Star Wars Outlaws Review - A Successful Rogue Adventure, Although Not Without Its Flaws

Star Wars Outlaws Review - A Successful Rogue Adventure, Although Not Without Its Flaws

editors’ score

7.0

good

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As a seasoned spacefarer with years of interstellar travel under my belt, I must admit that Star Wars Outlaws has left me both captivated and slightly frustrated. It’s like a bustling spaceport filled with all manner of attractions, each more enticing than the last. The world feels alive, teeming with details that make it feel real, even if it is just an illusion.

Star Wars: Outlaws Game review

Star Wars Outlaws surpassed my modest predictions; it kept me awake into the wee hours with its engaging elements that made me feel compelled to play just one more round of sabacc or mission. Despite recognizing some flaws, they were insignificant enough not to mar the pleasure of immersing myself in Kay Vess’s narrative.

PROS:

Light, entertaining story in the heist movie convention;
Likable characters;
Beautiful, responsive world, filled to the brim with attractions;
Satisfying gameplay;
Finally Star Wars without Jedi;
Sabacc!

CONS:

Speeder’s driving system;
Optimization could be better;
Gameplay has many shortcomings (from the save system to the slow movement of the character).

Han Solo likes it

In the story of “Star Wars Outlaws,” the central figure is Kay, a smuggler who finds herself in deep trouble. To extricate herself from this predicament, she must execute the most daring heist imaginable. To accomplish this feat, she assembles an expert team consisting of a skilled droid and a bomb specialist. This sets the stage for a high-stakes heist narrative filled with thrilling action, deceit, espionage, burglaries, and deception.

Star Wars Outlaws Review - A Successful Rogue Adventure, Although Not Without Its Flaws

This game’s plot appeals to me because it’s lighthearted and enjoyable – a style that resonates with me. Some might say the dialogue could have been more vibrant, enhancing the overall engagement. However, it’s important to note that this script isn’t destined to become a future classic like “The Usual Suspects” from 1995, with its mind-blowing narrative twists. Instead, in terms of plot structure, this game seems more reminiscent of a Marvel production or the Han Solo standalone movie. We’ll smile, experience a few surprises, appreciate the straightforward characters, and embark on a journey through several Star Wars planets.

If Ubisoft’s projects were to be made into movies, the Disney logo would align perfectly with them. There might be some oversimplifications or childlike aspects, but that’s part of their charm. If you’re looking for something more unconventional, give Star Wars: The Old Republic a try.

A difficult and realistic game? This wasn’t what I have ordered.

I find joy in championing the game, “Star Wars Outlaws,” despite its traditional aspects, as it echoes familiar mechanics we’ve seen in past Ubisoft titles, such as the Assassin’s Creed series. Stealth is a common tactic, involving quiet takedowns of enemies, exploration for hidden paths, and careful navigation to avoid triggering alarms. The execution of these elements is generally well done.

I’m known for my frequent complaints about gameplay, as I easily lose interest when challenges are too tough (like you soulslikes!) or when games become repetitive. However, Star Wars Outlaws seems to strike a balance with manageable missions and steady progression. The game doesn’t drag on unnecessarily, and it keeps things interesting by introducing new elements – for instance, a tougher enemy type that engages in close combat instead of ranged attacks, adding excitement and intensity to the battles.

In another words, if enemies find out their colleagues are mysteriously vanishing due to my actions, it adds a touch of realism to the game. However, it may lead to extra complications since we might spend longer periods in certain locations and opt for non-violent resolutions more frequently. I’m fully on board with this approach and a slightly lower level of difficulty, all while enriching the gameplay experience and moving the plot along at a quicker pace.

Freedom with limitations

Star Wars Outlaws doesn’t dictate a specific method for completing tasks; rather, it offers us the freedom to decide our own approach. We can opt for a conventional entrance (the front door) or take an unconventional route (the ventilation shaft). Furthermore, we have the option to leave evidence of our presence (by leaving bodies behind), or move undetected like a spirit. The pleasure I derive is in discovering a strategy that feels more comfortable to me, even if there are only a few options available, perhaps just two or three.

Absolutely, while stealth plays a significant role, there’s also some combat you can participate in for added excitement. However, it’s important to note that this fun aspect of shooting and confrontations comes with its own challenges. For instance, Kay’s movements are quite slow, and she doesn’t have the option to roll, which is the most effective way to dodge harm!

Nevertheless, the thrill, blasts, observing defeated adversaries and triumph make up for all these imperfections. The one aspect I find problematic is the saving mechanism. In the course of missions, you are heavily dependent on automated saves. Occasionally, they can transport us a little too far from the point of demise.

Beautiful, living world

The decisions you make, such as which faction to aid during specific tasks, primarily affect the gameplay rather than the storyline. These choices influence your reputation in the game world, determining who views us favorably and who does not. A strained relationship with a particular group may result in higher prices from their merchants or an instant attack if you venture into their territory.

In plain terms, Ubisoft could have taken it a step further by making our choices influence the story more significantly. However, even minor details contribute to creating a responsive open world, one that reacts to our actions subtly, which makes the game feel alive. Ubisoft has done an excellent job of keeping the environment vibrant and engaging. I rarely felt disconnected from the narrative or sensed that the characters and locations were mere props – a feeling I encountered while exploring Night City in Cyberpunk 2077, where it seemed everyone lacked emotion.

Is it not astonishing how diverse and intricate each planet appears, with varying climates and an almost overwhelming amount of details? Yet, I can’t help but feel that there might be a veil over my eyes, though I also possess concrete evidence. For instance, while cruising in our speeder, we narrowly avoid collisions with other speeders, their distant angry voices a testament to the tension. Sudden attacks from creatures are not uncommon, and upon entering a tavern, one’s gaze is instantly drawn to the busy bartender, the jukebox, or groups engrossed in sabacc. This universe seems incredibly lively, or at least it convincingly simulates it.

Amusement park with many attractions

Essentially, whether we travel to different locations, Star Wars Outlaws offers something unique for us, such as mini-games or other interesting aspects. It’s entirely our choice what catches our attention – there are no penalties for skipping certain upgrades or not utilizing all the skills we’ve earned. The game difficulty won’t escalate based on our choices.

It would be pointless to list every attraction, but believe me – there are plenty of them. From a little gambling (betting money on races), through playing slot machines, to completing side tasks, nicely woven into the plot – after all, our heroine is a smuggler who will gladly accept a new order and make a name for herself in the criminal underworld. For me, the undisputed king turned out to be the card game of sabacc – balancing luck with the need to choose the right tactics and having many twists (also changing the rules of the game), thanks to which there is no way you can get bored. Sabacc has became as effectively addictive as Gwent in The Witcher 3.

I would consider Nix as a separate attraction. Well, you could even consider him the game’s highlight! This charming creature is a constant, loyal companion, that makes traveling much more pleasant, and he also helps us with his special abilities during missions. Personally, what won me over the most was eating local dishes with Nix, which is done as a QTE mini-game. Nix’s reactions are super sweet, and we can also admire the exotic cuisine!

A deception that could have been better, but is still entertaining

In simpler terms, there are several areas where I find Star Wars Outlaws could use improvement. The speed driving physics could benefit from a revision, as they can feel tiresome during regular travel. However, the excitement levels do pick up during chases due to the added complexity and the focus shifting from simple point-to-point movement to evading pursuits.

Star Wars Outlaws is a smuggler with imperfections that are simple to overlook, making one charmed in spite of them. The film-like narrative keeps you hooked until the finish, the settings are visually appealing, and the gameplay presents a range of engaging features. Admittedly, there are issues, but they aren’t too severe; with time, they become less bothersome, requiring patience and occasional exasperation. In this game, the Force has shown unexpected strength.

2024-08-30 14:03

Star Wars Outlaws Review – A Successful Rogue Adventure, Although Not Without Its Flaws