Star Wars Outlaws: 4 Best Ways It Changes The Ubisoft Open-World Formula

Star Wars Outlaws: 4 Best Ways It Changes The Ubisoft Open-World Formula

As a lifelong gamer who has spent countless hours lost in the sprawling worlds of Ubisoft’s open-world games, I can confidently say that Star Wars Outlaws has truly outdone itself. This game has managed to take everything we love about Ubisoft’s open-world offerings and refine it into a polished gem that leaves even the most jaded gamer in awe.


In the gaming world, Ubisoft is renowned for its distinctive open-world designs and unique gameplay experiences. From Assassin’s Creed to Far Cry, gamers have grown accustomed to certain features in a Ubisoft open-world title. However, Star Wars Outlaws aims to challenge these expectations.

Initially, it was assumed that Star Wars Outlaws would follow the usual pattern seen in many Ubisoft open-world games, with a sprawling map teeming with quests and points of interest designed to divert and overload players at every turn. However, what happened next took even the most hardened gamer by surprise.

4 A Clear Map Layout

The Most Comprehensive Ubisoft Map To Date

Star Wars Outlaws: 4 Best Ways It Changes The Ubisoft Open-World Formula

One of the best features of many Ubisoft open-world games can also be the worst. Ubisoft tends to develop expansive worlds full of immersive fun, from main missions to random NPC interactions. There are quests and tasks to complete and side missions to explore, but with each one of these marked on a map with its own icon, it can become overwhelming to look at. Star Wars Outlaws still has the core of this gameplay but with a cleaner and more satisfying execution.

Player maps overflowing with symbols indicating every potential quest, task, cache, or vendor are a thing of the past in Star Wars Outlaws. Instead, players can savor an uncluttered map with discreet icons that reveal only what the player has chanced upon thus far. The beauty of this new open-world game lies in the freedom it offers, which in turn motivates players to delve deeper into exploration. As each player’s journey is unique, their icon arrangement will vary based on where they have traveled, side missions they have undertaken, and how frequently they veer off the main path.

3 A Sense Of Freedom

A Truly Open World

Star Wars Outlaws: 4 Best Ways It Changes The Ubisoft Open-World Formula

Kay Vess yearns for autonomy, a state where she’s no longer troubled by the Imperials or syndicates. For many gamers, playing as Kay offers an unprecedented sense of freedom in an open-world game recently. In Star Wars Outlaws, the universe becomes accessible fairly quickly, allowing players to traverse both space and land freely. Remarkably, there are no tiresome loading screens during interplanetary travel, making transitions from planet to moon, or even beyond, seamless. If desired, players can also use fast travel to zip from one planet to another, bypassing space travel entirely.

Unlike certain Ubisoft games from previous times, there’s no extensive delay in accessing vast areas of the map. Instead, players have immediate freedom to explore every nook and cranny without needing to finish a primary mission first. Once space travel is enabled, additional planetary maps also open up for exploration. The player’s personal speedercraft – her reliable but dangerous companion – accompanies her on all journeys, allowing for endless exploration.

2 A Curious Mind Rewarded

Discover More Through Exploration

Star Wars Outlaws: 4 Best Ways It Changes The Ubisoft Open-World Formula

As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the convenience of Kay’s speeder, especially with the array of upgrades available to me. The creators of Star Wars Outlaws have masterfully designed an intricate map, filled with diverse and captivating locations that are surprisingly accessible, making travel feel effortless rather than daunting. Add to that the strategically placed fast travel points, and the act of exploration transforms into an enjoyable quest. The payoff for this journey is a self-directed adventure where my curiosity is richly rewarded.

Key Takeaways

  • Clear map layout reduces overwhelming icons, encourages player exploration.
  • Sense of freedom with seamless space and ground exploration, fast travel options.
  • Curiosity rewarded through exploration, player-driven dynamic world based on choices.

Investigating the city or region can lead to discovering exciting new subplots, secret loot, or crucial information that might otherwise remain undiscovered. Unlike Ubisoft games where missions, hidden items, or NPC encounters are often predetermined, Star Wars Outlaws empowers players by making them respond to vague prompts or an NPC’s call. Players can eavesdrop on conversations for clues about nearby wealth, helpful NPC locations, or valuable insights. This player-driven approach adds depth and encourages exploration, fostering curiosity. It offers a more authentic gameplay experience compared to traditional Ubisoft open-world games. Watch Dogs also incorporated this feature with private calls, but in Star Wars Outlaws, it’s less scripted for the sake of storyline progression, instead serving as an optional tool for the player.

1 A Dynamic And Reactive World

Kay’s Choices Define Player Experience

Star Wars Outlaws: 4 Best Ways It Changes The Ubisoft Open-World Formula

Among the intriguing benefits for the player is a world that evolves based on their actions, impacting gameplay. Various tasks and choices Kay encounters can influence her standing. A negative reputation creates challenges when navigating certain Syndicate territories, whereas a positive one grants access to areas otherwise off-limits. Undeniably, a good reputation simplifies certain missions that take place within a syndicate stronghold or base.

As I dive into the game, every character’s playstyle is unique, shaping diverse reputations within each Syndicate, painting a universe brimming with options. While one player might breeze through Pyke territory without a hitch, another could find themselves in a heated gunfight or a frantic chase to flee. The unpredictability of this reactive world adds an exhilarating and engaging twist to the gaming experience compared to what I’ve encountered in past Ubisoft titles.

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2024-09-01 23:53