Star Wars Outlaws Review: The Hits and Misses of a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars Outlaws attempts to deliver an engaging action-adventure experience set in the beloved Star Wars universe, but it often struggles to hit the mark. With moments of brilliance that capture the essence of living in a galaxy far, far away, it also suffers from narrative shortcomings and lackluster gameplay elements.
A Glimpse Into Star Wars Street Life
One of the game's standout features is its exploration of the Star Wars universe beyond the usual epic battles and Jedi confrontations. Moments like Kay and her companion Nix digging into a bizarre fruit on Akiva, filled with flies that Nix happily devours, or gobbling down roasted street corn on Toshara, offer a refreshing glimpse into the everyday life of Star Wars’ diverse cultures. These moments, filled with love and a sense of discovery, make the game feel alive and relatable, even to those outside the world of galactic warfare.
However, these rich slices of life are few and far between, lost amidst a sea of uninspired storytelling and unsatisfying gameplay mechanics. Star Wars Outlaws excels at creating a vivid sense of place but fails to maintain that momentum throughout the game.
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A Bland Protagonist in a Familiar Universe
Players take on the role of Kay Vess, a young mercenary turned outlaw after a botched job leaves her with a death mark. The narrative attempts to paint Kay as a complex character grappling with her aimless future, but it falls flat. Kay is yet another human protagonist in a universe that often relies heavily on them, and she lacks any compelling motivations or aspirations. The game repeatedly reminds players that Kay has no clear goals, and this lack of direction makes her hard to relate to.
Worse, Kay's character arc feels disjointed, with abrupt moments of supposed growth that lack the necessary buildup to feel satisfying or meaningful. Even by the end of the 30-hour campaign, Kay doesn’t appear to have undergone significant personal development. She remains much the same as she was at the beginning, which makes her story feel like a series of empty beats with little payoff.
The supporting cast does little to elevate the narrative. ND-5, a BX-series droid commando, stands out as a character with potential, but the rushed writing fails to develop his relationship with Kay in a meaningful way. The game hints at intriguing storylines, like a potential horror twist, but never fully commits to them, resulting in a narrative that feels both shallow and unearned.
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A Feast for the Ears, but Little Else
If there is one area where Star Wars Outlaws truly shines, it's in the sound design. The game's musical score and sound effects are exceptional, capturing the quintessential feel of the Star Wars universe. The orchestral swells, the iconic blaster sounds, the hum of speeders, and the atmospheric murmurs all contribute to a deeply immersive experience. The audio truly makes you feel like you're part of the Star Wars universe, rivaling even the best of Respawn's Jedi games.
However, while the game sounds great, it falters in delivering a consistently engaging experience. Star Wars Outlaws presents itself as a blend of heist, stealth, and space combat, but it fails to deliver on most of these fronts. The heist elements are sparse, the stealth mechanics are simplistic and repetitive, and the space combat is underwhelming and largely avoidable.
Missed Opportunities in Gameplay and Choices
Star Wars Outlaws struggles to fulfill the promise of meaningful gameplay choices. The game’s syndicate relationship tracker, which suggests that player decisions will have a significant impact on Kay’s story, ultimately feels hollow. Despite siding with the Crimson Dawn in all situations, the outcomes feel largely predetermined, and the consequences are minimal. Even major decisions, like choosing to betray one faction over another, result in little narrative change or impact, making player choices feel inconsequential.
The gameplay itself is a mixed bag. The combat is competent but unremarkable, with Kay able to switch between different blaster modes and use her companion Nix to fetch weapons mid-fight. The stealth mechanics offer some variety but lack depth, with enemy AI that feels frustratingly dumb and easy to manipulate. The game introduces some interesting challenges in its final hours, but these come too late to make a significant difference in the overall experience.
Exploring the Open Worlds: Hits and Misses
The open-world elements offer some degree of exploration and discovery, with Kay free to traverse various planets on her speeder or ship, the Trailblazer. While the speeder is fun to upgrade and use for zipping through planets, the Trailblazer is less exciting, with clunky handling and tedious space combat sequences. Fortunately, most of these space segments can be skipped, which is a relief given how poorly they are executed.
The planets themselves are beautifully designed, with lush jungles, snowy landscapes, and bustling hubs that showcase the diverse environments of the Star Wars universe. However, the game’s narrative urgency often discourages players from fully exploring these spaces, creating a dissonance between the open-world design and the main story’s pacing.
Conclusion: A Mixed Bag in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars Outlaws has moments of brilliance that capture the magic of the Star Wars universe, particularly in its sound design and the small, everyday moments that showcase the franchise’s diverse cultures. However, these are overshadowed by a lackluster narrative, a bland protagonist, and gameplay mechanics that fail to deliver on their potential.
For fans of the franchise, there is still some fun to be had in exploring the world and enjoying the game's auditory splendor. However, those looking for a deep, meaningful story or rewarding gameplay choices may find Star Wars Outlaws to be a missed opportunity in a galaxy that has offered so much more.