Ubisoft's Biggest Betrayal Yet: Star Wars Outlaws Shatters Traditions

The open-world genre is undoubtedly one of the most popular in the gaming industry due to its versatility and immersive gameplay. However, some games have been criticized for relying too heavily on specific formulas, such as Ubisoft's open-world formula. This formula typically involves unlocking areas of a map using towers, completing checklists of activities, and overwhelming players with map markers. While some earlier Ubisoft games executed this formula well, others went too far and ended up feeling restrictive. With the announcement of Star Wars Outlaws, many gamers expected the same formula to be applied, but it seems that Ubisoft is looking to expand, innovate, or even completely uproot this formula for their upcoming title.

During Ubisoft Forward, Star Wars Outlaws gameplay was showcased for roughly ten minutes. The UI is noticeably less cluttered, with a direct and simple approach that doesn't overwhelm players with countless locations to explore all at once. It's possible that some elements of the UI are hidden, but this suggests that players may have the option to turn them off. Overall, the UI appears more simplistic, straightforward, and immersive compared to other open-world games from Ubisoft. In addition, Star Wars Outlaws will not be limited to just one planet, which would have likely resulted in a repetitive map of tasks and activities. Instead, there is a wide range of mechanics involved in this world, including a controllable AI companion in Nix, a Grapple Hook, vehicles, a Red Eye system similar to Red Dead Redemption, a Wanted meter like GTA, and more. These mechanics all contribute to a more fluid player experience that focuses on interacting with the world rather than completing a checklist.

Star Wars Outlaws is Open-World, But Doesn't Adhere to Ubisoft's Open-World Formula

The upcoming game Star Wars Outlaws promises to offer players a diverse range of planets to explore, each with its own unique design. This variety in planet design is likely to be reflected in the gameplay as well, with different maps and gameplay mechanics to keep things fresh. It's clear that this is not just a case of reusing the same formula for each planet, but rather a truly innovative approach to open-world gaming. The game features full-blown space combat, which is seamlessly integrated into the open-world gameplay. Massive Entertainment is breaking away from the traditional Ubisoft formula by adding new features and building on them to create a truly immersive experience. The use of the open-world design in Star Wars Outlaws is particularly impressive, as demonstrated by the smart escape sequence and the choice-based approach to the game's open-world design. This level of player agency is not often seen in Ubisoft games, making Star Wars Outlaws a truly unique and exciting addition to the open-world gaming genre.

It is yet to be determined to what extent Star Wars Outlaws deviates from or introduces new elements to the open-world Ubisoft formula. Nonetheless, it is apparent that the gameplay walkthrough defies expectations. This is a promising sign for the game's upcoming launch in 2024 on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, as well as any future marketing endeavors.