In a galaxy teeming with legendary Star Wars video games, Outlaws dares to chart a new course. This isn’t the tale of a Jedi Knight or a Sith lord, but a high-stakes escapade in the criminal underworld. From the moment Kay Vess steps onto the scene, blaster in hand and wanted posters lining the streets, it is clear that Star Wars Outlaws is a different breed from a galaxy far, far away.
The hype surrounding Outlaws has been astronomical, and as a lifelong fan, I have never felt this level of excitement for a video game. I was introduced to the films by my Nan on VHS in the early 90s, she’d recorded it off TV and you best believe I wore those tapes out.
Outlaws is set in the perfect era, firmly between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, I could now finally explore the world I’d grown up with.
But would it deliver that same thrill I felt watching the twin suns set over Tatooine for the first time? Strap in, because Outlaws is one wild ride across the stars.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Kay Vess and Nix are the heart and soul of Star Wars Outlaws, a dynamic duo navigating the treacherous galaxy with a mix of cunning, charm, and sheer tenacity. Kay, a resourceful scoundrel with a quick wit and an even quicker blaster, isn’t your typical Star Wars hero. Kay’s not chasing destiny or grappling with the Force; she’s out to survive in a galaxy that’s stacked against her. And at her side, always ready for mischief or mayhem, is Nix, her loyal companion. Nix, a spry and agile little alien, isn’t just a pet — he’s a partner, as much a part of Kay’s heists as her blaster or her ship.
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The bond between Kay and Nix is palpable. They operate in perfect sync, with Nix often handling the tasks that Kay can’t, like sneaking into tight spaces, disabling security systems, or pickpocketing unsuspecting targets. Their teamwork is seamless; Kay relies on Nix as much as he depends on her.
Kay and Nix’s relationship adds a layer of warmth and humour to the gritty underworld they inhabit, making them a duo you’ll root for from start to finish.
The Opening Crawl
The story in Star Wars Outlaws isn’t necessarily breaking new ground, it’s a familiar narrative within the Star Wars universe. Kay Vess is tasked with assembling a crew for a high-stakes heist, reminiscent of finding the safe cracker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but the twists and turns along the way keep things engaging.
Kay Vess doesn’t hold allegiances to any particular syndicate, she’s not a rebel sympathiser and has no love for the Empire. She’s the perfect middle ground in this galactic war.
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Outlaws taps into that nostalgia with just enough fan service to satisfy. It also manages to do it without a single lightsaber in sight, which for many is a deal breaker. That said, it still works. Despite no intense lightsaber battles or cameos from Luke Skywalker (just to set expectations), the story is unique enough to its own world.
While Kay and Nix lead the pack, there’s an incredible roster of new characters added to the mix — many of which have cemented themselves into Star Wars canon.
ND-5
ND-5 is a Clone Wars-era commando droid with a conflicted, robotic heart. Not only does he look bad arse in his trench coat, he also handles a blaster better than anyone else. ND-5’s storyline is critical to the main story, and this game is just as much his as it is Kay’s.
I do wish there were more moments where he would join you out on a mission, or you had the opportunity to invite other characters to adventure with you – just like Nix.
My want for a greater spotlight for ND-5 brings me to Jabba’s Gambit, an exclusive premium edition quest line.
Jabba’s Gambit
Jabba’s Gambit offers a deeper look into ND-5’s past, but it doesn’t really warrant separation from the main game. This quest would’ve been better suited to the main questline, as it offers another layer of character growth for ND-5, making the game’s final act hit so much harder.
I’d recommend playing this after you finish the main quest line on Tatooine.
Jabba’s Gambit, which is included with the Gold and Ultimate editions of Star Wars Outlaws, is locked behind a paywall. To play it, you’ll need to pay $159.95 for the Gold edition of the game, or subscribe to Ubisoft+ at $23.95 per month. Ubisoft+ is seemingly the more affordable option, but it’s still an excessive price to pay.
Accepting the Mission
The opening sequence involves Kay taking up a big heist job, breaking into a Canto Bight mega-mansion perched on a cliff overlooking the city. Beautiful is an understatement.
After scaling the surrounding rocks and sneaking past guards, you find yourself in a mansion filled with artifacts and weaponry. However, entering the vault felt like a missed opportunity. Instead of treasures or easter eggs from Star Wars lore, it contained the same objects found throughout the mansion, nothing special or exciting – which was a letdown.
These same objects are displayed again later in the story in a rather exciting cutscene, but again, there’s no significance to them. I tried Googling “Big Hammer Star Wars” and “Fancy Bow Caster” but came up with nothing. If anyone has any ideas or spots something significant please let me know!
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Stealth is key in this mission and many others throughout the game, often it’s game over if you’re caught!
Your blaster, along with Nix, offers something for every situation. Much like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, you use an Ion Blast to power electrical nodes, which open doors and activate elevators. Nix will often come in clutch and hold a ventilation door open for you, so you can hit a node at the correct time. Most of the puzzles were familiar and easy to solve.
The game truly opens up after completing the main missions on the first planet, Toshara. With three additional planets to explore, you’re free to choose your path, though your companion ND-5 suggests heading to Kijimi first.
Make the Jump – The Trailblazer
Kay Vess’ acquired ship, the Trailblazer, is more than just a vessel; it’s a piece of history. A refined EML 850 light freighter from the Republic Era, this ship is the last of its kind, a rare prototype developed during the Clone Wars. Its sleek design and storied past make it a fitting ride for a rogue like Kay, who’s always looking to stay one step ahead of the law.
The Trailblazer isn’t just about getting from point A to point B, it is a customisable hub which you can truly make your own. From unlocking skins, upgrades, and cockpit trinkets, to tweaking the color of its thruster jets; the ship is reflective of your style.
When the stars are clear, the Trailblazer effortlessly jumps to hyperspace, carrying you across the galaxy to iconic and new locales.
The Planets
Tatooine, a desert planet that’s as familiar as it is treacherous, offers endless stretches of sand and a sense of nostalgia.
Akiva, with its lush rainforests, rivers, and lakes, presents a vibrant contrast, with greenery stretching as far as the eye can see.
Kijimi, first introduced in The Rise of Skywalker, is possibly the smallest of the four main planets. Most of your time will be spent navigating winding streets, however, a main quest does take you beyond the city limits.
Finally, there’s Toshara, whose sweeping African-like plains provide a vast, open world to explore. This is the first planet in the game where the world truly opens up, and I spent most of my playtime here.
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As you explore these diverse locations, more ports open up for you to land at, expanding your options for where to dock. One feature that proved invaluable late into my playthrough (and one I wish I’d learned earlier) is the ability to fast travel to another planet without having to return to the Trailblazer. This saved considerable time, especially when I just needed to pop to a different planet for a quick task. That said, I found there weren’t nearly enough fast travel points for my liking.
The Speeder
Luckily, Kay’s speeder makes up for this by being a joy to ride, speeding across the terrain and cutting down travel time to distant locales. Much like the Trailblazer, the speeder is upgradable and customisable with a variety of skins and trinkets to hang off the side, a la The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
Navigating the galaxy is straightforward, thanks to the map’s intuitive design. Zoom in to see local maps, and zoom right out to see all available systems. You can also set your own markers, track down hidden treasures, and clearly see which syndicate controls each territory.
World Building
The world-building in Outlaws is where the game excels. Each main city offers unique interactions, from food stalls where Kay and Nix can chow down and unlock new perks, to the dynamic way syndicates react based on your standing with them.
Sneaking through imperial bases was exhilarating, especially during the big finale, where the REAL lightning outside my window added to the immersive atmosphere.
Your enemies are determined by the decisions you make. Siding with various crime syndicates, betraying them — whatever works.
Who shot first?
Getting caught up in a shootout is always a blast. While you can be easily overwhelmed if you’re not careful, a bacta vial (health) is usually within reach to keep you going. The variety of blaster bolts adds tactical depth — whether you’re using standard laser blasts, ion shots, or a powered blast that packs an explosive punch, there’s something for every situation.
Kay Vess builds adrenaline while on the ground by dodging and blasting her way through enemies, ultimately leading to a devastating kill shot. Much like Red Dead Redemption’s “Dead Eye,” time slows, and Kay can target and mark enemies destined for the dirt.
In the beginning, I had to keep reminding myself that this ability existed. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and solely focus on dodging blaster fire, rather than thinking strategically about when to unleash special attacks.
While racing across a planet, you may cross through enemy territory, quickly finding multiple speeders on your tail. The more you’re shot at and maneuver across the plains, the more adrenaline you’ll build for a special blaster attack.
Kay’s precision shots lead to exploding speeders and a trail of destruction — these kills are so satisfying.
The world is filled with enemy territories, and depending on your stance with the syndicate you may need to fight to pass through.
Awkward AI
Unfortunately the enemy AI leaves something to be desired, particularly in cities where guards can be hilariously oblivious. Despite this, the combat remains a highlight, especially when you’re in the thick of it.
I managed to cheese a few missions by simply sprinting through a group of guards at a gate and hiding behind a closed door. If there’s no mission condition saying “Don’t raise the alarm”, you’re often sweet to just skip an entire fight. Of course, this isn’t the recommended way to play, I just found myself frustrated after being killed so many times and losing so many credits — oh yeah, you lose credits when you die. So be careful!
Sabaac
I have to talk about Sabaac.
Kessel Sabacc is a variation of the classic Star Wars card game, popular across the entire galaxy. At first, it might seem overwhelming, but it’s surprisingly easy to pick up. I spent hours playing, hooked by how exciting, challenging, and satisfying it is to win. There’s even a quest line where you join the high rollers, leading to a match with Lando Calrissian himself!
The game revolves around investing chips to improve your hand, aiming for a sabacc hand — a pair of cards with values as close to zero as possible. Each round has three turns where you can either draw more cards or stand with your current hand. What really spices things up are the variety of shift cards, which can alter the gameplay in unexpected ways, keeping you on your toes.
Winning requires strategy and nerve, and the last player with chips wins the pot. Kessel Sabacc is a perfect fit for the high-stakes world of Star Wars Outlaws, offering a thrilling and deeply rewarding experience.
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Photo Mode: Capturing the Galaxy
In a galaxy as visually stunning as the one Star Wars Outlaws presents, it’s no surprise that the photo mode is an absolute treasure. From the sweeping dunes of Tatooine, to the snow covered alleys of Kijimi, every corner of this galaxy begs to be captured. Whether you’re an experienced virtual photographer or just love taking a quick snap, Outlaws offers a robust suite of tools that let you frame your adventure perfectly.
Here are some of my favourite photo mode snaps:
Photo mode is a bloody comprehensive creative suite, you can tweak lighting, adjust the depth of field, and even apply filters to bring out the atmosphere of your scene. Want to highlight the intensity of a blaster battle? Crank up the contrast and desaturate the colors. Need to capture a serene landscape? Soften the focus and adjust the time of day to catch the perfect light. The range of options gives you full control over how you immortalise your moments in the game.
I found myself spending literal hours in photo mode, not just because the game looks great, but because there’s so much detail to explore. Get up close and personal with characters, go behind the scenes at a local cantina — there’s so much to discover.
Accessibility & Performance
Outlaws offers a range of accessibility options, from removing the yellow paint that highlights climbable obstacles to customising the font on Sabaac cards for clarity. There are also several difficulty settings, allowing players to tweak everything from health to ship collision damage. In true Ubisoft fashion, they’ve gone above and beyond to make sure everyone can play this game. It’s easily one of the more accessible games out there.
Performance-wise, the game runs quite well. I didn’t experience any significant frame drops on quality mode, but the game isn’t free from bugs and bad AI. I experienced lip-syncing errors, enemies clipping through the ground on two occasions, and other oddities are frequent, which can be frustrating in an otherwise polished experience.
I’ve been playing the game with the day one patch, but Ubisoft has confirmed to me that the game will continue to be polished post-launch — which is expected. That said, never did these bugs or bad AI prevent me from having a good time.
Should I buy Star Wars Outlaws?
Star Wars Outlaws isn’t without its flaws. It’s clear that the game emphasises its world-building over flawless gameplay. Is it the most mechanically perfect game I’ve ever played? No. Does it have the best graphics? No. But is it fun, authentic, and immersive? Absolutely. This is Star Wars, and for fans of the franchise, that’s often enough.
At its core, Star Wars Outlaws is a love letter to the universe that has captivated audiences for decades. It’s a game where every decision matters, every encounter tells a story, and every planet is teeming with possibilities. It might not redefine the genre, but it doesn’t need to. What it does is deliver a galaxy-spanning adventure that’s exciting, immersive, and above all, fun — a true testament to the enduring magic of Star Wars.
Quest Daily scores Star Wars Outlaws:
8/10
A review copy of Star Wars Outlaws was supplied to Quest Daily for the purpose of this review.
