Not unlike most pieces ofStar Warsmedia,Star Wars Outlawsis an extraordinarily rich outlet for world-building under its gargantuan IP banner with a diverse galaxy-spanning adventure. Massive and Ubisoft double down on Kay Vess and Nix’s relationship to give it a poignant focal point, but it’s undeniable that the game should explore and depict far reaches of the universe asOutlawsis the first-ever open-worldStar Warsgame.
There is already a handful of screenshots and gameplay footage representing precisely what to expect fromStar Wars Outlaws’ open world, such as how players will be able to traverse it via Kay’s speeder orTrailblazer. Likewise, how each explorable planet or station differs from one another looks demonstratively dynamic, much like the crime syndicates players may run into on them. Ahead ofStar Wars Outlaws’ release on August 30, Massive and Ubisoft provided Game Rant with three exclusive screenshots that all exude the dreary and suspenseful atmosphere that should be anticipated during the Galactic Empire’s rule betweenThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi.
Star Wars Outlaws’ Exclusive Screenshots Invite Players to a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Star Wars Outlaws’ Achra Station is Brimming with Atmosphere
The first screenshot reveals a look at Achra Station, which orbits planet Akiva. There’s nothing inherently sinister or seedy about this shot in particular, but its dimly lit corridor and handful of NPCs reek of shady ongoings, if not relatively interestingconversations Kay and Nix might eavesdrop on as passersby.
This screenshot is probably a fairly decent insight into what much of any exploration will look like when players are in dense stations or cities, which is exciting with Kay’s unique perspective as someone who belongs naturally toa planet’s underbelly society that may be overlooked by the Galactic Empireand is seen as insignificant as a whole. As art & world director Benedikt Podlesnigg remarks, players are urged to “eavesdrop on conversations… look at the world, listen to Nix… there is always something to find. The things you find are always something rewarding; it could be items needed to upgrade your abilities or a fancy new paint job for your speeder or starship but also new quests or unexpected situations.”
Star Wars Outlaws’ Asteroid Fields Ensure Danger at Any Point in Space
An asteroid field in an unknown stretch of outer space is revealed in a second screenshot withKay’s ship, theTrailblazer, hurling itself toward hunks of scattered rock directly. It’s unclear whether Kay is fleeing someone unseen out of frame or propelling herself willingly into the debris field whilst believing she can navigate it safely, but the screenshot is an impactful reminder that players will not only take to space to reach different planets but also navigate those star-crossed distances with a plethora of dogfights and environmental hazards to worry about.
Star Wars Outlaws’ Imperial Checkpoints Enforce Its ‘Wanted’ System
In stark opposition to the Achra Station screenshot, the third and final screenshot revealsan Imperial checkpoint on Tatooinewhere the Galactic Empire’s boot heel is firmly planted. Kay’s body language speaks volumes here as she approaches the checkpoint with her hands at the front of her jacket and attempts to walk inconspicuously toward a few stormtroopers. Kay is a thief and a scoundrel, and anything she might be in Tatooine for will likely be kept secret from the Empire, so a security checkpoint could possibly be Kay’s worst nightmare—or a player’s fantasy if they get to draw their blaster and take out all three stormtroopers with a slow-motion dead-eye mechanic.
These possibilities makeStar Wars Outlawsengrossing and these screenshots represent myriad opportunities, locations, and atmospheres that players will explore on August 30.
