I’ve Played Star Wars Outlaws and I Know Ubisoft’s Plan for the Saga: To Create a Fully Cinematic Sandbox

Following the success of Avatar, Ubisoft has implemented its sandbox formula in other franchises.

Star Wars Outlaws
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Star Wars Outlaws is one of the most highly anticipated games for the second half of 2024, and it’s easy to see why. While there’ve been attempts at an open-world game and a couple of MMORPGs in the Star Wars series, this is the first sandbox format entry from a popular franchise like this one. Even more importantly, the initial previews show a lot of promise. I got to visit Massive Entertainment’s studios in Malmö, Sweden, to check out the game’s new features.

During my time there, I had talks and testing sessions to understand Massive’s vision and approach to Star Wars. Below, I've distilled the key points about what Outlaws aims to achieve and why it could bring a fresh perspective to games based on the Star Wars franchise.

1. Not Your Typical Ubisoft Sandbox

Many gamers, including myself, were initially skeptical when some proposed the idea of an Assassin’s Creed-like game set in the Star Wars universe. Ubisoft’s well-known franchise has recently experimented with shorter, more focused games rather than massive titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. However, the prospect of lengthy games filled with side missions and collectibles was still a concern for those of us who appreciate some restraint, even within the sandbox genre.

To begin, Outlaws lasts between 25 to 30 hours, which is about half the length of an Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry game. This shorter duration promises more focused missions, no unnecessary side content, and a stronger emphasis on the story (rather than subplots). While it’ll still feature open-world exploration and wandering through unknown planets, the game’s design is intended to maintain a steady pace and keep the player engaged without requiring extended breaks from the main storyline.

2. The Star Wars We All Know

Star Wars Outlaws

The great thing about Star Wars is that it covers a wide range of eras and settings, essentially condensing very different sagas and tones. The setting of The Acolyte is quite different from The Mandalorian because it’s set at the beginning of the franchise, while The Mandalorian takes place after the original trilogy when the Empire has already fallen.

On the other hand, Outlaws plays it safe by setting its story between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, when the Empire is at the peak of its power and only facing resistance from persistent terrorist groups loyal to the previous regime. However, in this game, we’ll focus on the criminals operating on the fringes of this galactic conflict. In other words, Outlaws makes a safe move. It chooses a chronologically foolproof era and focuses on characters similar to one of the franchise’s most beloved figures: the smuggler Han Solo.

3. A Plethora of Planets

Fair enough, Outlaws’ open world can’t span to the whole “far, far away” galaxy. Instead, it’s restricted to a handful of connected planets and moons:

  • Cantonica (first appeared in Episode VIII): This is where our protagonist, Kay, resides.
  • Akiva (first appeared in the book Aftermath): This jungle-like world resembles Endor.
  • Tatooine (first appeared in Episode IV): It’s the familiar planet of Luke Skywalker, home to Mos Eisley’s cantina and Jabba the Hutt’s base of operations.
  • Kijimi (first appeared in Episode IX): This is a snowy planet with many mountainous areas.
  • Toshara (new moon created specifically for this game): Toshara is a dangerous moon characterized by widespread corruption under the control of a corrupt imperial governor. It remains largely unexplored except for the regions occupied by the governor’s henchmen, the underworld, and the criminal organizations operating in the area.

4. Main Characters: The Scoundrels

Julian Gerighty, Ubisoft’s creative director, and Mathias Karlson, the game’s director, told me that when they started working on the game with LucasArts, they asked themselves which characters in the game were their favorites. Their immediate answer was neither the Jedi nor the rebels, but the criminals who operate outside the law, the “Han Solos.” This idea was reflected in the team’s slogan: “Be a scoundrel in a galaxy of wonder and opportunity.”

The studio built the entire game around this concept: Players must establish a reputation as a thief by interacting with different characters and criminal organizations, and completing missions for them. They’ll ultimately prepare for a major heist, although details about it are scarce. However, it’s clear that Outlaws largely centers around the heist genre, connecting it to Rogue One, Han Solo, and Episode IV, which involved infiltrating the Death Star to retrieve a valuable asset for the Rebels.

5. How Do You Progress?

Star Wars Outlaws

In this sandbox game, the protagonist progresses by completing small adventures to improve their character instead of the typical experience points system. Throughout the galaxy, there are experts who provide knowledge, skills, and items. They guide players on what to do to unlock new features for the adventure. As such, we have to work for them by finding objects or completing missions.

This is where Massive takes the most risks: Instead of having an almost infinite skill tree to spend points on as we progress, we now have very specific skills that are unlocked at specific times. This may not be enough for hardcore roguelike fans, but it aligns with the studio’s cinematic ambitions.

6. Technically Flawless

Star Wars Outlaws

The game looks fantastic, as expected from a title produced by Ubisoft. Massive’s goal to create a game that feels like a movie within the saga appears to be justified. The visuals match the high standard set by its audiovisual counterparts. While it’s yet to be seen how everything comes together, for now, I can appreciate the impressive technical aspects of the game.

The game uses 3D sound reminiscent of a Hollywood blockbuster, and the lighting takes full advantage of the capabilities of the latest generation of consoles. What I especially appreciated was how the game visually replicated the effects of celluloid, such as scratches, anamorphic lenses, grain, and chromatic aberrations. This approach helps avoid the unnatural look of characters’ faces seen in many video games, creating a more analog aesthetic.

7. A Two-Way Thing (Or More)

Star Wars Outlaws

We’ll have plenty of time to learn more about our main characters, but here are a few hints.

Kay Vess is a newcomer to the criminal underworld who is eager to build a reputation by engaging with various syndicates and cartels, from Jabba’s and Queen Ashiga’s to Lady Q’ira’s. By her side is Nix, a loyal furry companion who assists Kay in combat and infiltration by opening doors, attacking or distracting enemies, and collecting ammunition and weapons from the battlefield.

There’s been less discussion about a third character who accompanies them: ND-5. ND-5 is a droid with a dark past in the Clone Wars that lacks free will. He’s only there to serve his owner, Kay Vess. She’ll help him get into the underworld, where he's had some experience in the past. Together, they form an unlikely trio of merry criminals who will encounter a robbery that will bring them face to face with the game’s major villain, the dangerous Sliro.

8. My Test

Star Wars Outlaws

I was only able to play levels up to the point seen in the demo filmed a few months ago. However, it was a good opportunity to evaluate the game’s overall quality. The levels felt very satisfying, particularly during the action sequences. The laser gun, which offers different levels of power in its shots, added considerable variety to the combat and allowed for strategic decision-making based on the offensive style. Nix also enhanced the action sequences, contributing to a combat system with numerous possibilities. How these elements will come together in the game’s development remains to be seen.

Additionally, I had the option to use stealth to complete the objectives. For example, I had to steal a relic and deliver it to the queen without getting caught. While I didn’t manage to complete the level without alerting the guards, I was able to spend time learning about the stealth mechanics, which were reminiscent of the Assassin’s Creed series. Nix also provided valuable assistance during this level.

Star Wars Outlaws

Finally, I encountered a puzzle and exploration level without any enemies. In this level, I had to find and activate opening systems to turn on an abandoned reactor on a desert planet. The level required coordination and skill as it involved platforming and climbing challenges that were more complex than the typical filler phases. The atmosphere, lighting, and environment were superb.

I only had one issue: The ship combat didn’t satisfy me, possibly because I didn’t have enough time to master the controls. Although technically impressive, the combat aboard the game's custom-designed ship felt rushed and confusing when I faced the imperial forces. I hope to have the opportunity to analyze it in more detail, but I doubt it’ll make me forget about Star Wars: Squadrons, especially since it’s just one level in a game with a broader scope despite its impressive graphics.

I may have left out a few details, but I hope I’ve given you a general first impression: Star Wars Outlaws is set to be a major blockbuster in the second half of 2024 (coming out at the end of August) and one of the most significant games related to the franchise in recent times. Whether it’ll surpass beloved classics like Knights of the Old Republic is yet to be seen. For now, we’ll just have to bide our time and wait a couple of months, perhaps spending it drinking a few shots in Mos Eisley.

Image | Ubisoft

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