Star Wars Outlaws Review – A Rogue’s Life in the Galaxy’s Underworld

When Ubisoft revealed Star Wars Outlaws, it felt like the game Star Wars fans had been asking for—a sprawling, open-world adventure where we could finally live out our Han Solo fantasies. A gritty story of a lone scoundrel navigating the underworld, escaping bounty hunters, and taking jobs on the fringe of the galaxy? Sign me up. But does Star Wars Outlaws deliver the open-world, Star Wars experience we’ve been waiting for, or is it just another pretty face in a galaxy far, far away?

NEED TO KNOW

1- Game Description: An open-world, choice-driven action-adventure game that immerses players in the Star Wars universe. Players assume the role of Kay Vess, a scoundrel navigating the galaxy’s criminal underbelly, making choices that influence the narrative and gameplay.

2- Launch Date: August 30, 2024

3- Price: $69

4- Developer: Ubisoft Massive

5- Publisher: Ubisoft

6- Multiplayer Option: No

7- Steam Deck Compatibility: No

8- Engine: Snowdrop 

9- More Information: VisitWebsite

10- Official Trailer: YouTube

The Outer Rim Awaits

In Star Wars Outlaws, you play as Kay Vess, a new protagonist who isn’t interested in saving the galaxy. No, she’s more into saving her own skin, taking on risky jobs and skirting the law as she tries to carve out her place in the galaxy’s underworld. Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the game throws you into a turbulent period where the Empire’s power is at its peak, but the criminal syndicates are thriving in the shadows.

And honestly, it’s refreshing. Kay Vess is no chosen one, no Force-sensitive hero. She’s scrappy, resourceful, and very much a product of her environment—constantly on the run, taking whatever jobs she can to stay ahead of bounty hunters and Imperial patrols. Her dynamic with her companion, Nix, a small alien critter that’s both adorable and useful, adds a bit of heart to the otherwise dark tone of the game.

“But let’s cut to the chase—does Outlaws nail that open-world Star Wars fantasy we’ve all been dreaming about?”

Exploring the Galaxy – One Smuggler at a Time

The open-world in Star Wars Outlaws is massive. Ubisoft has crafted multiple planets for you to explore, each with its own distinct vibe. From bustling criminal hubs to desert wastelands, there’s a variety of biomes that help keep the exploration feeling fresh. Landing your ship in a new location feels satisfying every time, with the promise of new characters to meet, new jobs to take on, and maybe a few secrets. It’s all about knowing where to search to reveal the hidden details.

A Seamless Open World—Mostly

One of the most impressive aspects of Outlaws is its seamless transitions between ground exploration and space travel. You can hop into your ship, zoom out of a planet’s atmosphere, and head to another world without hitting a loading screen. It’s a technical achievement that really sells the feeling of being in a living, breathing galaxy.

However, while the freedom of exploration is there, some of the content between planets feels a bit thin. There are plenty of side activities, like hunting bounties or running smuggling operations, but after a while, you start to notice the familiar Ubisoft formula creeping in. If you’ve played an Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry, you know the drill—go here, do this task, repeat. It’s fun at first, but it can start to feel a little grindy, especially when the galaxy is so big.

Space Battles: A Galactic Highlight

Now, here’s where Outlaws really shines—space combat. Dogfighting with pirates, dodging asteroid fields, and pulling off daring escapes from Imperial patrols is as exciting as it sounds. The ship controls feel responsive, and the battles are fast and chaotic, with laser blasts and explosions lighting up the screen. Your ship can also be upgraded, adding some RPG-lite elements that allow you to tweak its weapons, shields, and speed.

“But as cool as space combat is, the same depth doesn’t quite carry over to the on-foot combat.”

What are the consoles and platforms available for playing Star Wars Outlaws?

PlayStation 5

CHECK OUT AT AMAZON

Xbox Series S

CHECK OUT AT AMAZON

Xbox Series X

CHECK OUT AT AMAZON

Minimum PC Requirements

To play Star Wars Outlaws on PC, you’ll need a decent gaming setup. Here are the minimum requirements:

• OS Requirement: Compatible with Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bit).
• CPU: Requires Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600.
• Memory: 16GB RAM
• GPU: Minimum NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT.
• Storage: 65GB SSD

Keep in mind that these are the minimum specs for running the game at 1080p resolution with low settings and 30 FPS. For a smoother experience and higher settings, you’ll need a more powerful system.

Blasters, Stealth, and… Nix?

On the ground, Outlaws plays like a standard third-person action game, with Kay using a mix of blaster fire, stealth, and environmental takedowns to get through encounters. The shooting feels solid—blasters pack a punch, and you can switch up your approach depending on the situation. Want to sneak through a compound, taking out guards silently? Go for it. Want to blow up a fuel tank and watch the chaos unfold? That’s an option too.

Nix: The Best Sidekick Since BD-1

Nix, your loyal alien sidekick, plays a surprisingly big role in combat and exploration. You can send him to distract enemies, retrieve items, or even pull levers to help you sneak through more dangerous areas. His AI is smart enough that he doesn’t get in the way, and his little squeaks and quirks add some much-needed personality to the game. In a lot of ways, Nix feels like this game’s answer to Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order’s BD-1, though maybe not quite as iconic. Still, he’s a solid companion that adds some unique gameplay mechanics.

Where’s the Jedi Stuff?

If you’re coming to Outlaws expecting lightsabers and Force powers, you might be a bit disappointed. There’s none of that here. Instead, the focus is on blasters, gadgets, and raw cunning—perfect for the story of a scoundrel trying to survive. Personally, it’s a welcome shift in routine. We’ve had plenty of Jedi games, and Outlaws gives us a chance to explore a side of the Star Wars galaxy that usually stays in the background.

Let’s be real—Star Wars Outlaws is good. Really good, even. It nails the Star Wars aesthetic, the galaxy feels alive, and the gameplay loop is fun, especially when you’re flying between planets or engaged in intense space dogfights. However, does it match the standards of the top Star Wars games? Not quite.

The open world is vast, but it sometimes lacks the density that makes exploration feel truly rewarding. You’ll find yourself doing a lot of similar activities as you progress through the story, and while they’re entertaining at first, they can start to feel a bit formulaic after a while. It’s the classic Ubisoft open-world issue—tons to do, but not all of it feels meaningful.

Still, for fans of the Star Wars universe who want to break away from the Jedi-Sith conflict and live the life of a rogue smuggler, this is about as good as it gets.

Performance and Presentation

Visually, Outlaws is stunning. From the bustling cities to the barren wastelands, each planet is beautifully crafted, and the game runs smoothly on high-end PCs and next-gen consoles. Space battles are a visual treat, and the sound design—oh, the sound design. Every blaster shot, ship engine hum, and droid beep feels pulled straight from the films.

That said, I did run into a few performance hiccups here and there—occasional frame drops during high-intensity moments and some minor clipping issues. Nothing game-breaking, but enough to take you out of the experience for a second.

Final Thoughts – Is Star Wars Outlaws Worth It?

Star Wars Outlaws is a fun, ambitious take on the open-world formula set in a galaxy we all know and love. This game offers a refreshing change of pace from the usual Jedi-focused narratives. Instead, you step into the boots of a scoundrel trying to navigate a galaxy that’s out to get her. The space combat is thrilling, and the open-world exploration is immersive. However, it can feel a bit repetitive at times. Kay Vess’s story is compelling enough to keep you hooked throughout the journey.

Is it a groundbreaking, revolutionary open-world experience? Not really. However, is it an excellent Star Wars game that offers a new viewpoint on the galaxy? Absolutely.

If you’ve ever wanted to be the outlaw, the rogue, the smuggler—the one flying by the seat of your pants in the face of certain doom—Star Wars Outlaws is a journey worth taking. Just be ready for a few rough edges along the way.

DOWNLOAD NOW!

For PC

Ubisoft Store

Epic Game Store

DOWNLOAD NOW!

For Consoles

PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X|S

Frequently Asked Questions

1- Is Star Wars Outlaws open-world?

Yes, Outlaws features a vast open-world (or open galaxy) design, allowing players to explore multiple planets, spaceports, and star systems seamlessly.

2- Are you able to utilize the Force or take on the role of a Jedi in Star Wars Outlaws?

No, Outlaws focuses on the underworld of the Star Wars galaxy, with no Jedi or Sith powers. The gameplay revolves around blaster combat, stealth, and space travel.

3- What is Nix’s significance in Star Wars Outlaws?

Nix is Kay Vess’s loyal sidekick, assisting in both combat and exploration. He can distract enemies, retrieve items, and help with environmental puzzles.

4- What is the mechanics of space combat in Star Wars Outlaws?

Space combat is a highlight of the game, allowing players to pilot ships in dogfights with pirates or the Empire. It’s fast-paced, and you can upgrade your ship’s weapons and abilities.

5- Is there a relationship between Star Wars Outlaws and the larger Star Wars universe?

Outlaws is set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, but it follows a new story focused on the criminal underworld rather than the main saga’s events.

Do you know Pokémon TCG Launches on Mobile with amazing immersive cards? Check out our full Preview on Pokémon TCG Pocket Launches on Mobile with Immersive Cards 

Looking for Headphones that are good in both music and gaming? Check out our latest quick list of best headphones for Music and Gaming

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission