Star Wars Outlaws: Life as an Outlaw in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

When Ubisoft Massive finally pulled back the curtain on Star Wars Outlaws, fans knew they were in for something special. Now that the game has been in our hands since 2024, the gritty underbelly of a galaxy dominated by scoundrels feels more alive than ever. The adventure is built around Kay Vess, a cunning thief, and her adorably fierce alien companion Nix, who are both just trying to survive one legally questionable gig at a time. From the very first moment she sits down to a game of Sabacc, it’s clear this isn’t a story about Jedi or the Force—it’s about the schemers, the backstabbers, and the ones who always have a plan B.

The timeline alone sets Outlaws apart. A carbonite-frozen Han Solo delivery straight to Jabba the Hutt —complete with his iconic hookah—places the adventure squarely between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This is uncharted territory for most modern Star Wars games, a period that hasn’t really been explored deeply since 1996’s Shadows of the Empire. As a result, the galaxy feels both familiar and refreshingly lawless. The Empire is an ever-present threat, but the real power players are the crime syndicates clawing for dominance: the slug-like Hutts, the spice-running Pykes, and the enigmatic new Yashida clan. One particularly brutal moment shows a Yashida enforcer slicing down a Sullustan with a vibro blade, instantly reminding players that trust is a currency nobody here can afford.

What has kept players talking long after the credits rolled is the open-ended gameplay. Kay isn’t a soldier; she’s a survivor who can approach danger in wildly different ways. Sneaking through ventilation shafts, having Nix create a distraction by pulling a distant lever, or simply going in blasters-first —every encounter feels like a puzzle with multiple solutions. The absence of a traditional dialogue-based negotiation system outside of cutscenes implies that Kay’s silver tongue works best when she’s already halfway out the door. And if things go sideways, the reputation system kicks in. Similar to how Grand Theft Auto or Red Dead Redemption handles notoriety, Kay’s actions earn her a Wanted tag that sends Imperial forces swarming. Losing them means jumping to another planet or lying low in a cantina until the heat dies down, a mechanic that makes every moment feel reactive and personal.

Of course, no outlaw flies solo, and Nix is far more than just a cute face. He can scan enemies, press buttons Kay can’t reach, or literally leap onto a guard’s face mid-combat. Think of him as a cross between Cal Kestis’s BD-1 and a hacker drone from Watch Dogs. In fact, after the game’s launch, Ubisoft even released a line of incredibly soft Nix plushies —and honestly, they deserve every credit spent. Beyond the adorable chaos, Nix often steals the emotional spotlight, especially when Kay is injured or trapped. The bond between them feels genuinely earned, not just scripted.

Vehicles also play a massive role in making the galaxy feel expansive. Kay can snatch speeders on the fly, from chopper-like bikes to rugged landspeeders that roar across mining hubs like Ashkaha. The ship she owns, the Trailblazer, becomes her home base and hyperspace getaway car, letting players chart their own path between systems. It’s impossible not to grin the first time you punch the hyperdrive while Imperial TIE fighters close in. On the ground, those familiar Pod Racer engines glimpsed in the early trailers finally paid off: a thrilling side quest lets Kay participate in a short but pulse-pounding race, a nod that delighted prequel-era fans.

The cast of characters Kay encounters is just as memorable. One standout is ND-5, a modified Commando Droid who has survived the Clone Wars and now works alongside a broker named Jalen. Unlike the relentless machines Cal Kestis sliced through in Jedi Survivor, ND-5 shows an unsettling hint of personality, even warning Kay about a shady deal. His presence, along with figures like the legendary Babu Frick and the lavish dens of Canto Bight, ties the criminal underworld seamlessly into the wider Star Wars saga. Kijimi appears as a hub for spice runners, its snowy streets teeming with danger, while the casino city of Canto Bight glitters with high-stakes sabacc tables and even higher stakes double-crosses. Every planet feels handcrafted, dripping with atmosphere.

And then there’s the Rancor. A terrifying encounter deep underground has players tiptoeing past the legendary beast—possibly the very same Rancor that would later menace Luke Skywalker above Jabba’s palace. The timeline fits, and seeing that massive clawed hand slam against the stone floor is enough to make anyone freeze. The game never forces you to fight it head-on; instead, you have to outsmart it, using the environment and your wits to survive. That moment encapsulates what Star Wars Outlaws does best: it makes you feel small, resourceful, and gloriously roguish in a galaxy that doesn’t care if you live or die.

Since its launch, players have mapped every corner of these planets, uncovered hidden lore, and debated the best ways to manipulate the reputation system. The dynamic between the syndicates shifts based on your choices: help the Pykes one day and the Hutts might refuse to do business the next. It’s a delicate balancing act that keeps playthroughs fresh. The lack of a rigid mission structure means you can freely steal a speeder, crash a podrace, or just gamble away your credits in a back-alley Sabacc den. Star Wars Outlaws delivers the scoundrel fantasy that so many have craved, and thanks to post-launch updates, that galaxy has only gotten richer. Kay Vess may not be a Jedi, but in a universe run by thieves and tyrants, she’s exactly the hero we needed.