On Akiva, Kay and Nix encounter a peculiar fruit that releases a swarm of flies when cut open. While unsettling for some, Kay encourages Nix to enjoy the bug-filled treat, marking a stark contrast to the lively food scene on Toshara, where the duo delight in roasted street corn. These moments shed light on a rarely explored element of the Star Wars universe: street food culture. Although Star Wars Outlaws provides a glimpse into everyday life beyond galactic wars, these immersive experiences are too infrequent. Despite being a competent action game, it often disappoints in narrative development and satisfying gameplay choices.
In Outlaws, players step into the shoes of Kay Vess, an ambitious mercenary who becomes an outlaw after a botched job leads to a death mark on her head. To evade her pursuers, Kay must assemble a crew and attempt a heist on a near-impenetrable vault belonging to the individual seeking her demise. Her journey takes her through the Outer Rim alongside Nix, the charming axolotl-like companion. Throughout her adventure, Kay engages with several criminal factions, including the Pyke Syndicate, Crimson Dawn, the Hutt Cartel, and the Ashiga Clan, as well as the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire.
While the game’s premise holds promise, Kay lacks depth as a character. Her aimlessness and lack of personal goals render her unrelatable. As the narrative progresses, the apparent character growth feels unfounded, failing to convince players of any significant transformation by the end of the game. The supporting cast does little to elevate the story, with few memorable characters to enhance Kay’s journey.
The sound design emerges as a standout feature in Outlaws, with an exceptional musical score and immersive sound effects. The orchestral arrangements resonate throughout the game, enhancing moments such as Kay’s first hyperdrive jump into space. However, despite its sonic excellence, the game struggles to deliver on its promises, and many storytelling elements feel unfulfilled.
Outlaws positions itself as various genres—heist, stealth, and action—but fails to consistently deliver. Gameplay mechanics suggest a stealth approach; however, Kay’s combat skills allow players to bypass stealth altogether on lower difficulties. Although stealth encounters can be engaging, the unintelligent enemy AI diminishes the challenge, offering simplistic solutions rather than strategic puzzles.
Towards the end of the story, more challenging scenarios require players to think critically, demonstrating the potential for deeper gameplay. However, the introduction of optional upgrades can quickly diminish this tension, reverting to monotony once unlocked. The absence of a traditional skill tree adds complexity to player progression but may not compensate for the linear narrative structure.
The worlds in Outlaws, while visually appealing, often present a disconnect between the story’s urgency and optional side quests. Although side content can enrich gameplay, the overarching narrative pressures players to rush through missions, leaving much unexplored.
Transportation options, including the less-agile Trailblazer ship, become a point of contention. The speeder bike is thrilling, while space combat feels underwhelming. Fortunately, players can bypass most space encounters, although the decision to make space battles a focal point in the game’s climax undermines its narrative momentum.
In summary, Star Wars Outlaws showcases some brilliant moments and features, yet struggles with an unfocused storyline and unfulfilling gameplay. While it does offer engaging gunslinging and stealth mechanics paired with superb sound design, the overall experience feels too lacking, ultimately missing the mark in delivering a compelling narrative within the expansive Star Wars universe.
