Summary
Star Wars Outlawshas only just been released, but its first post-launch update already feels clear. As players witness the credits rolling at the end of the story, they may be disappointed to learn that there is no option to play through the game again in aNew Game Plus mode. However, it arguably needs one — and fast.
New Game Plus has become a very popular game mode in the role-playing and action-adventure genres, as it allows players to keep everything they acquired in a previous playthrough — like experience, levels, gear, and skills — and carry it over to subsequent playthroughs. Unfortunately,Star Wars Outlawslacks a New Game Plus option, despite how much sense it would make for it to have one. Nevertheless, it would do well for it to add one as soon as possible.
Star Wars Outlaws Needs a New Game Plus Mode
Star Wars Outlaws' Emphasis on Choice Justifies Its Need for a New Game Plus
A major part ofStar Wars Outlaws' gameplayloop revolves around players making important choices that affect Kay’s reputation with various crime syndicates. At certain moments during the game, players will be required to choose whether to support one faction or another, with the consequence of increased reputation with the supported faction and decreased reputation with the other. While these choices don’t necessarily affect the outcome of the overarching narrative too much, they do greatly impact many of the game’s major story beats and the dialogue that occurs during them. As such, there are plenty of opportunities for one playthrough to be different from the next.
In light ofStar Wars Outlaws' emphasis on choice, it would make sense for players to have the option to play through the game again in a New Game Plus mode. This would allow them to keep the gear and skills they acquired during their previous playthrough and focus more on building reputation with the factions they haven’t yet supported. As an added bonus, since siding with each ofStar Wars Outlaws' factions opens up new opportunities for players to obtain unique gear, players could then acquire every piece of gear available, rather than losing those rewards upon starting a new playthrough. All in all,Star Wars Outlaws' reputation systemmakes a strong case for it to receive a New Game Plus mode.
New Game Plus Could Provide Star Wars Outlaws With Enough Excuse to Add More Content
Another reason New Game Plus would be a great fit forStar Wars Outlawsis that it would give the game a good excuse to add more content. For example,Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s New Game Plusadds new perks for players to unlock.Stellar Bladeis another great example of this, as players are then granted access to a handful of new skills that aren’t obtainable in a normal playthrough, along with some new cosmetics to boot.
Star Wars Outlawsalready has the foundation for a New Game Plus mode like this, especially with the long list of skills that Kay and Nix have. Perhaps a New Game Plus mode forStar Wars Outlawscould add new skills to that library, or even introduce newExpert NPCswho can teach those skills. Furthermore,Star Wars Outlawscould add some new gear in a New Game Plus mode, or improved versions of the gear that already exists, at least.
It’s unclear whetherStar Wars Outlawsplans to add a New Game Plus mode in the future, but if it changes its mind and chooses to, it would be best done sooner rather than later.Marvel’s Spider-Man 2recently launched without a New Game Plusmode, only to add one to the game much later. Unfortunately, it might have been too late for the party.Star Wars Outlawscan’t fall into the same trap, especially considering what it could do with a New Game Plus mode.
