When Star Wars Outlaws hit the market in August, it wasn’t the smooth launch everyone had hoped for. Critics gave mixed reviews, and the game was riddled with technical problems. Players faced issues ranging from minor graphical glitches to bugs that could render the game unplayable. Perhaps most frustrating was a bug that forced some PS5 users to delete their save files entirely, effectively wiping out their progress and forcing them to start over from scratch.
Fast forward a few months, and there’s been quite a transformation. Ubisoft paid close attention to the feedback from players and rolled out numerous updates aimed at enhancing the overall gaming experience. However, none of these past efforts compare to the impact of the latest Title Update, which tackles several major grievances head-on and introduces a slew of improvements and new additions.
This latest update, labeled 1.4.0, brings significant changes to the game, especially in the realm of stealth. One major relief for players is that being spotted during stealth sequences no longer leads to an automatic mission failure. Additionally, players now have the freedom to explore syndicate-controlled areas without being forced into a stealth mode.
To complement these changes, a refined detection system has been introduced. It alerts players when an enemy begins to notice their presence, and it also provides a visual cue if a takedown might catch the attention of nearby guards. A variety of other tweaks have been made to the stealth mechanics, like ensuring a whistle attracts more than just one guard.
Combat has also seen noteworthy updates. Enemies now have weak points that, when targeted, trigger special death animations specific to those body parts. The mechanics of Kay’s blaster have been adjusted, with changes to recoil and spread promoting more precise aiming. Headshots have been made more impactful, dealing increased damage. Moreover, enemy AI has been enhanced so that foes use cover more intelligently and respond to nearby explosions with more realistic reactions.
One minor yet handy update is the ability for Kay to holster two-handed weapons while on a speeder or when climbing and grappling.
Visual enhancements have also been made to address earlier complaints about certain murky graphics, particularly during dialogue scenes. This update introduces improved facial animations and refined cinematic visuals, creating a more polished look overall.
If the slew of enhancements still isn’t enticing enough, the release of the first story DLC, ‘Wild Card,’ might catch fans’ interest. This new content invites players to join Kay Vess in a thrilling alliance with the legendary Lando Calrissian as they attempt to conquer a high-stakes Sabacc tournament.
For those unfamiliar with Star Wars Outlaws, it’s the first open-world Star Wars game, taking players on adventures across a variety of vibrant planets. As Kay Vess, a rising scoundrel, players will navigate the galaxy’s criminal underworld, challenging them to fight, steal, and outsmart their way through. The game features action-packed missions that impact the player’s reputation and offers dogfights and strategic gameplay aboard The Trailblazer.
Initially released on August 30, 2024, by Ubisoft and Lucasfilm Games, this game is built on the Snowdrop engine and carries a T for Teen rating due to its themes of violence, simulated gambling, and mild language. While it had a rocky start, Star Wars Outlaws seems to be refining itself into a solid entry in the Star Wars gaming universe.
