A premium Tech Torque Media review based on more than 84 hours of gameplay
Nearly two years after its release, Star Wars Outlaws has changed considerably. Major updates have refined the gameplay, addressed many early criticisms and made Ubisoft’s open-world adventure a much stronger experience on Xbox Series X. After spending more than 84 hours in the galaxy, here’s the Tech Torque Media verdict.
Introduction
When Star Wars Outlaws launched, it divided opinion. Some players praised its incredible recreation of the Star Wars universe, while others criticised its unforgiving stealth sections, inconsistent AI and technical issues. Like many games today, though, launch day only tells part of the story.
After spending more than 84 hours exploring the galaxy on Xbox Series X, unlocking 39 achievements and experiencing everything from high-stakes Sabacc tournaments to dangerous Syndicate betrayals, I can confidently say this isn’t a review based on first impressions. It’s based on living in Ubisoft Massive’s vision of the Star Wars underworld.
More importantly, this is a game that has evolved. Major title updates—particularly Title Update 1.4—have addressed many of the frustrations that overshadowed its launch, transforming it into a far more enjoyable experience.
So, does Star Wars Outlaws deserve a place in your library today? After dozens of hours with Kay Vess, Nix and ND-5, here’s my verdict.
A Different Kind of Star Wars Story
One of the biggest strengths of Star Wars Outlaws is that it doesn’t try to tell another Jedi story.
There are no lightsabers to master, no Force abilities to unlock and no destiny to fulfil. Instead, you step into the boots of Kay Vess, a young thief trying to survive one job at a time in a galaxy ruled by crime syndicates, bounty hunters and the Empire.
It’s a refreshing change.
Rather than saving the galaxy, you’re trying to survive it.
That smaller-scale story immediately feels more personal and believable. Every decision has consequences, particularly when dealing with powerful factions like Crimson Dawn, the Pyke Syndicate and the Hutts. Double-crossing one group may earn the favour of another, but it rarely comes without consequences.
These shifting relationships keep the story engaging throughout the campaign and make your choices feel meaningful rather than cosmetic.
Kay Vess: A Refreshingly Human Hero
Kay Vess quickly became one of my favourite Star Wars protagonists.
She’s not an unstoppable warrior. She isn’t gifted with extraordinary powers. She gets into trouble, makes mistakes and often survives through quick thinking rather than brute force.
That makes her incredibly relatable.
Watching Kay gradually grow from an inexperienced street thief into someone capable of negotiating with some of the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals is one of the game’s biggest successes.
Her character development feels earned rather than forced.
ND-5 and Nix Steal the Show
While Kay is the heart of the adventure, her companions elevate it even further.
ND-5 instantly stands out thanks to his battle-scarred BX Commando Droid design. Wearing a weathered trench coat and carrying years of experience, he provides the calm professionalism that balances Kay’s youthful optimism.
His conversations are often understated but reveal surprising depth as the story progresses.
Then there’s Nix.
It’s difficult to imagine playing Star Wars Outlaws without him.
Rather than feeling like a novelty companion, Nix becomes an extension of your gameplay. Whether distracting guards, retrieving weapons, activating switches or helping you cheat during Sabacc, he’s constantly useful.
Even after more than eighty hours, he never became annoying—a remarkable achievement for a companion character.
Gameplay That Finally Finds Its Rhythm
Much of the criticism surrounding Star Wars Outlaws at launch centred around stealth.
Some missions immediately failed if you were spotted, forcing lengthy restarts that broke the flow of the game.
Thankfully, those frustrations have largely disappeared.
Recent updates have transformed stealth into something far more flexible. Being detected no longer automatically ends many encounters. Instead, you’re given the opportunity to adapt, fight your way out or improvise.
That single change dramatically improves the overall experience.
Stealth now feels like solving a puzzle instead of following rigid rules.
Combat also deserves praise.
Kay’s modular blaster offers plenty of variety through different ammunition types, while temporarily picking up heavy Imperial weapons creates genuinely satisfying action sequences.
It’s never the deepest combat system you’ll find in an open-world game, but it remains enjoyable throughout the adventure.
Exploration Done Differently
One area where Ubisoft deserves real credit is exploration.
Unlike many modern open-world games, Star Wars Outlaws doesn’t overwhelm you with hundreds of map markers or encourage climbing towers to reveal icons.
Instead, exploration feels natural.
Rumours overheard in cantinas lead to hidden treasure.
Interesting landmarks tempt you off the beaten path.
Conversations reveal new opportunities.
That approach makes discoveries feel earned rather than handed to you.
Progression follows the same philosophy.
Instead of unlocking abilities through a traditional skill tree, Kay improves by meeting Experts scattered throughout the galaxy, learning new techniques directly from them. It ties character progression into the narrative in a way that feels far more immersive.
Beautiful Worlds Full of Character
Every planet feels distinct.
My favourite is Toshara, whose sweeping grasslands are a joy to cross on the speeder bike. It’s a completely fresh setting within the Star Wars universe while still feeling authentic.
Of course, Tatooine delivers everything fans could hope for.
Riding across the Dune Sea as the twin suns slowly disappear below the horizon creates some of the most memorable moments in the entire game.
Not every location is perfect.
After dozens of hours, some Imperial installations begin to feel familiar, with repeated layouts and similar infiltration routes.
It’s one of the few areas where the game occasionally loses some of its magic.
Sabacc Is Worth Playing on Its Own
If there’s one feature I wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I did, it’s Kessel Sabacc.
Ubisoft has created a surprisingly addictive card game that’s woven naturally into the galaxy.
Playing against smugglers, criminals and wealthy gamblers in smoky cantinas becomes far more than a side activity.
Thanks to Nix’s ability to subtly help during games, every match feels like you’re living out your own Han Solo fantasy.
It’s one of the best mini-games I’ve played in an open-world title for years.
Space Travel That Never Gets Old
The Trailblazer may not be the fastest ship in the galaxy, but flying it always feels satisfying.
Dogfights strike a good balance between accessibility and spectacle without becoming overwhelming.
More impressive are the seamless transitions between planets and space.
Launching from a dusty settlement, climbing through the atmosphere and jumping directly into hyperspace remains genuinely impressive even after dozens of hours.
It’s a technical achievement that quietly reinforces the feeling of inhabiting a living Star Wars universe.
Graphics and Performance on Xbox Series X
Visually, Star Wars Outlaws is outstanding.
Rather than chasing ultra-clean science fiction aesthetics, Ubisoft Massive fully embraces the worn, lived-in appearance that defined the original trilogy.
Every settlement feels used.
Every cantina feels inhabited.
Every Imperial base feels functional.
HDR lighting is particularly impressive.
Neon signs reflecting across wet streets, glowing interiors and dramatic sunsets create countless moments where you’ll simply stop and admire the scenery.
Dynamic weather also deserves recognition, especially heavy rain sweeping across Akiva’s jungles.
For performance, I spent most of my time using Performance Mode.
The smoother frame rate significantly benefits combat and traversal, making it my recommended way to play.
Players with compatible 120Hz displays may also enjoy the 40fps Quality option, which offers an excellent balance between visual fidelity and responsiveness.
Sound Design That Defines Star Wars
If visuals immerse you, the audio completes the illusion.
Everything sounds exactly as it should.
Blasters carry the familiar crackle Star Wars fans expect.
TIE Fighters scream overhead.
Speeders hum across deserts.
Ambient conversations fill bustling marketplaces.
The orchestral soundtrack captures the adventurous spirit of John Williams without simply copying iconic themes.
Meanwhile, Humberly González delivers an excellent performance as Kay Vess, giving the character warmth, vulnerability and confidence in equal measure.
Simply put, few games sound this authentic.
Not Without Flaws
No game is perfect, and Star Wars Outlaws still has room for improvement.
Platforming occasionally feels overly magnetic, with climbing lacking the fluidity seen elsewhere.
Takedown animations become repetitive during longer play sessions.
Some background NPC facial animations don’t quite match the exceptional environmental detail surrounding them.
There’s also occasional texture pop-in while travelling quickly across open environments on the speeder bike.
None of these issues ruin the experience, but they remind you that there is still room for refinement.
Who Should Play Star Wars Outlaws?
You’ll probably love this game if you:
- Enjoy the original Star Wars trilogy.
- Prefer grounded adventures over Jedi power fantasies.
- Like exploring organically rather than clearing endless map icons.
- Appreciate story-driven open-world games.
- Enjoy discovering side activities like Sabacc.
You may enjoy it less if you:
- Want lightsaber combat.
- Expect deep RPG mechanics.
- Prefer relentless action over exploration.
Final Verdict
After more than 84 hours on Xbox Series X, I can confidently say that Star Wars Outlaws has become one of the most immersive Star Wars games I’ve played.
What impressed me most wasn’t a single mission or spectacular set piece—it was simply existing within its world. Walking through crowded cantinas, negotiating with crime syndicates, flying between planets and watching twin suns disappear over the horizon captures the fantasy of being an outlaw in the Star Wars universe better than any game before it.
The post-launch improvements have also made a noticeable difference. Stealth is far less restrictive, performance is more stable and the overall experience feels significantly more polished than it did at release.
It still has imperfections. Some mission structures repeat, platforming lacks refinement and minor visual issues occasionally appear. But those shortcomings never overshadow what Ubisoft Massive has created.
This isn’t a game about becoming the galaxy’s greatest hero.
It’s about surviving one risky job at a time, building your reputation and carving out your own place in one of science fiction’s most iconic universes.
For me, that’s exactly what makes Star Wars Outlaws special.
Tech Torque Media Score
| Category | Score |
| Story | 8/10 |
| Gameplay | 8/10 |
| Graphics | 9/10 |
| Audio | 10/10 |
| Performance | 8/10 |
| Accessibility | 9/10 |
| Value | 8/10 |
| Replayability | 7/10 |
Overall Score: 8.5/10
Tech Torque Verdict
Star Wars Outlaws delivers one of the most authentic Star Wars adventures ever created. Thanks to meaningful post-launch improvements, strong characters, rewarding exploration and an unforgettable atmosphere, it’s a game that’s easy to recommend to fans of the galaxy far, far away. While a handful of gameplay quirks prevent absolute greatness, the journey is one well worth taking.
