Star Wars Outlaws Review: A Smuggler’s Journey Through the Galaxy
Star Wars Outlaws is a fresh take on the Star Wars universe, offering a Han Solo-esque adventure filled with gun battles, shady deals, and high-stakes heists. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, this open-world action game lets players experience life on the fringes of the galaxy, where survival often hinges on quick thinking, fast reflexes, and a trusty blaster. While Star Wars Outlaws captures the spirit of the space western genre, it also struggles with some rough edges that might leave players longing for a smoother ride.
A New Hero in a Familiar Universe
In Star Wars Outlaws, players step into the boots of Kay Vess, a cunning thief who navigates the galaxy’s underworld with her adorable companion, Nix. Raised in the shadowy corners of the gambling capital of Canto Bight, Kay is no stranger to danger or deceit. While she might not break free from the archetype of a smuggler with a heart of gold, Kay’s journey through the galaxy is engaging and filled with memorable encounters.
The game’s narrative focuses on Kay’s attempt to unite a crew of like-minded criminals to pull off a major heist and erase the bounty placed on her head by the crime boss, SLO. This story is not about saving the galaxy or toppling empires; it’s a more personal tale of survival and ambition in a galaxy far, far away. Along the way, Kay crosses paths with various colorful characters, from mobsters to fellow smugglers, each adding depth to her journey.
Expansive Worlds, Limited Freedom
Star Wars Outlaws presents players with four main planets to explore, each with its unique environment and challenges. From the iconic arid sands of Tatooine to the lush rainforests of Akiva, the game offers a visually diverse experience. However, unlike truly open-world games like No Man’s Sky, players cannot freely explore planets at will. Instead, the game’s open-world elements are more confined, with specific locations and paths to follow.
Kay’s primary mode of transportation on these planets is her speeder bike, which can be upgraded to navigate different terrains, including skimming across water. While the speeder bike offers some fun traversal options, the game’s limited vehicle usage is a letdown. Despite the bustling environments filled with various vehicles like landspeeders and AT-STs, players are restricted to using only the speeder bike, missing out on the potential for more varied gameplay.
Stealth and Combat: A Mixed Bag
The core gameplay of Star Wars Outlaws revolves around a mix of stealth and cover-based shooting. While Kay is equipped with skills for sneaking into high-security facilities, the game’s stealth mechanics are inconsistent. At times, it’s too easy to slip past enemies, while other moments feel unpredictable, with alarms triggering unexpectedly. Nix, Kay’s companion, adds a layer of strategy to stealth sections by distracting enemies or activating switches, but even his presence can’t fully mask the uneven stealth experience.
When stealth fails, combat takes center stage. Star Wars Outlaws offers solid, if unremarkable, cover-based shooting. The blaster combat is enhanced by authentic sound effects and satisfying visual feedback, but it doesn’t bring much new to the table. The game’s reliance on classic video game tropes, like red explosive barrels, makes the combat feel somewhat dated. Kay’s special adrenaline rush move, which slows time and allows for quick multi-target attacks, is a highlight, though it occasionally suffers from targeting issues.
One of the more frustrating aspects of combat is the handling of secondary weapons. While Kay can pick up weapons dropped by enemies, the game frequently forces her to drop them when performing basic actions like climbing or melee attacks. This design choice feels unnecessarily restrictive and can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Space Battles and Syndicate Systems
No Star Wars game would be complete without space combat, and Star Wars Outlaws delivers in this area. Players can take control of Kay’s ship, the Trailblazer, and engage in dogfights with Tie Fighters and other enemies. While these space battles offer a nice change of pace from the on-foot action, they lack the challenge to keep more experienced players fully engaged.
One of the game’s standout features is its Syndicate system, reminiscent of the reputation mechanics seen in games like The Outer Worlds. Throughout the game, Kay must navigate relationships with various crime families, each offering different rewards and challenges. Cozying up to one faction might grant you discounts at their merchants but will also make you a target for rival groups. This system adds a layer of strategy to your decisions, making each choice feel impactful, even if the overall narrative remains unaffected.
Quest Design and Exploration
The quest design in Star Wars Outlaws shines when it comes to side missions and exploration. The game does an excellent job of teasing players with secrets and opportunities, encouraging organic exploration rather than simply following quest markers. Many side quests start as seemingly simple tasks but evolve into multi-stage adventures filled with surprises and action-packed set pieces.
These moments, where the game strings together Star Wars references and Uncharted-style action, are where Outlaws truly excels. Whether you’re diving into the depths of a Sarlacc pit or escaping a colossal sandworm, the game offers plenty of thrilling experiences that capture the essence of a Star Wars adventure.
Technical Issues and Final Thoughts
While Star Wars Outlaws offers a lot of fun and excitement, it’s held back by technical issues that can detract from the overall experience. The PlayStation 5 version of the game, for example, is plagued by graphical glitches, mission prompt bugs, and frequent audio dropouts. These issues can be frustrating, especially during critical moments, and may leave players wishing for a more polished experience.
Despite these flaws, Star Wars Outlaws still manages to capture the spirit of a Star Wars adventure. Its Syndicate system adds depth to the gameplay, and the quest design offers plenty of memorable moments. However, the game’s combat and stealth mechanics feel rigid and repetitive, and the technical issues present at launch are hard to ignore.
In many ways, Star Wars Outlaws is like the Millennium Falcon: a bit rough around the edges but capable of delivering a thrilling ride when everything is working as it should. If you’re a fan of the Star Wars universe and enjoy open-world action games, Outlaws is worth exploring—just be prepared to take the rough with the smooth.
Verdict
Star Wars Outlaws is an ambitious title that offers a new perspective on the Star Wars universe, focusing on the underworld and the scoundrels who navigate it. While it doesn’t reach the heights of the best open-world games, it provides a solid and enjoyable experience for fans. However, if technical issues and somewhat dated mechanics are a dealbreaker for you, it might be worth waiting for a few patches before diving into this galaxy-spanning adventure.
FURTHER READING
