in gaming has to be the action-adventure piece of the pie, with various experiences giving players a chance to chart their course and make a mark in whichever story is being told. That sense of freedom is often the highlight, but when paired with engaging characters and an overarching storyline that fleshes out a beloved universe, the enjoyment is enhanced further. Star Wars Outlaws is one such case, albeit with a smattering of imperfect execution.
Set in the year between The Empire Strikes Back and The Return of the Jedi, Ubisoft and Massive Entertainment invite players into a period when the Imperials are at the height of their power. It is against this backdrop that opportunity calls, beckoning those who dare into a life of high stakes and better rewards.
While we won’t veer into spoiler territory when it comes to the narrative, what Star Wars Outlaws does really well is connecting the threads to ideas and concepts that have never been truly fleshed out before, even if fans are more than aware of what comes next for the wider timeline.
Characters, both old and new, are given the time to shine and play their part, even if some are obviously the bigger cogs in the wheel, with the factions being another excellent representation of the chaos that is running amuck in a galaxy mired in war. And not to mention the various worlds that players will get to visit, full of sights and sounds to marvel at and much to get through for the completionists.
As Kay Vess and her irresistibly adorable companion, Nix, such strife is the perfect time to step into the murky depths of the criminal underworld and make a name for ourselves, and there’s much to be done. The general gameplay of Star Wars Outlaws can be broken down into two distinct parts. Would-be scoundrels can explore cities and the larger open areas of a planet, taking part in random events, contracts, story quests, and seeking out hidden secrets here and there. Then, there is the vastness of space outside of a particular planet, where there is space combat, more exploration to be done, and smaller, more confined locations to check out.
How the game pushes players in terms of progressions is quite different from what one would expect from similar games. Instead of accruing levels and getting stronger by defeating enemies and completing quests, it is more rewarding to go off the beaten path every once in a while and pursue intel chains to discover more powerful gear, advanced skills and useful tools. While Kay is more than capable with her blaster and Nix by her side, there are also helpful utilities like a slicing kit or a fusioncutter that will come in handy during your adventure.
Getting these tools and advanced abilities usually means hunting down elusive experts skilled in their craft, and many of them are optional, allowing you the flexibility to either ignore them or benefit from their teachings. The latter option is highly recommended, especially for players hoping to sweep the galaxy clean of any valuables and beneficial gear. Once you have made their acquaintance, clearing specific tasks and finding the right items will help unlock additional skills, such as adding a concussive effect to smoke bombs or having Nix become adept at sniffing out collectibles in the environment.
Speaking of your synergistic companion in Star Wars Outlaws, Nix is a vital part of the adventure along with Kay and, eventually, ND-5. Capable of many functions, the studio has certainly made it impossible to part with your perpetual partner in crime. Depending on the situation, Nix can help distract guards, access security terminals, sabotage alarms, fetch items, and much more, making it possible for you to go about your business more effectively and move forward. It is always fun to see the little dance Nix does to hold the attention of an enemy, before you come in and punch the lights out of them.
Having Nix around makes stealth gameplay much more enjoyable, but when the alarms are ringing, it is time to whip out the blaster to fight back. Enemies are more than happy to play the numbers game, but a few well-placed shots can always buy you their breathing space, and melee combat can be a quick equaliser for the isolated foe.
While limited to the plasma module initially, players will soon find new ways to upgrade the primary weapon to suit their playstyle. As with most things, it is up to you to gather the right information and components before committing. Of course, your defeated enemies can drop pick-ups like blaster and sniper rifles, which can be used in a limited capacity to add more firepower to Kay’s arsenal, so keep your eyes peeled.
Aside from the Empire, there are also four major factions at play, each with its own agenda, which plays into the interesting reputation system present in the game. By making choices and through your actions, your reputation with a faction will be impacted. This will affect the reception of the Crimson Dawn, the Pyke Syndicate, the Hutt Cartel, and the Ashiga Clan towards you. Play nice, and faction vendors will offer better prices and VIP gear, or sour your relations and see assassins sent after you at every turn.
Do not expect to please or annoy everyone; it is more about balancing your approach and seeing who most aligns with your needs at any given point. This helps to differentiate the gameplay from one scoundrel to another, but in terms of the overall story, there won’t be many changes in that aspect.
Beyond the concrete and natural jungles of the planets, there are also opportunities to head into space on the Trailblazer. There is the choice to head to your next location, but exploring these regions is a lucrative business, with secret areas to find and explore, as well as wreckage full of loot to rummage through. Naturally, such potential will draw the attention of pirates, syndicates, and the Empire, and dogfights will be a common occurrence for those who fly.
All of these components combine for an intriguing prospect for players hoping for a substantial romp in the Star Wars galaxy, but it is not all plain sailing in Star Wars Outlaws, at least when it comes to expectations for the genre.
For starters, with so much to do, it can be pretty overwhelming for players who want to focus on the story and enjoy their time in a beloved galaxy. Sure, some things are optional, but players might feel compelled to participate for the tangible benefits, but there is no way of knowing just what will be truly essential down the line. The common argument of content bloat in open-world games also applies here, and your mileage will vary depending on your capacity for such pursuits.
In terms of gameplay, stealth can be iffy at times, with patrols occasionally being relatively passive and, at other times, able to spot Kay without a problem, even if you think you are safe. Nix can be overpowered when enemies get too close, giving you a free shot at taking them down, but it still boggles the mind that highly trained professionals are never too wary of a delightful creature just appearing out of nowhere and holding their attention.
That same confusion surfaces in the combat of Star Wars Outlaws too, where Kay will often find herself outmanned and outgunned. The Adrenaline mode helps with several instant kills, but if weapon pick-ups are available, why make players drop them anytime they interact with the environment? Yes, this is a scoundrel fantasy, but surely a self-respecting underworld figure would prefer having more powerful armaments in tow? Why not let us keep them around instead of hoping for a drop in the heat of battle?
Platforming and navigation can also present problems, with climbing being a particular annoyance, especially when multiple paths are ahead. Kay moves quite well for the most part, but when environments are more cluttered, it is better to take your time. Finding your way to an objective will take some getting used to, as large areas can tend to confuse with the map not being that helpful either. Thankfully, the occasional environmental puzzles help to alleviate some of the frustrations, and more would have been welcomed instead of the frequent terminal hacking and slicing.
It is definitely satisfying to hop on the speeder and get out into the wilds, but there are too many occasions when it feels like you are just travelling for the sake of it, with the world being just a tad too big and spaced out to warrant the time spent. Understandably, hidden secrets and activity areas shouldn’t be too close to one another, but neither is there a need for too much space in between. Handling the speeder can also be a challenge, but upgrades will make life easier in the long run.
Lastly, the allure of space promises much, but in reality, it can be a mixed experience. Dogfights are fun occasionally, but there’s only so much blasting and missile firing that can be enjoyable, leaving one to wonder just how many pirates are waiting to get their due. Furthermore, piloting a spacecraft like the Trailblazer in open spaces is great, but doing so through tight wreckage is the opposite.
None of the highlighted issues pose too big of a problem in Star Wars Outlaws, but it can get fatiguing over 25-30 hours, assuming that you are already a fan of the IP. For others who are not so forgiving, it could colour their enjoyment of the game, and rightly so.
That said, if you are willing to invest the time and effort to follow through on the story of Kay Vess in this particular period of Star Wars, there is much to get out of it. Underworld intrigue, systems that work well with each other to entice players to do more, and the interesting reputation system that figures into most actions you will take all help to create a true sense of progression both in a narrative and gameplay sense. Whether it will hold your attention is one thing, but at the very least, Star Wars Outlaws will have you shouting dank farrik out of astonishment and frustration during your journey to the top.
Star Wars Outlaws launches this coming August 30 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
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Summary
Star Wars Outlaws has plenty to keep fans of the IP excited and satisfied, but for others with more expectations, it can be an imperfect adventure.
