Star Wars Outlaws trailers, gameplay and what you need to know

Cat Bussell

June 12, 2023 at 12:00 PM·9 min read

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Key art for Star Wars Outlaws featuring Kay and a commando droid. — Credit: Massive Entertainment

Star Wars Outlaws is an open-world sci-fi adventure from Massive Entertainment. Published by Ubisoft, this third-person action game follows Kay Vess, an outlaw from Star Wars' criminal underworld.

Set between Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi. Star Wars Outlaws takes place during a tumultuous time in the Star Wars setting. The Rebellion is in full swing, and The Galactic Empire is fighting tooth and nail to hold on to power. It's a tense situation but, much to the advantage of rogues like Vess, it's also a chance to make a bit of cash if you play your cards right.

As Vess you'll shoot, talk, and fly your way in and out of problems as you try to make ends meet. Read on to find out everything there is to know about this sci-fi adventure, and be sure to check out our Star Wars Outlaws review to hear our thoughts on the full experience.

Star Wars Outlaws: Cut to the chase

Kay Vess and Nix stood on a hill overlooking a new environment in Star Wars Outlaws

What is it? The first open-world Star Wars game
When did it come out? August 30, 2024
What can I play it on? Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC
Who made it? Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft

Star Wars Outlaws release date and platforms

Kay Vess holds cards as she gambles in a busy bar

Star Wars Outlaws launched August 30, 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, so any previous generation console players will need to make the upgrade before jumping into this exciting new adventure.

Star Wars Outlaws trailers

The latest trailer for Star Wars Outlaws was shown on June 10, 2024 at a Ubisoft Forward event. It showed an extended look at gameplay, with Kay Vess infiltrating a bandit camp to steal a datapad. Check it out below:

If you want to stay on top of any new Star Wars Outlaws previews as they drop, it may be worth keeping an eye on the Ubisoft YouTube channel. In addition to future trailers, you'll also be able to find special behind-the-scenes looks at the game's development process as well as the world premiere video, which you can see below, too.

Star Wars Outlaws story and setting

Star Wars Outlaws takes place between the events of Star Wars: Episode 5 - The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode 6 - Return of the Jedi, meaning the Galactic Empire will play a pretty significant part in the narrative.

The story itself takes place at a time when the Empire was hot on the heels of the Rebel Alliance. As the rebellion turns into an all-out war, criminal elements can thrive, creating opportunities for scoundrels like Kay Vess.

Rather than playing a more goody-two-shoes Jedi character like in Star Wars Jedi: Survivors, you'll be thrust into the role of an outlaw. Fighting and stealing your way through missions, you'll need to outwit the many dubious forces you'll come up against without relying on space magic

But, Kay isn’t alone in this endeavor, either. The first trailer introduced us to her loyal companion, Nix, a four-legged furry alien who embodies Star Wars creature design at its finest. You'll also be adventuring alongside a trenchcoat-wearing commando droid called ND-5, as you gather a team for a big heist mission.

Star Wars Outlaws gameplay

Kay Vess Sits on a speeder bike looking out at a vibrant desert landscape. TIE Fighters can be seen flying in the distance.

We received a ten-minute walkthrough at Ubisoft Forward 2024 which shed more light on what we can expect from in-game. The trailer begins with what looks like a stealth-based scenario, where Kay is seen navigating an enemy-infested location with Nix. We also get to see several potential actions you can use to help carry out your objectives, like using Nix to distract potential threats while you move.

Swiftly following this, we are taken through Kay getting seen which triggers a high-speed chase and some intense combat. As we come into contact with a few of her pursuers, time appears to slow down, allowing Kay and Nix some time to plan their moves. After a quick shootout, we are taken to the smuggler town of Jaunta's Hope.

Instead of being rewarded for our work, Kay finds herself threatened by a sinister Imperial officer. As 'wanted' posters begin to appear on screens across town, our hero frantically makes for her spaceship, getting the heck out of dodge. A thrilling dogfight ensues with Kay matching wits with Imperial fighters. Next, we're treated to cinematic cutscenes and dialogue between ND-5 and Kay, and the occasional chirp from Nix, after which we jump to hyperspace in a dramatic finale to the setpiece.

The control the player is implied to have during the dogfight section of the trailer suggests that might have full control of Kay's ship when it comes to space battles and plotting courses through the stars. This sense is especially encouraged by the trailer's conclusion, which has an inquisitive ND-5 asking: "Where do we go next?" Kay replies: "Anywhere we want."

Frantic gunplay, difficult dialogue options, and the distinctive Star Wars style are commonplace in the preview. Though tightly choreographed, the ten-minute trailer shows off a wide spectrum of experiences, giving us a solid look at what we can expect from the game once it launches.

Star Wars Outlaws Kay Vess actress - who's playing Kay?

Kay stands beside Nix and her Speeder Bike, looking out of her ship's docking bay door

Kay Vess is played by actor Humberly González, who has previously worked on characters in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. She also worked on Far Cry 6, as well as the Starlink: Battle for Atlas game.

Star Wars Outlaws System Requirements

Nix and Kay sit at a diner, sharing a meal

Minimum:

Visual settings: 1080p/30 FPS/Low preset with upscaler set to quality
GPU: GeForce GTX 1660 6GB / AMD RX 5600 XT 6GB / Intel Arc a750 8GB (ReBAR ON)
CPU: INTEL® CORE™ i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
RAM: 16GB (dual-channel mode)
OS: Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12
SSD Storage: 65GB

Recommended:

Visual settings: 1080p/60 FPS/High preset with upscaler set to quality
GPU: GeForce RTX 3060 8GB / AMD RX 6700 XT 12GB
CPU: INTEL® CORE™ i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
RAM: 16GB (dual-channel mode)
OS: Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12
SSD Storage: 65GB

Enthusiast:

Visual settings: 1440p/60 FPS/High preset with upscaler set to quality
GPU: GeForce RTX 4070 12GB / AMD RX 6800 XT 16GB
CPU: INTEL® CORE™ i5-11600K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
RAM: 16GB (dual-channel mode)
OS: Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12
SSD Storage: 65GB

Ultra:

Visual settings: 4K/60 FPS/Ultra preset with upscaler set to quality
GPU: GeForce RTX 4080 16GB / AMD RX 7900 XTX 24GB
CPU: INTEL® CORE™ i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
RAM: 16GB (dual-channel mode)
OS: Windows 10/11 with DirectX 12
SSD Storage: 65GB

Star Wars Outlaws FAQ

Who is the Star Wars Outlaws main character?

Kay Vess is the main protagonist in Star Wars Outlaws. She is a young thief from Canto Bight, the planet featured in Star Wars Episode 8: The Last Jedi. She's a scoundrel of sorts, looking for a big score to set her up for life. She travels with Nix, a creature called a Merqaal, who has been Kay Vess faithful companion since she was a kid. There's also ND-5, a BX Commando Droid from the Clone Wars that serves as Vess' personal enforcer.

Can you play as a Jedi in Star Wars Outlaws?

While recent Star Wars games like Star Wars Jedi: Survivors have focused on a Jedi protagonist, Star Wars Outlaws is going a different route. You play as Kay Vess, a scoundrel character more in the vein of Han Solo. Whether Kay encounters any Jedi during her adventure remains to be seen, but given the game's setting within the Star Wars timeline, there aren't too many of them around at all. Ben Kenobi is dead by the time Star Wars Outlaws begins, and Luke Skywalker is off training and planning to rescue Han Solo from Jabba's palace. We'll have to wait and see whether or not their paths cross.

Is there multiplayer?

Star Wars Outlaws does not feature multiplayer. Instead, it's a single player, open world action game, in the same vein as Watch Dogs or Assassin's Creed. You'll get to visit five planets, and can even fly up into space to plunder shipwrecks and other treasures.

Is Star Wars Outlaws on Game Pass?

Star Wars Outlaws is not on Game Pass currently. You can pick it up on Ubisoft+ on PC and Xbox however, which will grant you access to the game for a subscription fee.

Star Wars Outlaws news

Kay speaking to an android in Star Wars Outlaws

Star Wars Outlaws DLC will involve Lando
The content roadmap for Star Wars Outlaws has been revealed. The first expansion is called Wild Card, which is set to arrive in Fall 2024, and will find the game's protagonist Kay Vess infiltrating a high-stakes Sabacc tournament as she crosses paths with the iconic character and gambler Lando Calrissian.

You'll have to manage your reputation in the underworld
It's been confirmed that Star Wars Outlaws will include a choices and consequences system. "As a scoundrel you live and die by your reputation, meaning that Kay will have to navigate the underworld and its various crime syndicates, making choices that will impact her reputation, her experience, and her support throughout the game," said creative director Julian Gerighty.

Star Wars Outlaws gets behind the scenes featurette
Massive Entertainment gave us a glimpse into the design process behind Star Wars Outlaws, showing off everything from motion capture techniques to concept art. Featuring observations from director Steve Blank, art and world director Benedikt Podlesnigg, and senior creative executive Matt Martin, the preview has plenty to offer for those looking for an insight into exactly the sort of game Star Wars Outlaws will be.

Star Wars Outlaws promises an experience players and fans haven't seen before
In an interview with Game Informer, Star Wars Outlaws' narrative director Navid Khavari stated that the game intends to offer an experience that "players and fans alike haven't seen before". He went on to describe the setting as a "writer's dream" and a “really strong anchor for the rest of the narrative."

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