Ubisoft’s open-world action gameStar Wars Outlawswas released earlier this year. Set in theStar Warsgalaxy between the events ofThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi,Star Wars Outlawsfollows the thief Kay Vess as she assembles a crew for a make-or-break heist.Outlawsjoins otherStar Warsgames likeJedi: Fallen OrderandJedi: Survivoras part of Disney’s ongoing push into the gaming industry. ThoughOutlawsreceived decent reviews from many critics, its sales did not meet Ubisoft’s expectations.
Star Wars Outlaws' repetitive gameplaydid contribute to the game’s disappointing release, but so too did the growing fatigue for theStar Warsfranchise.Star Wars' constant bombardment of new movies, streaming TV shows, and video games has not only made it difficult to keep up to date with the series, but has strippedStar Warslore of its mystical mystery.Outlaws' lacking sales makes one wonder how theStar Warsfranchise should handle canonical video games in the future.
The Pros and Cons of Games Like Star Wars Outlaws
The Pros of Canonical Star Wars Games
Making a newStar Warsgame non-canonical could immediately turn certain fans in the community away. Having a game break away from canon takes away the impact of the player’s actions, as they know from the get-go that none of this is actually happening in theStar Warsuniverse that they’re attached to. What would otherwise feel like a big event for the community could now be perceived as nothing more than a gimmickyWhat-If?-type story.
Canonical games have also helped to flesh outStar Wars' setting and have made certain aspects of the lore more accessible to different members of the community. For example,Jedi: Fallen Ordernot only expanded the lore of theInquisitors fromStar Wars Rebels, but it also introduced the Jedi-hunting faction toStar Warsfans who had never gotten around to watching the animated series.Fallen Order’s handling of the Inquisitors was so well received that it inspired elements of theKenobiDisney Plus series. This connectivity between entries makes theStar Warsgalaxy feel larger, and it rewards fans who put in the time to watch, read, or play the Disney-producedStar Warscontent.
The Cons of Canonical Star Wars Games
Continuing to create more canon games likeStar Wars Outlawsdoes still have some downsides. Disney has been highly criticized by fans for takingStar Warsin an MCU-like direction. The company and its partners are constantly releasing new canonical content for the franchise that has overly complicatedStar Wars' timeline. Filling the gap between every movie with additional stories from comics, novels, shows, and video games makes it difficult for anyone that isn’t on the pulse to decipher when the content takes place and if it matters to the storylines they care about. Rather than drawing people in with the promise of an interwoven galactic narrative, many fans see the layers upon layers of lore and throw in the towel.
Every new game that gets added to theStar Warscanon also creates a daunting task for both that game’s writing team and any team that comes after. Firstly, since all the modernStar Warsgames take place between movies, it’s difficult to establish stakes. InJedi: Fallen Order,Cal Kestis' journey— despite having memorable characters and intriguing story beats — ultimately doesn’t matter, because anyone who has seen theStar Warsmovies already knows that Cal won’t succeed at establishing a new Jedi order. Additionally, these games make it harder and harder to write newStar Warsstories. Finding an aspect ofStar Warsthat hasn’t been addressed in previous media is hard, and the abundance of lore in the franchise also makes it tough to create a narrative that doesn’t conflict with other content or history in the canon.
There is a desire for new games within theStar Warscanon. Even thoughOutlawswasn’t a success,Jedi: Fallen OrderandJedi: Survivorwere both a hit withStar Warsfans. However, as the period of time betweenRevenge of the SithandThe Force Awakensgets more and more saturated with content,Star Warsgames might want to start thinking up a new approach. If exploring an untapped period ofStar Wars' history isn’t on the table, creating a non-canonical game likethe 2000s classicStar Wars:The Force Unleashedcould be an interesting option in the meantime.
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.
