But even if the title did not fulfill the launch objectives by unleashing the crowds, it offers a serious and interesting adventure on an all-too-often unexplored part of Star Wars, which is none other than that of the outlaws. -law.
Welcome to the bandits
For big fans of the license, this new story takes place in the Imperial era, between episodes IV and V of the Skywalker cinematic saga.
The player therefore does not embody a Jedi as usual, but rather Kay Vess, a young outlaw, accompanied by her faithful sidekick Nix.
This thief lives in peace thanks to the thefts and the small misdeeds she commits, until the day; trapped, she gets caught up in events by sticking her nose into the affairs of the local underworld.
Absolutely having to flee her planet (Canto Blight), she steals a ship, flies to other horizons and begins her new life as an outlaw… while being sought by Sliro Barsha and the union of crime Zerek Besh.
The player will follow the journey and evolution of Kay and her pet through a criminal journey crisscrossing the galaxy.
The first open-world of video game licensing
“Star Wars Outlaws” is an entirely single-player action-adventure game that takes place in a huge open world currently made up of five vast planets, with very eclectic settings, which respect the lore of the saga. We will still regret the few stars accessible when we know the immensity of the universe of the license.
Furthermore, the environments are magnificent to discover and the general rendering of the game offers total immersion when traveling through the regions of the space opera, whether on foot, in a speeder or aboard the ship during the phases in space .
And despite the fact that the character is an outlaw who must mess with four different factions to try to make a reputation in the community and carry out major projects, the feeling of freedom is indeed there.
Particularly when the player explores an area, decides to change planet and experiences all the stages of this long journey: takeoff, entry into space with navigation and possible confrontations, the passage into hyperspace mode, the arrival at the edge of the new planet, landing… and then continuing his adventure by riding the speeder.
The main quest lacks pace at times, despite numerous twists and turns. There are also numerous side quests, as in all open worlds, which will have you traveling through the different planets in search of various objectives.
The openworld is truly teeming with details and references to the lore of the saga. Don’t hesitate to be curious to discover hidden places and obtain rewards. Fans feel totally immersed in their favorite universe and the side missions allow the budding criminal to gain her stripes. And the most playful can even have fun despoiling their enemies at Sabacc.
“Assassin’s Creed” in space
Being a fan of the “Assassin’s Creed” games, browsing this new title from Ubisoft on another license that is just as close to my heart, the impression of playing an “AC” taking place in the “Star Wars” universe is very real, as the way of proceeding has similarities with the publisher’s other titles.
In order to advance in the game, Kay Vess can use the gentle method or fight at all costs, even if this is not really recommended. And like “Assassin’s Creed” where infiltration is essential, it is better to sneak discreetly into tenuous and dangerous places. Afterwards, for hotheads, it is still possible to opt for a more explosive approach, by confronting the numerous enemies with blasters… but at your own risk.
Especially since Kay Vess is a character who is really nothing exceptional at first glance. Having no affinity with the force, she is an ordinary young human, who has only a few gadgets, good dexterity for practicing flight and hacking data, as well as a valuable partner for diversion.
And although it is possible to rush into the pile, its fragility clearly directs the game towards infiltration, especially since its merqaal has more than one trick up its sleeve to help the young outlaw. Distracting enemies, sneaking into tight spaces to unlock levers, neutralizing devices, bringing back objects, and even cheating at Sabacc, are some of the skills of the little Nix pet.
The game mechanics are easy to learn and evolve slightly as you progress thanks to the experts who will teach Kay skills via objectives to complete.
It is possible to increase the performance of the blaster (with three types of shots), the speeder, as well as the Trailblazer, as well as the character’s resistance via his outfit.
As a result, most of the game alternates between exploration, infiltration and hacking (via mini-games), gun fights and a few phases in space often leading to space clashes (which remain however generally anecdotal).
Not a great AI, unlike its AD
Despite an AI that is far from realistic and fully intelligent, the “gunfights” against Stormtroopers or other tougher opponents are rather enjoyable. And Kay’s vulnerability helps create tension where the slightest blaster shot can quickly become fatal. On the other hand, even if she can temporarily pick up certain enemy weapons to use them, as soon as she does an action other than shooting, she throws the weapon on the ground and then picks up her personal blaster… which is completely devoid of meaning and no longer even makes you want to seize the opposing artillery.
But it is especially in the phases where Kay must remain stealthy that the AI seems “voluntarily” stupid and devoid of reflection.
This age-old problem is repeated tirelessly because the games are intended to satisfy the general public, who generally do not seek difficulty. However, to compensate for the largesse of the AI, the developers have implemented four difficulty modes to adapt to all types of players.
Depending on the difficulty level chosen, the power of the enemies, the number of opponents present, the impact of damage received on the life gauge, the speed to detect Kay’s presence, the precision in hacking games, etc. will be adapted .
However, over the hours, the redundancy of the gameplay loop is felt by repeating the same game pattern and the same actions to progress. It’s a shame not to have more often moments with a touch of madness that would really spice up the experience, as would be the case, for example, with random events that happen without warning and that energize the adventure.
Unlike the AI, the artistic direction, both visual and sound, is a real success. The design of the settings and characters, the design of the planets, the light effects, the cutscenes, the soundtrack and the French version do justice to the license. These aspects of the game make you want to return to the game again and again in order to live as an outlaw in the heart of a fascinating universe.
In addition, the game has a very good lifespan. It takes around thirty hours to complete the main quest. And at least double the hours to finalize the title 100%
A raw beskar just waiting to shine
“Star Wars Outlaws” is a game that respects the universe in which it is set, but which unfortunately does not exceed the possibilities available to it. Its potential was great, and given the turnaround taken by Ubisoft’s board of directors to further improve its game over the coming months, its potential remains great.
For now, even if the scenario does not completely live up to expectations, the pleasure is there in this very first open world dedicated to “Star Wars”. With its environments full of details, the exploration of planets and space, as well as its interesting although repetitive gameplay, it is pleasant to discover the underbelly of the underworld by playing as an outlaw.
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The game would certainly have benefited from a better start if it had once again dealt with the theme of Jedis or Siths. But “Star Wars” is not just about that, and Ubisoft has understood this well by opting for this less shiny, but no less interesting, facet of the license.
Beyond the teams urgently mobilized to refine and forge the raw beskar that is this game between now and the end of the year, two DLCs are already planned. All that remains is to hope that they take the player to multiple horizons by adding, why not, new planets, with their share of danger, civilization and criminals.
