Why Star Wars Outlaws Steals the Spotlight from Star Wars Eclipse
Massive's Star Wars game and Quantic Dream's take on the franchise share similarities in their approach to storytelling, as seen in their respective reveals The new era of Star Wars games is off to an exciting start with these two sides of the same coin
Ubisoft's highly anticipated open-world Star Wars game, Star Wars Outlaws, has recently been revealed to the delight of fans everywhere. The reveal trailer showcases an emphasis on cinema-quality spectacle and fidelity, including all the familiar trappings fans have come to expect from the franchise. Following up on the reveal, an in-depth gameplay showcase was generously provided a day later. Notably, the reveal trailer for Star Wars Outlaws parallels Quantic Dream's 2022 reveal trailer for Star Wars Eclipse in several meaningful ways. The recent Xbox Showcase introduced a plethora of fresh trailers to the gaming masses, with Star Wars Outlaws being one of the most notable. Developed by Massive Entertainment, whose previous titles include The Division series and the upcoming Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, the trailer boasts a high-budget and high-quality AAA product that dutifully lives up to the Star Wars IP. Its appearance at the Xbox Showcase has become a marquis moment and set the internet abuzz with speculation, filling out the 2023 holiday release schedule with one of the year's most high-profile games.
The New Era of Star Wars Games is Off to a Strong Start
The end of EA's long-standing exclusivity deal with Lucasarts as the sole publisher of Star Wars video games has opened up a world of possibilities for the beloved franchise in gaming. While EA has had some success with the IP, such as with Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the upcoming titles from various developers promise to bring a fresh perspective to the universe. Among these titles are the highly anticipated Star Wars Outlaws and Star Wars Eclipse, both of which have already set a high bar with their initial trailers. Star Wars Eclipse, developed by Quantic Dream, showcases the studio's strengths in narrative-focused gameplay and stunning visuals, as demonstrated by the trailer's impressive imagery set against primal Sith-like figures playing giant battle drums. The trailer has been met with much excitement, signaling a promising future for Star Wars in gaming.
Star Wars Eclipse and Outlaws Are Two Sides of the Same Coin
The reveal for Star Wars Outlaws by Massive showcased a high level of quality comparable to that of Star Wars Eclipse, while presenting its themes and characters in a more straightforward manner. The two-minute video prominently featured the game's protagonist and provided fans with a clearer understanding of what to expect from the open-world action adventure. Unlike the eerie chanting and drums of Eclipse, Outlaws relied on expository dialogue to set the stage for a more grounded Star Wars story, reminiscent of Rogue One and Andor. During the gameplay showcase hosted a day after the initial trailer, viewers were introduced to Kay Vess and her struggle against both the Syndicate and the Empire, further peeling back the curtain on this exciting new title.
Despite being set centuries apart, both Star Wars Eclipse and Star Wars Outlaws unmistakably belong to the Star Wars universe. From visceral interstellar dog-fighting to weathered thoroughfares bustling with surface commerce and seedy underbellies, both trailers pay homage to the unique qualities that make this IP so beloved. Together, these trailers showcase the full spectrum of what the Star Wars universe has to offer. Fans can look forward to the release of Star Wars Outlaws in 2024, alongside Star Wars Eclipse, making the near future an exciting time for gamers who love a galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Outlaws releases in 2024 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
