With the highly anticipated release of Star Wars Outlaws next year, there is a lot of speculation surrounding the game's protagonist, Kay Vess. Being a skilled and capable thief, Kay Vess's outlaw lifestyle promises an intriguing story within the Star Wars universe. However, her outlaw status has led to comparisons with the legendary Han Solo. Many Star Wars fans are familiar with the ongoing debate about whether Han Solo shot first or not in the Mos Eisley cantina. For Kay Vess to truly embody her character, she must be someone who wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Originally in A New Hope, Han Solo did, in fact, shoot Greedo first before the bounty hunter had a chance to kill him. However, subsequent cuts of the film depicted Greedo shooting first, causing Han Solo to retaliate in self-defense. This change was made because George Lucas wanted to present Han Solo as less cold-blooded. Nevertheless, many devout fans argue that the original version, with Han shooting first, better reflects the character's personality. Han shooting first provides a more compelling narrative, showcasing the ambiguous nature of living an outlaw life. This is a quality that Star Wars Outlaws should fully embrace in the character of Kay Vess.
Why Star Wars Needs to Embrace the Scoundrel
In the world of Star Wars, the Jedi are often looked upon as morally superior in numerous respects. However, Star Wars Outlaws takes a different approach by highlighting the thrilling narrative of a cunning, thieving scoundrel in an open-world RPG. Unlike the clear-cut conflict between the Sith and the Jedi, where the dark and light sides of the Force constantly battle each other, the Star Wars universe offers a wealth of possibilities beyond this dichotomy. This allows Star Wars Outlaws to delve into the morally ambiguous aspects of the universe.
For Kay Vess to truly embody the role of an outlaw, it is essential for her character to possess a questionable moral compass. Just like in the iconic scene between Han Solo and Greedo in the cantina, Kay Vess should not hesitate to take the first shot if necessary. In the outlaw lifestyle, survival and self-preservation take precedence, making it only logical for Kay Vess to defend herself by any means necessary. While details about the game are scarce, Star Wars Outlaws is set during a perilous period in the galaxy, necessitating that Kay do whatever is required to stay alive.
Introducing moral gray areas in the world of Star Wars would add complexity, highlighting the fact that choices are often not as straightforward as they seem. Not everyone can be classified as a clear hero or villain. There are individuals who fall into the realm of antiheroes, navigating through life using their own methods, and this would make Kay Vess more relatable. As players embark on Kay's journey, collaborating with various criminal syndicates in Star Wars Outlaws, they will be confronted with difficult choices that force them to consider the moral repercussions of their decisions. While there are already numerous open-world RPGs that implement this concept, Kay's character provides an opportunity to explore these moral dilemmas within the Star Wars universe, which remains largely unexplored in this regard.
While Jedi: Survivor recently dabbled with presenting choices to players, Star Wars Outlaws has the potential to take it a step further, surpassing the limited scope of Jedi: Survivor. With the introduction of different factions and groups in Outlaws, players will have to carefully contemplate the advantages and disadvantages of aligning themselves with specific groups, similar to other open-world RPGs. Kay Vess, as a brand-new character in this world, embodies the essence of a true antihero, offering an exceptional storyline that reveals the deep layers hidden within the Star Wars universe. This unique portrayal will undoubtedly resonate with many fans.
Star Wars Outlaws launches in 2024 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.