Once upon a time, in a distant galaxy, far from the epic conflicts between Empires and rebels, Jedi and Sith, Star Wars Outlaws puts us in the boots of a completely ordinary criminal – Kay Vess.
This is the first open world Star Wars title from Ubisoft's workshop, but also a rare attempt to tell the story of the "little guy" in this world, someone who just wants to survive and succeed in a world of big players, without a lightsaber and political ambitions. Kay is not seeking balance in the universe. Kay wants to pay off debts, survive the day, and steal a ship. Not necessarily in that order.
The landscape design looks excellent
Kay Vess: a criminal with character
I’ll say it right away, I like the concept of the main character. Kay is not a superhero, she is not a Jedi, she is not the chosen one of the galaxy, and if she has midichlorians, no one mentions them. She is a novice. Brash, sarcastic, practical, and not glamorous at all, she improvises as she goes, and only sometimes successfully.
From the start, she is defined as the weak link in the survival chain, marginalized and hated among the elite, and only lukewarmly accepted among other criminals. She gets involved in a job for which she is not qualified, which goes wrong (of course), causes mass destruction, steals her boss's favorite spaceship from a major cartel, and ends up with a bounty on her head.
Another stealth approach has gone wrong, it's time for pew-pew!
With her is Nyx, her pet, sidekick, and the best thing about this game. He resembles a combination of a dog, a cat, and a Roomba with character. When Kay can't solve something herself, she sends Nyx, who will gladly steal, squeeze through tight spaces, and press the button behind closed doors, activate explosive devices, attack enemies, or distract them. In short, Nyx is a crucial part of the game. We love Nyx.
Gameplay: old tricks in a new context
On paper, Outlaws doesn't reinvent the wheel. Stealth mechanics with recognizable tall grass for hiding, the classic Ubisoft whistle that ALWAYS attracts enemies, takedown approach, shooting from cover… You've seen it all before. However, the game places them in a context that makes sense. Kay is not an elite fighter or a trained acrobatic assassin. An alarm means panic, and against the imperial troops that constantly swarm, it's often better to hide and escape.
If I were an Assassin, I would gracefully leap down on him now.
The reputation system among various cartels adds vibrancy to the game. Your decisions, choices, and how you tackle tasks affect your relationship with different factions. Being in the good graces of one cartel means easier passage through their territories and access to their missions, while their merchants will give you discounts and special offers, while hostile cartels shoot without question. You can feel the dynamics of the world, as if things are happening behind the scenes, not just while you're there. Decisions carry a certain weight.
Ubisoft has significantly polished the game since its release a year ago: insta-fail moments when you're caught in stealth during a mission have been removed, scooter and boat driving is much smoother, and now we can finally keep the weapons we pick up from fallen enemies until we use them up. All of this gives freedom in approaching missions in your own way. They are still designed for a stealth approach, but if you want to go in like guns-blazing Rambo and blow up half the base, you can.
Planets, missions, and content
In Outlaws, the galaxy is at our fingertips. Throughout the game, we will visit several completely different planets, each with its own character, ecosystem, and factions that control it. From the desert backwaters of Tatooine, through the dusty cantinas of Akiva, to the green plains of Toshara and the cramped city streets of Mirogane, each location looks authentic, with recognizable Star Wars charm and local issues.
Wherever you land, there will be work for a criminal. Missions vary from thefts and infiltrations to hacking, rescues, and eliminating enemy bases. There are, of course, question marks on the map. Ubisoft wouldn't be Ubisoft without that. They hide puzzles, local secrets, mini quests, hidden treasures, and reputation consequences. Although the missions are diverse at first, over time a dose of repetitiveness can be felt, as typical tasks start to repeat in different variations.
Mini games of lockpicking and hacking are short and come as a welcome break
The planets are not as vast as those in No Man’s Sky or Starfield, but they are smartly designed, compact, and diverse. It’s fun to ride the scooter and discover new things, and when you get tired of driving around the planets and shooting local bandits, you hop into the Trailblazer, Kay's stolen ship.
Flying between planets is not just a cosmetic loading screen. No, here you actually take control, avoid asteroids, fall into pirate ambushes, and engage in tense dogfight battles in the style of classic space shooters. Flying is simple, arcade-like, and fun.
The Trailblazer turns quickly, boosts through the vacuum, uses a lock-on system, and distributes energy between shields and weapons if things get tense. Enemy ships are smart enough not to be just moving targets, and some encounters can be surprising.
A different skill system
Kay's arsenal and vehicle fleet are not static; throughout the game, it is possible to upgrade the ship, scooter, and blaster, which brings a sense of progress and customization to the playstyle. The options are not endless like in an RPG, but there are enough for a basic loadout.
Instead of a classic skill tree, Star Wars Outlaws uses an interesting character card system. Throughout the game, Kay encounters numerous rogues, hackers, mechanics, smugglers… characters that leave a mark on her. Each of them symbolically represents a “card,” and each card unlocks a new set of skills and bonuses.
You will spend a lot of time sneaking through a maze of pipes and sewers
For example, a card related to a hacker can provide upgrades for quieter break-ins or faster terminal hacking, while a smuggler card can enhance stealth. Some improve direct combat, while others provide passive bonuses. Unlocking is gradual, most often through specific tasks or a reputation system with factions. It’s not as deep as a full RPG, but it gives a nice feeling that Kay learns and changes throughout the story.
Graphics and performance: Switch 2 benchmark
And now, the most important aspect of this review. How does Outlaws run on the Switch 2? Honestly, surprisingly well. When I look at my desktop PC, and then at this thin console that is basically a tablet, it’s incredible what it is capable of.
The game runs at a stable 30 fps, with minimal drops in crowded areas in larger cities. Ray tracing effects are present and add extra charm to the reflection and lighting effects, especially in smoky hangars and city streets. Draw distance is somewhat reduced, especially in handheld mode, with lower texture resolutions, but it still looks credible. In fact, it looks better than many previous AAA ports on the Switch.
For the first time, I'm playing so much with the photo mode
There is also touchscreen support for inventory, motion controls, and the ability to cross-save via a Ubisoft account. Kay may not be a Jedi, but this version of the game is a Jedi-level port. If this is what we can expect from the new Switch, then we are on a very good path. If you view this version of the game independently, without direct comparison to PC or other consoles, it's hard to find major complaints. Visually, the game stands on its own and runs well enough that you forget you're playing on a handheld.
You can also adjust numerous gameplay options, from combat difficulty, hacking, space battles, and health. There are multiple control layouts, and you can also manually change them. The handheld preset automatically includes UI options to make the game as readable and fluid as possible.
Perfect Star Wars Atmosphere
Massive Entertainment knows how to design worlds. The game bursts with authenticity. Whether you're in a smoky hangar, a cantina full of criminals, or walking through a remote desert on Tatooine… this is Star Wars. Convincing, rich, and atmospheric. The cities are alive, NPCs tell stories, gossip, sell, sing… They don't feel like a backdrop but like a real place in the galaxy.
For example, as you pass through Tosha, the militaristic influence of the Empire is clear: Stormtroopers control the entrance to the city, propaganda on the radio announces yet another successful victory against the rebels, and high-ranking officers are corrupt and in the pockets of cartels. The world does not feel like a backdrop, but like a real place in the galaxy.
Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 comes as a complete version of the game that includes all previous DLCs, bonus content, and additions from the premium version. There are no microtransactions. Kay Vess may have debts, but with this release, you are safe.
Haters gonna hate
It's true, Star Wars Outlaws did not have a perfect launch. In the first weeks, the game had bugs and glitches, awkward missions that would automatically fail if you were spotted, problematic speeder controls, or minor inconsistencies in gameplay. However, Ubisoft reacted quickly, and today, after numerous patches and improvements, we have a smooth, stable, and technically solid game.
One round of Sabaac between heists. Of course, we'll send Nyx to check other people's cards
Despite this, a large part of the gaming community got stuck on a bad first impression and generic hate towards Ubisoft and everything they release. Some criticized Kay's appearance, saying she isn't cool enough. Honestly? I'm tired of perfect female characters that look like they fell straight from the fashion runway into a war.
Yes, the game has question marks on the map and some elements are familiar from other Ubisoft games, but this is not just another copy-paste title; it's a story from a different perspective, in a richly designed world that looks alive. On Switch 2, it comes as a much better version than at launch, and it deserves a second chance.
Switch 2 has its true Star Wars game
Star Wars Outlaws is not a game that will redefine the genre, but it doesn't even try to. It brings the story of an ordinary girl from the street, not a space messiah, a story about bad decisions, debts, and last-minute escapes, with enough content, choices, and room for exploration to keep you engaged for hours. On Switch 2, it looks and runs better than anyone expected, and if you're a fan of this distant galaxy, Outlaws deserves your attention.
Ubisoft, can we have Assassins Creed Shadows for Switch 2 now? I see you can!
A copy of the Switch 2 version of the game for review purposes was provided by the publisher Ubisoft
