The Star Wars franchise has been a massive part of the gaming industry for years now, with a wide variety of experiences that have taken players across the galaxy, from the gripping lightsaber battles of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to the thrilling dogfights in Rogue Squadron. However, despite its success, the franchise has never truly embraced the open-world format in the same way other major series have. That is, until Star Wars Outlaws was announced, a game that’s shaping up to be the first real open-world experience in a galaxy far, far away. But with so much expectation, can Outlaws truly redefine open-world gaming for the Star Wars universe? Let’s dive in and see what this ambitious project could bring to the table.
A New Era for Star Wars Games
Star Wars Outlaws, developed by Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment, is set to release in 2024, and it’s already causing quite a stir. What makes it stand out is its bold attempt to be the first true open-world game in the Star Wars universe. Historically, most Star Wars titles have been pretty linear, focusing on tight, story-driven missions or isolated zones that guide you along a set path. And while that’s been great in some games (Fallen Order nailed it, for example), Outlaws is aiming to offer something much bigger: a seamless, open galaxy where players can explore, take on missions, and shape their journey however they choose.
This shift could be a game-changer. If Ubisoft manages to pull it off, Outlaws could not only redefine Star Wars games but also set a new benchmark for open-world design in the sci-fi genre. Think Red Dead Redemption 2 or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but with blasters and spaceships. It’s an ambitious target, but one that could elevate Star Wars gaming to a whole new level.
Expanding the Star Wars Galaxy
One of the most exciting aspects of Star Wars Outlaws is its potential to finally give us the expansive galaxy we’ve always wanted to explore. Previous Star Wars games have typically stuck to a handful of iconic planets—places like Tatooine, Hoth, or Endor—offering brief glimpses into these famous locations. But with Outlaws, Ubisoft is promising a much broader playground, one where you can seamlessly travel between planets and star systems, exploring different environments and cultures.
This kind of planetary exploration could set a new standard for open-world design, not just in Star Wars but across all sci-fi games. If each planet in Outlaws has its own unique atmosphere, missions, and NPCs, the game could deliver a truly immersive experience, letting players feel like they’re carving out their own path through the galaxy. It’s this kind of expansive world-building that could push the boundaries of what open-world games can achieve in a sci-fi setting.
Seamless Space and Ground Exploration
Another feature that could make Star Wars Outlaws stand out is its seamless transition between space and ground-based gameplay. Most Star Wars games either split these two elements or relegate space battles to a separate mode entirely. In Outlaws, however, we’re being promised a unified experience where players can fly through space, engage in dogfights, and then land on planets to continue their adventure—all without loading screens.
If Ubisoft can pull this off, it could be groundbreaking. Imagine escaping from Imperial forces in orbit, dodging blaster fire, and then landing on a desert planet to continue your mission—without a single loading screen. That kind of fluid, uninterrupted experience would give players a real sense of freedom, and capture the thrill of being an outlaw in the Star Wars universe.
A New Take on Star Wars Storytelling
What really sets Star Wars Outlaws apart from previous games is its narrative focus. Rather than rehashing the traditional Jedi-versus-Sith storyline, Outlaws is diving into the murky underworld of the galaxy, focusing on smugglers, bounty hunters, and criminals. You play as Kay Vess, a rogue scoundrel navigating the darker side of the universe, far from the political battles of the Republic and Empire.
This shift in tone could offer a fresh, gritty take on the Star Wars universe. Instead of wielding lightsabers and using the Force, you’ll be making shady deals, dodging bounty hunters, and taking on morally questionable jobs. It’s a perfect fit for an open-world game, where player choice is key. If Outlaws takes inspiration from titles like The Witcher 3 or Cyberpunk 2077, we could see a game that lets you align with different factions, make tough decisions, and deal with the consequences of your actions in a galaxy that feels alive and reactive.
The Challenges Ahead
Of course, there are always risks with a project of this scale. The open-world genre has seen some huge advances in recent years, with games like Elden Ring, Horizon Forbidden West, and The Witcher 3 setting the bar for world-building, narrative depth, and player agency. For Outlaws to stand out, it’ll need to hit those same heights.
There’s also the ever-present risk of “open-world bloat”—a common pitfall where a game’s world ends up feeling too big, with repetitive tasks and filler content that detracts from the core experience. Ubisoft has faced this criticism before with some of its other franchises, so it’ll need to ensure that Outlaws strikes the right balance between exploration and meaningful content. The key will be making sure that every planet, mission, and side quest feels engaging, not just more map markers to tick off.
Ubisoft’s Open-World Expertise
Luckily, Ubisoft knows a thing or two about open-world games. The Assassin’s Creed series has been one of the most successful in the genre, offering massive, detailed worlds packed with history and lore. The question is, can Ubisoft bring that same magic to the Star Wars universe? The potential is certainly there, but Outlaws will need to avoid feeling like just another Assassin’s Creed game with a Star Wars skin.
What we need is a game that feels unique to the Star Wars universe, a world where every decision and action has weight, and every planet tells its own story. If Ubisoft can bring its open-world expertise while staying true to the Star Wars ethos, Outlaws could be something truly special.
Conclusion
Star Wars Outlaws has the potential to be a game-changer for both the Star Wars franchise and the open-world genre. Its seamless mix of space and planetary exploration, combined with a gritty, underworld-focused narrative, could offer a fresh take on the Star Wars universe that we haven’t seen before. If Ubisoft can deliver on its promises and avoid the common pitfalls of open-world design, Outlaws might just redefine what we expect from Star Wars games and set a new standard for sci-fi adventures.
2024 could be the year Star Wars finally gets its open-world epic, and for fans of both the galaxy far, far away and open-world gaming, that’s something to be very excited about.