Star Wars Outlaws: The Final Preview

Ubisoft has developed a fame for making “guidelines” open-world video games; large areas the place you’re given a to-do listing of sidequests and actions to finish exterior of the golden path. Usually this isn’t a praise. However one of many issues that impressed me about Star Wars Outlaws is that I didn’t get the sense that I used to be simply checking packing containers to inch nearer to 100% sport completion. Don’t get me mistaken – there may be loads to do in Outlaws, however these sidequests and actions really feel much more natural than they do within the writer’s different video games. For instance, whereas wandering across the city of Mirogana on the planet Toshara, I walked by an arcade mini-game of kinds. I wandered up and performed a spherical. I additionally stumbled upon a betting stand the place I might wager on holographic-horse races. I managed to wager on the fitting one by sheer good luck, which gave me a chuckle later once I found a datapad mendacity round elsewhere that gave me a robust trace on who to put my cash on. I additionally encountered a down-on-their-luck playing addict who begged me for cash. I obliged, enabling his vice and leaving with a promise that he’d share in his winnings ought to he discover himself again on Woman Luck’s good facet. Naturally, there’s additionally a cantina, and I even noticed a Sabacc desk, however I lacked enough funds on the time to purchase in and play.

All of those non-compulsory actions really feel very pure on the planets and cities of Outlaws, and that’s true partly due to the superb artwork route that makes each location ooze Star Wars authenticity. From the lighting to the structure to the NPCs milling about, Large has, primarily based on what I’ve seen up to now, carried out a wonderful job of setting an genuine Star Wars stage.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t add how the story of Star Wars Outlaws solely helps and reinforces all of this. Kay is simply out to make her means in an unforgiving galaxy, mendacity or double-crossing as she must as a way to look out for primary. This performs out in occasional dialogue selections that pop up throughout cutscenes, including a bit extra participant company to what would in any other case be a mini-Star Wars in-game film. Will these selections have an effect on how the plot finally performs out? I wouldn’t wager on it, however there’s a laudable faction fame system that tracks how a lot (or little) every of the in-game syndicates likes you. Double-cross the Hutts and also you’ll hurt your fame with them, however enhance your standing with the Crimson Daybreak. Piss off a faction sufficient they usually received’t allow you to into their territory (which means you’ll need to sneak in and keep undetected if you’d like entry).

However, you’re in all probability questioning, what of the moment-to-moment gameplay? On this, Star Wars Outlaws made me completely satisfied. It is a stealth sport if you’d like it to be. And in the event you mess up in that try, I truthfully like that you simply don’t have a lightsaber to avoid wasting you. You’ll have to make use of Kay’s blaster – which, sure, is upgradeable – to get out of hassle, and that provides to the sense of hazard since you’re not a laser sword-wielding demigod. As such, the blaster battles felt like they’d significant stakes, and the stealth gameplay had a little bit of weight to it as a result of I knew that I’d be up in opposition to it if I tousled.

Naturally, there’s lockpicking too within the type of knowledge spikes, and I fairly like how Outlaws handles it. Every lock has a specific audio signature, and it’s as much as you to match that sample by urgent the fitting set off in time with the beeps. The longer you’re taking, the extra possible you’re to be noticed. Equally, the hacking minigame can be actually enjoyable. Right here, you’ll must line up the fitting symbols in the fitting order, which often takes a number of makes an attempt. Fail too usually and also you’ll fail the hack totally. It took me just a few tries to wrap my head round, however as soon as I did I actually loved the alternatives I acquired to do some hacking.

The core stealth gameplay is aided by the breakout star of Outlaws, Nix. Sure, Nix is the BD-1 of this sport, however in comparison with Cal Kestis’s droid companion, Kay’s natural pal can do much more for you. He can distract an enemy – by getting the dangerous man’s consideration and adorably enjoying useless – or flat-out assault them. He can hit buttons or switches too, and retrieve objects. That is helpful while you’re pinned down in a firefight and a stronger A300 Blaster Rifle is throughout the room. Nix can fetch it and drop it at your toes with out you leaving cowl. I even like how Outlaws handles these bigger weapons: they will’t be reloaded, which means that after you fireplace all of the rounds, you simply drop the empty gun and return to your trusty blasters. That is possible a design resolution to make sure that Kay by no means feels overpowered, thus ensuring the participant is at all times on their toes in fight.

Lastly, you couldn’t have an open-world Star Wars sport with out methods to get round that expanse, and in Outlaws, Kay has a speeder bike that, as you’d guess, will also be upgraded. You possibly can win credit doing races, or simply cease off alongside the best way to your vacation spot at some interesting-looking pit cease. The bike controls properly – it virtually looks like driving a ship in Waverace 64 in that it’s fairly quick and maneuverable however hardly handles prefer it’s on rails.

Complementing that is Kay’s ship, the Trailblazer (and sure, it’s upgradeable). I acquired to do a little bit of outer-space ship-to-ship fight, and I had fun! I’ll want loads extra time within the pilot’s seat to essentially solidify my opinion right here, however flying the Trailblazer made an excellent first impression.

If there’s one factor that involved me throughout my hands-on time, it’s bugs. Outlaws went gold properly earlier than the preview occasion, which means that if I wasn’t enjoying the certification construct, it was one thing mighty shut. And whereas sure, there’ll inevitably be a day-one patch as most video games have these days, it was nonetheless disappointing to see as many annoying little – admittedly principally visible and innocent – glitches as I did. Hopefully that day-one replace will knock out the majority of them.

Finally, although, I had a improbable time with Star Wars Outlaws. Open-world video games are typically jacks-of-all-trades, masters-of-none, and whereas I’m undecided Outlaws will grasp any of its gameplay parts, it nonetheless not solely does all of them very properly, however it does so with a convincing Star Wars sheen. And since there’s one way or the other by no means been an open-world Star Wars sport earlier than, it feels new, contemporary, and most welcome. I’m glad that is arguably the primary big-name sport out this Fall on August 30, as a result of I can’t wait to play extra of it.

Ryan McCaffrey is IGN’s government editor of previews and host of each IGN’s weekly Xbox present, Podcast Unlocked, in addition to our long-form interview present, IGN Unfiltered. He is a North Jersey man, so it is “Taylor ham,” not “pork roll.” Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.