Summary
Star Wars Outlawsis promising a lot, both in terms of narrative and gameplay: third-person shootouts, intense spaceship dogfights, a vast open galaxy for players to explore, a ton of fan service, and a story that tackles the sprawling criminal empires of theStar Warsuniverse. There’s a lotStar Wars Outlawsis trying to balance, but its recentUbisoft Forward gameplay showcasehas done a good job of proving it can handle it all.
The recentStar Wars Outlawsgameplay trailer and breakdown took fans through one of the game’s side missions, where protagonist Kay Vess is on the hunt for a Gunslinger Expert, one of the handful of important NPCs who can give the player specialized upgrades. This hunt took Kay Vess across the galaxy, a journey that saw her get into a dogfight in space, have a conversation with some locals in the Mos Eisley Cantina, stealthily infiltrate a pirate camp, and inevitably get spotted by a guard and be forced to shoot her way out. There was plenty of classicStar Warscharm dotted throughoutStar Wars Outlaws' gameplay breakdown, and there was a subtle but effective detail that made one sequence feel as though it had been ripped right out of the movies.
How Star Wars Outlaws' Approach to Failed Stealth Captures The Scoundrel Experience
Star Wars Outlaws' Stealth Can Easily Go Wrong
The very first gameplay trailer forStar Wars Outlaws– released almost exactly one year ago – emphasized the importance of stealth in the title’s moment-to-moment gameplay. The trailer opened with Kay Vess and her furry alien companion Nix sneaking their way out of aPyke Syndicatebase. After a few moments of sneaking, Kay Vess is spotted, and all hell breaks loose. Kay and Nix make a daring escape, avoiding a hail of blaster fire behind them.
This initial trailer did a pretty good job of convincing fans thatStar Wars Outlawswas going to offer an authenticStar Warsscoundrel experience. It’s a common trope throughouttheStar Warsfranchisethat the scoundrel-type character can never catch a break, that something is always bound to go wrong with even their most carefully-laid plans. And when it does inevitably go wrong, the scoundrel is forced to throw up their hands, make a little quip, and blast their way out of the situation.Star Wars Outlawsseems to be capturing this trope very well.
In themost recentStar Wars Outlawsgameplay trailer, this trope is repeated but given even more bombastic flair. While Kay Vess manages to successfully sneak into the pirate camp and find the datapad she was looking for, she’s immediately spotted by a patrolling guard. In classic scoundrel fashion, Kay Vess utters an exasperated “Oh, come on!” before shooting first, an action that alerts the whole camp. What follows is an intense shootout that sees Kay and Nix manage to narrowly escape on the back of a speeder, living to barter and brawl another day.
Star Wars Outlaws' Upgrades Could Make Failed Stealth Even More Authentic
Throughout her space-faring adventure, Kay Vess will be able to acquire a range of new skills and abilities from the aforementioned Experts she recruits on her journey. One such ability is called “Fast-Talk,” which will give players the opportunity to try and talk their way out of being spotted, increasing the time it takes for the alerted enemy to call in reinforcements. This is a great way to merge gameplay and fan service, with this ability hearkening back toHan Solo’s iconic"We’re all fine here now…how are you?" detention block scene fromA New Hope.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
