Star Wars Outlaws Gold Edition Review
Summary: Scoundrels, speeders and a galaxy that finally feels alive on Nintendo’s next‑gen handheld!
4.5
Portable scoundrels!
Scoundrels, speeders and a galaxy that finally feels alive on Nintendo’s next‑gen handheld!
The Nintendo Switch 2 has been crying out for a true cinematic blockbuster game and it has arrived with Star Wars Outlaws that makes you forget like Cyberpunk 2077 that you are playing on a hybrid next-gen console. From the first speeder ride across Tashara’s rolling plains to the tense stealth crawl through Jabba’s palace, this is a galaxy‑spanning adventure that feels like *Uncharted* collided with *The Witcher 3* and *Red Dead Redemption*, then sprinkled in a dash of *Like a Dragon* for good measure but it is 110% grounded in the Star Wars universe. Best of all and again like Cyberpunk 2077, it’s not just very playable but it’s impressive for the hardware, even if there are some compromises.
Even though Ubisoft’s open‑world tech has been scaled smartly for Nintendo’s new hardware, the developers should be commended because in docked mode, the game outputs at 1440p via DLSS upscaling from a lower internal resolution, targeting 30 fps. Handheld mode runs at lower resolutions (roughly 450p–810p) with dynamic scaling. Performance is generally stable, though busy firefights or dense settlements can cause dips but remember making games is not like dusting crops.
The real magic or “force” is in the density of the worlds because everything feels like a living breathing Star Wars universe. From bustling marketplaces to seedy cantinas and ramshackle settlements that are filled with NPCs who go about their day, you can really get lost in Star Wars Outlaws. Even on the Switch 2’s display, the neon glow of Canto Bight’s casinos and the dusty sunsets of Tatooine pop with cinematic flair and you could be forgiven in thinking that you will bump in Luke Skywalker or Han Solo.
For those of you who have not played Outlaws, you play as Kay Vess, a small‑time thief from Canto Bight who finds herself on the wrong end of a death mark after a heist goes sideways. With the galaxy’s grumpiest droid, ND‑5 and your adorable critter companion Nix, you’re tasked with assembling a crew for the ultimate vault job that will set you up like the richest Hutt for the rest of your life. The story is refreshingly Jedi‑free, no lightsabers, no Force powers, just a ragtag crew of scoundrels trying to survive in the cracks between the Empire’s grip. The writing is sharp, the cast is likable and cameos (Spoiler Alert – Jabba’s here) feel earned rather than shoehorned.
In terms of gameplay, Outlaws splits its gameplay into three distinct styles that go hand-in-hand and interweave wonderfully with the story of Kay Vess. The Open‑World Exploration allows you to roam across five massive planets, each with its own culture, terrain and trouble to find. For example, Tashara’s grassy plains invite high‑speed speeder chases, while Tatooine’s barren wastes hide dangerous secrets. Then you have the Action‑Stealth Missions as you infiltrate syndicate strongholds, sneak past patrols and crack safes with rhythm‑based lockpicking or glyph‑hacking puzzles which works perfectly on the Switch 2. Guards are forgiving on normal difficulty, but alarms can turn missions into chaotic shootouts fast. It wouldn’t be a Star Wars game with the Space Sandbox as you pilot your ship between worlds, take on smuggling runs and engage in dogfights – just like Han Solo himself. Best of all, these transitions on the Switch 2 is very smooth and loading times are relatively short and not very noticeable.
It’s all about rep! With four warring gangs fighting over the Outer Rim, your choices matter that can also make your life difficult. Help one and you’ll anger another – if you can play them all, you’ll enjoy better discounts, better jobs and fewer ambushes. Push your luck, and you might find a hit squad waiting for you at the next spaceport. It’s a clever system that encourages you to change up your tactics by using Kay and Nix’s full range of abilities, nudges you toward the game’s plethora of side activities, and makes you feel like you’re always working toward something.
Customisation is another key component to Star Wars Outlaws. For example, youur blaster can be upgraded and customised by finding parts and modules scattered across the galaxy. Want a fast‑firing sidearm that melts shields? Done. Prefer a heavy hitter that can obliterate a squad with one charged shot? Also possible. It’s a simple system, but surprisingly deep and tinkering with loadouts quickly becomes addictive. The same goes for your ship, the Trailblazer!
If Outlaws ever feels too punishing, Switch 2 players have a wealth of options to tailor the experience. You can tweak combat difficulty, toggle cinematic aspect ratios, disable lockpicking or visual paint markers and adjust dozens of accessibility settings from high‑contrast rendering to text‑to‑speech and custom subtitles. This level of flexibility shows Massive’s respect for its audience. It shouldn’t be an outlier in the industry, but here it feels like a gold standard.
Graphics
Outlaws’ presentation is superb and Massive nails the grounded, lived‑in texture of the Star Wars galaxy, from the grit of frontier towns to the neon haze of urban sprawls perfectly. The new planets and creatures feel authentic enough to slot into Star Wars canon. The main cast fits seamlessly into the wider universe and I really enjoyed Kay, even though she has received her fair share of flack but she’s a spicy smuggler! Of course Nix is a fan favourite as is ND‑5’s gruff charm that is impossible to ignore. But all in all Massive have successfully created the Star Wars universe from a graphical perspective perfectly.
Audio
The soundtrack channels John Williams’ spirit without imitation, blending brass and strings into a sweeping, emotional backdrop. While the exact orchestra credits differ from early reports, the score by Wilbert Roget II and collaborators is superb. Voice performances are equally strong, with Jay Rincon’s ND‑5 a standout, delivering a battle droid you’ll genuinely care about.
Final Thoughts?
Star Wars Outlaws on Nintendo Switch 2 is more than just a great open‑world game, it’s one of the most ambitious Star Wars titles ever to land on a Nintendo system. It’s a labour of love from Massive, built on an understanding that the heart of Star Wars isn’t just in blasters or lightsabers, but in lovable characters, high‑stakes adventures, and worlds that feel worth exploring.
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