Factor of Games [link.space] Steam Deck Oled Preview Here: https://youtu.be/7hEeUr8oxCI

Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft’s highly anticipated open-world adventure set in the iconic Star Wars universe, has finally arrived on Steam. Built around an original story, this game offers a unique perspective on the familiar galaxy. While much of the franchise has focused on Jedi, Sith, and the grand battles of light and dark, Outlaws takes a different route, centering around a character who’s a far cry from the usual heroes: Kay Vess.

Story and Characters:

Kay Vess is a compelling lead, a rough-and-tumble smuggler trying to carve out a better life in a galaxy rife with danger. Unlike traditional Star Wars protagonists, Kay isn’t a hero by nature. She’s a reluctant antihero, whose actions are driven by a desire for self-preservation rather than altruism. This makes her decisions more complex, as players can influence whether she chooses to do the right thing or whether she casts the blame for her own crimes on others. It’s a refreshing take on the Star Wars narrative, allowing for deeper character development and player agency.

The game’s supporting cast, including Kay’s trusty companion Nix (a charming and resourceful alien), adds an extra layer of depth to the world. Their dynamic feels natural, with moments of genuine camaraderie amidst the chaotic backdrop of the criminal underworld.

Gameplay and World Design:

Ubisoft's open-world design truly shines here. Star Wars Outlaws features a vast, diverse galaxy full of interesting planets to explore, from the gritty streets of smuggler dens to the exotic wilderness of uncharted territories. The game emphasizes freedom, allowing players to choose how they approach each mission. Whether it’s a quick firefight, negotiating with shady characters, or using stealth to slip by dangerous factions, there’s always more than one way to tackle a problem.

The controls are fluid, and the combat system is engaging, blending action, strategy, and resourcefulness. Kay’s gadgets and weapons offer a variety of playstyles, allowing players to adapt to different situations. There are also some intriguing moments of choice, where Kay's decisions on whom to trust and how to handle a situation can have lasting impacts, giving a personal touch to the narrative.

Performance and Technical Aspects:

At launch, Star Wars Outlaws faced some criticism for performance issues, particularly on certain platforms. However, it’s clear that Ubisoft has worked hard to address these concerns. In my experience, the game now runs much smoother, with fewer stutters or frame drops. The environments are richly detailed, and the sheer scale of the game world is breathtaking. The addition of dynamic weather, day-night cycles, and space travel between planets gives the game a sense of immersion that’s hard to ignore.

The visuals are stunning, with beautiful vistas, intricate interiors, and a healthy dose of Star Wars lore and visual flair. Whether you're flying through asteroid fields or engaging in shootouts in the rain, the game does a great job of capturing the atmosphere of the Star Wars universe.

Sound Design:

As expected, the sound design is top-notch. The score, while not composed by John Williams, carries the spirit of Star Wars with sweeping orchestral moments and stirring themes. The voice acting, particularly for Kay Vess, is stellar, with a nuanced performance that captures her complex personality. The sound effects for blasters, spacecraft, and ambient noises all contribute to the immersive experience. Even the droids and alien creatures are a joy to listen to, adding to the charm and life of the galaxy.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, Star Wars Outlaws is a refreshing and exciting entry in the Star Wars universe. The shift away from the usual heroes to a morally gray character like Kay Vess is an inspired choice, giving players more freedom in how they engage with the story. The open-world design, engaging gameplay mechanics, and technical improvements make for a fun and immersive experience that feels true to the franchise while offering something new.

While the game certainly had some rough edges during the original launch, most of the issues have been addressed in the Steam version, and the experience has vastly improved. One of the major issues that the game shares with other Ubisoft releases is the use of Denuvo DRM. This has caused issues in my testing on multiple devices in the same 24 hour period, to the point where the game would not activate on the 5th device, and I had to wait until the following day to play it. If you have a PC gaming rig and a Steam Deck, you will be fine. If you plan to play it on every PC in the house everyday, then it may be a deal killer. Speaking of Steam Deck, the performance is not great in the Open-World portions of the game. You can expect frame rates in teens and in others areas, plan on playing at 30fps. The overall performance may improve with optimization for portable devices, but I would plan on it.

In the end, Star Wars Outlaws offers a thrilling new perspective on the galaxy far, far away, and for those who enjoy a good adventure with a touch of rogue charm, it’s definitely worth the journey.

Live Game Play performance on launch day: https://youtu.be/JyZcOa4WI6s

Enjoy!
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