Unveiling the Ultimate Star Wars Storytelling Pitfall: A Must-Know for Star Wars Outlaws
Star Wars Outlaws offers a unique perspective, delving into unexplored territory within the franchise It avoids falling into the cliché of another scoundrel-turned-rebel story, providing players with a refreshing and exciting gameplay experience
With the announcement of Ubisoft's new open-world game set in the Star Wars universe, there was much speculation about the focus of the story. In recent years, the majority of story-centric Star Wars games have centered around the Jedi or the Rebellion. This is why the recently unveiled Star Wars Outlaws has generated much excitement among fans. This game puts players in the shoes of Kay Vess, a scoundrel who navigates the galaxy's crime syndicates while evading the Empire's control. This unique approach sets Star Wars Outlaws apart from previous video games in the franchise, and it is crucial that this distinction is maintained.
Star Wars Outlaws seems to primarily concentrate on the underworld of scoundrels and smugglers in the galaxy, an experience that has been rarely offered in recent Star Wars games. A notable example of such a game is 1996's Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, making Star Wars Outlaws highly anticipated among those who are eager to explore the less honorable side of the galaxy. However, in creating the story for Star Wars Outlaws, it is imperative for Ubisoft to avoid undermining the experience of being a scoundrel by placing Kay Vess in the same position as many other Star Wars protagonists before.
Star Wars Outlaws Can't Just Be Another Scoundrel-Turned-Rebel Story
Star Wars has provided captivating gaming experiences throughout its extensive history. Whether it's the classic side-scrolling titles on the SNES or the recent release of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, there is always a game that can be enjoyed by any Star Wars fan. Although many of these games revolve around the Jedi or Rebel Alliance, there are occasional additions that promise a fresh perspective. However, these alternative perspectives often fail to maintain their impact throughout the entire game, and players are frequently left with yet another Jedi or Rebel storyline.
Two notable examples of this are Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and the campaign of Star Wars Battlefront 2. The Force Unleashed offered gamers the opportunity to wield incredibly powerful Force abilities and presented a storyline centered on the Sith through Darth Vader's secret apprentice. While it successfully delivered on the first aspect, it only remained true to the second for approximately half of its duration, ultimately transitioning the protagonist, Starkiller, into a role of establishing the Rebel Alliance.
Battlefront 2's campaign initially advertised players would assume control of an elite Imperial squadron, but it took a quick turn when the protagonist, Iden Versio, transitioned to becoming a Rebel. Despite the enjoyment of both storylines, this shift diminished the original excitement for many gamers.
In the case of Star Wars Outlaws, it is crucial for the game's narrative to preserve the core reasons why fans are thrilled about it. The reveal trailer and gameplay of Outlaws already depicted Kay Vess engaging in combat against the Empire as an independent fighter and alongside the Rebellion. However, the story should not solely revolve around this aspect. Taking inspiration from Solo: A Star Wars Story, where the Empire served as a constant threat but not the sole motivation for the protagonist's actions, it would be wise for Outlaws to follow a similar path.
Star Wars Outlaws appears to exceed the lofty expectations of eager fans, particularly with its immersive open-world exploration. However, the challenge lies in crafting an intriguing narrative that showcases Kay Vess as a charming rogue, while avoiding the cliché of her aligning with the Rebellion, a path taken by numerous Star Wars video game protagonists in the past. By steering clear of this common trope, the game can preserve the uniqueness and authenticity of Kay Vess, preventing her from being perceived as a mere imitation of Han Solo. This approach ensures that the character stays true to the dynamic and refreshing nature of the Star Wars canon. Anticipated for release in 2024, Star Wars Outlaws is setting the stage for an epic gaming experience.
