Star Wars: Outlaws (PS5) review: The galaxy from far, far away, has arrived

Note: This review was first published on 28 August 2024.

Star Wars: Outlaws attempts to breathe new life into the galaxy we thought we knew so well, with publisher Ubisoft and developer Massive Entertainment collaborating to craft a world that’s both familiar and intriguingly fresh. From the first step onto the dusty streets of Tatooine or the frosty alleys of Kijimi, there’s a sense of discovery that goes beyond mere objectives. Instead of chasing icons on a map, I found myself wandering through backwater towns and criminal hideouts, driven by nothing more than curiosity. The immersion was immediate, as I stumbled into unexpected conversations and missions, creating a story that felt personal.

Ubisoft has gone for a more tailored experience here, moving away from its usual open-world formula of checklist-driven exploration. While the DNA of its other open-world franchises like Watch Dogs and Assassin’s Creed is still present, Outlaws feels more refined, aiming to offer a narrative and gameplay style that fits the universe. Kay Vess, the new protagonist, is far from a Jedi or a Sith, and her character brings a different kind of energy to the Star Wars narrative – more rogue than hero, more scoundrel than soldier. Just like another scoundrel that we all know and love from the same far, far away galaxy. However, the game struggles initially to make Kay someone we can connect with deeply, leaving her motivations feeling a bit shallow until much later.

As the game opens with Kay on Canto Bight (introduced in the divisive The Last Jedi movie), a glitzy casino world known for its indulgence and excess, players are rushed through the opening hours with the game eager to hand you a ship and set you loose into the wider galaxy. This rush has the unwanted effect of leaving a bit of a narrative gap; we know Kay is looking for a big score to change her fate, but we don’t really get to see why we should care about her ambitions or her history. The lack of depth in the beginning makes it hard to fully invest in her journey from the outset.

However, once you get past this initial hurdle, the game starts to find its rhythm. The criminal syndicates – the Pykes, Crimson Dawn, Hutts and the Ashiga Clan – are woven into nearly every aspect of the game, providing the framework for most of the missions and side stories. It’s here that Outlaws starts to shine, with a dynamic reputation system that changes depending on your alliances and actions. You might find yourself doing a job for one faction, only to switch sides halfway through if a better offer comes along. This constant negotiation and shifting loyalty add a layer of tension and intrigue that keeps the experience engaging – and replayability too.

The gameplay mechanics borrow from several familiar sources. There are echoes of the underrated Watch Dogs 2 in the way you sneak and hack your way through enemy territory, while the platforming elements feel like a nod to the Uncharted series. Kay is a scrappy fighter – armed with a blaster and not afraid to use her fists – but combat can feel a bit simplistic. Most enemies don’t require much strategy to defeat, and while the skirmishes are fun, they don’t always challenge you to think beyond the basics.

Kay’s companion, Nix, adds a charming twist to the gameplay. More than just a cute sidekick, Nix is essential in both combat and exploration. He can be directed to distract enemies, retrieve items, or even help solve environmental puzzles, which makes him more than just a fluffy mascot. There's a particular mission where Nix gets taken away, and his absence genuinely shifts how you approach the game, highlighting just how integral he is to the overall experience. However, like many elements in Outlaws, his story involvement feels slightly undercooked, lacking the emotional impact it could have had.

Other characters, such as ND-5, a mercenary droid with a unique personality, bring colour and life to the game, but they suffer from the same lack of narrative build-up. There are moments that hint at deeper stories or more significant arcs, but they often feel cut short or left unexplored. It’s a pity because the setting and concept have so much potential, and the game manages to get the atmosphere of the Star Wars underworld just right.

The planets you explore each offer their own unique flavours. Tatooine is given new life, with its sprawling dunes and lively settlements. Kijimi, on the other hand, provides a denser, more urban experience, with its labyrinthine streets and snow-covered rooftops. The variety keeps things fresh, and exploring these worlds on Kay’s Speeder – which becomes quite versatile later on with upgrades – adds a layer of excitement to the traversal.

As a Star Wars fan myself, I found Outlaws swinging between moments of brilliance and frustrating shortcomings. There are times when you’ll find yourself completely engrossed, uncovering the secrets of a vast imperial outpost or fine-tuning Kay’s abilities through meaningful exploration. But there are also moments where the lack of polish and the underdeveloped main narrative detract from the overall experience. It’s a game that feels like it's on the cusp of something great, trying to chart a new course in the Star Wars universe but not quite hitting every mark.

But for all its flaws, Star Wars: Outlaws is a brave attempt to do something different with the Star Wars franchise. In fact, it’s strange that no video games have done an open-world like Outlaws before (the MMORPG don’t count) and for that, Ubisoft deserves huge credits. There’s enough here to keep players (and more importantly, fans) engaged, and perhaps, with a bit more time and refinement, Ubisoft could have delivered a truly unforgettable adventure.

Star Wars: Outlaws will be available from 30 August onwards on PlayStation 5 (reviewed here), Xbox Series X|S and PC. The game is available in Standard, Gold and Ultimate editions. You can order your copy here

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