Star Wars Outlaws is taking inspiration for its core gameplay loop from some unexpected sources. While the narrative will remain focused and adhere to Star Wars canon, developer Ubisoft Massive heavily emphasizes player agency through a dynamic reputation system reminiscent of titles like Grand Theft Auto and Bully. You can probably guess what mechanic they’re using.
According to an interview with GamesRadar, the crime and pursuit system in Star Wars Outlaws is like Bully, GTA, and other Rockstar titles. While not explicitly stated, it’s likely the Wanted/Star system of the games. What we think it sounds like is if you do something that makes a gang or the empire mad, and they chase you for a bit, but remember your transgressions if you escape.
This morality system takes cues from Rockstar’s open-world titles, with consequences for your actions playing out organically within the established narrative. Unlike the criticized approach taken in Hogwarts Legacy, where a half-baked morality system ultimately held little weight, Outlaws promises a tangible link between your choices and the world’s response.
This influence extends beyond simple reputation mechanics. The game’s world design also borrows inspiration from Bully’s focus on distinct locales, each harboring its own criminal power struggles and gameplay opportunities. Familiar Star Wars planets like Tatooine will exist alongside brand-new moons crafted specifically for Kay’s journey, teeming with unique biomes, stories, and rival gangs vying for control.
Gone are the days of branching narratives solely dictated by major story decisions. Star Wars Outlaws instead opts for a single, tightly-written narrative where the impact of your choices lies in shaping Kay Vess’s reputation within the galaxy’s criminal underbelly. Aligning yourself with certain syndicates will unlock new missions, allies, and lucrative opportunities while crossing the wrong faction could put a hefty bounty on your head and unleash relentless pursuers.
Using a similar Wanted/Star system that Rockstar games use is smart, and more games should keep it in mind. Starfield tried it with their bounty system, but it feels incredibly punishing with no real way to survive as a wanted outlaw because everyone wants to kill you if you’re bad. It’s not fun to be the bad guy in Starfield, but hopefully, Star Wars Outlaws can get this right.
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