As a lifelong Star Wars fan, I must admit that my initial skepticism towards Ubisoft Massive’s open-world take on the galaxy far, far away was palpable. However, after spending four exhilarating hours with Star Wars Outlaws, I can confidently say that it has surpassed even my wildest expectations.
After spending four hours with Star Wars Outlaws, my anticipation for Ubisoft Massive’s open-world game has significantly increased. Initially, I had dismissed it as “space exploration like Uncharted” (which I suspect many others have done too), but the ambitiousness of Outlaws has left me quite impressed.
It’s not so shocking that Ubisoft, among others, might adapt a distant galaxy into an open-world format, but it seems less like a checklist task and more like a journey driven by the players themselves.
Dynamic Duo
1. Star Wars Outlaws is set in the time period between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, a span often rich for Star Wars narratives. Although there have been numerous Han Solo-like characters before, after experiencing Kay Vess and Nix, I’m even more appreciative that we’re not receiving another Jedi-focused game.
In the beginning of her criminal endeavors, Kay comes across as pleasant but uncertain. She frequently doubts herself and feels inadequate as a criminal, causing her to appear more appealing than expected.
1. In the games, I encountered two segments of gameplay, and although she wasn’t a seasoned criminal mastermind yet at that point, she had grown noticeably more confident by the second part. I’m eagerly anticipating exploring the developments between these two stages and beyond.
In a natural and easy-to-read way, we can say: Kay and Nix make up the two sides of our roguish duo. While Kay fits the role of the scoundrel as expected, Nix plays that of the endearing alien sidekick, bringing humor to the situation. However, their connection goes beyond just the narrative as Nix’s presence in the game helps Kay by distracting enemies through various means such as feigning death with exaggerated acting or engaging them in direct combat. Additionally, Nix collects weapons from defeated enemies for Kay to use.
Blast our way through
During my demonstration, I had the opportunity to discover two intriguing worlds: Toshara Moon, a fresh invention by Massive, and Kijimi from The Rise of Skywalker. These captivating locales showcase how exploration and mission objectives interconnect seamlessly within the game.
Upon first landing on Toshara Moon, I managed to take out a bandit gang using Kay’s Red Dead-like slow-motion shooting technique, followed by jumping on my speeder. The Outlaws’ planets have an impressive size without being overwhelming, and it wasn’t long before I made my way to a bustling metropolis, teeming with vertical structures, concealed mysteries, and valuable contacts to meet up with.
1. In Kay’s game, many missions start through casual conversations at cantinas. However, you can also encounter NPCs with hidden quests in the open world. Ubisoft cleverly doesn’t make these extra missions stand out too much, thus minimizing the “map overload” that games like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry are often criticized for.
instead, you’ll catch snippets of discussions recorded by Kay for future analysis, such as information about a crashed Imperial cargo ship with loot salvageable from marauders across the open universe, or insights into the whereabouts of specific vaults on the planet.
To discover the capabilities and adaptability of the system, I decided to test it out by selling ill-gotten merchandise on Kijimi. I managed to secure some valuable information from a local resident, who directed me to the Cantina. There, I encountered a broker offering several tasks to complete.
1. Infiltrating the secret hideout of the criminal group I had alliances with, I surreptitiously installed a listening device. Later, I was faced with an opportunity to betray them in exchange for extra compensation, but doing so could potentially anger the initial cartel that employed me.
I spent my time wandering through the snowy city streets, and this experience showcases the freedom to play as a rogue character in Outlaws, earning a living however you choose, even if it means causing trouble for others.
Keep your friends close
As a devoted follower of Outlaws, I can tell you that things get complicated due to the power struggles among different factions. You see, there are four key groups in play, each trying to assert dominance. Choosing to align with one often leads to unfavorable consequences with another.
On Toshara Moon, every faction will provide unique perks such as access to exclusive merchandise and price reductions. However, you’ll have the chance to betray those alliances as well. During my tenure there, I endeavored to win Crimson Dawn’s trust only to secretly raid their vault and make off with their unsecured possessions.
In essence, it carries a resemblance to the Hitman series games, as you frequently unlock new areas or are blocked by guards. Yet, there’s usually an alternative route to take, such as slipping through vents or discovering shortcuts – but be cautious not to get caught, or else things will become even more difficult for you.
It’s reminiscent of Deus Ex in several aspects, with its focus on manipulating various factions and moving stealthily in the background. This was an unexpected twist for me as I began to play.
Stealth is a beneficial choice in this situation since it seems more favored than engaging in direct confrontations with large groups of Stormtroopers or raiders. Kay is equipped with an upgradable blaster that can penetrate enemy shields upon obtaining an Ion bolt, and it features a reload mechanism when it gets too hot. Additionally, you can call on Nix to temporarily grab weapons left behind by the adversaries, such as heavy blaster rifles and sniper rifles.
1. Kay’s animations are quite powerful, with a delightfully over-the-top quality that suits the original trilogy perfectly.
To the Stars
In the open-world game Outlaws, Ubisoft has incorporated a number of striking, standout action sequences as well.
1. During my leisure hours, I managed to engage in aerial combat with adversary vessels to gather scattered freight, and then successfully persuaded an Imperial space station that I was transporting cargo. Upon boarding, Kay was assigned the task of locating information valuable to one of the cartels.
What followed was tense scurrying through Imperial corridors, dodging droids and troopers alike.
During a different robbery, I was assigned to infiltrate a spa-like facility on the planet Kijimi to grab a valuable artifact. I took out as many guards as I could and then sent Nix to grab the loot and make a loud exit, blasting our way out afterwards.
In the past four hours I spent in Star Wars Outlaws, I’ve encountered tales so intriguing that I would share them with other rogue smugglers if I had my very own cantina.
Final Thoughts
I’m eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into Star Wars Outlaws once it’s released next month. With numerous possibilities for choosing different paths, aligning with various factions, and discovering new territories, the game promises an engaging and exciting experience.
1. If the remaining parts of the game deliver the same level of thrill and unrestricted playability as the segments I experienced, it suggests that the game’s potential for greatness is quite powerful. (Informal)
Previewed on PC via remote streaming. Preview access provided by the publisher.
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2024-07-30 19:14