Star Wars Outlaws Review Lecture Notes

Overview

Game Title: Star Wars Outlaws
Developer: Ubisoft
Claim: First open-world Star Wars game (disputed by the lecturer, referencing earlier titles like Star Wars The Old Republic, Star Wars Galaxy)
Main Character: Kay Vess, a non-Jedi scoundrel
Gameplay Focus: Stealth, crime syndicates, reputation systems

Performance: Ran well on a GTX 2080 at 1080p
Customizability: Extensive graphical and accessibility options
Difficulty: Played on both regular and Outlaw difficulty; found to be very easy

Character & Story:
- Kay Vess doesn’t fit traditional Star Wars hero profile
- Accompanied by a pet described as not fitting the Star Wars aesthetic
Combat & Mechanics:
- Heavy focus on stealth and melee combat ("punching in the face")
- Lack of traditional Star Wars elements like lightsabers and the Force
- Repetitive missions: generally involve stealthing, punching, stealing
- Controls for speeders were difficult and poorly designed
Spaceships:
- Spaceship controls and combat received positive feedback

World Design:
- Open world design described as uninspiring and "garbage"
- City hubs appeared lively and "Star Warsy," populated with familiar characters
Mission Structure:
- Missions were repetitive and tedious
- Reputation system with crime cartels influences gameplay

Game Feel:
- Game failed to capture the excitement of the Star Wars franchise
- Combat and controls are considered cumbersome and unsatisfying
- Stealth mechanics were overemphasized, leading to repetitive gameplay
Puzzles and Challenges:
- Puzzles considered overly simplistic and uninspired
Price and Value:
- Lecturer criticized the full game price (£4) for lacking quality and excitement

Overall Opinion:
- The game does not live up to Star Wars' legacy
- Critique suggests Ubisoft lacks understanding of what makes Star Wars engaging
- Recommendation for Ubisoft to re-evaluate their approach to game design
Personal Sentiment:
- Lecturer was disappointed and expected more from an open-world Star Wars game
- Expressed frustration at the game's repetitiveness and lack of innovation