Star Wars Outlaws (PS5) - Review

Shoot First, Sabacc Later 

With all the Star Wars games, shows, and movies Disney keeps putting out, it’s understandable if people are feeling a little franchise fatigue. And to be honest, not all of the recent Star Wars series have been stellar. Personally I think Star Wars Outlaws manages to carve out its own space with a certain charm, a laid-back tone, and—surprisingly—a lot of fun.

This is very much a typical third-person shooter set in an open world, but unlike many other massive titles these days, it never feels overwhelming. Sure, the game doesn’t do anything radically new. If you’ve played other open-world action games, you’ll immediately recognize a lot of the systems here—but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It feels familiar in a comforting sort of way.

What really makes Outlaws stand out is its characters and writing. The dialogue is smart and can be genuinely funny, without feeling forced. Kay Vess —your main character—is likable and capable, and her companion Nix adds a lot of personality to the adventure. As the player, you’re also given a lot of freedom to explore and take on jobs without being constantly interrupted by lengthy cinematics. The pacing respects your time, which helps the game feel more immersive and player-driven. 

The stealth mechanics are just okay—functional, but not particularly exciting. Thankfully, blasting enemies with your blaster is a lot more fun, and the game encourages you to lean into action when things go loud. The only real letdown for me was the space travel. You can pilot your own ship and fly to different planets, which sounds awesome on paper—but in practice, it's not all that exciting. I rather stick to the speeder on land.

One of the unexpected highlights? The in-game card game Sabacc. It’s a little confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s surprisingly addictive. Even better, with Nix at your side, you can cheat to tilt the odds in your favor (because what’s a scoundrel without a few tricks up their sleeve?). Reputation also plays a role. As you take on jobs for different crime syndicates, your standing with them rises or falls depending on your actions. It adds a nice layer of consequence without being too punishing.

Overall, Star Wars Outlaws doesn’t reinvent the galaxy, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a fun, well-paced adventure that captures the scrappy spirit of the Star Wars underworld. It won’t blow you away, but it also isn’t bogged down by overly complex mechanics, tedious inventory management, or endless crafting systems. Sometimes, simple is exactly what you need. 

Final Rating: 8.5/10

Pros:

• Strong character writing and dialogue

• Kay and Nix make a great duo

• Fun, open-world exploration without overwhelming systems

• Sabacc mini-game is a surprising highlight

• Not overloaded with cutscenes or crafting

Cons:

• Space travel is underwhelming

• Stealth mechanics are pretty basic

• Some recycled gameplay elements

Bottom line

Star Wars Outlaws is a refreshingly straightforward adventure in a galaxy that often tries to be too epic for its own good. It's not groundbreaking, but it’s a fun, well-paced game with charm, solid writing, and enough Star Wars flavor to keep fans happy.