8 /10 24

Star Wars Outlaws positions itself as the franchise’s first major open-world experience, letting players inhabit the criminal underworld between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. While creative director Julian Gerighty acknowledged the 76 Metacritic score as “a little disappointing,” players have connected deeply with the game’s authentic Star Wars atmosphere, detailed environments, and engaging protagonist Kay Vess. This review covers what works, where it stumbles, and whether the scoundrel fantasy delivers.

How to Play Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws blends stealth, exploration, and combat into an open-world adventure where player choice shapes reputation with criminal syndicates. Progression hinges on completing jobs, building a crew, and managing your standing with rival factions—choices actually matter here.

1. Controls – Responsive third-person controls with context-sensitive climbing and gadget use. Minimal learning curve for players familiar with Ubisoft games, though combat feels serviceable rather than punchy.
2. Progression – Main story spans 25-30 hours; completionists see 50-60 hours. Missions unlock as you complete contracts and build crew relationships. Skill trees unlock through character interactions rather than point allocation.
3. Combat and Stealth – Nearly every mission offers stealth as viable option, though most culminate in gunfights. Limited ranged stealth tools force close-quarters confrontations. Blaster combat is functional but basic compared to cover shooters like Division 2.
4. Tips – Embrace stealth early; combat AI weakens if you maintain distance. Use Nix (your companion) to distract guards. Sync with faction members for bonus mission rewards. Explore thoroughly for cosmetics and lore.

Who Should Play Star Wars Outlaws

This game targets Star Wars enthusiasts craving immersion in the criminal underworld, players who enjoyed Uncharted or Tomb Raider’s blend of action and exploration, and stealth-curious gamers willing to sneak rather than shoot.

• Star Wars Fans – The worlds (Tatooine, Kijimi, Akiva) feel ripped from the films. Environmental storytelling, creature design, and atmospheric density make this the most cinematic Star Wars game to date. Lucasfilm’s stamp is everywhere.
• Stealth Players – Approximately 80% of gameplay rewards careful infiltration. Enemies respond realistically to suspicion, entering search states before full alert. Localized conflicts preserve immersion better than other Ubisoft titles.
• Story-Driven Gamers – Kay Vess is likable and energetic. Supporting cast strengthens once your crew assembles. Narrative climax delivers meaningful payoff after investment in character relationships.
• Skip If – You demand deep combat mechanics, genre-pushing innovation, or polish at launch. Animations lack weight, takedowns feel weightless, and the game launched with notable bugs despite post-launch patches.

Star Wars Outlaws Platform Performance

PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X target 30 fps in Quality mode (1620p dynamic) and 60 fps in Performance mode (1080p dynamic). PC delivers superior visuals on capable hardware. Series S receives visual compromises in its single display mode.

Star Wars Outlaws System Requirements

PC requirements scale across minimum, recommended, and ultra tiers. Minimum targets 1080p/30 fps on GTX 1660; recommended targets 1080p/60 fps on RTX 3060 Ti. Ultra requires RTX 4080-class hardware for stable 1440p/60 fps with high settings.

Similar Games to Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws draws comparison to adventure games balancing exploration, combat, and narrative. However, its stealth emphasis and open-world structure distinguish it from purely linear experiences. The faction system creates emergent consequences unlike comparable titles.

• Uncharted Series – Similar cinematic presentation and protagonist charisma, but Outlaws offers open-world freedom rather than linear set pieces. Outlaws director confirmed Uncharted wasn’t their reference point.
• Tomb Raider (2013-2015) – Comparable blend of climbing, puzzle-solving, and combat. Outlaws prioritizes stealth and player choice over survival narrative and resource scarcity.
• Assassin’s Creed Mirage – Shared developer heritage (Ubisoft). Mirage focuses deeper on stealth mechanics; Outlaws balances multiple approaches. Both emphasize parkour and faction standing.
• Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order – Linear counterpart in same universe. Outlaws offers open exploration; Fallen Order favors curated combat encounters and environmental puzzles.

Star Wars Outlaws vs Competitors

Star Wars Outlaws competes in crowded open-world action-adventure space. Against direct rivals, it offers distinct Star Wars immersion and faction mechanics but lags competitors in combat depth and animations. Pricing and value-per-hour remain competitive.

Star Wars Outlaws Story and World

Kay Vess and her alien companion Nix navigate the criminal underworld between Episodes V and VI, seeking freedom through the galaxy’s greatest heist. Settings include Tatooine, Kijimi, Akiva, and Ord Mantell—each densely packed with environmental storytelling. Tone balances dark underworld politics with lighthearted character moments. Story strengthens after crew assembly, with meaningful conversations replacing early isolation. Narrative plays it safe but delivers satisfying payoff for investment in Kay’s journey and relationships with crew members like the droid ND-5.

Star Wars Outlaws Multiplayer and Online

Star Wars Outlaws features no multiplayer or online competitive modes. The game is strictly single-player narrative-driven experience. No co-op, PvP, or seasonal online content planned. This singular focus allows developers to polish core single-player experience without online infrastructure demands.

• Campaign – Entirely single-player; no split-screen or online co-op support
• Faction Reputation – Reputation system is purely offline and personal to your playthrough
• Cross-Play – Not applicable; offline-only experience
• Online Services – Cloud saves available on Ubisoft Connect; no online multiplayer infrastructure

Star Wars Outlaws DLC and Expansions

Ubisoft has committed to substantial post-launch support. Two story DLCs expand Kay’s adventures; cosmetic packs add character skins. Season Pass bundles all story content and cosmetics. Early access and exclusive Jabba’s mission available through premium editions. Free updates address bugs and balance gameplay.

• Wild Card – Story DLC released November 2024; introduces new criminal faction and heist mission with fresh gameplay
• A Pirate’s Fortune – Story DLC released May 2025; continues Kay’s saga with new locations and quests
• Season Pass – Bundles both story DLCs, exclusive cosmetics (Kessel Runner Pack, Cartel Ronin Bundle), and Jabba’s Gambit mission. Priced $32.99 on sale (regular $54.99)
• Free Updates – Patch frequency strong through 2024-2025; developers committed to “never stopping” improvements per creative director

Star Wars Outlaws Community and Support

Massive Entertainment maintains active engagement with player community. Developer forums, Reddit communities, and Discord servers host 30,000+ active members discussing missions, faction choices, and strategies. Patch notes released monthly. Community feedback influenced post-launch balance changes addressing stealth accessibility and combat feedback. Steam user reviews stabilize around mixed ratings; players consistently praise immersion and Star Wars authenticity despite acknowledging mechanical limitations.

• Official Forums – Ubisoft Star Wars Outlaws community hub with developer responses and patch notes
• Reddit & Discord – r/StarWarsOutlaws (45K+ members), multiple Discord servers with 10K+ active players discussing strategies and lore
• Mod Support – Steam Workshop support for graphical mods and quality-of-life enhancements. PC modding community growing post-launch
• Updates – Patches released every 4-6 weeks; roadmap publicly available through Ubisoft Connect