Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws Game Will Focus on Life of Crime

In a new game set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, players can step into the shoes of Kay Vess in Massive Entertainment’s Star Wars Outlaws. Kay is a teenage thief looking to make her mark in the galaxy’s criminal underground. To do that, you’ll need to complete a few side projects to build your resume for the main project, cross paths with many dubious characters, and run from other groups that want Kay dead or arrested.

Here’s the official description: “Experience the first-ever open-world Star Wars game, set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life, along with her companion Nix. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.”

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, creative director Julian Gerighty discussed the studio’s efforts to make players feel like they are actual up-and-coming criminals in the Star Wars universe. The group drew inspiration from the character Kay from the “great scoundrels of cinema” as she worked her way up the ranks. According to Gerighty, she is “learning the ropes,” and her swagger comes from taking risks, similar to the younger versions of Han and Lando in Solo. Kay is initially faking it until she becomes a fully formed lawbreaker.

Actress Humberly González realized that Han would be Kay’s most direct point of comparison. The Ginny & Georgia actress acknowledged that Han inspires her and that Kay feels the same way. Kay encounters Han in a teaser from April of this year as he is trapped in carbonite inside Jabba’s palace. González said, “It’s almost like destiny,” comparing the instance to the passing of the thieving baton from one to another. Now, you get to play the role of the hero and discover tranquility while navigating this environment and the conflict she refuses to be involved in. All she wants is to be set free.

In terms of gameplay, Outlaws aims to live up to its name by including a reputation system that spans the four factions that Kay forms relationships with throughout the narrative. The Hutts, Pyke Cartel, Ashiga Clan (created especially for the game), and Crimson Dawn (once led by Darth Maul, now Qi’ra from Solo) will control each city in the game. Choosing a position from one side can eventually earn you rewards exclusive to that faction (such as new places or weapons), but doing so may damage your standing with the other factions. If you get too far out of favor, those other organizations might eventually just place a bounty on your head.

And the Empire will pursue you if they don’t. There is a six-tier desired level in the game, which increases the more problems you cause, just as in many other open-world games (think GTA or Saints Row). Gerighty clarified, “If you start getting noticed committing crimes, that will start getting them to chase you.” “If you take some of them out, then it gets worse and worse, where they’ll send, at the ultimate level, Death Troopers—and maybe even worse.”

Gerighty and González claimed that despite all of this criminal activity, the game would still have an exciting vibe akin to Indiana Jones and Flash Gordon or the original Star Wars films. The game is meant to be lighthearted and entertaining, but when it comes time to do some crimes, it’s just as exciting as the best heist films. González asserted, “Finding your way through the game — who you choose to make friends with, who you choose to betray — you have control. It’s an adventure. So lean into the adventure.”

Unfortunately, while Lando Calrissian is featured in the game, he’s not voiced by Billy Dee Williams. I’m hopeful this Star Wars game will capture the magic of the movies and join the ranks of the greatest Star Wars games of all time.  Some might complain about playing a woman, but most fans should embrace Kay if the game does her character justice.

On August 30, Star Wars Outlaws will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. During the Ubisoft Forward webcast, a new trailer for the game was released. You can watch it below:

Although the teaser doesn’t delve into much detail, it seems that there will be a “new gameplay reveal” this Monday at Ubisoft Forward, providing more information.

The gameplay elements that have been previously revealed, such as speeder bike chases with Red Dead-style paint-and-shoot target mechanisms and the ability to send Nix on useful minor jobs, are mostly what can be inferred from the clips. Nonetheless, the trailer showcases some brand-new action scenes and set pieces, some of which we should see in greater detail on Monday at the gameplay reveal at the major Ubisoft Showcase.

You can read the full interview with Entertainment Weekly, discussing space combat, the Ashiga Clan, and Kay’s droid companion ND-5.

Source: Entertainment Weekly