Star Wars Outlaws Review — Reminding Me Why I Love the Galaxy Far, Far Away

In recent years, I have grown tired of Star Wars. The franchise has been diluted with the same tired tropes and stubbornness to keep playing in the same playground it has for almost 50 years. Of course, there have been projects that have given us a glimpse at a different side of the galaxy, with Rogue One and Andor exploring morally grey characters and their struggles against an imposing, evil empire. Star Wars Outlaws channels that same energy, showing us a new way to explore this galaxy with much success. It’s also the best Ubisoft game I’ve played in years, with the developer beating all my expectations by delivering a truly next-gen open-world game.

Forget the Jedi, the Sith, and their overpowered lightsabers. You play as Kay Vess, an Outlaw on the wrong side of many overlords of the galaxy’s underbelly. While most Star Wars projects will deal with the everlasting battle between the light and dark side, Kay couldn’t care less about the conflict. She will double-cross anyone she can, except her trusty pet pal Nix, if she has something to gain from it. It’s the quintessential Han Solo stand-in, and I’m glad she’s an original character, free from the shackles of established canon. Across her many run-ins with the Empire and various crime syndicates, you decide where she stands on the slippery slope of morality.