Star Wars Outlaws: A Missed Opportunity That Could Shape Future Games!

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Speaking informally, it appears that Star Wars Outlaws was the talk of the town in gaming news last year, but now it seems to have slipped our collective memory. This could be due to the volatile and unpredictable nature of the gaming industry, with so much happening in 2025, but the quiet reception towards Star Wars Outlaws can also be attributed to the game’s quality itself.

In general opinion, Outlaws isn’t considered a catastrophe, yet many find it lackluster. The game showcases typical features of contemporary Ubisoft productions: an expansive open world filled with monotonous tasks, a mix of combat and stealth, and a grand narrative that falters in maintaining its pace throughout numerous hours. Critics have noted that the storyline of Star Wars Outlaws is particularly problematic, as they feel it’s too sanitized and convoluted, resulting in an uninteresting journey despite occasional brilliance. The gameplay mechanics, too, have been criticized by players of Outlaws. Clearly, the game didn’t enjoy widespread success, but future Star Wars ventures can still draw valuable lessons from it.

Star Wars Outlaws Stumbled, But Its Premise Shouldn’t Go To Waste

There’s Still Potential In The Non-Jedi Side of Star Wars

Back in the early 2010s, older video game enthusiasts may recall the much-talked-about title “Star Wars 1313”, a game focusing on Boba Fett and offering a linear action-adventure experience in the city of Coruscant. This idea generated a lot of buzz, with many viewers seeing it as a refreshing change and a promising alternative to “The Force Unleashed”, which was still quite popular back then. Regrettably, as we stand in 2025, there’s been no update on the development of “Star Wars 1313”, leading most to suspect that the project has been cancelled.

The enthusiasm shown towards “Star Wars 1313” by gaming fans demonstrates a vast untapped potential in a less Jedi-focused, more realistic “Star Wars” game. It appears that TV and movie producers have caught on to this trend with shows like “Andor” and “The Mandalorian,” which are highly acclaimed as top “Star Wars” projects of late. However, it seems that video game developers tend to lean towards the Jedi-and-Force aspects of “Star Wars.” This isn’t surprising given that Jedi cater to the power fantasy many seek in video games. Yet, one can’t help but question whether the “Star Wars” franchise is missing out on opportunities by not delving deeper into the space cowboy adventure theme.

In the expansive universe of Star Wars, numerous intriguing alien species, societies, and complex factions are presented, yet games such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor don’t typically provide players with an in-depth exploration of these aspects due to the fact that Jedi characters aren’t usually proficient in skills like deception, persuasion, or social interaction compared to their combat abilities. Instead, they often find themselves more engaged in battles rather than navigating the seedy and perilous underworld of Star Wars society. However, when they do delve into such activities, there’s a noticeable absence of tension, as most outlaws, smugglers, or bounty hunters are no match for a Jedi.

What Future Star Wars Games Could Learn from Star Wars Outlaws

A frequent complaint about Ubisoft games is that they tend to be too expansive: while the open-world style they often employ can be captivating, it sometimes results in a focus on quantity rather than quality when it comes to game development. Instead of emphasizing intricacy and refined mechanics or storytelling, they prioritize visual grandeur and vastness.

Instead of being set in an expansive yet anticlimactic open-world, future “Star Wars” outlaw games might opt for a linear structure, mirroring the approach of Star Wars 1313. This change could realize the vision of an action-packed adventure akin to Uncharted, featuring vibrant characters, thrilling spectacles, and a compelling, suspenseful storyline, rather than one interrupted by extended stretches of unengaging content.

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2025-04-12 18:37