Star Wars Outlaws’ creative director, Julian Gerighty, recently revealed that the development of the game was heavily influenced by Sucker Punch’s acclaimed title, Ghost of Tsushima. This unexpected inspiration marks a significant departure from the typical comparisons drawn to other Ubisoft games, such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry.

A New Direction for Ubisoft’s Open-World Games

Although one might assume that Star Wars Outlaws would follow the formula of Ubisoft’s past decade of games, the reality is quite different. Outlaws aims to redefine what an open-world game from Ubisoft can be, steering clear of the traditional Ubisoft template and embracing a fresh approach.

Previews for Star Wars Outlaws, which dropped yesterday, have led to a variety of comparisons with games like Red Dead Redemption and The Witcher 3. Surprisingly, Gerighty disclosed that the true inspiration behind Outlaws was Ghost of Tsushima, a game known for its deep immersion in the samurai fantasy.

Ghost of Tsushima’s Impact on Star Wars Outlaws

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Julian Gerighty discussed how Ghost of Tsushima served as a major reference point for Star Wars Outlaws. He emphasized that the game’s inspiration leaned more towards the Kurosawa-inspired elements of Ghost of Tsushima rather than typical Western themes.

“I think that Ghost of Tsushima – what I loved about it was this purity of having a player fantasy and really leaning into it. This is the story, the world, the character, everything fits together with the gameplay guiding everything,” Gerighty said.

While acknowledging Red Dead Redemption’s excellence in creating a believable world, Gerighty highlighted Ghost of Tsushima’s success in allowing players to fully embrace the fantasy of being a samurai. This focus on a cohesive story, world, and character experience is what Star Wars Outlaws strives to achieve.

Achieving the Scoundrel Fantasy in Star Wars Outlaws

From early gameplay experiences, it is evident that Star Wars Outlaws has successfully captured the essence of being a scoundrel in the Star Wars universe. Players won’t have the luxury of Force abilities or Jedi agility, making them rely on wit and available tools to survive. This design philosophy resonates with the immersive player experience seen in Ghost of Tsushima.

While Ghost of Tsushima may not have been an obvious influence at first glance, Gerighty’s vision is now clear. The game’s aim to integrate story, world, and gameplay into a seamless experience is a testament to this inspiration.

Final Thoughts

Star Wars Outlaws, with its innovative approach and unexpected influences, promises to be a unique addition to the open-world genre. By drawing inspiration from Ghost of Tsushima, Ubisoft aims to provide players with an authentic scoundrel experience in the Star Wars universe. This blend of fresh ideas and proven concepts is set to offer an engaging and immersive adventure for fans. Whether you see it as Watch Dogs 2 in space or a Star Wars take on Ghost of Tsushima, Star Wars Outlaws is poised to be a standout title.

Stay tuned for more updates and previews as the release date approaches.

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