Played on a CLX Gaming PC @4K + Ultra + Full RT + DLSS Quality, PS5 and Xbox Series X on 40fps Mode.
I admit that I went into Star Wars: Outlaws blind – after the first initial trailer, I was eager to see what Massive Entertainment was creating. It teased a Solo-like experience, but open-world set on different planets – I’m in. I mean, an Uncharted experience but set in Star Wars is all I needed to know. I didn’t know what to expect beyond that initial glimpse, however. Fast forward to my 26-hour playthrough, primarily on a CLX-built RTX 4090 PC, and I’m still processing the experience. Massive Entertainment, the folks behind The Division, have stepped up to deliver an open-world action-adventure game that’s both ambitious and breathtakingly beautiful. It’s not an immersive sim like Red Dead Redemption 2 nor an RPG like Cyberpunk 2077—this is a game that that is exactly what I anticipated, an Uncharted Star Wars.
Set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Outlaws follows Kay Vess, an aspiring thief who dreams of a big score to get away from the Galactic War’s chaos. However, as she navigates the seedy underworld and evades both Imperial forces and criminal syndicates, Kay’s journey becomes much more than just a heist. Alongside her trusty companion Nix, she’s set on a path filled with danger, choices, and a hefty Death Mark bounty that could either make or break her. Kay Vess’s story is a classic underdog tale, with plenty of twists and turns. She’s a scoundrel with a heart, much like Han Solo, but with a backstory rooted in survival rather than rebellion. After a heist goes awry, she finds herself marked for death by Sliro, the leader of the underworld syndicate Zerek Besh. After several attempts to survive alone, she is backed in the corner to form a crew and pull off the biggest heist the Galaxy has ever known: re-infiltrate into Sliro’s vault and steal $160 million unmarked credits. This time, prepared.
One of the highlights for me was the game’s choice-based narrative. While it’s not as branching as you might see in some RPGs, the decisions you make do have a tangible impact on your journey. Aligning yourself with certain factions, choosing to double-cross an ally, or opting for a stealthy approach versus an all-out assault—each decision feels weighty and adds a layer of depth to the story. It’s not just about the immediate consequences but the ripple effects these choices have on your standing in the syndicate world. We’re talking like, if you take a job for Jaba the Hutt, it may entail infiltrating a Crimson Dawn territory, planting a bug in an office and escaping unnoticed. If caught, depending on your reputation standing, you’ll either enter a gunfight or simply get kicked out. If your standing is Excellent, you can just waltz right through and plant without anyone batting an eye – in either case it will affect your overall outcome of the job. This is what I mean when I say that your choices carry weight, it’s more aligned with gameplay than overarching story. However, I was surprised by some elements towards the final stretch of the story that I will leave up to the players to find out.
This is an open-world game, and the worlds you explore are, simply put, jaw-dropping. There are five worlds in total, four of which are fully explorable. Each one is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, and it’s clear that Massive Entertainment poured their hearts into these environments. The SnowDrop Engine works wonders here, delivering visuals that are nothing short of spectacular on any console you play on (but especially on a high-end machine). I especially loved the aspect of exploring Star Wars as a normal person walking through the criminal underbelly of places such as the iconic Mos Eisley – aspects like gambling, listening in on conversations for clues on whereabouts and taking jobs from criminals just felt tangible and well done here. Traversing through the bustling streets of Toshara or exploring the wilds filled with ancient ruins and debris from the Galactic War felt rich with detail – we’re talking vertically layered level design across the entire explorable zone. Some metroidvania-esque elements like needing a specific item to proceed is present here, giving you an incentive to come back and explore further – and it keeps on going, it’s actually baffling. By far, I think this is Ubisoft overall best world design in recent memory.
What really impressed me was the seamlessness of it all. You can ride from the heart of a city straight into the untamed wilds without a single loading screen – something so little games do these days (Starfield). The transition from on-foot exploration to space travel is just as smooth. Yes, you can take off and enter orbit in real-time, engage in space battles, and then land back on the planet’s surface without any interruptions – albeit flying from ground to space is a cutscene, but it’s still real-time which I appreciate it. It’s an experience that feels truly next-gen for a game like this, and I found myself just cruising around, soaking in the environments.
The Scoundrel Play
Star Wars Outlaws introduces what Massive Entertainment calls “Scoundrel Gameplay,” and honestly, it’s a fitting description. The game is built around tactical, moment-to-moment decision-making. Combat is tight and responsive, with a focus on using your environment and resources to your advantage. Kay is equipped with a trusty blaster, which can be upgraded and modified throughout the game. You can add better cooling to improve reloading speed or swap out modules for different firing modes, like a stun blast for droids or an explosive shot for groups of enemies. Stealth is also a significant part of the gameplay. Kay can crawl through vents, distract enemies, and perform takedowns. Nix, your adorable yet resourceful companion, plays a crucial role here. You can send Nix to activate switches, set traps, or steal items, adding a layer of strategy to encounters. The stealth mechanics are solid, but there are moments where they feel a bit clunky—more on that later.
Exploration and platforming are key components as well. You’ll be doing a lot of climbing, swinging, and driving off ramps to reach new areas or solve environmental puzzles. The level design, especially in Imperial bases, is top-notch. These bases are multi-layered, with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, and they’re filled with secrets and loot for those willing to search.
This is on top of the reputation system that I mentioned before, which again, was a pleasant surprise for me. Working with different syndicates and brokers, you’ll take on missions that can affect your standing with various factions. Some missions are timed, while others give you only one chance to succeed. Your reputation with one group might take a hit if you betray another, leading to some interesting dilemmas. Do you stay loyal to your current allies, or do you switch sides for a better reward? These choices add a level of replayability and depth that I didn’t expect going in.
Ma Klounkee!
I can’t stress enough how stunning Star Wars Outlaws is. The SnowDrop Engine is put to full use here, delivering some of the most beautiful visuals I’ve seen in a game. The fidelity and attention to detail are nearly unmatched, from the intricate designs of the cities and towns to the vast, open landscapes. Each world has its own distinct aesthetic, making exploration feel fresh and exciting. Mind you, I am playing on an RTX machine, but even with the PS5’s VRR 40fps mode, I was absolutely floored by the level of performance here – I had zero hiccups throughout my playthrough.
What really stood out to me was the level of care put into every aspect of the game’s visual presentation. The cities are bustling with life, with NPCs going about their day, speeders zooming past, and holographic advertisements lighting up the streets. The wilds, on the other hand, are filled with natural beauty—lush forests, sprawling deserts, and ancient ruins, all rendered with stunning detail. On my RTX 4090 PC, the game ran like a dream. Even with all settings maxed out, I experienced smooth gameplay with minimal frame drops. The seamless transitions between different areas—whether on foot, on your speeder, or in space—are a testament to the game’s optimization. Massive Entertainment has set a new bar for themselves.
The Underbelly of the Beast
Sound design in Star Wars Outlaws is, for the most part, exceptional. The game captures the iconic sounds of the Star Wars universe perfectly—from the roar of starships to the blaster fire that echoes through the streets. The music, too, is suitably epic, with sweeping orchestral scores that elevate the tension and drama of key moments. However, I have some reservations about the voice acting, particularly with the protagonist, Kay Vess. While the character herself is well-written, her voice acting didn’t quite hit the mark for me. At times, it felt like the actress was reading lines rather than fully inhabiting the character. This disconnect was especially noticeable during emotional or high-stakes scenes, where the delivery lacked the necessary punch to make the moment truly impactful.
Additionally, the facial animations and lip-syncing were a bit underwhelming. Given the game’s otherwise stellar presentation, these elements felt like a weak link in the chain. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it did pull me out of the experience at times, especially during cutscenes. As much as I enjoyed my time with Star Wars Outlaws, there were a few areas where the game fell short. First and foremost, while the overarching plot is engaging, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other Star Wars stories. I’d compare it to Rogue One in terms of quality—it’s a solid addition to the canon, but it doesn’t quite have the emotional depth or complexity of the mainline films.
The game’s melee combat and stealth mechanics also left something to be desired. While the stealth options are varied, takedowns felt slow and often janky. Melee combat, in particular, lacked impact. Watching Kay haymaker a Stormtrooper and take them out with a single punch felt a bit too game-y, and it broke the immersion for me. It’s clear that the focus was on gunplay, and while that aspect of the gameplay is solid, the melee and stealth mechanics could use some refinement.
Lastly, while the game’s set-piece moments are visually stunning, they didn’t always match the level of excitement or intensity that I expected. Given the scale of the world and the level of detail in the environments, I was hoping for more memorable, jaw-dropping moments in the narrative. Instead, these moments often felt more subdued than they should have been, especially when compared to the spectacle of the environments themselves.
REVIEW SCORE 8.5/10
Star Wars Outlaws is a triumph in many ways. It’s an open-world game that truly captures the essence of the Star Wars universe – and while it doesn’t do everything spectacularly, it does everything well enough to give players and overall fantastic experience. I highly recommend this game to anyone that’s interested in the action-adventure genre, and more so to Star Wars fans that’s looking for a game that respects the source material.
