Star Wars Outlaws Review (PC) | An Inter-Galactic Heist Movie, Set In Ubisoft’s Best Open World Since Watch Dogs

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours roaming the vast landscapes of Rockstar Games and exploring the dark alleys of BioWare’s RPG universes, I must say that Star Wars Outlaws has left an indelible mark on me. It’s not often that a game manages to strike such a delicate balance between the gritty underworld and family-friendly entertainment, but Outlaws has done just that.

In essence, I had a natural inclination towards enjoying Star Wars Outlaws, and indeed, it has lived up to my expectations. Growing up, I’ve always been drawn to the thrill of executing heists rather than saving the world or rescuing damsels in distress. And let me tell you, the game’s portrayal of the criminal underworld is quite intriguing. Given that a significant part of the game involves searching high and low to assemble a crew for “the big job”, which in this instance means breaking into a kingpin’s vault, it’s fortunate that I find that setting appealing.

As one might anticipate, the narrative of Outlaws eventually intertwines with a larger and more significant storyline that ties in with the Star Wars saga we know from the movies. So, less heists, more saving the world. However, for most of the game, you’ll find yourself alongside a band of misfits – just as it should be!

But, enough throat-clearing, is it any good?

Star Wars Outlaws offers an engaging narrative set in an exciting corner of the galaxy, featuring relatable characters and a well-balanced pace. Additionally, there’s abundant bonus content that justifies its cost. However, some may find the combat underwhelming, and it leans heavily towards stealth, which might not suit everyone. Furthermore, the game seems to be struggling with optimization on PC at the moment.

If you appreciate the game as an engaging experience spanning around 40 to 60 hours, and if you’re considering revisiting it a couple of months down the line, then it’s definitely worth your time. I’d rate it 8.2 out of 10.

Full review below.

Star Wars Outlaws: Gameplay

Since many missions involve rival criminal groups battling for control, it’s not unexpected that a significant portion of gameplay revolves around sneaking past security cameras, infiltrating air ducts, and subduing guards. When the alarm gets triggered, you can whip out your blaster for some engaging firefights. The gameplay loop might feel repetitive at times, but the refined stealth mechanics ensure that missions remain brief and enjoyable, avoiding monotony.

Apart from engaging in battles, there are numerous environmental puzzles that need solving, frequently utilizing Kay’s pet Nix who can squeeze through tight spaces to deactivate generators and similar devices. In some aspects, these sections brought Jedi: Survivor of last year to mind and when used sparingly, they complement the game nicely.

Overall, the gameplay is satisfactory, although it doesn’t offer anything entirely novel. However, I found it captivating enough. I can only think of a few players who might strongly dislike the gameplay due to their disdain for stealth games. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed this genre.

Star Wars Outlaws: Characters, Plot & Pace

As a devoted fan, I must say it was immensely satisfying to gradually assemble an eclectic band of misfits for Outlaws – the sly safecracker, the robust enforcer, and many more. Among them all, Kay stood out as the perfect fit for this unconventional tale. Unlike the typical heroine, she doesn’t crave the limelight, and that authenticity made her even more endearing.

The speed at which the game introduces you is commendable; it swiftly familiarizes you with its environment and lets you explore as soon as you’re prepared. From that point forward, it masterfully manages to offer you ample room to appreciate the world, all while guiding you gently along the path leading to the main narrative.

Nevertheless, both the storyline and game mechanics are satisfactory, but not particularly outstanding. They don’t hinder enjoyment, and it’s unlikely they’ll be the weakest in an AAA game this year. However, I wouldn’t expect Outlaws to garner many accolades for its narrative. Essentially, Outlaws is a heist game. Assemble your team, devise the ultimate heist, and brace for unexpected turns and possible treachery.

Star Wars Outlaws: The Open World

To tackle the obvious question: What does this game offer compared to Ubisoft’s typical open-world games? Thankfully, Outlaws offers a refreshing change. Rather than feeling like a tedious task of unlocking regions or revealing a map, you’re immersed in an intriguing, underground world that’s dark and thrilling.

One of the game’s notable advantages lies in its depth, and I wish Ubisoft had delved even deeper into the “underworld” theme. The game avoids presenting anything overly grim or raw, which gives some locations an unexpectedly sterile feel. Given that they are managing a family-friendly brand, opting for content rated as “Teen” by ESRB is a smart choice, but it’s hard not to wish for a more immersive underworld experience.

The scale of Outlaws seems impressively expansive, offering you an abundance to discover. Essentially, you’re granted access to five distinct planets, along with their surrounding satellite bodies, for exploration. Your initial base is your home planet, where the game begins, followed by a unique planet for each environment: snow, desert, open plains, and jungle. Furthermore, the capital cities of each planet are well-populated yet not overly congested.

Generally, Outlaws’ open world has proven to be successful. Unlike some games where I might spend an entire session exploring and meeting NPCs, similar to Rockstar titles, the world in Outlaws feels real and inhabited, much like Red Dead, a high praise indeed. And visiting new planets kept that sense of wonder alive, while the small interactions were enjoyable and engaging.

Despite doubts about whether numerous gamers would dedicate numerous hours to explore every corner, this game exceeded my expectations significantly. The faction system and the freedom to embark on journeys in my ship to discover new places were particularly noteworthy contributors to this positive experience.

Star Wars Outlaws: Technical & Audio-Visual

As a gamer, I was immersed in the gameplay on my mid-range gaming rig, sticking to the standard settings for now. During my gaming session, there were no major glitches or crashes that derailed my experience. However, what did dampen the fun a bit was the unpredictable frame rate that mostly hovered around 80 frames per second (FPS), while I’m accustomed to achieving over 100 FPS on similarly detailed games. It was a letdown, but overall, the game ran smoothly without any catastrophic malfunctions.

Regarding the graphics, the game isn’t particularly breathtaking; it seems to be on par with other top-tier games in 2024. To be fair, this might not seem as impressive after playing Alan Wake 2, especially considering the brightly lit cityscapes of Outlaws. I must admit that the lighting left me underwhelmed, but Ubisoft has acknowledged this as an issue with the pre-release build, so it may well be addressed by the time you get to play the game.

1. The tune is an enjoyable twist on the classic Star Wars melody, setting the perfect mood for a robbery, but the tunes in the dives weren’t quite up to par. They lacked standout tracks, unlike Survivor’s, which had me seeking tips to unlock additional songs at the jukebox.

Star Wars Outlaws: Verdict

I thoroughly enjoyed navigating the main storyline of Star Wars Outlaws and found many of the side missions intriguing when I needed a break. The gameplay wasn’t particularly exceptional, but the characters and factions kept me engaged enough to move the narrative forward. Its open world complements the story well, though it’s no Los Santos in space; still, it ranks as the most memorable open world from any Star Wars game I’ve played.

8.2/10

2024-08-26 15:10