Star Wars Outlawsis a telling a different kind of story in theStar Warsuniverse, one that doesn’t involve the typical struggle between the forcesof light and dark. Kay Vess isn’t a rebel commando, an Imperial spy, or a Jedi Padawan, but rather an up-and-coming scoundrel hoping to make it big in the underworld with one risky heist. In fact, the story seems to resemble the general opening ofCyberpunk 2077more than it does mostStar Warsgames.
In an interview with Game Rant,Star Wars Outlawscreative director Julian Gerighty spoke about making a game where the protagonist is more or less an average citizen of the Empire, rather than a heroic figure. He mentioned how this factored intoStar Wars Outlaws' Force-less gameplay by inspiring the idea of a trusty animal companion and how Kay Vess' chaotic journey resembles an 80s Martin Scorsese urban odyssey.
Nix Substitutes Force Powers In Star Wars Outlaws
The list of narrative-heavyStar Warsgames where the player isn’t a Force user is surprisingly small, withRepublic Commando,Bounty Hunter, andShadows of the Empirebeing the most noteworthy examples, in contrast to such games asKOTORand even sometimes inEA’sStar Wars: Battlefrontgames.
In gameplay terms, being an “average person” can limit the player’s capabilities quite a bit. WhileRepublic Commandohad squadmate orders andShadows of the Empirefeatured special ammo types and jetpacks,Star Wars Outlawsdeepens gameplay options with an adorable little companion, Nix.
“The core initial idea was ‘How do we give Kay extra-human reach, but not superpowers? A long third arm that can distract, attack, set off smoke bombs, and grab a weapon?’ Very quickly we went, ‘Okay, what if it was a companion?’
Then the soft values came in: The cuteness, the fierceness, the look and feel, everything that makes him adorable and more than just a gameplay mechanic. But it always starts with, ‘How do we give players more control over the situation? The battlefield? The location?'”
In this way, Nix serves a similar purpose as Iden Versio’s droid Dio orCal Kestis’ BD-1. Cal Kestis may have access to Force powers, but his companion still helps him to traverse zip lines or hack Imperial terminals. Kay’s partner Nix enables her on-foot gameplay to involve more than simply shooting and hiding, though the full range of interactions is yet to be seen.
Star Wars Outlaws Tells A More Relatable Story
Star Wars Outlawsstands out even further due to its particular theme having nothing to do with the struggle between the rebellion and the Empire, or even the plight of the surviving Jedi in the wake of the Jedi Purge. Gerighty says thatKay Vess is a more relatableStar Warsprotagonistin that she’s merely a scoundrel trying to make ends meet before unwittingly becoming involved in something larger:
“We chose that this be an outlaw story. This is not about Jedi, it’s not about the Empire, it’s not about the rebels. It’s an outlaw story, and from that point on, it really allows you to be extremely creative within a framework. Very early on, I would say maybe by day two, we knew that that’s the direction we wanted to go in…This is a character who falls into this adventure. It’s not planned out from the start, and it’s just one bad decision after another that leads them into reckless moments. It’s much more relatable than having a grand plan and being a master thief. This is a scrappy street thief who falls into something.”
According to Gerighty, Kay Vess isn’t a master thief, someone likeMass Effect’s Kasumi Goto. She seems more likeAfter Hours' Paul Hackett, who stumbles into an urban odyssey with one bad decision after another.Star Wars Outlawssounds like it’ll be an interesting change of pace and an opportunity to explore the seedier and lesser-known parts of the galaxy.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
