Star Wars: Outlaws Thrives in Familiarity and That’s Its Strength

On screens big and small, whether in movies, TV shows, or games, Star Wars faces a familiar challenge.

The original trilogy was a groundbreaking fusion of gritty Westerns, contemplative Samurai films, and revolutionary Science Fiction, creating a genre-defining celebration at the heart of pop culture.

Though Star Wars often results in financially successful endeavors, particularly in the Disney era, replicating the cultural phenomenon of the original series has mostly eluded Lucasfilm. A notable exception is “The Mandalorian,” which cleverly blends elements from The Lone Ranger, Seven Samurai, and beloved practical effects in a Sci-Fi tapestry.

With this rich legacy, new Star Wars content carries the heavy expectation of staying “Star Wars-y” before it can even start exploring new narratives. Established in the zeitgeist with references to John Wayne, John Ford, and Flash Gordon since the late ’70s, this balancing act is like navigating between the Dark Side and the Force itself.

This balancing act means a lot of Star Wars content risks being overly derivative and unimpressive. Often, it mimics the endearing elements like the puppetry, iconic blasters, and retro-futuristic sliding doors, all of which evoke a cozy nostalgia, akin to being inside a warm Tauntaun. But when something genuinely captures the Star Wars spirit, it strikes a powerful chord.

After its initial rework, Star Wars: Outlaws stands as a prime example. While not innovating dramatically, it nails the Star Wars vibe exceptionally well. As a result, it emerges as one of the most entertaining, light-hearted, and thrilling experiences you can enjoy this holiday season, despite retaining some quirks that contributed to its mixed launch reception.

For those in snowy climates or simply dreaming of a white Christmas, Outlaws hits the spot. Just as you find your rhythm, the game transports you to the icy, rugged streets of Kijimi, where the snowflakes fall, and Babu Frik — the sequel trilogy’s standout character — resides. It’s a wonderfully immersive experience, especially as you don a Hoth-style puffer jacket.

To truly capture the post-patch magic, though, the first thing you should do is revert one of its primary updates.

One aspect I adore about Star Wars: Outlaws is embracing its wide-screen, letterbox format. This choice instantly grounds the action and exploration in that distinct, gritty yet cinematic Star Wars charm. The barren landscapes of worlds like Toshara and Tatooine transform into scenes straight out of the films, rather than feeling like yet another expansive Ubisoft domain.

Remarkably, the game’s vast planets aren’t overwhelmed with superfluous side-quests, though I have casually bypassed a few quest-givers as if dodging an acquaintance with an idle IOU.

What truly hooked me onto Outlaws was an encounter on Tatooine. While scavenging for new blaster components, I dashed around a corner only to find myself face-to-thigh-bone with a 3-foot Jawa.

Imagine how much more delightful other open-world games would be if their merchants were Jawas? Picture yourself in Far Cry 6, casually turning a corner to find a diminutive Jawa standing on a crate, handing you a new silencer with a cheerful “Umpeeni! Whanga hoopa!” That would be fantastic.

These charming Star Wars moments across Outlaws give it an authentic, lived-in feel of a galaxy far, far away. Its cities and spaceports teem with familiar faces and obscure references, complemented with appearances from major movie characters and delightful Easter Eggs I’ll leave for you to discover.

Though not without its flaws, like a confusing lockpicking mini-game (second only to the perplexing Kingdom Come: Deliverance) and platforming cues that are as tricky as decoding Aurebesh, some of Outlaws’ mechanics can be unexpectedly jarring. Nevertheless, even amid these hurdles, the game captures some exhilarating stealth moments. When stealth gives way to chaos, it echoes the suspenseful rush of Han, Luke, and Leia’s stormtrooper escape in A New Hope, as you duck and fire back with borrowed blasters.

Despite its rocky launch, Star Wars: Outlaws feels akin to much of Disney’s Star Wars content. It’s a lavishly produced, adventurous escapade that, while initially too flawed to captivate the broader cultural arena, now offers pure, escapist joy. This is Star Wars to lose yourself in, bundled in blankets with wide-eyed anticipation.

Unfortunately, this might not be enough to sustain the demands of the AAA game market, but that’s Ubisoft’s challenge to tackle. As for me, I’ll be haggling with a Jawa, swapping a few rolls of Bantha wool for a power converter.