In the realms of television, film, and gaming, Star Wars consistently faces a singular limitation.
The original Star Wars trilogy was a groundbreaking fusion of rugged Westerns, philosophical Samurai epics, and innovative Science Fiction, resulting in a genuinely iconic cinematic experience that captivated audiences worldwide.
While many issues under their belt generate significant revenue, Lucasfilm has only occasionally matched the cultural impact of Disney-era successes, most notably with The Mandalorian; a genre-bending fusion of influences from The Lone Ranger, Seven Samurai, and impressive practical effects.
Bearing the weight of a rich legacy, any new Star Wars content must first establish its authenticity before attempting to innovate; the late 1970s nostalgia for John Wayne, John Ford, and Flash Gordon ensures that retro flair is always in play.
This venture’s trajectory veers perilously close to the Dark Side and the Pressure, as its affinity for Star Wars tropes inevitably leads to spin-off fatigue and uninspired storytelling by design, deliberately emulating the campy charm of Muppet-like antics, blaster-heavy action, and dated special effects that audiences find more endearing than a Tauntaun’s inner workings. Regardless, the outcome is that something will always resonate with people’s innermost desires – no matter how small the starting point may be, like a humble womp rat – as long as it genuinely captures that essence, it will.
Following a significant post-launch overhaul, Star Wars: Outlaws serves as a prime example of this phenomenon. While lacking in novel or exciting elements on its own, the game still excels by incorporating numerous Star Wars tropes, ultimately making it one of the most enjoyable, fast-paced and thrilling experiences available for holiday play.
When residing in a region blanketed by snow and ice, the idea of a white Christmas becomes even more appealing. As you settle into a familiar rhythm with Outlaws, your next mission sends you hurtling onto the unforgiving, icy streets of Kijimi – a world where the charismatic and endearing Babu Frik, a shining gem of the sequel trilogy, holds court. As the snowflakes gently fall, you’re treated to a winter wonderland, accompanied by the thrill of donning a Hoth-inspired puffer jacket – a truly breathtaking experience.
To recapture the desired atmosphere after the patch, start by flipping one crucial adjustment back on from the beginning.
One of my absolute favourite aspects of playing Star Wars: Outlaws is exploring the immersive, cinematic atmosphere that unfolds when playing in a widescreen format with a letterbox, transporting me to the gritty yet majestic world of Star Wars. Transforming the desolate, sandy expanses of Toshara and Tatooine into immersive cinematic experiences, akin to scenes straight from the iconic Star Wars films, serves as a refreshing departure from the typical Ubisoft open-world formula.
On the primary planets, the frequency of fluff actions is mercifully controlled; however, I’ve grown accustomed to dismissing unsolicited requests from wandering quest givers, as if they’re owed a debt of five dollars for their continued persistence.
On Tatooine, I first stumbled upon an offer from the infamous Outlaws. As I desperately sought recent components for my blaster, a service provider’s location on the map beckoned me to set off and hasten across the distance, only to arrive face-to-face, or rather, at a respectful 3 feet from a Yellow-eyed Jawa’s gaze, with nothing but unbridged space separating us.
What if instead of just offering pre-owned and new copies of open-world video games, retailers took on a more entrepreneurial role, collecting and trading in player-created content like resources, crafting recipes, and even fully-fledged questlines? Would this not elevate the overall gaming experience to unprecedented heights? As I ventured into the world of Far Cry 6 or stumbled upon an unexpected find, I chanced upon a peculiar scene: a lone figure, eerily reminiscent of Jawa from Star Wars, stood steadfastly behind a counter, surrounded by an open expanse. “Umpeeni! As he’d exclaim with a smile, presenting a state-of-the-art silencer: “Whanga hoopa!”
The subtle yet potent infusion of Star Wars-esque mystique is woven seamlessly throughout Outlaws, imbuing the narrative with a richly textured sense of depth and dimensionality that effectively transports readers to a galaxy both familiar and foreign. The cities and spaceports teem with iconic figures from the franchise’s history, including prominent characters and memorable cameos that won’t be revealed here.
While there are gameplay elements in Outlaws that I do appreciate, there are also some aspects that don’t resonate with me. From my experience, the second-worst communicated lockpicking mini-game I’ve had the misfortune of encountering (after Kingdom Come: Deliverance) is surprisingly marred by inconsistencies in platforming sections featuring visible signposting that’s more challenging to decipher than Aurebesh script. However, this low-stakes escapade has a seat-of-your-pants vitality reminiscent of Han, Luke, and Leia’s daring escape from the Star Destroyer in A New Hope, as you swiftly grab Stormtroopers’ blasters and haphazardly return fire with one hand.
Following a troubled debut, I sense that Star Wars: Outlaws now shares a similar fate with many other Disney-published Star Wars endeavors. A pulpy yet visually stunning adventure initially hampered by flaws at launch, now liberated from pressure to excel, has evolved into a guilt-free, lighthearted treat. As you snuggle beneath a blanket, the thrill of Star Wars unfolds before your eyes, just barely visible above the fabric’s edge.
While Ubisoft’s efforts may fall short of meeting the demands of AAA video game enthusiasts, it is ultimately their responsibility to address these shortcomings rather than burdening the gaming community with subpar experiences. If you require my assistance, I’ll happily exchange three rolls of Bantha wool with a Jawa in order to procure an influence converter from him.
