Star Wars Outlaws is a hugely ambitious game | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Star Wars Outlaws is a game that has left me both intrigued and perplexed after spending four hours delving into its expansive universe. Having played countless titles set in the iconic Star Wars universe, I can confidently say that this action-adventure title offers a unique blend of stealth, exploration, and space combat that sets it apart from its predecessors.

As an ardent Star Wars enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by Star Wars Outlaws after sinking four hours into it. If you’re like me, a dedicated Star Wars fan, the immersive universe crafted by Massive Entertainment might easily become your new obsession. It offers an expansive, open-world experience that we’ve yet to encounter in a Star Wars game of this scale.

To put it simply, despite being a fan of the Assassin’s Creed series and the Ubisoft development style, I don’t believe Star Wars Outlaws truly embodies the “Assassin’s Creed meets Star Wars” concept. Additionally, it doesn’t resemble any other major Ubisoft franchises. While it does adopt certain features, expect an abundance of content and various icons on your map. However, there is a distinct sense of uniqueness about Outlaws that sets it apart.

My hands-on experience began around the point I assume is right after the game’s opening cut-scene. The protagonist, Kay Vess, has crashed landed and finds himself straight away in a gunfight. However, you don’t have direct control over this initial skirmish. Instead, you receive a Splinter Cell-style mark and execute tutorial, followed by some exposition. Then, you’re on a Speeder, speeding across a planet while under attack from bandits. This opening sequence is quite impressive, reminiscent of Star Wars, and I’m really enjoying it so far. There’s an immediate feeling of grandeur and spectacle, which I appreciate greatly.

1. Immediately upon entering the starting town, events seem to move at a snail’s pace due to the sheer amount of Outlaws in the game, which Massive Entertainment takes care to clarify for players. The main character isn’t a Sith or Jedi; instead, it’s Kay and her life as an outlaw that’s the focus. There are numerous gangs and factions (ranging from the Ashiga to the Hutt clan) you can work with, each offering different degrees of unsavory activities. Collaborating with one will bring rewards and benefits for being friendly with that group, but it will also impact your relationship with other gangs. As I picked a side and completed missions, I found myself upsetting the rival gang so much that they refused me access to their controlled territories.

Although the map may appear to be off-limits, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s inaccessible. On the contrary, you might need to find a hidden entrance or devise a clever strategy to gain entry. The environment teems with character and activity, offering numerous opportunities for exploration and interaction. This game shares similarities with Mass Effect, where your actions and dialogue shape your relationships with other characters and influence the narrative. Star Wars Outlaws thrives in this immersive world, providing hardcore Star Wars fans an exciting chance to navigate rival gangs, discover secret passages, and steal from their least favorite groups.

The issue is that some of this, mechanically, requires a suspension of disbelief that most modern games don’t push for. We can all accept a level of “gamey-ness”, and we all have our own limits to that. By that I mean we don’t want a super realistic simulation that spots our sneaking because we’ve stood on a twig, or been in the peripheral vision of a guarding Stormtrooper: that’s only fun for those of you who adore full-on simulations. But Outlaws bends the rules to breaking point, allowing you to be practically squatting next to a bad-guy and taking them out, because you’ve not entered their cone of vision which is very much one that, if you’re not in front of their eyes, they don’t see you.

In addition, during my playtime, there were numerous instances of stealth sections where failure was instantaneous. As I delved deeper into the intricacies of the game’s environment, creeping through vents and gathering unattached items, I’d inadvertently trigger alarms, resulting in large text pop-ups declaring my demise. Depending on the severity, either being ejected from the area or encountering a complete game over ensued. These moments seem anachronistic compared to contemporary designs that enable players to adjust strategies in real time. Moreover, such interruptions feel jarring in a game that strives to immerse you in the Star Wars universe.

In the beginning of the game, it might be crucial to remain stealthy as quiet actions could pave the way for louder ones later. However, getting caught results in alarm sounds and restarting the level. While some predicaments can be resolved with force, others are non-negotiable, sending you back to a checkpoint. I’m not trying to repeat myself, but these quiet sections were extremely common.

I’m thrilled to share my experience with Massive Entertainment’s immersive gaming world. Leaving town behind for my outlaw endeavors was a bitter-sweet moment for me. Yet, once I’d embarked on this new journey, I found myself rediscovering the joys of life again. The developers generously bestow players with the liberty to ride a Speeder bike and even pilot a spaceship within just a few hours – a perk that suits non-rushers like me who relish in completing side quests.

As I ventured beyond the main quests, I found myself completely engrossed in this game world, sensing there’s an abundance of content to discover. The gunplay is satisfactory, but having only one blaster throughout, which can be upgraded, gives me a minor worry. However, the companion Nix, who can be directed to distract guards or open locks, adds significantly to the immersion, making it feel like I’m living as a badass outlaw in the Star Wars universe – an experience that is truly exceptional overall.

1. It remains to be seen if Star Wars Outlaws delivers successfully, but when given freedom to roam and discover, it seems like the Star Wars game we’ve been yearning for. While you won’t find yourself wielding a lightsaber or using powers in this game, there are no moments of boredom as you traverse and explore the environments. The main story missions might be limiting and overly secure, but there’s definitely potential within the game.

After four hours of play, I typically have a solid grasp on games like this. however, with this particularly ambitious title, I find myself yearning to discover more before making a definitive judgment. The protagonist, Kay, is endearing and has previously inhabited this world, which is an encouraging sign. While there are some gameplay concerns that need addressing, the potential for something truly exceptional lies within. Here’s hoping this could be the long-awaited Star Wars experience. Wishing you all the best for its continued development.

As a long-time fan of the Star Wars universe, I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming release of “Star Wars Outlaws”! This game is set to drop on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC on August 30th. That’s right, folks, it’s just around the corner! For those of you who are as passionate about Star Wars as I am, I strongly recommend checking out the full release date list for 2024 that’s been recently announced. Trust me, there are some real gems in there that are sure to keep us galactic adventurers entertained for the rest of the year! May the Force be with us all.

2024-07-30 19:16

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