This Underrated Open World Gem Deserves A Second Chance On PlayStation Plus

Star Wars Outlaws is far from perfect. You probably already know this, considering the open world game received only decent reviews at launch and failed to set the sales charts on fire. But because it was published by Ubisoft and starred a character judged to be unattractive (despite this not being particularly true), it became public enemy number one months before its actual release.

I scored it 7/10 in my review, which is a good score, no matter what certain people on Twitter try to tell you. Even after the embargo lifted, I returned to it to finish up missions and to get my save prepared for the inevitable DLC. Almost two years later though, it feels like a lot of people still haven’t given this underrated gem a chance, and so don’t appreciate how it depicts the Star Wars universe in ways we’ve not seen video games tackle before.

But now it’s arriving on PlayStation Plus as part of the service’s May offerings. Here are a few reasons why you should download and give it a try for yourself.

Kay Vess Isn’t A Jedi

In recent years, I’m so used to games like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor, which are both focused on delivering the classic Jedi power fantasy. It wants you to learn how to use a lightsaber and become a force-wielding badass whose destiny is somehow linked to major characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. It’s hackneyed and doesn’t make a lot of sense, but Respawn Entertainment could come up with enough reasons for it to make sense in the wider universe. Besides, none of this really matters anyway.

So, when I was first introduced to Kay Vess, it was interesting to step into the shoes of a fairly normal girl. Someone who grew up on the streets and learned to become a charming rogue because, on her home planet, it was exactly what kept her alive. A willingness to barter, fight, and act against the fascist forces of the law to make a living.

While we are introduced to the positive forces in her life that try to steer Kay on the right path, she remains her own person. And what an interesting person she is to play as, with no supernatural powers and no fancy destiny leading her down a specific road. She’s just a gal trying to make money.

I’m also not ashamed to admit that your main droid companion ND-5, is kinda fine. He has a real slutty waist situation going on.

This lifestyle translates into how she maneuvers around the many planets you explore as well. She might be stopped by Stormtroopers when walking past a checkpoint, or be able to strike up deals with shopkeepers she has a certain factional allegiance with. One of the few familiar Star Wars names who does show up is Jabba the Hutt, and even he treats Kay like she is just another mercenary looking to work for her. He could crush her like a bug, making the heists you plan from directly underneath his nose all the more compelling.

Part of me wishes this potential was better realised in the main narrative though, which fails to come alive until the final act and relies much too heavily on Kay’s generic upbringing. Yes, I understand she’s lost people and is no longer quick to trust her new companions, but it’s a story we’ve seen countless times before. Humberly González’s performance doesn’t help at times either, which can’t help feeling wooden when it should be more rebellious and alive.

Star Wars Has Never Felt So Lived In Before

Kay walks by stormtroopers who are checking an alien.

Another reason why Outlaws is well worth your time is how alive its selection of planets feels. Unfortunately, I still think the speeder combat is mediocre, and the stealth is underbaked, but walking through packed towns and sneaking through hostile outposts is still so much fun. It never gets old walking through the sandy streets of Mos Eisley, walking into the cantina for one drink, and leaning against the wall to see what chatter you can pick up.

You can also pick up the surprisingly competent Switch 2 port if you fancy playing on the move. To this day, I still don’t know what witchcraft they used to make it work.

Hours can be spent just walking the streets or slowly driving your trusty speeder from place to place. Don’t pay attention to the map, but rather react to the vibes of each location or the small hints that Kay gives you about where to head or what to do next. Your position on each planet is also determined by the reputation you hold with each major syndicate. Big parts of each city can be inaccessible or outright hostile, depending on whether you are seen as either a trustworthy ally or a sworn enemy.

Kay Vess looking out over Canto Bight in Star Wars Outlaws.

Embarking on major quests or optional missions can swing your reputation wildly, offering an incentive to spend time within the game world and complete whatever tasks you encounter. I don’t think many of the stories these factions have to tell are particularly interesting, but they influence the open world in ways that are far more than superficial.

I could be here for a lot longer listing the ways in which Star Wars Outlaws is a flawed gem, but now that it’s available on PlayStation Plus, I’m hoping you’ll be able to uncover some of the joys it has in store for yourself. It has a great lead character, compelling planets to explore, and a mixture of different gameplay systems that gel together wonderfully. It’s rough around a few edges, but those are easy enough to overlook and still have a good time.