© Presse-citron
It's been several years that a significant number of players are tired of Ubisoft's games, which generally lack innovation and are not up to par with what the video game industry offers. Tired of the Assassin's Creed license since the addition RPG components, the annual Far Cry without innovations and my hope for the release of a Rayman one day, Star Wars Outlaws was the first Ubi title in years to pique my interest from the first trailer.
Subscribe to Presse-citron
L' The story takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Here we play as Kay Vess, a seasoned thief accompanied by Nix, her adorable companion. Their goal& ;nbsp;? Clear a colossal debt to a crime lord. To do so, they will have to navigate between the various criminal syndicates of the galaxy, while avoiding the Empire.
From the first minutes, we studio Massive sets the mood. Kay is not a Jedi or a rebel, just a thief trying to survive in a hostile world. Her personal story is revealed throughout the adventure, and we quickly become attached to this duo of losers. And what a pleasure to not once again have to play a space monk armed with his lightsaber.
The game also skillfully avoids the trap of excessive fan service. No forced cameos from iconic characters, no heavy references on every street corner. We do come across a few familiar faces, but they fit naturally into the plot.
© Presse-citron
This approach allows us to focus on Kay's story and Nix, without being constantly distracted by incessant winks. Nevertheless, Outlaws highlights the Hutt Syndicate and therefore the presence of Jabba as well as the exploration of the planet Tatooine , which is still nice without being too much.
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
Ubisoft Massive has created several planets to explore, each with its own own visual identity and its challenges. From the aridity of Tatooine to the lush jungles of Akiva, As you pass through the snowy streets of Kijimi, there is plenty of variety. Each location is full of details that show that the title was developed by fans of the license.
The level design is rather successful, even if the vast areas that the we will cross in speeder are somewhat empty. There are still some secrets to discover and side quests to complete.
© Presse-citron
Navigation between planets is done aboard the Trailblazer. The space flight sequences are quite well done, with battles against ships from different factions and the possibility of exploring asteroid fields.
< strong>Star Wars Outlawsoffers a balanced mix of action and infiltration phases. The blaster fights are fast-paced and satisfying, taking up some of the codes of Star Wars Battlefront. However, we regret a relatively strange choice here. It is possible to recover the weapons of the enemies, without being able to keep them on you. You will have to use them during the current fight, otherwise you will automatically drop them when climbing a ladder or entering a ventilation duct.
The infiltration aspect largely benefits from Nix's abilities. This little companion can sneak into ducts, hack terminals or distract enemies. The synergy between the two characters thus opens up many tactical possibilities.
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000About the gameplay, the PC version we tested has a considerable advantage: the ability to play with a keyboard/mouse combo and a controller with an instant change. As a PC gamer, the mouse is perfect for shooting, and the controller is more suitable on a speeder or aboard the Trailblazer. Having Sony's Dualsense at my disposal, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the advanced vibration and trigger resistance functions were available here.
© Presse-citron
Or its shooting phases, one of the great strengths Star Wars Outlaws lies in its reputation system with the various criminal syndicates. Every action, every mission accomplished for a gang will have repercussions on your relations with the other factions. . This system adds an interesting strategic dimension, which will require you to choose in your soul and conscience.
Should you favor the Hutts at the risk of alienating the Pyke Syndicate?? Be aware that each faction has specific territories, and that your reputation influences the reception you receive from the thugs in question. Suffice to say that if you don't want to be thrown out of the Pyke district at the first opportunity, it would be wise to maintain cordial relations with them.
© Presse-citron
© Presse-citron
A good reputation with a syndicate will also give you access to exclusive equipment or advantageous prices at certain merchants.
Visually, the PC version of Star Wars Outlaws is a success. The environments are detailed and varied, perfectly capturing the essence of the universe created by George Lucas. Tested on an OLED screen with a 4070 using Nvidia's DLSS 3.5, some landscapes are sumptuous.
We will also congratulate the Massive teams for having created Toshara from scratch, a planet inspired by the African savannah that is unprecedented.
© Presse-citron
The soundtrack is not left out, since The game features only original compositions that fit perfectly into the Star Wars universe. Far from me the idea of criticizing the masterpieces composed by John Williams, but this original soundtrack gives Star Wars Outlaws a strong identity .
Despite all its qualities, Star Wars Outlaws is not without its flaws. The first one is coming to mind is its rather slow start. It will indeed take at least 5 hours of play before being truly free in our movements, taking advantage of everything that the gameplay offers. Thus, it will be necessary to hang on above the 2 hours pre-refund offered by Steam if you want to see what the title really offers.
Next comes the animation of the Non-Player Characters populating the world. If the secondary characters are rather successful, most of the others are only humans with inexpressive faces, seeming to come out of an NPC generator without much thought behind their appearances.
© Presse-citron
Speaking of which, Star Wars Outlaws' AI is also only intelligent in name, with the balancing being somewhat of a failure. Indeed, if the enemies don't see further than the end of their noses, they turn out to be real desperadoes once you've been spotted.
Overall, some will regret a lack of originality in the overall structure of the game. Outlaws doesn't offer anything very original in its gameplay, while still mastering the aspects offered.
© Ubisoft
Despite these few drawbacks, Star Wars Outlaws is a very good surprise. The game avoids the worst mistakes of the usual Ubisoft formula, while remaining faithful to the Star Wars spirit.
The story of Kay and Nix is interesting, the gameplay is varied while resting on solid foundations, and the universe is a playground for fans of the saga. The reputation system adds a welcome strategic dimension, while the approach proposed in the missions will satisfy players thirsting for freedom.
Star Wars Outlaws proves that it is still possible to offer original experiences in this universe recently overexploited by Disney and its endless series. By focusing on the underbelly of the galaxy rather than the eternal conflict between Jedi and Sith, The game offers a new and refreshing look while offering a new planet as well as an original soundtrack.
We will also appreciate its lifespan which does not stretch over more than 35 hours for the main story, and 60 by carrying out all the secondary quests. A point that is often discouraging to enter an open world.
Despite its flaws, Outlaws is an adventure that deserves to be experienced by fans of the license.
📍 To not miss any news from Presse-citron, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.