Star Wars: Outlaws Embraces Familiarity, and That’s Its Charm

In the realm of Star Wars, whether on TV, in films, or within games, there’s a recurring challenge. The original trilogy was a groundbreaking fusion of rugged Westerns, introspective Samurai films, and cutting-edge Science Fiction, resulting in not just a blockbuster but a cultural phenomenon.

While everything under the Star Wars banner tends to rake in money, capturing the same cultural impact—especially during Disney’s era—has been a challenge for Lucasfilm. They’ve only managed to achieve that level of brilliance a few times, with “The Mandalorian” being the standout example. This show, with its Sci-Fi blend of influences like “The Lone Ranger” and “Seven Samurai,” along with classic practical effects, embodies that signature charm.

Carrying this mighty legacy, the Star Wars franchise, rooted in nostalgia for icons like John Wayne, John Ford, and Flash Gordon since the late 1970s, faces the unique task of feeling quintessentially “Star Wars” before implementing new ideas.

This duality can steer a project both in and away from greatness. Many Star Wars projects end up feeling repetitive and uninspired, leaning into the familiar comforts of puppets, laser blasters, and mechanical sliding doors, the quirks we all adore. Yet, when a project perfectly captures that essence, it truly resonates.

“Star Wars: Outlaws” serves as an excellent example post-revision. It’s not groundbreaking in terms of innovation, but it embodies numerous beloved Star Wars elements, making it one of the most enjoyable, action-packed adventures you can dive into during the Holidays. This resonates even amidst the peculiarities that contributed to its mixed initial reception.

If you’re somewhere snowy and cold, you’ll especially appreciate how Outlaws transports you to the icy, bustling streets of Kijimi, introduced with the sequel trilogy’s standout character, Babu Frik. Snow gently falls as you don a Hoth-inspired puffer jacket, enhancing the experience.

Before diving back into this post-patch world, there’s one key tweak to make—turn off one of the main new features. Personally, I enjoy playing Star Wars: Outlaws in a letterbox, wide-screen format. It captures the gritty yet epic film-like quality of Star Wars, transforming the barren landscapes of Toshara and Tatooine into cinematic frames rather than just more Ubisoft open worlds.

The game wisely limits the number of minor activities scattered across planets, though I admit to bypassing quest givers as if I owe them money. The moment that truly won me over, however, was on Tatooine. In search of blaster parts, I followed the map to a merchant. As I rounded the corner, I found myself face-to-face—or knee-to-eye—with a delightfully authentic Jawa.

Imagine how much more engaging open-world games could be if their merchants were Jawas! Picture a little yellow-eyed creature behind the counter in Far Cry 6, exclaiming, “Umpeeni! Whanga hoopa!” as you acquire a new silencer. It would be fantastic.

Throughout Outlaws, these delightful Star Wars discoveries abound, making it feel like an authentic, lived-in galaxy. The cities and spaceports are bustling with both iconic figures and obscure characters, sprinkled with movie references and Easter Eggs—which I’ll refrain from spoiling here.

Despite these virtues, there are aspects of Outlaws that don’t hit the mark. From a poorly explained lockpicking mini-game second only to Kingdom Come: Deliverance to hard-to-decipher platforming cues, some mechanics fall short. Yet, ultimately, the simple stealth gameplay captures the thrilling chaos of Han, Luke, and Leia’s daring escape in “A New Hope,” as you grab a Stormtrooper’s blaster and fire back with reckless abandon.

In its post-launch state, “Star Wars: Outlaws” stands as a testament to Disney Star Wars’ wider trend. It’s a visually stunning, well-produced adventure riddled with early flaws that prevent it from achieving cultural iconic status. But when taking away the pressure to be legendary, it’s pure escapist fun—a perfect Star Wars tale to enjoy wrapped in a blanket, with just your eyes peering over the top.

Unfortunately, these qualities might not fuel the demands of the AAA gaming industry machine, but that’s Ubisoft’s dilemma, not ours. If you need me, I’ll be over here, trading a Jawa three rolls of Bantha wool for a power converter.