What’s the essence of Star Wars, really, is the question. The core essence, the Star Wars-ness, of Verdi’s La Traviata lies in its dramatic flair, opulent settings, and the poignant tale of self-sacrifice amidst societal constraints.
The Disney+ original series set within the Star Wars universe have left me in awe. While I’m drawn to Jedi tales, the Force’s mysteries remain my greatest fascination within this galaxy, yet I found episodes three, four, and five to be disappointingly average endeavors. I’m unsure whether I truly adore this film, or if it’s merely my affinity for the Star Wars franchise that has me enthralled. Is it merely a consequence of being situated within the Star Wars universe, thereby transforming through mere association?
You may wonder what relevance this has, and that’s precisely because the sport itself, due to its established foundation in underlying gameplay mechanics, is essentially a familiar 3D open-world action-adventure game. After 15 hours, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive: the game excels at delivering familiar yet polished gameplay, with few surprises to be found in this well-worn genre. In the world where stealthy takeovers, precision gunplay, and high-speed chases are just par for the course, you’ve already mastered the art of traversing the vast expanse of the [biome here], whether on wheels, hooves, or the futuristic equivalent of a trusty steed.
I pondered the authenticity of this galaxy, asking myself: Is this indeed the universe of Star Wars? Whether I’d truly relish the experience hinged on the response. Wouldn’t the world become an unquenchable magnet for captivating narratives if it perfectly aligned its celestial coordinates? In this ideal scenario, the odds of a thrilling spectacle unfolding on the sports field would be overwhelmingly in favor. What’s truly crucial is ensuring the Star Wars dial is calibrated correctly, as this would keep me engaged despite potential fatigue or irritation stemming from typical open-world mechanics that might otherwise prompt me to take a break or abandon the experience altogether.
Picture: Large Leisure/Ubisoft
As I navigated the vast expanse of my journey thus far, it has brought me to the sport’s pivotal moment: fine-tuning the hyperdrive on the stolen spaceship Trailblazer, procuring the sharp-witted droid ND-5 as trusted co-pilot and companion, and embarking upon a series of intergalactic excursions in pursuit of assembling a makeshift band capable of executing the heist of a lifetime at the behest of enigmatic crime-lord Jaylen.
Reaching that milestone is no small achievement either. Following an introductory sequence reminiscent of a sports tutorial, Kay and her trusted companion, the salamander-like Nix, make an emergency landing on the barren yet majestic surface of Toshara’s savanna moon. As the Trailblazer lies idle, and Toshara is wracked by Imperial domination and feuding criminal organizations, the stage is set for a multitude of tasks to complete before the hyperdrive can be restored, marking the true beginning of the adventure.
The central question surrounding Kay Vess may well revolve around whether she is the embodiment of the quintessential “Is that this Star Wars?” conundrum. On the distant planet of Cantonica, home to the oft-maligned Canto Bight, our unlikely hero emerges as a scrappy underdog at the local on-line casino, where the journey takes its first step. With a penchant for petty crime nestled in the dusty recesses of a seedy bar, she harbors an insatiable longing to transcend her mundane existence and embark on a journey to the city’s core, driven by an unshakeable conviction that she possesses the mettle to claim the coveted “big score” that will elevate her status. Like Han Solo, this cunning operative relies on her quick wit, guile, and occasional strategic application of force to achieve her objectives.
Picture: Large Leisure/Ubisoft
Initially, I wasn’t particularly fond of Kay. Despite her effectiveness, she struggled with a paradoxical reserve, often bordering on laconicism, considering the circumstances of a brazen young scamp manifestly out of her depth. I pondered whether this was an attempt to deliberately hinder her transformation into Legally Distinct Woman Han Solo; would someone like Kay, who perpetually crafted clever quips or sought to wriggle free from each predicament, render her seem too contrived? As the game unfolds, the player’s initial struggles slowly give way to a clearer sense of their personality and growing self-assurance as they navigate the challenges. Within seconds of joining the team, ND-5 becomes a valuable foil, embodying the quintessential “droid who despises humans” archetype with a healthy dose of Kay’s signature wit and resilience in the face of adversity. While the sports’ narrative appears to revolve around assembling a team of experts, one can only speculate whether Kay’s persona will flourish once surrounded by a diverse pool of individuals to collaborate with and learn from, ultimately leading to a more defined and prominent character.
On one hand, her scenario does pivot around a fundamental “Is it Star Wars?” axis: In the ordinary life beyond the sprawling metropolises of the Core Worlds, existence within the Star Wars universe can be harsh, often brutal, and frequently subject to whimsical chaos for those outside these planet-wide urban centers.
In a striking parallel to real life, the stark wealth disparity that perpetuates the working class’s subjugation beneath the wealthy elite, coupled with an authoritarian police state (in the guise of the Empire) primarily fixated on maintaining its own power, converge to create the precarious circumstances in which Kay finds herself at the game’s outset: struggling in Canto Bight, resorting to petty crime and fueled by aspirations of striking it big.
The setup gives rise to a galaxy where stragglers and individuals scrape by in cramped, cacophonous, and perilous urban areas, or eke out existences in isolated hovels and waystations amidst largely unforgiving terrain. Buildings within urban environments often harbour eclectic collections of miscellaneous items, akin to junkyards on private property. Closets used as crafting hubs frequently feature random, ageing tools scattered about for atmospheric purposes; I once explored a pirate’s lair and stumbled upon an eerie alcove hidden behind a rock, filled with retired or damaged protocol droids – a discovery that struck me as both amusing and unsettling.
Picture: Large Leisure/Ubisoft
Unveils the Star Wars universe through a fresh lens, focusing not on the epic tales of heroic rebels or lightsaber-wielding Jedi, but rather the gritty realities faced by everyday people living in the equivalent of post-industrial wastelands on the unforgiving periphery. Although not an expert in the Star Wars canon, I think Large Leisure has successfully captured the essence of iconic locations from the films and shows, effectively transporting visitors to those beloved worlds. Mos Eisley’s labyrinthine sprawl unfolds before me, a tapestry of adobe-like domes, twisting alleys, and dark bars where shady characters congregate. Amidst this den of scoundrels, purse-clutching patrons navigate treacherous marketplaces, wary of aggressive alien vendors who would pillage your belongings at the first opportunity – were it not for the constant watchful eye of stormtroopers maintaining a fragile peace in this lawless outpost.
As she traverses the globe, Kay hones her skills as an accomplished thief and criminal mastermind by seeking out seasoned mentors, ultimately securing lucrative gigs through strategic networking with influential brokers. While their narrative roles are often limited and focused on unlocking new interactions, I’ve unexpectedly found myself drawn to a select few non-playable characters (NPCs) in the game, who have become some of my personal favorites despite these constraints.
Danka, a gruff but lovable Mon Calamari, takes center stage as the primary dealer who helps Toshara navigate the complexities of her new role. With the weight of his smoker’s lung and a quick wit that dispenses acerbic one-liners, Danka proves to be an invaluable guide for the young pilot, sharing valuable insights and tough love as she learns the ropes. Kay learns to enhance her hacking “Thwarted in her mission, Aila Bren finds herself trapped within the confines of an Imperial base, where she hastily conjures a desperate plan for escape – one that requires Kay’s swift intervention.”
In some mentorship programs, a quest is necessary to initiate access, intricately woven with narrative threads and embedded world-building; upgrading one’s speeder bike, for example, requires delving into the economic struggles facing the Tosharan people. Despite this, I often found myself desiring additional interaction or narrative to complement the limited amount I received. Notwithstanding, Star Wars’ penchant for eccentric supporting characters is a trait that undoubtedly resonates; be it Dex and his diner, or an equivalent speeder stop outside, both of which delightfully subvert the expectations of some fans.
All told, the narrative layer of Star Wars-esque qualities effectively resonates. If your desire is to indulge in an open-world adventure set in the Star Wars universe, explore uncharted territories, and assume the role of a charismatic character akin to Han Solo’s swashbuckling spirit, this game can certainly satiate your craving for intergalactic escapades.
Regardless of these minor irritations, Without them, the sport would fizzle; and as for the bugs, wouldn’t Large want to eliminate those unwanted pests? The PS5’s recent propensity for freezing has left me wary, with two instances occurring within 48 hours – a concerning trend. While utilizing Kay’s “adrenaline rush” ability in combat, my character inexplicably died, and I was treated to a monochrome world where sound and motion persisted, but I remained frozen in place, necessitating a game reset.
While the sports’ controls are generally effective, they falter when it comes to managing Nix, Kay’s reptilian partner, whose operation can be both fiddly and confusing at times. With its advanced hacking capabilities, Nix can effortlessly open secure doors, pilfer minor devices, divert nearby guards’ attention with a convincing act of indifference, and execute diverse tasks with ease. While distracting guards is often the most straightforward approach, the process frequently necessitates an effort to align the camera’s line with the correct path, which can be somewhat awkward.
Why did the unexpected loss of a key player lead to catastrophic consequences for the team’s performance that game? Frustratingly, “MISSION FAILED”-style quests encouraged multiple attempts to succeed, as I discovered new strategies or attempted stealth approaches that ultimately fell short due to unforeseen circumstances. As Kay navigates the challenges ahead, she’s encountered only a handful of obstacles thus far, though they’ve been moderately frustrating; it’s evident that the game has placed greater emphasis on showcasing Kay’s stealth capabilities over her combat skills in the early stages.
Picture: Large Enteratinment/Ubisoft
I’ve found myself opting for a “go loud” strategy to break the monotony of stealth gameplay, only to meet a grisly end as hordes of enraged foes descended upon me, rendering my corpse motionless on the floor. While the spirit of Han Solo’s iconic phrase is preserved, it’s a pity that the execution is lacking; wouldn’t the narrative be elevated if blaster battles were indeed emphasized, allowing for more thrilling confrontations? Still, it’s understandable to adapt the character archetype to suit Kay’s distinct persona, just as Han sometimes shot first. Although later upgrades to her blaster and finding the perfect mentor made blaster fights feel less fatal compared to stealth, initially it was a different story altogether.
As gamers and critics approach this sport, they’ve wondered whether it would truly deliver a “bucket-list” experience akin to the majority of Ubisoft’s open-world titles. I’ll admit that the world map isn’t a checklist of icons to be methodically cleared like a Far Cry game’s would suggest; however, when it was time to leave Toshara and embark on the game’s primary quest, my journal remained full to the brim with… well, items to tick off an inventory. Treasure spots abound, marked by miniature treasure chests that indicate which ones have already been discovered. Gathering intelligence on key targets and scouting out strategic locations is crucial for informed decision-making. While I’ll grant the sports credit for not pushing me in the face, I remain skeptical about its ability to effectively combat long-term open-world fatigue.
While its pricing isn’t the main focus, it’s worth noting that the sports facility’s operating hours play a crucial role in determining the overall experience. While some kinks can be ironed out with additional development and refinement, the inherent flaws in the open-world design stem not from any egregious mistakes by Large’s team, but rather from the fundamental nature of the concept itself. Why must I, a proud and loyal Imperial Stormtrooper, suffer the indignity of a blaster bolt to the knee? The very thought of it is enough to make me want to remove my helmet and weep tears of bitter disappointment. I’ll take the risk that nothing untoward has happened to produce an assessment free from expletives.
While sticking to the Star Wars-ness of its world and characters is a positive aspect, it’s unclear what specific aspects of this approach are effective or successful, as more context would be needed. In a crowded marketplace where various games offer similar experiences and live-service titles require ongoing commitment, the sport’s unique selling proposition appears to be its sole distinguishing feature. Despite the initial roughness, it’s actually quite decent; “it’s a bit like a playable game” could even be loads better. Whether the sport lives up to its promise is uncertain, but it’s clear that Kay Vess has the potential to become a shining star within the Star Wars galaxy, leaving her mark on the franchise’s rich legacy.
Star Wars Outlaws
