Star Wars Outlaws Review – A New Hope For Fans

As a seasoned gamer and ardent Star Wars fan, I must say that Star Wars Outlaws has been a delightful journey for me. The controls for the game were intuitive and easy to grasp, making it a pleasure to explore the diverse planets and engage in various activities.


Being a Star Wars enthusiast can sometimes be quite challenging due to the anticipation and concerns that come with each new project, particularly when it’s a game. However, despite my initial reservations, I found Star Wars Outlaws to be an engaging and enjoyable title that truly fits within the esteemed Star Wars franchise.

Story

Star Wars Outlaws Review – A New Hope For Fans

In the Star Wars saga, characters are the heart of the story. While Kay Vess may not be as iconic as Han Solo or Bo-Katan, she is an engaging character that fits well within the narrative of Star Wars Outlaws. Her character bears more resemblance to Andor than Solo because like Andor, she’s primarily focused on her own survival and initially dismisses talk about the higher purpose of the Rebellion. Kay Vess delivers admirably in her role, while Nix adds charm to every scene with a delightful mix between Disney’s Stitch and a Pokemon character.

He’s always there, ready to help Kay in her adventures. It’s also easy to control him, making him an essential part of the story. As opposite to Nix’s cuteness is the ND-5 droid, which reminded me of a legendary HK-47 from KOTOR. You’ll love him!

As a devoted fan, I must confess that the main character in this game has me utterly captivated. It’s like stepping right into the Star Wars universe, where every city buzzes with activity from Outer Rim denizens going about their daily lives. From the very first scene, I felt as if I were an integral part of The Mandalorian series, traversing planets in search of adventure.

  • Score: 5/5

Quests

Star Wars Outlaws Review – A New Hope For Fans

As a devoted Star Wars Outlaws fan, I must say that the quests in this game are generally well-crafted, propelling the narrative forward with an engaging goal. I understand if you find the initial stages slow-paced; however, the missions become increasingly intriguing as you progress and uncover new worlds and skills. That being said, I’d appreciate a bit more action in the early hours of gameplay, rather than excessive crawling and enemy evasion. While I understand that Kay is a thief, I personally don’t enjoy stealth missions, particularly those involving “don’t get caught.

My biggest issue with stealth missions is that you must start all over again when caught. Not only did I have to repeat the process of avoiding patrols, but I also had to do all activities on the map all over again, from opening the chest to picking up loot. It’s simply not fun. Luckily, I’m not alone on this, so scratch this complaint if developers fix this issue properly.

It was intriguing that on a few occasions, I resorted to violence using Nix’s skills, and the game didn’t impose any consequences. This made me feel like the game was overly supportive, leading me through levels unnecessarily. Contrastingly, missions were most enjoyable when I had more autonomy (stealth-free zones).

One of the best examples was an exclusive Season Pass mission, Jabba’s Gambit. It reminded me of one of the Mandalorian episodes, as you had a bit of everything: space fights, combat, story, and movie-like cinematics. Oh, and one piece of advice – never lie to Jabba the Hutt!

  • Score: 4/5

Gameplay and Controls

Star Wars Outlaws Review – A New Hope For Fans

I found it challenging when I attempted to adjust PC controls because I’m left-handed; the ‘P’ button, which I normally use for moving forward, kept opening skill options instead. To add to my frustration, the ‘O’ key seemed unresponsive during this process. However, outside of these customization difficulties, I didn’t encounter any in-game problems. On a positive note, I really enjoyed playing the game as the controls felt intuitive and user-friendly overall.

Initially, I encountered difficulties with managing the speeder bike controls, detracting from the anticipated enjoyment. The sensitive controls were problematic, compelling me to delve into customization (please include default settings for left-handed users). Despite some improvements, the speeder ride fell short of my expectations. Unfortunately, you cannot engage enemies while on a speeder; instead, you have to wait until your adrenaline gauge fills up so you can pick targets and execute a slow-motion multi-kill sequence.

In this game, battles play a significant role in the overall experience, yet they’re not something you’d casually discuss over tea with your grandchildren. They can be quite intense, requiring you to switch between crawling and gunfights. Despite some challenges in defeating enemies, I found it more authentic. This isn’t a third-person shooter; rather, it’s an adventure game that incorporates shooting elements. Frankly, you wouldn’t expect a burglar to break into the Empire base and start offing everyone they encounter.

Regarding the space gameplay, it seems the developers opted for a more traditional approach rather than trying out new ideas. They delivered what one would typically expect from a Star Wars-themed game (lots of hyperjumps and dogfights), but didn’t offer anything particularly fresh or unique compared to other games I’ve played, even going back to the old TIE Fighter game I used to play as a child. Introducing some innovative mechanics or more engaging exploration could greatly enhance the experience.

Although I had anticipated more combat and interstellar navigation from the Star Wars game, given that Kai is a thief rather than Admiral Ackbar, their design choice becomes clear. The space exploration aspect was enjoyable, yet it seemed somewhat sparse when compared to extensive open-world planetary maps.

  • Score: 3.5/5

Graphics & Sound

Star Wars Outlaws Review – A New Hope For Fans

Star Wars Outlaws delivers an incredibly cinematic adventure, largely thanks to its captivating visuals. These graphics evoke the feel of the original trilogy, with its authentic grainy texture and the choice to play in a wide 21:9 aspect ratio. Each planet is stunningly beautiful, boasting diverse landscapes. As you explore, you’ll encounter various alien species going about their daily lives, each with a unique, captivating appearance.

Sound is vital in the SW universe, making everything alive and upbeat. The music score is great, although its main purpose is to help with the atmosphere. If you were hoping to hear a fantastic theme like “Imperial March,” you’re out of luck. Secondary sounds are impressive, especially when you walk into the city. Everything I heard helped me to get engrossed in the vivid atmosphere of the outer worlds. Terrific sound design made the game alive, with people talking, music from the cantina, droids walking around, and more.

  • Score: 5/5

Verdict – The best Star Wars solo adventure without Solo

Star Wars: Outlaw’s Tale is an exceptional game that beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Star Wars universe. It’s a definite play for enthusiasts of the series and those searching for an open-world escapade that maintains a perfect balance. The captivating characters, particularly the adorable Nix, the entertaining missions, and breathtaking graphics make Star Wars: Outlaw’s Tale a single-player space journey worth living.

Star Wars Outlaws Review – A New Hope For Fans

If you’d like to learn more about Star Wars Outlaws, feel free to explore the topic of romantic elements in the series on GamerTop.

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2024-09-13 16:21