Star Wars Outlaws' Biggest Inspiration Revealed: Ghost of Tsushima Shapes Ubisoft's Scoundrel Fantasy

In the galaxy of upcoming open-world adventures, Star Wars Outlaws has emerged as one of 2026's most anticipated titles. While early previews sparked comparisons to everything from Red Dead Redemption to The Witcher 3, the game's creative director Julian Gerighty has now revealed the true north star that guided development: Sucker Punch's critically acclaimed samurai epic, Ghost of Tsushima. This revelation comes as a surprise to many who expected Ubisoft's latest to follow the familiar blueprint of its own franchises like Assassin's Creed or Far Cry. Instead, Outlaws represents a deliberate pivot, aiming to capture a specific player fantasy with the same focused intensity that made Ghost of Tsushima a generation-defining experience.

The Samurai in a Scoundrel's Clothing 🌌

In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, Julian Gerighty directly addressed the flood of comparisons. He acknowledged Red Dead Redemption's phenomenal world-building but clarified that it wasn't the primary inspiration. "My biggest reference was Ghost of Tsushima," Gerighty stated, emphasizing that its influence was "more on the Kurosawa side of inspiration than the Western." This distinction is crucial. While Red Dead immerses you in a living, breathing world, Ghost of Tsushima is laser-focused on fulfilling the player's fantasy of being a samurai—the honor, the aesthetics, the singular journey. This is the exact feeling Massive Entertainment aimed to translate into the Star Wars universe: not just visiting a world, but authentically inhabiting the life of a scoundrel.

Gerighty elaborated on this philosophy, highlighting how Ghost of Tsushima masterfully intertwines its core elements: "The story, world, and characters all work together with the gameplay to guide the whole experience." This holistic design approach is what the Outlaws team sought to emulate. The goal wasn't to create another checklist open world, but a cohesive adventure where every mission, interaction, and mechanic reinforces the central fantasy of being an underworld opportunist trying to outsmart the Empire and the Syndicates.

From Katana to Blaster: Translating the Fantasy ⚔️➡️🔫

So, how does the inspiration from a grounded, historical samurai game manifest in a sci-fi galaxy far, far away? The connection is all about player fantasy and grounded identity. In Ghost of Tsushima, Jin Sakai isn't an unstoppable demigod; he's a warrior using his wits, skills, and environment. Similarly, in Star Wars Outlaws, you play as Kay Vess, a cunning scoundrel. She's not a Jedi. She can't leap tall buildings or move objects with the Force. Her survival depends on:

• Tool Mastery: Using gadgets, stealth, and her trusty droid companion ND-5 to overcome obstacles.

• Social Manipulation: Navigating the complex reputations with factions like the Pykes and the Hutt Cartel.

• Grounded Combat: Relying on blaster skills and quick thinking rather than supernatural powers.

This creates a relatable, tense, and immersive experience. You feel vulnerable yet capable—exactly the precarious position a scoundrel should occupy. Early hands-on previews confirm this vision is executed well. Players report genuinely feeling like an underdog in a vast, dangerous universe, where smart choices are more valuable than raw power.

A New Leaf for Ubisoft Open Worlds 🍃

This inspiration signals a significant and welcome shift for Ubisoft's open-world design philosophy. For years, the template was often characterized by:

Traditional Ubisoft Formula	Star Wars Outlaws' New Direction
Map filled with icons & checklists	Guided, intentional exploration & discovery
Power fantasy protagonist	Grounded, vulnerable scoundrel fantasy
Systemic, sometimes repetitive gameplay	Narrative-driven, character-centric mechanics

By looking outward to Ghost of Tsushima—a game praised for its respectful, atmospheric world and elegant mission design—Ubisoft is challenging its own conventions. Outlaws feels less about liberating outposts and more about living a story. It's about the tense standoff in a cantina, the risky deal gone wrong, and the desperate escape through asteroid fields. The "Kurosawa side" of inspiration Gerighty mentions points to a focus on tone, composition, and a certain cinematic purity of purpose.

The Verdict from the Underworld 👀

The early consensus from previews is that this inspired direction is a resounding success. One previewer noted, "You really do feel like a scoundrel in the Star Wars universe... who actually has to use every tool available to them to get by." Another amusingly, and perhaps aptly, dubbed it "Watch Dogs 2 in space," highlighting its potential for creative, systemic problem-solving in a vibrant urban sci-fi setting—which is certainly not a bad thing!

Ultimately, the Ghost of Tsushima connection reveals the heart of Star Wars Outlaws. It’s not trying to be the biggest Star Wars game ever made; it’s trying to be the most authentic scoundrel simulator. By focusing on a specific, grounded fantasy and weaving all aspects of the game around it—just as Sucker Punch did for the samurai fantasy—Ubisoft might have finally crafted the focused, immersive open-world experience fans have been craving. As we await its 2026 launch, one thing is clear: the path to becoming a galactic legend wasn't charted by following Ubisoft's old maps, but by following the way of the ghost. 🎌✨