Ubisoft’s upcoming title, Star Wars Outlaws, is set to be the first open-world game of its kind in the Star Wars universe. Taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, this game promises to take players across a variety of old and new settings in a galaxy far, far away.

Characters and Gameplay

Players will encounter intriguing characters such as ND-5, Vail the bounty hunter, Lady Qi’ra, and Jabba the Hutt. The game’s protagonist, Kay Vess, leads the adventure, facing dangerous missions and engaging with the criminal underworld. Kay is accompanied by Nix, a salamander-like creature that can fetch weapons and cause distractions.

Inspirations from Other Games

Initially, there was some skepticism about Ubisoft’s sci-fi adventure due to the studio’s previous open-world titles like Skull and Bones. However, previews suggest that Star Wars Outlaws has the potential to be a major hit. The game is inspired by Ubisoft’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora in terms of environmental design and technical achievements. More notably, the game’s creative director, Julian Gerighty, revealed that Ghost of Tsushima was a significant influence.

Ghost of Tsushima’s Influence

In an interview with GamesRadar, Julian Gerighty discussed how Ghost of Tsushima was his biggest reference point for the open-world ideas in Star Wars Outlaws. While comparisons have been made to Red Dead Redemption and Starfield, Gerighty emphasized that Ghost of Tsushima‘s visually stunning world and immersive experience were key inspirations.

Gerighty stated, “It’s super interesting because my biggest reference was Ghost of Tsushima, which is more on the Kurosawa side of inspiration than the Western, the John Ford side of the inspiration for George Lucas.” He appreciated how Red Dead Redemption crafted an open world that didn’t rely on repetitive activities. However, it was Ghost of Tsushima‘s ability to fully immerse players in its fantasy world that truly inspired him. “This is the story, the world, the character, everything fits together with the gameplay guiding everything,” Gerighty added. “That’s the fantasy of ‘you are a samurai ninja in Japan.’ That was one of the guiding lights for this.”

Exploration and Mini-Games

Players will be able to explore a mix of familiar and new Star Wars planets, including Tatooine, Cantonica, Kijimi, Akiva, and Toshara. The game promises a blend of well-known Star Wars worlds and brand-new locations. Additionally, players can enjoy various mini-games as they traverse the galaxy.

Final Thoughts

Star Wars Outlaws is shaping up to be a unique addition to the Star Wars gaming universe, with its open-world design drawing significant inspiration from Ghost of Tsushima. As players take on the role of Kay Vess and explore diverse planets, they can look forward to a rich, immersive experience. With its mix of familiar characters and new adventures, Star Wars Outlaws is poised to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the franchise.

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