So, like, it’s May 4th, right? You know what that means, Star Wars Day! At least that’s what we call it over here at Nintendo Life Towers. It’s more like Oh-god-Jim’s-going-to-bang-on-about-Star-Wars-again Day.
I mean, it’s true, I’m a huge fan of all things from a Galaxy Far, Far Away. I tend to lean towards the Light Side, if I’m being honest. But hey, this year I’m not here to talk about how ‘Attack of the Clones is Good, Actually.’ Nope, I’ve got some cold, hard facts to lay on you. Well, mostly based on my own point of view, of course.
So, here it is: Star Wars Outlaws is totally one of the Switch 2’s best signings for its launch year. And guess what? It’s getting a 2025 release to give it the second chance it totally deserves.
Now, hold your lightsabers for a sec and let me explain. The Switch 2 is gonna have some awesome games in its first year. Besides all the first-party stuff, we’re talking big ports like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Street Fighter 6. It’s gonna be epic!
But when I saw Outlaws in one of the Switch 2 Direct’s trailers, I was like, “Yes!” Why? Because, as cool as those other games are, Outlaws needs another shot.
In case you missed it, Star Wars Outlaws dropped in August 2024, from the folks at Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft. It’s set between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, following outlaw Kay Vess on her wild journey through the galaxy’s underworld. There’s all kinds of cool side missions, Sabacc games, and chances to make friends (or enemies) with the bosses of the underworld.
Now, if you think, “Oh, it’s just another Ubisoft open-world game,” you’re not totally wrong. Outlaws doesn’t bring a ton of new stuff to the table, and its gameplay is about as unique as a bunch of Clone troopers. But hey, I found some good stuff in there, even if it plays it safe like a Jedi in hiding.
But things weren’t looking too hot before launch. When Ubisoft said it was the “first open-world Star Wars game,” the fans were like, “Hold up, do you even know about Star Wars Galaxies?” The game was already getting shade before it hit the shelves.
After it came out, the reviews were mixed, and of course, Ubisoft was quick to say it didn’t meet their sales goals. Typical, right?
But me, being the Star Wars nut that I am, I picked it up on PS5. I knew they fixed some stuff before I played it, but I was ready for the worst. Surprisingly, I was totally into it.
Yeah, it’s not super original, and the story is kinda meh. But it’s got all the Star Wars vibes I could ask for. The side quests are fun, and cruising around the galaxy is a blast. Kay Vess is a rad hero, and Nix is the cutest alien sidekick ever. Plus, the game is full of nods to the movies that had me pointing at the screen like Leo.
But what really got me was how it captured the Star Wars feel. Just wandering around in the game was enough to keep me hooked for hours. I wasn’t rushing through the story, just enjoying the ride.
A lot of people had issues with Outlaws when it launched, but I think it got a bad rap. Not many fans got to see how cool it really is. If you missed out on it last year, get ready for a treat when it hits the Switch 2.
So, have you played Outlaws yet? Will you grab it on Switch 2? Let me know in the comments with your Jedi mind tricks!
