August 26th 2024.
GameCentral recently reviewed Ubisoft's newest open world game, Star Wars Outlaws, and we must say, it's got everything you could want in a game. As fans of the Star Wars franchise, we've been waiting for a game that takes us into the gritty, underground world of the galaxy far, far away. And let us tell you, this game does not disappoint.
Star Wars has been a huge influence on the gaming industry since its early days, and while there have been some mediocre cash grabs along the way, there have also been some groundbreaking titles that have become classics in their own right. Star Wars Outlaws falls into the latter category, with its captivating storyline and immersive gameplay.
But like all licensed games, your experience playing Outlaws will heavily depend on your feelings towards the original property. And with the current state of the Star Wars shows and films, it's no surprise that some fans may be hesitant. However, we can confidently say that this game is a dream come true for those of us who have always wanted to be Han Solo. And it's not just because of the brief cameo of Han frozen in carbonite on Jabba the Hutt's wall.
In Outlaws, you play as Kay Vess, a thief who is always on the lookout for her next big score. With her trusty pet Nix by her side, she'll steal anything that's not nailed down. But don't let her thieving ways fool you, she's got a heart of gold and will only steal from other criminals. That is, until she finds herself on the wrong side of a new crime boss and has to go on the run with a stolen spaceship.
Kay's ultimate goal is to pull off a heist big enough to retire on, but in the meantime, she's taking on any job she can get. And let us tell you, there's no shortage of work in the Star Wars universe. With four criminal cartels to choose from and a variety of missions, from breaking and entering to interstellar smuggling, there's always something to do in this game.
But don't worry, it's not a 100+ hour game like many other open world games on the market. With no true role-playing elements, you could focus solely on the story missions and still have a satisfying 30-hour experience. However, with the vast array of options and side quests available, you'll want to explore everything the game has to offer.
And speaking of exploration, the game features multiple planets to visit, each with their own open world environment. From the intricate world of Toshara with its extreme winds and unique landscape, to the overused but still interesting setting of Tatooine, there's plenty to discover in this game.
The story missions revolve around recruiting a team for Kay's ultimate heist, which adds a personal touch to the game. Each recruit comes with their own set of skills and personal struggles, making for a diverse and interesting crew. And while the script may not be groundbreaking, the storytelling is effective and keeps the game moving at a steady pace.
However, we do have a few nitpicks as die-hard Star Wars fans. For one, the use of official sound effects and alien languages felt lacking. The AT-ST walker's animation and sound effects were disappointing, and many of the aliens in the game just speak English, which goes against the original trilogy where they were shown speaking their own languages. Additionally, the lack of variety in alien species was noticeable, especially in iconic locations like the Mos Eisley cantina and Jabba's palace.
But despite these small issues, Star Wars Outlaws is a must-play for any fan of the franchise. It's a perfect combination of the beloved Star Wars universe and the immersive open world gameplay that Ubisoft is known for. So grab your blaster and get ready to join Kay Vess on her journey through the dark underbelly of the galaxy. May the Force be with you.
GameCentral recently reviewed Ubisoft's latest open world game, Star Wars Outlaws, taking players on a journey into the dark underworld of the beloved Star Wars universe. This franchise has been a staple in the world of gaming for many years, with its influence only second to that of The Lord of the Rings and Dungeons & Dragons. In its early days, Star Wars games were more than just simple cash grabs, with titles like Rebel Assault and Knights of the Old Republic being recognized as important milestones in their own right.
Of course, as with any licensed game, one's reaction to Star Wars Outlaws will greatly depend on their feelings towards the original property. This definitely poses a bit of a dilemma for most Star Wars fans, given the current state of the shows and films. However, we have always dreamt of a Han Solo simulator and this game comes pretty close to fulfilling that dream. But let's not forget, it is also an Ubisoft open world game, and that comes with its own set of expectations.
To our delight, Han Solo does make a brief appearance in the game, frozen in carbonite and hanging on the wall of Jabba the Hutt's palace. But the real star of the game is down-on-her-luck thief Kay Vess, a self-proclaimed "scoundrel". Together with her pet Nix, who looks like a giant axolotl and fills the role of Chewbacca in their partnership, Kay will steal anything that's not nailed down. And while she may target other criminals, she's not exactly known for her altruistic actions.
The game starts off with Kay on the run after getting a death mark from a new crime boss. She manages to escape with a stolen spaceship and sets her sights on a heist big enough to retire on. But before she can achieve her goal, she must complete various jobs for the four criminal cartels in the galaxy, constantly navigating the ever-shifting landscape of trust and betrayal.
Before the release, developer Massive Entertainment (known for The Division) made it clear that this was not going to be a bloated 100+ hour game. And while that may be true, there is still plenty to do in the game. With no true role-playing elements, one could focus solely on the main story missions and complete the game in around 30 hours. However, with so many side quests and activities available, it would be a shame to not explore all that the game has to offer.
The game presents players with a variety of options for making money and building their reputation in the criminal underworld. These options are presented in a very organic way, with different levels of missions ranging from bespoke story missions to random events. And while there may be a fair share of fetch quests, players can also engage in activities such as breaking and entering or interstellar smuggling.
Missions can be obtained from brokers working for the cartels, or by simply eavesdropping on conversations in bars. The variety of quests is impressive, although some may devolve into the familiar "go here and shoot people" format. It's worth mentioning that the lockpicking and hacking mini-games leave much to be desired, but luckily they can be turned off in the options menu.
As players progress through the game, the list of available quests becomes quite lengthy. This may seem overwhelming, but the natural progression is to focus more on the main story missions, which offer a nice change of pace. The game features multiple planets to explore, with each one offering its own unique open world environment. From the intricate and interesting world of Toshara to the overused but well-executed mission on Tatooine, players will have plenty to keep them busy.
The story missions revolve around recruiting a team of specialists for the ultimate heist. Each member of your crew is damaged in some way, struggling with issues of self-worth, regret, or trust. While the script may not be the game's strongest point, the storytelling is effective and keeps the pace of the game moving along.
It's worth pointing out that not all of the characters are likeable, and some may even be considered annoying (looking at you, ND-5). However, there are some interesting characters to be found, such as the bounty hunter Vail, whose story takes some unexpected turns. As for our protagonist, Kay is brought to life with solid voice acting, but her poor facial animation and questionable haircut hold her back visually.
While it may seem nitpicky, as a Star Wars fan, there were a few things that bothered us about the game. The first being the poor use of official sound effects. The familiar sounds of AT-ST walkers and speeder bikes are not captured accurately, and Kay's punches lack the iconic snap found in the films. Additionally, the portrayal of aliens feels off, with many characters speaking English despite never doing so in the original trilogy.
Another issue is the lack of variety among alien species, with most of them being nothing more than a simple mask. This is odd, considering the limitless possibilities that video games offer. The lack of variety is especially evident in popular locations like the Mos Eisley cantina and Jabba's palace, where almost everyone is either human or human with a creature mask.
Despite these minor flaws, Star Wars Outlaws is an enjoyable and well-crafted game that will keep players entertained for hours. It may not be a perfect Star Wars experience, but it's pretty close. And for those who have been craving a Han Solo-esque adventure, this game is the closest we've come so far. May the Force be with you as you embark on your journey into the dark underbelly of the Star Wars universe.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
