In the expansive galaxy of Star Wars, some of the most compelling characters are neither Jedi nor Sith, but rather those who walk the shadowy line between hero and scoundrel. Two characters who epitomize this roguish charm are Kay Vess, the protagonist of Star Wars: Outlaws, and Atton Rand from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords. While they both operate in the fringes of galactic society, their stories, motivations, and roles within the Star Wars universe provide unique perspectives on survival and morality. In this comparison, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between these two fascinating characters, examining how they navigate the galaxy’s underworld, interact with those around them, and ultimately find their place in the larger Star Wars narrative. Kay Vess: The Clever Survivor Kay Vess is the protagonist of Star Wars: Outlaws, a new action-adventure game set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. She’s not a Jedi, a Sith, or even a Rebel fighter—Kay is a scoundrel, making her way through the galaxy’s criminal underworld. Her journey is one of survival, as she navigates the dangerous landscape of bounty hunters, crime syndicates, and the ever-present threat of the Galactic Empire. Kay’s charm comes from her street-smarts and her ability to think on her feet. She’s resourceful, quick-witted, and always looking for the next opportunity to get ahead. Kay is joined by her trusty alien companion, Nix, who helps her in tight situations, adding a dynamic element to her gameplay and story. Together, they take on risky jobs, often for shady employers, as Kay tries to secure her freedom in a galaxy that doesn’t care much for the survival of individuals like her. Key Traits of Kay Vess: Survival Focused: Kay is driven by the need to stay alive and stay free. She’s not interested in being a hero; she’s out for herself, at least initially. Cunning and Resourceful: Kay’s greatest strength is her ability to outthink her opponents, often using her environment and quick thinking to escape danger. Neutral Alignment: Kay isn’t aligned with the Empire or the Rebellion, preferring to stay on the sidelines of the larger galactic conflict. Her decisions are guided by self-preservation rather than ideology. Atton Rand: The Hidden Past Atton Rand, a main companion character from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, is similarly roguish but carries a more complex and tragic backstory. At first glance, Atton appears to be a cocky pilot with a devil-may-care attitude, much like Han Solo. He’s recruited by the Exile (the player’s character) early in the game and quickly becomes a valuable member of the crew, providing transportation and witty banter along the way. However, as the story unfolds, Atton’s past is revealed to be far darker than it initially seems. He was once a soldier in the Republic, later becoming an assassin for the Sith, tasked with hunting down Jedi during the Jedi Civil War. Atton’s experiences in the war and his role in the Jedi purge haunt him, and his outward bravado hides deep guilt and inner turmoil. Key Traits of Atton Rand: Complicated Backstory: Atton’s history as a Jedi hunter and his guilt over his past actions make him a deeply layered character. His lighthearted demeanor is a mask for his inner pain. Jaded Survivor: Like Kay, Atton is a survivor, but his story is defined by regret and redemption rather than simply staying alive. He’s trying to atone for his past, even if he won’t admit it openly. Witty and Guarded: Atton uses humor and sarcasm as a defense mechanism, deflecting serious conversations about his past with snarky comments. He’s charming but reluctant to let anyone get too close. Comparing Their Motivations Both Kay Vess and Atton Rand are characters shaped by their need to survive in a hostile galaxy, but their motivations differ significantly. Kay Vess: Survival Above All Else For Kay, the galaxy is a dangerous place, and survival is her number one priority. Her motivations are primarily driven by self-preservation and the desire to carve out a life free from the oppressive forces around her. She’s not motivated by ideals like freedom or justice—at least not at the beginning of her story. Kay’s character represents the everyday person in the Star Wars galaxy, someone just trying to get by without being caught up in the grand battles between the Empire and the Rebellion. Her neutrality makes her a refreshing character in the Star Wars universe. While many Star Wars protagonists are thrust into galaxy-defining conflicts, Kay tries to stay out of them, focusing instead on making a living in the criminal underworld. This makes her story relatable for players who might be tired of the traditional hero-versus-villain narrative. Atton Rand: Guilt and Redemption Atton, on the other hand, is a character driven by guilt. His time as a Sith assassin and the atrocities he committed weigh heavily on him, even though he tries to hide it behind a veneer of humor and cynicism. His journey in KOTOR II is one of redemption, though he’s reluctant to confront his past openly. The Exile helps Atton come to terms with his actions, and depending on the player’s choices, he can either find redemption or fall deeper into his self-loathing. Unlike Kay, who starts with more neutral motivations, Atton’s story is deeply tied to the Light and Dark Side themes of Star Wars. His character arc is about reconciling his dark past with his desire to be a better person, making him a more traditional redemption-seeking character. Combat and Gameplay: Stealth vs. Skills Kay Vess: Stealth and Strategy In Star Wars: Outlaws, Kay’s gameplay revolves around stealth, quick thinking, and creative solutions. She’s not a warrior or a Force user, so she relies on her wits and resourcefulness to get out of tight spots. Players will use Kay’s companion Nix to create distractions and sabotage enemies, allowing Kay to escape or complete her objectives without getting caught in a firefight. This approach to combat aligns with Kay’s character as someone who survives by being clever rather than powerful. It also provides players with a more strategic style of gameplay, where brute force isn’t always the best option. Atton Rand: Versatile Combatant Atton, being a former soldier and assassin, is skilled in both ranged and melee combat. As a companion character, he can be customized to use a variety of weapons, from blasters to lightsabers, depending on how the player develops him. In terms of gameplay, Atton is more versatile than Kay, offering players multiple combat options, including ranged support and stealth. Atton’s combat abilities reflect his past as a trained killer, but his character arc makes it clear that he’s not proud of these skills. While Kay embraces her role as a scoundrel, Atton is more conflicted about his abilities and their place in his future. Their Place in the Star Wars Universe Both Kay Vess and Atton Rand occupy interesting roles in the Star Wars universe, existing on the fringes of the major conflicts while still having significant personal stories. Kay’s journey in Star Wars: Outlaws offers players a look at life in the criminal underworld, where survival is more important than choosing a side in the galactic war. Her story is personal and grounded, providing a unique perspective on what it means to be a scoundrel in the Star Wars galaxy. Atton, while initially presented as a scoundrel, is more deeply connected to the broader Star Wars narrative, with his past as a Sith assassin tying him directly to the themes of the Light and Dark Side. His journey of redemption gives him a more traditional hero arc, even if he starts from a place of guilt and self-loathing. Conclusion: Two Survivors, Two Different Paths In comparing Kay Vess and Atton Rand, we see two characters who have both learned to survive in a galaxy filled with danger. However, their stories diverge in important ways. Kay’s tale in Star Wars: Outlaws is one of cunning and survival, where her primary goal is to stay free and alive. Atton’s story in KOTOR II, on the other hand, is one of redemption and dealing with the consequences of a dark past. Both characters bring a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe, offering players the chance to experience life as a scoundrel, but with very different emotional journeys. Whether you prefer Kay’s clever escapades or Atton’s search for redemption, both characters prove that you don’t need to be a Jedi or Sith to have a compelling story in the galaxy far, far away.

Comparing Star Wars: Outlaws’ Kay Vess to Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II’s Atton Rand

Soeren Kamper Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Outlaws

In the expansive galaxy of Star Wars, some of the most compelling characters are neither Jedi nor Sith, but rather those who walk the shadowy line between hero and scoundrel. Two characters who epitomize this roguish charm are Kay Vess, the protagonist of Star Wars: Outlaws, and Atton Rand from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords. While they both operate in the fringes of galactic society, their stories, motivations, and roles within the Star Wars universe provide unique perspectives on survival and morality.

In this comparison, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between these two fascinating characters, examining how they navigate the galaxy’s underworld, interact with those around them, and ultimately find their place in the larger Star Wars narrative.

Kay Vess: The Clever Survivor

Kay Vess is the protagonist of Star Wars: Outlaws, a new action-adventure game set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. She’s not a Jedi, a Sith, or even a Rebel fighter—Kay is a scoundrel, making her way through the galaxy’s criminal underworld. Her journey is one of survival, as she navigates the dangerous landscape of bounty hunters, crime syndicates, and the ever-present threat of the Galactic Empire.

Kay’s charm comes from her street-smarts and her ability to think on her feet. She’s resourceful, quick-witted, and always looking for the next opportunity to get ahead. Kay is joined by her trusty alien companion, Nix, who helps her in tight situations, adding a dynamic element to her gameplay and story. Together, they take on risky jobs, often for shady employers, as Kay tries to secure her freedom in a galaxy that doesn’t care much for the survival of individuals like her.

Key Traits of Kay Vess:

  • Survival Focused: Kay is driven by the need to stay alive and stay free. She’s not interested in being a hero; she’s out for herself, at least initially.
  • Cunning and Resourceful: Kay’s greatest strength is her ability to outthink her opponents, often using her environment and quick thinking to escape danger.
  • Neutral Alignment: Kay isn’t aligned with the Empire or the Rebellion, preferring to stay on the sidelines of the larger galactic conflict. Her decisions are guided by self-preservation rather than ideology.

Atton Rand: The Hidden Past

Atton Rand, a main companion character from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords, is similarly roguish but carries a more complex and tragic backstory. At first glance, Atton appears to be a cocky pilot with a devil-may-care attitude, much like Han Solo. He’s recruited by the Exile (the player’s character) early in the game and quickly becomes a valuable member of the crew, providing transportation and witty banter along the way.

However, as the story unfolds, Atton’s past is revealed to be far darker than it initially seems. He was once a soldier in the Republic, later becoming an assassin for the Sith, tasked with hunting down Jedi during the Jedi Civil War. Atton’s experiences in the war and his role in the Jedi purge haunt him, and his outward bravado hides deep guilt and inner turmoil.

Key Traits of Atton Rand:

  • Complicated Backstory: Atton’s history as a Jedi hunter and his guilt over his past actions make him a deeply layered character. His lighthearted demeanor is a mask for his inner pain.
  • Jaded Survivor: Like Kay, Atton is a survivor, but his story is defined by regret and redemption rather than simply staying alive. He’s trying to atone for his past, even if he won’t admit it openly.
  • Witty and Guarded: Atton uses humor and sarcasm as a defense mechanism, deflecting serious conversations about his past with snarky comments. He’s charming but reluctant to let anyone get too close.

Comparing Their Motivations

Both Kay Vess and Atton Rand are characters shaped by their need to survive in a hostile galaxy, but their motivations differ significantly.

Kay Vess: Survival Above All Else

For Kay, the galaxy is a dangerous place, and survival is her number one priority. Her motivations are primarily driven by self-preservation and the desire to carve out a life free from the oppressive forces around her. She’s not motivated by ideals like freedom or justice—at least not at the beginning of her story. Kay’s character represents the everyday person in the Star Wars galaxy, someone just trying to get by without being caught up in the grand battles between the Empire and the Rebellion.

Her neutrality makes her a refreshing character in the Star Wars universe. While many Star Wars protagonists are thrust into galaxy-defining conflicts, Kay tries to stay out of them, focusing instead on making a living in the criminal underworld. This makes her story relatable for players who might be tired of the traditional hero-versus-villain narrative.

Atton Rand: Guilt and Redemption

Atton, on the other hand, is a character driven by guilt. His time as a Sith assassin and the atrocities he committed weigh heavily on him, even though he tries to hide it behind a veneer of humor and cynicism. His journey in KOTOR II is one of redemption, though he’s reluctant to confront his past openly. The Exile helps Atton come to terms with his actions, and depending on the player’s choices, he can either find redemption or fall deeper into his self-loathing.

Unlike Kay, who starts with more neutral motivations, Atton’s story is deeply tied to the Light and Dark Side themes of Star Wars. His character arc is about reconciling his dark past with his desire to be a better person, making him a more traditional redemption-seeking character.

Combat and Gameplay: Stealth vs. Skills

Kay Vess: Stealth and Strategy

In Star Wars: Outlaws, Kay’s gameplay revolves around stealth, quick thinking, and creative solutions. She’s not a warrior or a Force user, so she relies on her wits and resourcefulness to get out of tight spots. Players will use Kay’s companion Nix to create distractions and sabotage enemies, allowing Kay to escape or complete her objectives without getting caught in a firefight.

This approach to combat aligns with Kay’s character as someone who survives by being clever rather than powerful. It also provides players with a more strategic style of gameplay, where brute force isn’t always the best option.

Atton Rand: Versatile Combatant

Atton, being a former soldier and assassin, is skilled in both ranged and melee combat. As a companion character, he can be customized to use a variety of weapons, from blasters to lightsabers, depending on how the player develops him. In terms of gameplay, Atton is more versatile than Kay, offering players multiple combat options, including ranged support and stealth.

Atton’s combat abilities reflect his past as a trained killer, but his character arc makes it clear that he’s not proud of these skills. While Kay embraces her role as a scoundrel, Atton is more conflicted about his abilities and their place in his future.

Their Place in the Star Wars Universe

Both Kay Vess and Atton Rand occupy interesting roles in the Star Wars universe, existing on the fringes of the major conflicts while still having significant personal stories.

Kay’s journey in Star Wars: Outlaws offers players a look at life in the criminal underworld, where survival is more important than choosing a side in the galactic war. Her story is personal and grounded, providing a unique perspective on what it means to be a scoundrel in the Star Wars galaxy.

Atton, while initially presented as a scoundrel, is more deeply connected to the broader Star Wars narrative, with his past as a Sith assassin tying him directly to the themes of the Light and Dark Side. His journey of redemption gives him a more traditional hero arc, even if he starts from a place of guilt and self-loathing.

Conclusion: Two Survivors, Two Different Paths

In comparing Kay Vess and Atton Rand, we see two characters who have both learned to survive in a galaxy filled with danger. However, their stories diverge in important ways. Kay’s tale in Star Wars: Outlaws is one of cunning and survival, where her primary goal is to stay free and alive. Atton’s story in KOTOR II, on the other hand, is one of redemption and dealing with the consequences of a dark past.

Both characters bring a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe, offering players the chance to experience life as a scoundrel, but with very different emotional journeys. Whether you prefer Kay’s clever escapades or Atton’s search for redemption, both characters prove that you don’t need to be a Jedi or Sith to have a compelling story in the galaxy far, far away.