Summary
- The Star Wars Jedi series has paved the way for more story-based Star Wars games like Star Wars Outlaws to grace the stage.
- Star Wars Outlaws builds upon the success of Jedi: Survivor, showcasing improved worldbuilding and gameplay elements.
- Outlaws is a vast improvement over the Jedi series, capturing the essence of Star Wars and offering a sizable open world.
Respawn Entertainment has undoubtedly produced some of the best Star Wars games ever made in its Star Wars Jedi series, with Jedi: Fallen Order filling the role of innovative forerunner and Jedi: Survivor improving on the formula of its predecessor where it could. While they aren't perfect games, they have paved the way for even more like them to have an opportunity for success. Star Wars Outlaws is the latest Star Wars game to grace the stage, and it arguably wouldn't even have a stage if Star Wars Jedi hadn't built one for it.
Star Wars Outlaws may be riding in on the coattails of Star Wars Jedi's success, but that doesn't mean it completely relies on it. There are certainly plenty of Star Wars Jedi influences to be found in Star Wars Outlaws — from its protagonist to its platforming. However, Massive Entertainment's brand-new Star Wars adventure has taken what Star Wars Jedi offers to the next level in its worldbuilding, map design, and gameplay elements, proving that Star Wars Jedi only walked so that Star Wars Outlaws could run.
Star Wars Outlaws Takes Star Wars Jedi to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars Outlaws and Star Wars Jedi Share a Few Things in Common
Looking at Star Wars Outlaws in comparison to Star Wars Jedi, it's clear the two share a few things in common. Most notable is each game's protagonist, who has a similar story to the other. Star Wars Jedi's protagonist, Cal Kestis, is a Jedi who is on the run from the Empire after the execution of Order 66 by Palpatine. Star Wars Outlaws' Kay Vess is also on the run, though not from the Empire. Instead, Kay aims to remove the death mark on her head by pulling off the "biggest heist the Outer Rim has ever seen."
Kay and Cal both have their own miniature inhuman companion that travels with them — Cal with his droid friend, BD-1, and Kay with her adorable merqaal partner in crime, Nix. Finally, both Kay and Cal have their own ship, though players can only use Cal's to travel between planets in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Kay, on the other hand, has the Trailblazer, which can freely travel between several different planets in Star Wars Outlaws.
Star Wars Outlaws Is a Vast Improvement to Star Wars Jedi in Several Other Areas
Despite Star Wars Outlaws' similarities to Star Wars Jedi, it takes everything the latter started and runs with it. First and foremost, Star Wars Outlaws captures the overall feel of the franchise on a much greater level than Star Wars Jedi has ever managed to. In the world of Star Wars Outlaws, its characters, environments, and atmosphere are highly reminiscent of a classic Star Wars film, unlike either Star Wars Jedi game. To put it plainly, Star Wars Outlaws is a Star Wars game through and through, whereas Star Wars Jedi could be considered an original story with a Star Wars skin on it.
Secondly, Star Wars Jedi has only ever featured open-world areas, with Jedi: Survivor opening up the franchise in a way that its predecessor never did. However, Star Wars Outlaws is fully open world, even claiming to be the first open-world Star Wars game ever made. While that is a hotly debated claim, Star Wars Outlaws is nonetheless a much larger game than any Star Wars Jedi title has ever been.
Star Wars Jedi clearly set the stage for Star Wars Outlaws, which likely means it won't be the last of its kind. Perhaps the next Star Wars Jedi game will even take a cue from Star Wars Outlaws and feature a more authentic representation of Star Wars, as well as a much larger world, though it may want to consider how Star Wars Outlaws handles its open world first.
Star Wars Outlaws
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 68%
- Released
- August 30, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Violence, Simulated Gambling, Mild Language
- Developer(s)
- Massive Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft, Lucasfilm Games
- Engine
- Snowdrop
- Franchise
- Star Wars
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.
DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITY
Explore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORY
Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONS
Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEAT
Pilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure
