Summary
- Star Wars Outlaws promises to explore the IP's criminal underworld in a video game format.
- The game follows smuggler Kay Vess on a galaxy-spanning heist, facing off against crime syndicates like Zerek Besh.
- Zerek Besh, a mysterious criminal faction, will play a major role in the game's narrative, hunting down protagonist Kay Vess.
The criminal underworld is an area of Star Wars lore that fans have wanted to see properly explored for decades now, ever since Luke Skywalker walked into the Mos Eisley Cantina, bounty hunters appeared on Darth Vader's Super Star Destroyer, and Jabba the Hutt's criminal network menaced Han Solo. Over the years, many different novels, comics, animated shows, and video games have all tried to shine more of a light on Star Wars' criminal underworld, but few projects have been given the budget or scope they need to really showcase the scale of the galaxy's criminal empires. That may change with Star Wars Outlaws.
Set for release at the end of August, Star Wars Outlaws looks as though it's finally going to be exploring the universe's seedy criminal underworld, with it being the primary backdrop of the game's central premise. Taking on the role of smuggler Kay Vess, Star Wars Outlaws will see players venture across the galaxy, putting together a crew of skilled criminals in an attempt to pull off the grandest heist the galaxy has ever seen. But this ambitious plan won't go unnoticed, and it won't be long before criminal syndicates like the Zerek Besh start to take notice of Kay Vess.
Star Wars Outlaws' Zerek Besh Faction Explained
All the Zerek Besh Lore Currently Known
Unlike the Pyke Syndicate, Crimson Dawn, and Black Sun, Star Wars Outlaws' Zerek Besh criminal faction doesn't have all that much lore currently surrounding it, with just a few exceptionally brief appearances in the canon so far. The Zerek Besh first appeared during the 2022 Hidden Empire limited comic run, an arc that follows Solo's Qi'ra as she leads the Crimson Dawn syndicate in a plot to defeat the Empire.
In Hidden Empire, Qi'ra manipulates the major criminal syndicates into waging war against one another, leading each one to believe that it will gain them favor with the Emperor himself. Eventually, the leaders of the five largest crime syndicates are all contacted directly by the Emperor, who tells them that they've all been lied to and that Qi'ra and the Crimson Dawn are the real enemy. For just a panel or two, the apparent leader of the Zerek Besh can be seen via a hologram, though he looks quite different from Star Wars Outlaws' Sliro, who is ruling the syndicate during the events of the game.
The Zerek Besh's Role in Star Wars Outlaws
Based on the recently released story trailer, it seems as though the Zerek Besh is going to play a major role in Star Wars Outlaws' overarching narrative. While Kay Vess will have to schmooze her way to the top of some criminal factions, that doesn't seem to be an option with the Zerek Besh. According to an interview with Massive Entertainment associate narrative director John Bjorling via Game Informer, Star Wars Outlaws will begin with Kay Vess crossing the Zerek Besh, which leads to the hostility shown in the recent story trailer.
The head of the Zerek Besh, Sliro, seems to have a strong hatred for Kay Vess, and a deep desire to hunt her down. In his efforts to do that, Sliro has hired Vail, one of the best bounty hunters in the Outer Rim and an original character for Star Wars Outlaws. But Sliro might have another big reason to hunt down Kay Vess. According to the description for the controversial Jabba's Gambit DLC mission, Kay Vess is putting together a crew for "the Canto Bight heist." With the Zerek Besh being based on Canto Bight, it seems as though Kay's big heist could be targeted directly at the crime syndicate.
Star Wars Outlaws
- Released
- August 30, 2024
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.
- Developer(s)
- Massive Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft, Lucasfilm Games
- Franchise
- Star Wars
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Action-Adventure
