The Best Things Star Wars Outlaws Adds To The Franchise’s Lore - September 2024

Key Takeaways

Outlaws expands Star Wars lore by reintroducing sequel-era locations and characters long thought lost.
The game introduces new planets and locations, adding depth to the universe beyond the familiar settings.
Outlaws delves into the world of criminal syndicates, providing a never-before-seen exploration of the Star Wars underworld.

As a lifelong Star Wars enthusiast, who has spent countless hours immersed in the galaxy far, far away, I must admit that the latest addition to the franchise, Star Wars: Outlaws, has truly captured my heart. This game offers an unprecedented look into the criminal underworld of the Star Wars universe, allowing players like me to delve deeper than ever before into these shady organizations.

Since Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, there’s been some uncertainty among fans about the Star Wars expanded universe. But through strategic TV shows, books, and video games, this universe has actually grown significantly.

The release of Star Wars: Outlaws has significantly broadened the Star Wars universe with the addition of novel locations, creatures, and even resurrected characters and planets previously thought to be lost, enriching the franchise’s rich lore.

8 A Return To Sequel-Era Locations Thought Lost

Giving Long-Despised Locales A Chance To Shine

The Best Things Star Wars Outlaws Adds To The Franchise's Lore

The trilogy of Star Wars films released between 2015 and 2019, starting with “The Force Awakens” and ending with “The Rise of Skywalker,” was financially successful but received poor reviews from fans of the series. As a result, it appears that those responsible for the Star Wars franchise are trying to distance themselves as much as possible from any projects related to Disney’s movies.

In the game “Star Wars: Outlaws,” developed by Massive Entertainment, not only has Cantonica, a planet introduced in “The Last Jedi,” been integrated more deeply into the storyline, but it’s also revealed that the game’s main character, Kay Vess, considers this planet as her home. Furthermore, Kijimi, initially seen in “The Rise of Skywalker,” is among the planets players can explore within the game.

7 New Planets And Locations Introduced In Outlaws

Creating New Settings For Star Wars Fans To Explore

In the new film, Star Wars: Outlaws, while we see familiar worlds like Tatooine reappear, it also introduces a number of fresh and unique planets to expand the galaxy’s rich history.

Primarily governed by the Pyke Syndicate and at odds with Crimson Dawn, the barren moon of Toshara, exclusive to Star Wars: Outlaws, was featured prominently in a good deal of the series’ promotional materials. Conversely, the wet planet of Akiva has been part of Star Wars lore previously, but it is in Star Wars: Outlaws that we first see its visual depiction.

6 New Species Added As NPCs And Companions

Adding Cute & Creative Creatures To The Star Wars Lore

Although characters resembling humans from the Star Wars galaxy tend to receive the majority of the screen time, it’s the diverse alien races and fascinating creatures that have captivated fans since the series debuted in 1977.

In the game Star Wars: Outlaws, players will encounter a variety of new and previously seen creatures as they explore new and returning planets. These include the Robuma herds and skittish Gushiro from Toshara, the cold-weather subspecies of Bantha-like creatures from Kijimi known as Henku, and Kay Bess’s unique cover art companion, Nix the Merqaal.

5 The Inclusion Of Cameos From The Expanded Universe

Reinforcing LIterary Works In More Accessible Media

In 2012 when the Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm, it marked the end of several decades’ worth of expanded ‘Star Wars’ fiction canonicity, paving the way for a fresh era of films, games, and books in the ‘Star Wars’ universe.

Since that decision a decade ago, elements from the ‘Legends’ lore and fresh literature have gradually been incorporated into the new Star Wars canon. By its association with the Star Wars franchise, Massive Entertainment has reintroduced or reinforced numerous multimedia projects. This encompasses everything from the appearance of the Sixth Kin criminal syndicate in Cantonica, to featuring Aftermath and sequel-trilogy character Snap Wexley as an ‘Expert’, all the way to aligning with the Crimson Reign comic series in terms of continuity.

4 Original Speeder & Starship Hardware Introduced

Giving Fans More Choices For In-Universe Spacefaring

As a dedicated Star Wars gamer, it’s clear that the enthusiasm for X-Wing Starfighters, Lambda-class shuttles, and 74-Z speeders among fans is unwavering. However, it’s undeniable that there’s been a significant gap in the galaxy when it comes to expanding our Star Wars hardware arsenal.

In essence, Kay Vess’s distinctive starship, the Trailblazer EML-850 light freighter, and her S57 Cardinal speeder bike have brought fresh automobiles to the Star Wars universe, thereby establishing a distinct persona for Star Wars: Outlaws. Gamers will be tasked with repairing and piloting Vess’s Trailblazer throughout the game, which serves as their constant companion during gameplay. On land, when a swift escape is required, Vess also possesses the new S57 Cardinal speeder bike that can be personalized and improved just like her starship.

3 A Deep Dive Into The World Of Shadowy Syndicates

A Never-Before-Seen Access To The Star Wars Universe’s Underworld

Through shows like “Clone Wars” and “The Mandalorian,” as well as films such as “Solo,” the hidden criminal underworld of “Star Wars” has increasingly taken center stage in the storyline. But for those who want a more immersive experience, the game “Star Wars: Outlaws” offers fans a chance to delve even deeper into these questionable organizations.

Players can explore a specific group of galaxies accessible only to Kay Vess, allowing them to witness and engage with the intricate operations of several Star Wars syndicates. These include the Pykes, Crimson Dawn, Ashiga Clan, and the notorious Hutts Cartel. Additionally, established organizations previously believed lost, such as the Sixth Kin and Zerek Besh, come back into play with a renewed sense of action.

2 Zerek Besh’s First Non-Graphic Novel Appearance

Reinforcing The Devious Dynamism Of The Fan-Favorite Syndicate

In the June 2022 edition of “Crimson Reign” comic book, a criminal organization called Zerek Besh was initially referenced for the first time. This group then made its debut in the September 2022 launch of “Hidden Empire.

For the first time, many “Star Wars” fans will engage with the organization known as Zerek Besh in the game “Star Wars: Outlaws“. Previously, even those who were acquainted with this Imperial-backed syndicate had no chance to interact with it until the release of Massive Entertainment’s title. Founder Sliro Barsha, a character fans have long wondered about, is now clearly visible in “Star Wars: Outlaws“. The group is partially funded and allied with the Empire’s Imperial Security Bureau.

1 An Expansion Of The Period Between Episodes 5 & 6

Making A Mark In A Relatively Untouched Narrative Space

Between the crippling blow dealt to Luke Skywalker in Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back, and the Rebellion’s ultimate victory in Episode 6, a separate set of adventures unfold in Star Wars: Outlaws.

In the game Star Wars: Outlaws, there’s a wealth of fresh elements, appearances, and developments that enrich the Star Wars storyline. However, it’s worth noting that the most significant impact of Star Wars: Outlaws on the lore is the story itself. Previous video games like Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Star Wars: Squadrons have typically delved into the timeframe between Episodes 6 and 7, but Star Wars: Outlaws sets itself apart by establishing a rich narrative landscape. Consequently, every aspect of the game – from the Syndicates to the locations players explore – all help paint a picture of this troubled, uncertain era in the Star Wars universe during the Galactic Civil War.

2024-09-07 02:54