Unraveling the Infamous Criminal Underworld in Star Wars

The gameplay reveal trailer for Star Wars Outlaws introduced players to the exciting adventures of Kay Vess and her trusty companion Nix. Kay embodies the spirit of scoundrels like Han Solo, navigating the treacherous world of space criminals in a galaxy far, far away. Star Wars Outlaws takes a fresh approach to the smuggler archetype by exploring a different side of the Star Wars universe, one that exists outside the realm of Jedi-centric stories. Despite the franchise's focus on Jedi characters, there has always been a dedicated fanbase interested in the tales of clone troopers and bounty hunters.

While the game is still in its early stages, Outlaws promises to bring back the thrill of blasters and non-Force sensitive characters that fans have longed for since the cancellation of Star Wars 1313. As players embark on their journey through the Outer Rim's criminal underworld, they can expect to encounter a diverse cast of allies and adversaries. The major syndicates of Star Wars Outlaws are already making their presence known, setting the stage for a fierce power struggle during the Imperial era.

Pyke Syndicate

After narrowly escaping with a valuable mollusk-like object from a chop shop on Toshara's moon, Kay's droid companion ND-5 raises concerns about the impact this incident may have on their business relationship with the Pykes. The Pyke Syndicate, a notorious criminal organization that has been featured in Star Wars media since The Clone Wars era, is what ND-5 is referring to.

The Pyke Syndicate has strong connections to the corruption within the Empire and was hired by Count Dooku to assassinate Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, who played a crucial role in the creation of the clone trooper project. Known for their involvement in the illegal trade of spice, the Pykes utilize enslaved workers on the planet Kessel to mine this substance, which is then transported directly to the crime families on Coruscant.

Kay’s statement about the Pykes potentially forgiving her suggests that her interactions with various organizations will greatly influence her criminal activities in the upcoming title. This reputation system appears to be directly linked to the development of the open world in Outlaws, as the director of the narrative has mentioned that if Kay falls out of favor with a specific faction, she may lose out on job opportunities with that particular group. This design choice immerses players in the game by emphasizing the importance of their choices, as notorious Star Wars criminals like the Pyke Syndicate are known for their ruthlessness and their tendency to hold grudges.

Hutt Clan

In the initial gameplay showcase, Kay engages in combat inside a criminal hideout. As she defeats a Rodian, he urgently communicates with his fellow comrades in Huttese, the dominant language of the Rodian race. This linguistic dominance exemplifies the power held by the Hutts, who control a region in the galaxy known as Hutt Space. Located along the borders of the Outer Rim Territories, Hutt Space serves as a breeding ground for manipulative Hutts who play significant roles in the dark underworld of the Star Wars galaxy. Already, there are indications that Jabba the Hutt himself will make an appearance in Outlaws.

In the premiere trailer, there is a captivating glimpse of what appears to be Han Solo encased in carbonite and being transported. The individual accompanying the hibernating figure seems to be none other than Jabba the Hutt, suggesting that this takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. If this portrayal of Han Solo is indeed accurate, it aligns with the timeline of Outlaws. With Jabba's enduring influence throughout the game, the avarice and volatility of his futuristic criminal syndicate could potentially impact Kay Vess' experiences.

Ashiga Clan

The Ashiga Clan, a recently introduced sci-fi criminal syndicate in Star Wars Outlaws, is believed to have their home planet on Akiva, as shown in the city environment featured in the gameplay reveal trailer. While they remain the most enigmatic syndicate thus far, there are certain indications that draw parallels between the Ashiga Clan and the malevolent Sith, reminiscent of the dark Jedi.

In the premiere trailer of Outlaws, a figure dressed entirely in black and wearing a hood and mask can be seen ruthlessly executing a frightened Sullustan. Although this appearance may initially bring to mind a dark Jedi of the Sith, it is important to note that this character does not wield a lightsaber. Instead, they attack their victim with a vibroblade, a distinctive melee weapon in the Star Wars universe used by those who are not attuned to the force and trained in lightsaber combat. The use of this weapon by the mysterious assassin, if they indeed belong to the Ashiga Clan, suggests a peculiar dark side style that could potentially be linked to the Sith.

The Galactic Empire

The Galactic Empire, under the rule of the malevolent Darth Sidious during the events of Outlaws, is an essential mention when discussing the criminals of the Imperial era in Star Wars. The entire government of the galaxy is deeply entangled in the twisted and ruthless teachings of its Sith master.

In the gameplay trailer of Star Wars Outlaws, the officer of the Empire becomes directly involved with the criminal syndicates, adding to the already twisted nature of their laws and execution. Kay Vess, in a compromised position, discovers that her information broker, Danka, is cooperating with a corrupt Imperial officer who threatens legal action against Kay unless she provides a bribe.

The player is given the option to bribe the officer, suggesting that Outlaws allows Kay to establish a professional relationship with Empire officers who are willing to turn a blind eye. With a 'wanted' level system similar to Grand Theft Auto, the game enables players to leverage Kay's connection with the Empire as she navigates the seedy world of space in Star Wars Outlaws.

Star Wars Outlaws launches in 2024 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.