Summary
- Star Wars Outlaws offers a fresh narrative by focusing on a smuggler's journey without Jedi or Sith as main characters.
- The game has the potential to set a new standard for Star Wars adaptations with its open-world action-RPG experience.
- Fans can expect a wider variety of Star Wars games in the future if Star Wars Outlaws delivers a compelling and fresh story.
There's less than a month to go before Star Wars Outlaws releases, and the tension is palpable. While the Star Wars license usually brings with it anticipation, Star Wars Outlaws' pre-launch build-up is keeping fans on their toes, with the game's last few trailers and previews giving fans a lot of hope but simultaneously giving fans some cause for concern when it comes to certain mechanics, story beats, or business practices surrounding the game.
That being said, Star Wars Outlaws still has the potential to be one of the biggest and best Star Wars video games of all time. Promising to deliver a full open-world action-RPG experience, Star Wars Outlaws could set a new bar for Star Wars adaptations, just as long as it sticks the landing. Of course, that's much easier said than done. But if Star Wars Outlaws can live up to its potential, it could drastically change the future of Star Wars video games.
Star Wars Outlaws Paves the Way for Different Types of Star Wars Video Game Stories
How Star Wars Outlaws' Premise Breaks the Mold for Star Wars Games
There have been countless Star Wars video games over the last four decades, and the vast majority of those have revolved around the Jedi, Sith, or some other type of Force-wielder. While there have been plenty of Star Wars games that haven't focused solely on lightsaber users, they're almost always a focal point of the story or gameplay, such as games like Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, where players don't take control of a Force-user, but are sent to hunt one down on the orders of Count Dooku, or Star Wars Battlefront that sees players frequently turn into a Jedi or Sith during a match.
For the first time in a long while, Star Wars Outlaws is seemingly going to offer a Star Wars video game narrative that doesn't feature any Jedi or Sith at all, at least not in prominent roles. While Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader could technically show up in Star Wars Outlaws, those cameos aren't too likely, and if they did appear it would probably be only for a brief moment.
Instead, Star Wars Outlaws will focus solely on the perspective of a smuggler as she navigates her way through the galaxy's criminal underworld. As Kay Vess, players will have access to a blaster and an array of grounded skills, which they'll use throughout the game to defeat Imperial Stormtroopers, pirates, and fellow criminal lowlifes. Hopefully, Ubisoft can deliver a compelling and fresh story with Star Wars Outlaws, and if it does, then there's hope fans could see a wider variety of Star Wars games in the future.
The Possibilities are Endless for Star Wars' Video Game Future
There's no shortage of possibilities when it comes to offering a Star Wars video game experience that doesn't revolve around the Jedi or Sith. Some of these possibilities have already been explored in previous Star Wars games and deserve another attempt, with a higher budget and modern gameplay mechanics, such as a bounty hunter game or a podracing simulator. There are also countless original stories that a Star Wars video game could tell, such as putting the player in the boots of a New Republic Ranger as they hunt down the Imperial Remnant.
Star Wars Outlaws
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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
