Aside from the actual setting itself, an open-world RPG’s progression system and enemy design can make or break the experience. It’s two of the biggest ways anopen-world RPGcan stand out in the market. Luckily for fans of the franchise,Star Wars Outlaws' approach to character progression and enemy design boasts an impressive attention to detail and a strong ethos in their designs.
In an interview with Game Rant, Massive Entertainment game director Mathias Karlson discussedStar Wars Outlaws' approach to progression. Breaking away from the normal leveling-up tropes associated with RPGs, he explained how the game would tackle progression in the wider sense. He also discussed the thought process behindStar Wars Outlaws' enemy design.
Star Wars Outlaws Will Feature a Unique Progression System
The concept ofleveling up in RPGshas been around for decades. Becoming stronger by exploring, killing enemies, and gaining experience points for completing missions, then choosing which specific functions of the character players wish to upgrade by spending those points, is one that has been used thousands upon thousands of times over the years.
How Kay Vess Develops in Star Wars Outlaws
ForStar Wars Outlaws, though, Karlson explained that progression is more closely linked to exploration.
‘‘There are no enemy or player levels, so you are completely free to explore the world in the order you want. That said, you will of course come across much tougher situations and challenges, as well as things you might not have the equipment or abilities for yet. In other words, progression is closely connected to exploration and progression itself is a big part of the experience.’’
Star Wars Outlaws' protagonist Kay Vesswill become stronger by meeting Experts across the galaxy, who will ask her to complete specific tasks for them. These experts will then reward Kay with upgrades to her abilities and equipment. There’s no room for incremental stat boosts or bonuses, as well as no experience points in the traditional sense. It’s a bold approach and one that Karlson and his team will be hoping helps to makeOutlawsmore engaging and authentic.
Tough, Unique Challenges Await Kay Vess
Of course, in order to tackle the likes of the Empire and criminal syndicates like the Hutts, Vess will need to become stronger as the adventure progresses. The enemies themselves will be suitably diverse, presenting Vess with different challenges to overcome. Karlson pointed out just how important this diversity would be when hoping to successfully replicate the feel oftheStar Warsuniverse.
‘‘The enemy design is centered around variety while staying very authentically Star Wars. Not just variety between individual enemy types, but also between the groups they belong to. Taking on the Empire will be a different style and experience than, for example, the more brutish Hutts.’’
It seems likeStar Wars Outlawswill feature numerous types of enemies for Kay Vess to overcome, and she will be suitably equipped to do so. Upgradeable components like her blaster or herspacecraftThe Trailblazerwill still give players that sense of becoming stronger. Even her furry companion Nix is upgradeable. Players should feel reassured to know that, despite the lack of a traditional leveling system, the player will still be in control of Kay’s progression path throughout the game.
