Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Female-led Star Wars game; intense action, moral decisions
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
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Star Wars Outlaws
Parent and Kid Reviews
What’s It About?
STAR WARS OUTLAWS is an open-world adventure game where players take on the role of Kay Vess, a young thief navigating a galaxy full of danger and opportunity. Along with her alien pet, Nix, Kay embarks on high-risk missions for credits, using weapons, gadgets, and strategy to survive. As players make choices, they shape Kay's reputation and the unfolding story. The game, available on Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC, offers a cinematic third-person experience, where piloting ships, infiltrating locations, and engaging in interstellar combat are all part of the journey.
Is It Any Good?
Star Wars Outlaws is the game Star Wars fans have been waiting for. While it's not perfect, the engaging storyline, characters, and gameplay more than make up for the issues, which will hopefully be resolved with future patches. Developer Massive Entertainment has perfectly captured the Star Wars tone, from the plot and pacing to the dialog and seedy characters. The game feels authentically Star Wars from the moment you enter The Broken Hoof bar, immersing you in the role of a smuggler that even Han Solo would respect.
As the gameplay unfolds, blending stealth, exploration, and tactical combat, you're drawn deeper into the narrative and begin to genuinely care about Kay Vess, brought to life by actress Humberly González. With RPG elements like character upgrades and plot twists, the 20+ hour storyline offers more depth than you might expect. While there are technical issues, such as getting stuck in objects and repetitive combat, the game's strong visuals, atmospheric music, and authentic sound effects make it an immersive experience. Despite its flaws, Star Wars Outlaws is a worthy addition to the Star Wars franchise, delivering an ambitious and memorable sci-fi adventure.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the choices you make as Kay Vess in Star Wars Outlaws affect the storyline and her reputation. How do the choices in the game mirror the decisions we have to make in real life? What can we learn from the consequences of those choices?
Kay Vess is the first solo female lead in a Star Wars game. How does having a strong female character like Kay challenge stereotypes in the gaming industry? Why do you think it's important to see more women in leading roles in video games? And why is it important to look at how they're portrayed in these roles?
Kay Vess often finds herself in dangerous situations but continues to push forward. How does her courage help her overcome obstacles? Can you think of a time when you had to be courageous in a difficult situation? Why is this an important character strength?
Game Details
- Platforms: Xbox Series X/S , PlayStation 5 , Windows
- Pricing structure: Paid ($69.99 for basic version.)
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: UbiSoft
- Release date: August 30, 2024
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Sports and Martial Arts , Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Robots , Science and Nature , Space and Aliens , Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Courage
- ESRB rating: T for Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Violence
- Last updated: August 30, 2024
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