Summary
Star Wars Outlawshas never been coy about its inspirations and the scoundrel-led open-world game delving into a wretched hive of scum and villainy is undoubtedly its primary selling point. This only truly works if Kay Vess is willing and capable of being morally pliable herself, though, and it’ll be interesting to see how lenient her ethical compass can be regarding various criminal syndicates in a galaxy far, far away.
There’s a chanceStar Wars Outlawshas merely indulged in iconography and popular character cameos as a way to cement itself in its particular era, but these inspirations and references are concerning if they adhere too closely to the source material. It’s already possible thatOutlawscould parallelSolo: A Star Wars Storyin numerous ways, butOutlaws’ story trailer also demonstrates unabashed parallels toReturn of the Jedi. If these parallels are too similar, they risk a semblance of inauthenticity forOutlaws’ story regardless of how immersive or fun they are as moments of nostalgic fan service.
Star Wars Outlaws Shouldn’t Needlessly Slip into Nostalgia Bait
If Massive is told it can adapt the rancor pit trap as a gameplay sequence it’s tough to see how it could deny such an opportunity. Dropping Kay into the rancor pit below Jabba’s throne and having players battle the enormous creature would be incredibly thrilling and nostalgic as a gameplay sequence, but it would potentially create a lore inconsistency.
If a lowly scoundrel and her merqaal could escape its clutches, for example, it wouldn’t make much sense for the Hutt to believe thata Jedi Knight would fall prey to the rancor inReturn of the Jedi, either.
But even simply having Kay brought to Jabba forStar Warsfans to once again see this musty throne room is fan service jeopardizing any narrative authenticity Kay and Jabba’s encounter could possess. Massive might have a wholly original plan concocted for how to approach this nostalgia bait; however, Kay and Nix sliding down a dune toward a sarlacc pit in the story trailer seems to suggest their experience thwarting Jabba will echo what Luke, Han, Chewbacca, Leia, Lando, C-3PO, and R2-D2 endurea little later on in theStar Warstimeline, at least in terms of the perils they face on Tatooine.
Star Wars Fan Service is Inevitable, But Outlaws Can Be Smart About It
Now, certain parallels would be impossible to avoid; Jabba did have a throne room on Tatooine at this time and therefore having him take refuge anywhere else for the sake of originality wouldn’t be canonically accurate.Jabba also could’ve already had an incapacitated Han Solo in his possessionat that time, so that iconic block of carbonite would likely be on display in his throne room.
It’ll be neat to see Kay stumble upon these bits of iconography, especially if the throne room is even briefly explorable in a gameplay sequence and not a quick cutscene, but pushing it further than that might disrupt immersion flatly. Plus, ifOutlawswishes to depict the Hutt Cartel as a formidable criminal organization, Kay shouldn’t be able toescape from Jabba or defy the Hutt Cartelwithout an intimidating threat looming over them.
Boba Fett could feasibly be that threat despite how much that would veer into fan service, but feeding Kay and Nix to a rancor or sarlacc would be on the nose regardless of how often Jabba may have doled out that punishment to captives. In fact, ifOutlawswants to get ahead of this andbe of service toStar Warscanonfurther, it should allude to the idea that Jabba doesn’t yet have a rancor but has created a lair for one as a means of foreshadowing what Luke will fall prey to inReturn of the Jedi. Unfortunately,Outlaws’ world premiere reveal trailer already spoiled that a rancor will indeed appear.
Star Wars Outlaws
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars game and explore distinct planets across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as Kay Vess, an emerging scoundrel seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, & outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted. If you’re willing to take the risk, the galaxy is full of opportunity.DISCOVER A GALAXY OF OPPORTUNITYExplore distinct planets with bustling cities and cantinas before racing across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each planet brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.EXPERIENCE AN ORIGINAL SCOUNDREL STORYLive the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. With Nix by your side, turn any situation to your advantage: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.EMBARK ON HIGH-STAKES MISSIONSTake on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.JUMP INTO THE PILOT SEATPilot your ship, The Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with The Empire and other foes, finding the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
