Summary
The Ubisoft Forward 2024 showcase revealed extended gameplay forStar Wars Outlawsbased on what was teased at Summer Game Fest a couple of days earlier. This included footage where Kay Vess buys in on a Sabacc table againstStar Wars’ one and only Lando Calrissian in the first official, explicit confirmation thatOutlawswill feature agambling mini-game akin to those inRed Dead Redemption 2.
Surprisingly, Ubisoft neglected to display precisely what a game of Sabacc will look like inStar Wars Outlawsin this gameplay showcase and seemingly brushed past it with haste. It mentioned there’s an arcade cabinet mini-game players can indulge in, too, and gave more time to that than Sabacc, interestingly. There’s a chance that Sabacc isn’t as fleshed-out as a Gwent, Queen’s Blood, or Orlog is, but it’s definitely a mini-game players can indulge in at least more than once, and against Lando no less. Sabacc is hopefully intricate and galaxy-spanning inOutlawsbecause, if so, Lando would make for a remarkable final opponent.
Star Wars Outlaws Can’t Let Its Best Mini-Game Potential Fall by the Wayside
There is still tons oftime forStar Wars Outlawsto reveal how Sabacc is playedand how thorough it is as a mini-game, but getting ahead of that could create a lot of excitement for the game that’s currently left hanging. So far,Outlaws’ gameplay showcases have been adamant about demonstrating what stealth and combat encounters will look like between interactions with various criminal syndicates as the loop of its open-world formula demands.
Outlawshas only managed to tease its more leisurely moments and interactions, which doesn’t necessarily mean that there won’t be many but also doesn’t instill a bunch of faith that they’ll be terribly significant even if there are.
Sabacc seems like an easy layup for a mini-game activity that can take players across the galaxy to wager and sleight opponents in remote cantinas as lovely diversions, such as when players are fleeing the Galactic Empire or hiding away from a syndicate they’ve recently wronged. Further,Outlawscould make Sabacc tremendously enticing as a completionist’s dream if cards or mini-game items were collectible and a quest was available tied to it, such asThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt’s “High Stakes” Gwent tournament side quest.
Lando Calrissian Can Be More Than a Throwaway Cameo in Star Wars Outlaws
With its own Sabacc-oriented side quest,Star Wars Outlaws’ storytellingcould give players an easy way to track where available opponents are and create a tournament setting where Lando is on the final table players need to win to complete the quest. At the moment, the wayOutlaws’ brief glimpse of Lando was framed is as if he’s a random NPC who players can walk up to and play against. If this is the case, then Massive will have disappointingly wasted its Lando cameo because it isn’t going to be drawing as much as it potentially could from that interaction.
On the one hand, it’d be neat to randomly stumble upon such big-name characters without the game calling all attention toward them in blown-out fan service. On the other hand, Lando is a notorious enough character that him casually playing Sabacc at a seemingly random cantina is fishy altogether.
Plus, the logistics of Lando appearing in a cantina and carelessly playing Sabacc is odd itself, to the point that it may retcon the events ofThe Empire Strikes Backwhere he was recently entangled in Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Leia Organa’s adventures on Bespin.Outlawsneeds to explain why he isn’t already preparing toaid Leia in attempting to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt, and a Sabacc side quest could offer the perfect explanation while giving the mini-game the gameplay emphasis it deserves.
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.
