When Star Wars Outlaws hit the scene in August, to say it stumbled out of the gate would be putting it lightly. Along with a lukewarm reception from critics, gamers were greeted with a host of technical hiccups. Players encountered everything from minor graphical oddities to major game-crashing bugs that demanded some PS5 users to wipe their save files completely, forcing them to start over.
However, there’s good news for fans. Since that rocky start, Star Wars Outlaws has turned the corner. Ubisoft paid close attention to what the community was saying and rolled out updates over the months that have steadily enhanced the game’s experience. But none of those previous updates compare to the transformation delivered by the most recent Title Update, which introduces a slew of improvements and fresh features aimed at addressing the gripes players have been vocal about.
Let’s dive into what’s new. The 1.4.0 Update brought some revolutionary changes, especially to the game’s stealth mechanics. Gone are the days when being spotted meant an automatic mission failure. Now, players exploring syndicate-controlled territories aren’t forced into stealth mode, giving them more freedom on how to approach challenges.
The game also boasts a revamped detection system. Players will now receive alerts when enemies begin to notice them and visual prompts warn if a takedown might attract unwanted attention. So, the stealth gameplay feels much more refined and intuitive—no more lone guards investigating odd whistling sounds.
Combat enhancements are also part of the package. Enemies now have weak spots, and targeting these can result in specific animations. Kay’s trusty blaster has been fine-tuned for better handling, with more incentive for precise aiming. Headshots pack a bigger punch now, and AI has grown sager, making foes use cover more tactically and react to nearby explosions.
Kay’s mobility has gotten a boost too. She can now stow away her two-handed weapons while riding a speeder or when scaling surfaces.
Visuals haven’t been overlooked either. The 1.4.0 Update polishes the game’s graphical presentation, enhancing facial animations during dialogues and refining cinematic sequences—a welcome change for those who were put off by its earlier muddiness.
And if the updates alone aren’t enough to lure back players, perhaps the introduction of the first story DLC will do the trick. The new ‘Wild Card’ DLC features Kay Vess teaming up with none other than Lando Calrissian for a high-stakes Sabacc tournament. This collaboration could just be the incentive players need to jump back into the game.
Overall, Star Wars Outlaws seems to be making strides toward living up to the high expectations set by the Star Wars universe. Whether you fancy exploring diverse planets or engaging in thrilling combat scenarios, there’s plenty of galactic adventure to uncover as the game evolves.
