Star Wars Outlaws - Review Thread (lemm.ee)

submitted 3 months ago by simple@lemm.ee to c/games@lemmy.world

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Game Information

Game Title: Star Wars Outlaws

Platforms:

PlayStation 5 (Aug 30, 2024)
Xbox Series X/S (Aug 30, 2024)
PC (Aug 30, 2024)

Trailers:

Developer: Massive Entertainment

Publisher: Ubisoft

Review Aggregator:

OpenCritic - 75 average - 74% recommended - 55 reviews

Critic Reviews

ACG - Jeremy Penter - Wait for Sale

"Some moments of fun marred by technical issues and some gameplay decisions that hold it back."

COGconnected - James Paley - 85 / 100

Quote not yet available

Cerealkillerz - Nick Erlenhof - German - 8.6 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws departs somewhat from the typical Ubisoft formula and presents a pleasantly focused open world with a round playtime of 30-40 hours and a large focus on stealth. Not every planet is equally open and large, but each one looks incredibly beautiful and captures the Star Wars atmosphere that fans love so much. The AI and occasional bugs do take you out of the immersion and the story is not outstanding apart from the characters, but we still couldn't get enough of Kay, Nix, ND-5 and the many planets. Just beware of the addictive potential of the card game Sabacc.

Checkpoint Gaming - Tom Quirk - 8 / 10

I found myself very pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed Star Wars Outlaws. I became quite invested in its grounded heist narrative, even if its supporting characters didn't really rise above one-note stereotypes. It was a blast exploring the Star Wars galaxy, whether it was shooting down TIE fighters in space or just chilling in a Sabacc den playing cards with Lando Calrissian. Ubisoft Massive has done an excellent job in crafting an open-world Star Wars adventure, and this is one heist that is worth signing up for.

Cinelinx - Jordan Maison - 4 / 5

With a big focus on stealth gameplay and cinematic visuals/set pieces to keep you invested, it’s been tough for me to put the controller down. While it has the familiar feel of other Ubisoft games, it’s hard to complain when things feel as refined as they are. As someone who normally struggled with open world titles and being daunted, Outlaws felt welcoming in all the right ways.

Console Creatures - Patrick Tremblay - Recommended

Star Wars Outlaws delivers one of Ubisoft's best games in years.

Destructoid - Steven Mills - Unscored

If you enjoy the Ubisoft structure of games but have been overwhelmed by them lately, thankfully Outlaws avoids most of the pitfalls. I feel safe in recommending Star Wars Outlaws to anyone who is a Star Wars fan who is looking for a solid story in the beloved universe, with stealth-focused gameplay that allows you to truly live the life of a scoundrel on the Outer Rim.

Digital Chumps - Ben Sheene - 9 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws captures the thrilling unrest of the criminal underworld players rarely get to see in a Star Wars game. Shepherded by the charming Kay Vess, the game has many open-world hallmarks but carves out an identity by allowing players to shape the action.

Eurogamer - Chris Tapsell - 2 / 5

Massive bravely peels away the many layers of Ubisoft open world-isms in Star Wars Outlaws. It's a fatal error.

Evilgamerz - Daan Nijboer - Dutch - 8 / 10

As a Star Wars fan, judging Outlaws is quite a difficult task. Very objectively speaking, there is still plenty to criticize about this game. Technically and in terms of gameplay it is really not high quality. The combat in particular is a bit too basic for the year 2024. Explosions seem to come from 2010 and we have also seen better facial animations. Then it is very doubtful that a paid season pass has been added where more missions will be playable later. Of course, you don't have to purchase this, but content in a single-player game that is behind a paywall is never desirable. But, and a really big but, as a Star Wars fan it is simply a pleasure to finally travel around and discover the open world of Tatooine and the other plants. These planets have been designed with so much love that it is a pleasure to comb every meter. There is a bizarre amount to do outside the storyline, without it becoming boring. Kay as the main character won't reach Kratos or Ellie status, but is fun enough. Together with Nix and ND-5 there is enough interaction to enjoy following the various conversations. Don't expect a groundbreaking game from Star Wars Outlaws, but fans will enjoy it from start to finish. Outlaws is not finished to perfection and it all feels a bit clumsy, but that gives exactly the right Star Wars feeling of the original trilogy.

Gamefa - [Mostafa Gameffine - Uphar Dutta - 95 / 100

Star Wars Outlaw is a dramatic action-adventure game, that takes your adventure to a whole new level with constant action. The graphics are destined to blow you away and the freedom of the open world will keep you hooked to the game for endless hours. It's not so challenging AI is unfortunately noticeable but does not bother the rest of the amazing experiences and the story it holds.

Gameliner - Rudy Wijnberg - Dutch - 4 / 5

Star Wars Outlaws offers a refreshing experience by letting you play as a scoundrel in a well-crafted galaxy far, far away, without relying on Jedi or familiar faces. Despite some technical issues and repetitive elements, the game delivers epic dogfights, meaningful choices, and an impressive world, making it a solid choice for Star Wars fans.

Gamer Escape - Justin Mercer - 7 / 10

There’s an awful lot of content and mechanical ambition in Outlaws with its reputation system, and it’s fun enough to experience most of it, but it still isn’t able to prevent things from blending together once you’ve spent an extended amount of time with Kay and her crew.

Gamer Guides - Jason Rodriguez - 50 / 100

Star Wars Outlaws is one of the most disappointing titles I’ve played in recent years. From features that aren’t fully fleshed out to boring missions and mechanics that make absolutely no sense, it’s a smorgasbord of startling mistakes and questionable design decisions that will leave anyone, Star Wars fan or not, reeling. Well, at least there’s always Jedi: Survivor for open-world aficionados.

GamesFinest - Luca Pernecker - German - 8 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws offers a gripping story and convincing characters in an impressively designed Star Wars world. The decision not to choose a Jedi as the main character brings a breath of fresh air to the game. However, a certain monotony becomes apparent after a while. Although the gameplay is very entertaining, there is a lack of innovation and challenges. For fans of the universe and anyone looking for a well-told single-player story, Star Wars Outlaws is still an adventure worth recommending, even if it does seem a little monotonous in some aspects.

GamesRadar+ - Josh West - 3.5 / 5

"You really do feel a part of a wider world, rather than a function of it"

GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 6 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws boasts strong open world design and the swashbuckling and improvisational vibe of a classic Star Wars scoundrel story, but from technical rough edges to some dated design decisions to clunky movement, it's got more than a few significant issues that weigh it down.

GamingTrend - David Burdette - 85 / 100

Star Wars Outlaws might play things a bit safe, but the solid foundation leads to a fantastic adventure. The gameplay is tremendous, with some of the most engaging stealth mechanics I've enjoyed in a game in a while. Add in some great characters, fun side missions, and a gorgeous open world, and Star Wars Outlaws is a great trip across the stars.

Glitched Africa - Marco Cocomello - 7.5 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws offers a refreshing open-world experience with diverse planets and engaging missions. Despite some technical issues and a lacklustre protagonist, the game’s authenticity and the immersive world make it a worthwhile experience for Star Wars fans and newcomers.

GosuNoob - Srdjan Stanarevic - 9 / 10

From the graphical presentation, that is top notch, to almost completely bug free gameplay, Star Wars Outlaws is a game hard to find a fault with.

Hardcore Gamer - Kyle LeClair - 2.5 / 5

Quote not yet available

Kakuchopurei - Alleef Ashaari - 80 / 100

Massive Entertainment did a great job of making players feel like scoundrels in the Star Wars universe. While Star Wars Outlaws won't be turning heads or wowing anyone with its gameplay mechanics, the painstaking amount of effort and detail into bringing the Star Wars underworld to life must be commended. It's a game any Star Wars fan should pick up, even if it doesn't have lightsabers or Jedi.

Nexus Hub - Ryan Pretorius - 7.5 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws will appeal to die-hard fans looking for a new world-hopping adventure loaded with charm and all-too-familiar gameplay, but it can't escape bothersome performance issues and a weak protagonist.

One More Game - Chris Garcia - 8.5 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws is a surprisingly good time, and I have to say that I enjoyed the game more than I thought I would after playing it early in previews. The scoundrel's life is well realized, and playing Kay Vess through her escapades was a pleasure because of her charm and character. Massive Entertainment has delivered the goods, making Star Wars Outlaws the open-world Star Wars game you are looking for.

PC Gamer - Morgan Park - 73 / 100

Star Wars Outlaws is Ubisoft's most ambitious game in years, but it plays the basics way too safe.

Press Start - James Wood - 6 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws marks an impressive step forward for depictions of the galaxy in video games but fails to provide players with a compelling reason to explore it.

Pure Dead Gaming - Kirkland Gray - 8 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws is a remarkable romp through wretched hives of scum and villainy that will surely bring joy to any Star Wars fan. A smidgin of game design pitfalls notably hold the game back, but swashbuckling adventures, numerous enjoyable diversions, and the realization of beloved Star Wars worlds and characters make Star Wars Outlaws an undeniably good time.

SIFTER - Gianni Di Giovanni - Loved

STAR WARS OUTLAWS had me giddy in points. I was walking down the dusty streets of Mos Eisley, past the hanger where the Millenium Falcon would have been parked up. Walking into the cantina and spotting the blaster mark on the wall which confirmed who shot first. Lots of little details make this visit to the galaxy far far away one of the most memorable of the last couple of years, but these cities felt real in a way I've never experience before, teeming and lived in, this open world game from Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment feels expansive and intimate at the same time.

Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 7 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws could have been THE Star War game. It provided a rich world and lore that kept me intrigued for hours, but the gameplay systems are not only marred by technical problems but it even lacked the execution despite the brilliant ideas it has

Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 5 / 5

What Respawn did with STAR WARS Jedi Origins, Massive has done with Star Wars Outlaws, and that’s creating a unique Star Wars experience we haven’t had before. Star Wars Outlaws does a lot of things, and at no point does it fumble with its ambition, and executes on it with truly epic moments, fun stealth, and freedom of choice. Massive Entertainment really knows how to make their game worlds feel lived in, and there’s no better setting than Star Wars, especially during the latter episodes of the original trilogy. Star Wars Outlaws works so well because it epitomizes what Han Solo says, “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

Seasoned Gaming - Alex Segovia - 8 / 10

While far from flawless, Outlaws proves that the ultimate fulfillment of the Star Wars game we’ve dreamed of is within our grasp.

Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 10 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws’ impressive characters, staggering world-building, hooking story, amazing soundtrack, and engaging gameplay, make this the first authentic open-world experience that every Star Wars fan deserves. Massive Entertainment outdid themselves and it paid off.

TechRaptor - Erren Van Duine - 8.5 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws is an ambitious first step into bringing the franchise to an open world. Its engaging story and characters open the door for more adventurers to come.

TheSixthAxis - Gareth Chadwick - 8 / 10

Star Wars Outlaws is an open world scoundrel-'em-up that clearly builds on Ubisoft's familiar format, but that's not a bad thing. The rep system in particular is interesting, as the constant fluctuations belie any kind of loyalty you might show otherwise, but most importantly, this game lets you just be in the enduring Star Wars Universe. It's not perfect, but stealing for crime syndicates, fighting the Empire, speeding across alien landscapes, and so much more is a dream come true.

VGC - Jordan Middler - 3 / 5

Star Wars Outlaws is a pulpy, Uncharted-style adventure that doesn't quite fulfil its potential. Kay and Nix lead a great cast through a well-paced, punchy story, but the game's Reputation system, and syndacite storyline in general feels undercooked.

Vamers - Edward Swardt - Essential

Whether players are die-hard fans of the franchise or newcomers looking for an entry point, Star Wars Outlaws truly is something special. It rewards curiosity, encourages exploration, and makes players feel like a true part of the galaxy far, far away. Navigating Kay Vess’s journey does not just feel like playing a game; it allows players to feel like they are actively living in a Star Wars story, one choice at a time. In that sense, Star Wars Outlaws does not just meet expectations; it joins the ranks of Jedi: Survivor and Knights of the Old Republic II as it sets a new standard for what an open-world Star Wars game can and should be.

WellPlayed - Adam Ryan - 7 / 10

Mechanically speaking, Star Wars Outlaws isn't going to throw you into hyperspace, but, despite its lack of innovation, there is still plenty of fun to be had within its beautifully crafted worlds.

XboxEra - Jesse Norris - 8 / 10

STAR WARS Outlaws is the dream 3rd-person open world title so many of us wanted. It’s big, and fun, and while it has some flaws I have greatly enjoyed my time with it. A massive progression blocking soft-lock is a bit of a bummer and instead of this being a final score it’s going to be a review-in-progress one as I wait to see the rest of the title once it’s fixed.

all 35 comments

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[-] simple@lemm.ee 34 points 3 months ago

Reviews are very mixed. Some people love it, some people claim it's half baked and a waste of time. That eurogamer review was rough.

[-] Jackthelad@lemmy.world 47 points 3 months ago

The Eurogamer review describes what I expected from this game.

Generic, repetitive Ubisoft fare.

[-] brenticus@lemmy.world 18 points 3 months ago

Yep, it sounds pretty much exactly like what people expected.

Honestly, I'm on a bit of a Star Wars kick lately and it's been long enough since I've played an Ubisoft open world to find some enjoyment, so I might pick this up. But it certainly doesn't sound like it's going to blow me away.

[-] teft@lemmy.world 20 points 3 months ago

I'd wait for at least 3 months. Ubisoft games usually nose dive into the sales a few months after they release.

[-] VelvetGentleman@lemmy.world -1 points 3 months ago

Why pay for it at all?

[-] teft@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago

Everyone has their own tastes in gaming. I don’t judge.

[-] Jackthelad@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago

I was looking forward to it until I found out it was being made by Ubisoft.

I love Star Wars, but I knew that this game would have exactly the same mechanics that I hate in all Ubisoft games.

[-] candid@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I love the world of Star Wars more so than the stories lately aside from Andor so I'll be giving this a go through their sub service. 18 bucks to knock this out and Prince Of Persia in a month, two games I'll never touch again after completion, is quite a deal imo.

[-] Nuke_the_whales@lemmy.world 17 points 3 months ago

I always ignore anyone who uses phrases like "waste of time". Too many people don't have an in between anymore and games are either a 10/10 or "unplayable garbage", like come on now, just cause a game is a 7 it doesn't mean it's trash.

[-] beebarfbadger@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

What does "7" even mean? I enjoyed every aspect of it precisely 70 percent? Seven out of ten criteria were perfect but the remaining three failed? I had seven great hours for every three terrible ones? Boiling down the experience of playing a game to a number is like giving someone your telephone number via the medium of interpretative dance.

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 6 points 3 months ago

Eurogamer is quickly turning into one of the more trusted review sites for me, rarely holding back.

[-] MellowYellow13@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

Yeah it's awesome and refreshing

[-] Murvel@lemm.ee -2 points 3 months ago

Lmao, are you kidding me? In his review, he paints the picture of missing climbing Far Cry radio towers and finding a thousand pointless little POI and stupid number challenges.

That is by far the most tiresome aspect of the Ubisoft open world formula...

[-] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 7 points 3 months ago

He... didn't? Far Cry was not mentioned at all and he had this to say about radio towers:

You may be delighted to hear there are no towers to scale to push back Outlaws' fog of war here: these open world areas - really a collection of entirely distinct biomes, separated by hyper space or fast travel - reveal themselves fully on arrival.

Maybe you were thinking of this in the conclusion, but I don't think these observations are incorrect:

It speaks back to Outlaws' issues with stripping away the bulk of the Ubisoft formula and finding so little underneath - or more broadly, a general misunderstanding of what you ought to be stripping away here and why. The Ubisoft open world functions so well because of how this clutter weaves itself together so intoxicatingly that you can't help but flow from one to the next, from looting to crafting to combat to gear to unlocking another area of the world and more. The heist flick works because of its characters - their complexity, obsession or greed - as much as it does the sheer fun of actually doing a heist.

Star Wars Outlaws, by comparison, feels like it's blagging it - much as Kay can, when regularly caught out by some far more worldly syndicate boss. The result is a series of quite painful comparisons: it lacks the branching, open stealth of an Arkham game, the systemic options of a Dishonored or the incisive, relentlessly satisfying speed of picking enemies off in Assassin's Creed. It lacks the linear polish and charisma of Uncharted. Lacks the animation flow to its yellow-ledge platforming next to a Horizon, or the sheer joy of taking platforming and making it into an actual game in itself, as in Star Wars Jedi.

[-] Murvel@lemm.ee 0 points 3 months ago

The 'Far cry radio tower' is a common euphemism for pointless busy work in most Ubistofts' open world games..

[-] newthrowaway20@lemmy.world 20 points 3 months ago

Lots of soft ball reviews here.

[-] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

I hate games journalism

“A lacking, mundane experience that leaves the player unfulfilled. 6/10”

like bish that’s a 2/10 you’ve just described. My review for Subnautica Below Zero:

“A new adventure that deviates from the cold, lonely word of the original Subnautica (which I gave an excellent 8/10). If you enjoyed the original game, you’ll certainly have a great time in Below Zero. The dialogue gets a bit cheesy, or well… off? at points, but the story is serviceable. The new vehicles are very fun to play with. The above-ground part is an absolute slog, but that a small part of the game. Overall, I loved Below Zero; it just didn’t quite hit the same notes as the original. 6/10.”

THAT IS A SIX OUT OF TEN! A GOOD GAME! A FIVE IS THE MIDDLE AAAAAAA

[-] bread@feddit.nl 20 points 3 months ago

A lot of toothless game bloggers afraid of biting the hand that feeds.

[-] TheRealCharlesEames@lemm.ee 7 points 3 months ago

Mlem app could use some sort of accordion for url sources huh

[-] Zahille7@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

Sync has a button that scrolls to the first/next comment

[-] Katana314@lemmy.world 7 points 3 months ago

I’m certainly not expecting this game is amazing, but in terms of bringing a playable slice of a popular fictional world to life, I have a lot of respect for it. What I’ve watched doesn’t even fall too hard into the worst of Ubisoft formulas - and I would argue a lot of people can’t even identify what those are.

I don’t even expect to love it myself if I ever get it, but some of the hate towards the game seems so poorly formed and weird - stuff like “Looks like a mobile game” or “The main character is so ugly”. I can even get worries about it being a Ubisoft game, but just like EA, it seems like they do put out a game low on microtransactions every so often. I want to be sure they’re recognized for efforts when the game is decent.

[-] candid@lemmy.ca 3 points 3 months ago

I don't even get the main character complaints... She's got a cute coffee shop barista vibe to her lmao people are just weird about women being "beautiful" in such stereotypical ways I guess. Must be exhausting and extremely lonely to have such trivial "standards" for a damn video game character.

[-] hangyor@sh.itjust.works 5 points 3 months ago

What a great resource. Thank you for compiling these reviews all together!

[-] garretble@lemmy.world 0 points 3 months ago

I was able to get this for half off via some weird QVC deal (I don't know if it still exists), so it's sounding like $35 or whatever is currently a good price for an average game.

I'm sure I can get some fun out of it.

[-] hal_5700X@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 months ago

Star Wars has been dead for years now. Thanks, Disney.

[-] PunchingWood@lemmy.world 0 points 3 months ago

The main trilogy hasn't been great.

But so much other content, from books (High Republic and other novels) to games (Jedi and Battlefront) to other movies (Rogue One, Solo) and shows (Andor, Ahsoka, Mandalorian, Bad Batch, Clone Wars) have been mostly amazing.

Star Wars is only "dead" if you live in that artificial negative hellhole the online community created.

[-] Melonpoly@lemmy.world 6 points 3 months ago

Most of what you've listed haven't been great to put it lightly.

I'm tired of the Internet trying to gaslight me into thinking that Star Wars is doing well when it's not. The past few shows/ movies that have come out have basically been:

"Creator" gets hired that knows nothing about Star Wars and wants to make their own thing under the Star Wars brand,
new thing flops,
"Creator" blames the fans.

What makes The High Republic books, Ahsoka, The Mandalorian and The Bad Batch amazing? What about "gems" like The Acolyte, The Book of Boba Fett and Kenobi which I'm sure most people have forgotten about? Are they amazing?

Star Wars is only alive if you live in the artificial consumerist hellhole that the online community created.

[-] chiliedogg@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

Dave Feloni, the producer behind Mando, Boba Fett, and Ahsoka isn't some outsider who knows nothing. He was the producer of the Clone Wars and Rebels, and has a deep love of the franchise and its lore. In fact, what alienate many people about his shows are that they are so incredibly respectful of what came before that newcomers don't follow it.

To understand everything in Ahsoka you needed to be familiar with so much lore that wasn't in the films that it felt more like homework to understand for some viewers.

[-] Melonpoly@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

Dave Feloni is a clown. If you are familiar with the lore you end up being more pissed off with how he fumbles it. This is especially true if your a fan of Thrawn, Boba Fett or the Mandalorians.

There are plenty of shows that are still entertaining without knowing the lore. How can you claim that Feloni is respectful of the source material when he's turned light sabers into non lethal weapons, given Mando a ship that doesn't fit with his role as a bounty hunter, or how he's turned Thrawn into an idiot?