As a seasoned space traveler and rogue extraordinaire, I’ve seen my fair share of shady characters and treacherous situations. But nothing quite prepared me for the chaos and intrigue that awaited me in the seedy underworlds of Star Wars Outlaws.
Recently, Shacknews had another chance to explore Star Wars Outlaws, following our initial trial not long ago. This time, we delved deeper into Ubisoft’s interpretation of the Star Wars universe, gaining insights into gameplay mechanics and seeing a more detailed vision. However, there are still some unanswered questions about specific aspects such as criminal factions and inter-world travel, which we didn’t get to examine in our first encounter. Luckily, Ubisoft granted Shacknews another peek at the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws, allowing us a closer inspection of these elements.
If you weren’t able to catch the Summer Game Fest sneak peek, Star Wars Outlaws tells the tale of Kay Vess and her companion, a merqaal named Nix. On the lam after a heist for the felonious warlord Sliro went awry, they journey from planet to planet in search of a new beginning. Frequently, this quest leads Kay to form alliances with some of the galaxy’s most brutal criminal organizations. She skillfully navigates these treacherous waters, using her charisma and cunning to maximize her advantage whenever the opportunity arises.
In our previous sneak peek, we delved deeply into combat, exploration, stealth, and other immediate gameplay elements. However, during this session, our attention shifted towards understanding how Kay gains favor and disfavor from the syndicates. A significant portion of this playthrough took place on Toshara’s moon, an exclusive in-game location developed in collaboration with Lucasfilm. Mirogana, the capital city on Toshara, is home to a cantina reminiscent of Mos Eisley, serving as a hub for ne’er-do-wells to unwind with a drink. Here, players will cross paths with numerous crime syndicates and have the opportunity to influence Kay’s narrative in various ways. Several of these encounters revolve around Danka, a Mon Calamari information broker who is well-versed in navigating the treacherous waters of a world ruled by multiple cartels.
1. During our game session, we stepped into the cantina where we met Gorak, a crime boss affiliated with the Pyke Syndicate. Given that visiting him isn’t free, players can utilize Kay’s abilities right from the start by paying a few credits upfront. As I was given a demo character without any funds, my task was to mingle inconspicuously and locate a vent for sneaking past the guard stationed near the elevator. After successfully entering Gorak’s chambers through the lift, it was time for some quick thinking and clever dialogue choices to make a favorable impression. Despite his reservations, Gorak eventually agreed to hire Kay after our meeting, but he didn’t entirely trust her.
1. The intriguing aspect of this progression isn’t primarily about the job itself, but rather the consequences that followed. In my investigation, I discovered a spy embedded within Gorak’s group. This revelation could have opened doors for me in Gorak’s circle and strengthened my ties with the Pykes through promotion. However, I chose a different route.
1. The Star Wars Outlaws game is akin to a juggling act, where the Reputation System plays a significant role. Based on Kay’s interactions with different criminal gangs, certain parts of the game open up or remain closed. For instance, due to the Pykes’ goodwill towards me, I was able to traverse a part of Mirogona they controlled without any issues. On the other hand, areas controlled by Crimson Dawn remained inaccessible to Kay because they weren’t familiar with her activities. However, it’s not impossible for Kay to find alternative routes or sneak into restricted zones unnoticed. Having allies generally makes navigation smoother, but being at odds doesn’t necessarily lock you out.
Instead of “On top of the Pykes and Crimson Dawn, Kay will encounter two additional criminal organizations,” you could say: “Kay will come across two more crime syndicates besides the Pykes and Crimson Dawn.”
1. The way Kay interacts with different factions in the story can change based on specific plot points, mission conclusions, player decisions, and also certain unfavorable outcomes. To clarify the last point, I initially gained Crimson Dawn’s trust for a while but was later asked to sneak into their Mirogona fortress, a restricted area. Repeatedly failing this task six times resulted in Kay being spotted and expelled from the camp, effectively damaging our relationship and barring future access.
1. Building relationships within Star Wars Outlaws is abundant due to the game’s vastly sprawling worlds. A significant portion of my gaming experience was spent traversing Toshara on a speeder bike. Beyond the encampments, you’ll find unique collectibles, characters, and optional quests. However, be cautious when interacting with factions hostile towards Kay, as they may attack outside city limits without warning.
As a gamer, I can tell you from my experience, there are certain factions in this game that instill an intense dislike within the community. The Empire is one of those groups. In cities like Mirogona and even the busier parts outside the Thieves Quarter in Kijimi, Imperial patrols are a common sight. They usually don’t bother me, but their presence can make things uncomfortable for everyone. However, the general disdain towards the Imperials often puts a target on my back. Criminal syndicates may see me as an opportunity to settle scores with them.
In the upcoming game Star Wars Outlaws by Massive Entertainment, you can expect an intricate system with numerous components at play. For years, Massive has excelled in creating such complex setups. Yet, there’s still much to discover regarding workbenches where Kay can enhance her weapons and tools. She won’t have to face this challenge alone; her constant companion Nix will be by her side, along with a skilled crew including Waka (with his own Pyke issues) and an old Battle Droid from the Clone Wars era named ND-5. Prepare for an exciting new journey of galactic adventure when Star Wars Outlaws releases on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S this coming Friday, August 30.
Based on my experience as a tech journalist, I’ve attended numerous press events where we get early builds of upcoming products for preview purposes. This particular preview is based on an early PC build that was shown to us during an on-site event in Irvine, CA. However, please keep in mind that this is just an early version and the final product may undergo further changes before its official release.
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2024-07-30 19:27