Star Wars Outlaws review – Simple Gameplay, Grand Experience

Star Wars Outlaws review – Simple Gameplay, Grand Experience

Soeren Kamper Star Wars: Outlaws

Ah, Star Wars: Outlaws. The name alone evokes a flurry of emotions for any fan of that galaxy far, far away. It’s the latest offering from Massive Entertainment, and let me tell you—people are all over the place with their opinions. You’ve probably seen a slew of reviews out there, dissecting the game like it’s a fresh specimen under a microscope, pointing out the simplicity of its gameplay as though it were the mark of the Sith. But here I am, sitting comfortably in my speeder bike, to tell you that while those criticisms aren’t entirely wrong, they might be missing the bigger picture.

The Good, The Bad, and the Imperials

The Good, The Bad, and the Imperials

So, what’s the deal with Star Wars: Outlaws? Imagine walking into a Star Wars-themed restaurant. The menu looks good, the decor is on point, and you’re humming the Imperial March in your head. But then, the waiter comes over and serves you a basic burger and fries. Tasty? Yes. Gourmet? Not exactly. That’s kind of what playing this game feels like. It’s not going to revolutionize your gaming palate, but you know what? That burger hits the spot.

Massive Entertainment’s take on the Star Wars universe isn’t out to break new ground. Instead, it serves up a pretty straightforward gaming experience wrapped in the warm, comforting embrace of Star Wars aesthetics. You might think, “Isn’t that just a lazy cop-out?” Maybe. But hey, sometimes a lazy day on Tatooine beats a stressful mission on Mustafar, am I right?

The Gameplay Loop: Rinse, Repeat, Rebel

The Gameplay Loop: Rinse, Repeat, Rebel

Now, I won’t try to convince you that the gameplay loop in Outlaws is anything but simple. It’s as if they took a look at what works in open-world games—exploration, missions, resource gathering—and went, “Yeah, that’ll do.” And it does. You’ll find yourself engaging with various criminal syndicates, completing missions that range from infiltrating Imperial bases to rescuing innocent farmers from debt collectors. It’s classic Star Wars stuff, with a side of “been there, done that.

Yet, the magic of Outlaws lies in the details. Picture yourself flying across vast desert landscapes on your speeder, or negotiating with shady syndicate leaders, all while the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber igniting echoes in your ears. The simplicity of the gameplay is balanced by the sheer depth of the world around you. It’s the kind of immersive experience that pulls you in, even when the mechanics themselves feel a bit dated.

Meet Kay Vess: Your New Favorite Scoundrel

Let’s talk about the protagonist, Kay Vess. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to mix a little bit of Han Solo with Rey, sprinkle in some street smarts, and top it all off with a heap of charm, then Kay’s your girl. She’s a survivor from Canto Bight, who’s seen more than her fair share of shady deals gone wrong. Her journey isn’t just about staying alive; it’s about finding a place in a galaxy that often feels indifferent to her struggles.

Kay’s story unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing. Sure, there’s a “Golden Path” you can follow, but the game doesn’t make it easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Instead, you’re left navigating a web of syndicate loyalties, where every decision can shift your standing with the various factions. This Reputation system adds a layer of strategy to your actions, forcing you to consider whether you want to be a loyal ally or an opportunistic double-crosser. And let’s face it, who hasn’t fantasized about being a roguish scoundrel in the Star Wars universe?

The Infamous Stealth Sections: A Love-Hate Relationship

The Infamous Stealth Sections: A Love-Hate Relationship

If there’s one aspect of Outlaws that’s likely to have you pulling your hair out faster than a Wookiee on a bad day, it’s the stealth sections. Remember those instant-fail stealth missions from games of yore? Well, they’re back, and they’re just as frustrating as you remember. Get spotted, and it’s game over, reputation dinged, and mission failed. It’s as if the developers decided to dust off an old torture device and dress it up in shiny Star Wars packaging.

But hey, not everything in life is easy—just ask anyone who’s tried to escape a Death Star. When you’re not sneaking around like a budget version of Splinter Cell, the game switches gears to classic Star Wars action. Think J.J. Abrams lens flares, blaster bolts whizzing by, and that oh-so-familiar score swelling in the background. It’s enough to make you forgive the occasional faceplant in the stealth department—almost.

Combat: Blasting Away the Criticism

Combat: Blasting Away the Criticism

Speaking of action, let’s dive into the combat. If you’ve played a third-person shooter in the last decade, you’ll know what to expect here. The cover-based shootouts are nothing groundbreaking, but they get the job done. You can tweak your blaster, swap out mods to suit different situations, and there’s even a Deadeye-like mechanic for those who fancy themselves sharpshooters. But let’s be real—it’s the Star Wars veneer that makes it work.

There’s something undeniably satisfying about taking on waves of Stormtroopers, even if the gameplay feels a tad old-school. It’s like watching a classic Star Wars movie: you know what’s coming, but that doesn’t make the experience any less enjoyable. The game nails the atmosphere, and that’s half the battle won.

Exploration: From the Speeder to the Stars

Exploration: From the Speeder to the Stars

Navigating the world of Outlaws is a mixed bag. On foot, Kay moves with a satisfying sense of weight and momentum. On her speeder, she zips across the landscape with the wind in her hair—well, metaphorically speaking, because hair physics aren’t quite there yet. And then there’s the space travel. If the ground-based exploration is a gourmet meal, the space segments are more like a quick snack: satisfying in the moment but ultimately forgettable.

Flying through asteroid fields, dogfighting with TIE Fighters—it’s all here, but it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other space sims. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but it’s clear that the developers didn’t pour as much love into these sections as they did into the game’s core. Still, it’s a necessary evil to get from one story beat to the next, and for the most part, it does the trick.

Polishing the Holocron: The Game’s Rough Edges

Polishing the Holocron: The Game’s Rough Edges

If there’s one thing that holds Outlaws back from greatness, it’s the lack of polish. For a game that had such a long development cycle, it’s surprising how many rough edges there are. The animations can be stiff, the physics are wonky at times, and the overall fit and finish leave something to be desired. It’s like buying a brand-new lightsaber, only to find out the blade is a little crooked. Not a deal-breaker, but it makes you wonder what could have been.

That said, there’s a silver lining. The game includes a Quality Mode that bumps up the visuals to a more respectable level. You get a solid 40fps, with better lighting, more detailed environments, and an overall boost in presentation. It’s not quite the eye candy of Uncharted or The Witcher 3, but it’s enough to make those Star Wars vistas pop.

The Final Verdict: Is Star Wars: Outlaws Worth Your Time?

The Final Verdict: Is Star Wars: Outlaws Worth Your Time?

So, where does that leave us? Star Wars: Outlaws is a game that knows its audience. It’s not here to reinvent the wheel or to challenge your perception of what a Star Wars game can be. Instead, it delivers a familiar, enjoyable experience wrapped in the trappings of one of the most beloved franchises in the galaxy.

If you’re looking for deep, innovative gameplay, this might not be the game for you. But if you’re after a solid Star Wars adventure that lets you live out your scoundrel fantasies, then Outlaws is worth your time. The atmosphere, the story, the sheer Star Wars-ness of it all—it’s enough to make you forgive the game’s more outdated elements.

In the end, Star Wars: Outlaws is like that one friend who’s always late to the party but shows up with a smile and a bag of your favorite snacks. You know they’re not perfect, but they’re still a blast to hang out with. So, grab your blaster, hop on your speeder, and get ready to explore a galaxy that might not be groundbreaking, but is undeniably Star Wars. And really, isn’t that what we all signed up for?

Rating: 8/10

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