As I play through Star Wars Outlaws, I find myself experiencing a familiar yet long-missed feeling—one that I haven’t felt since my days exploring the vast universe of Star Wars Galaxies. For those of us who spent countless hours in the MMORPG before the infamous Combat Upgrade, the game wasn’t just about leveling up or completing quests—it was about being a small but integral part of a much larger galaxy. It was about forging your own path, making your mark, and experiencing the Star Wars universe in a way that wasn’t confined to the main narrative arcs we’ve seen on the big screen.
Star Wars Outlaws rekindles that feeling in a way that’s both reminiscent and refreshing. Set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Outlaws lets you step into the shoes of Kay Vess (Humberly González), a character who isn’t a Jedi, Sith, or a pivotal figure in the Galactic Civil War. She’s an outlaw, navigating the galaxy’s underworld, making tough choices, and striving to survive in a universe indifferent to her struggles. And yet, as you progress through the game, you begin to feel more and more integral to the narrative at play, even if you’re not wielding a lightsaber or facing off against Darth Vader.
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This is the closest I’ve felt to being a Star Wars character since playing Star Wars Galaxies. There’s something incredibly liberating about not being tied to the destiny of the Skywalkers or the age-old conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Instead, Outlaws offers a different kind of freedom—the freedom to be a small part of the galaxy, making your way through a world that feels alive and reactive to your choices.
In Star Wars Galaxies, the skill-based progression system allowed players to create truly unique characters, mixing and matching skills from various professions. Whether you were a Bounty Hunter with a knack for crafting or a smuggler who dabbled in medicine, your path was your own. Outlaws may not offer the same level of customization, but it captures the spirit of forging your destiny. The game’s narrative choices, emphasis on moral dilemmas, and how your actions shape the story give you that same feeling of agency and impact.
What Outlaws does so well is make you feel like part of the broader Star Wars universe without overshadowing the main storylines we know so well. You’re not Luke Skywalker or Princess Leia, but your journey is no less significant. In fact, it’s this very focus on the “little guys” of the galaxy that makes Outlaws so compelling. It’s a reminder that the Star Wars universe is vast and full of stories waiting to be told, stories that don’t have to revolve around the Skywalkers or the Jedi versus Sith dichotomy.
As I explore the galaxy as Kay Vess, I can’t help but feel hopeful for the future of Star Wars games. If Outlaws is any indication, there’s a rich vein of storytelling to be mined from the lives of characters who aren’t directly tied to the major events of the films. The galaxy is full of potential for new narratives, where players can feel integral to the story without having to be the Chosen One or the hero of the rebellion.
There’s something truly exciting about the idea of more games like Outlaws, where we can explore the Star Wars universe from fresh perspectives. It’s a shift that allows for more creativity, personal stories, and opportunities to experience the galaxy in new and unexpected ways. We’ve seen what happens when the focus is broadened beyond the well-trodden paths of the Skywalker saga, and it’s nothing short of invigorating.
As I continue my journey in Star Wars Outlaws, I’m filled with a sense of optimism. The Star Wars universe is bigger than the conflicts we’ve seen play out on the silver screen, and if this is the direction that future games are heading, then we’re in for something truly special. We don’t need to be the heroes of the rebellion to make a difference in the galaxy. Sometimes, just being a small part of it is more than enough.
